The Vuulian heart Ch.9

Nisnieth pushed his plates away with a satisfied smile "I must say… this 'dessert' is everything you promised and more, I shall have to sample more suggestions from my beautiful bride"

Liliana chuckled awkwardly and cleared her throat as she pushed her own plates away… it was going to take her a long time before she would be able to accept him calling her endearments without feeling like a panicking rat in a corner with a cat closing in.

How else what she supposed to feel after being abducted, told she was going to marry a total stranger? What's more… she would never see Earth again…

"Are you finished, Liliana?" Nisnieth asked her, reaching over to caress some jet black hair away from Liliana's face, his fingertips lingering for the briefest couple of seconds before he withdrew his hand… Liliana's flesh tingled curiously in their wake…

Smiling bashfully, Liliana nodded softly "Nisnieth… tell me more about what my life will be like when we arrive to your planet… I really want to know, I think I think I deserve to…"

Nisnieth looked at her thoughtfully, his expression neither enthused or displeased, but thoughtful nonetheless "Of course, my darling… Is there any specific inquiries you have on the subject?"

Liliana was quiet for a moment, before she decided on a few questions to start out with "Will there be any restrictions placed upon me? Will I be allowed to pursue a passion or perhaps a job of my choosing? Or even causes happening on the planet, will I be allowed to support them?"

The expression on the prince's face brightened, he looked like he found Liliana's questions pleasing in some way.

"There will be very few and very minor restrictions, as one would expect of any member of a royal family, simple things really… for example, we are expected to keep a cool head in public and project a particular elegant and polished appearance. I will help you with all you need to know about royal life"

He moved onto the next question with a smile "Your dedication to causes involving the Vuulian people will be accepted and fully encouraged by me, it will help the people accept you and come to revere you as their queen. There will be plenty for you to do in bonding with your new people"

Liliana nodded and moved onto the next question swimming around in her head "What about political decisions? Will I be allowed to add my own opinion to yours and have it carry some weight? Or will I be expected to just sit pretty as your side while having babies and doing charity work?"

Nisnieth chuckled with a grin "Oh I did well in choosing you to be my bride! I love your fire! Yes, Liliana, you will be my queen in every sense, you will help me rule our planet… together, we will make Vuul a paradise to live upon… as it once was before the affliction…"

The sadness that touched his face as the last bit left his lips tugged at Liliana's heart… it might have occurred when he was only a child, but it clearly brought him great sadness to think about… she could only imagine all the beloved female family members the Vuulian people had lost and still mourned to this day. Like Nisnieth's mother for example.

She reached for his hand and held it tightly "You must miss her so much… your mother…"

"I was so young… but I remember her kindness, her deep capacity for love and compassion…" Nisnieth murmured "Everyone loved her… none more than my father… he's never quite recovered from losing her… we Vuulians, Liliana, bond with our mates in a profound way that very few human men do…"

"Tell me…" Liliana asked him, her curiosity piqued… what were Vuulian men like when they gave their hearts?

"It is difficult to explain to another species, but… Vuulian males make a connection with their mates, an almost spiritual connection of the hearts… she becomes like the very air he requires to breathe… without her light to shine upon his world, it all just grows dim and grey… For a male of my species, losing her is like losing a vital piece of himself… a piece so important, a hole will be left within him that can never be filled again… except in the rare occasions that a male gets lucky and is blessed with the opportunity to find such a profound love again, he will not heal completely, but… he will become more of himself again for sure"

Liliana stared mesmerized at the prince… she never would have guessed that this species had such a beautiful connection with those they gave their hearts to, it took such strength and courage to surrender oneself in such a vulnerable way to another person, to trust them with such a piece of yourself so completely…

"I look forward to the day you accept my feelings for you, Liliana…" Nisnieth murmured, picking up her hand that hand been holding his and bringing it to his lips, placing a soft kiss upon the back "I know you do not yet fully understand how love works with the Vuulian race… but you will in time… I knew as soon as I saw you those two months ago, that you were the one my heart had been longing for… one look into your beautiful pale blue eyes and I knew everything I needed to know…"

He released her hand then and began to rise from his seat, extending an arm for her to take "Come my darling, we will retire for the evening now"

Liliana rose slowly and accepted the offered arm of the prince, Nisnieth gave his dining men a nod of acknowledgement before he began to guide his bride-to-be from the dining hall.

The walk back to the quarters she was to be sharing with Nisnieth on their several month long journey back to Vuul was very quiet, Nisnieth looked so beautiful and regal as he stared onward down the corridor… she had to wonder… would she find happiness with Nisnieth on Vuul? Or would she always long for the Earth?

"We have arrived, my love" Nisnieth told her as they reached the elaborate starburst shape on the corridor wall, he reached out and touched, the doorway opening wide for them… but before Liliana could take a step forward with her own two feet, she found herself scooped up into Nisnieth's strong arms and immediately carried inside on swift confident strides...