He nodded. “Our genes are slightly different to those of normal Vegan blood.”
“So I suppose exploring is off the agenda?” She couldn’t imagine his family allowing him to wander the galaxy when it was clear to anyone who knew the Vegan species well that he was royalty. She and her brother were only able to explore because they often went into areas where knowledge of the Lyran royal family was limited to who was ruling at the time.
“Not at all,” he said and took both of her hands in his. Warmth spread through her when he stepped up to her and smiled into her eyes. “I would very much like to explore my side of this galaxy. It would give me a chance to see what needed to be changed, and would bring me the adventure I have craved since my childhood.”
“Is that a yes?”
He nodded again. “Yes.”
Renie grinned, tiptoed and wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him. For a moment, she had been convinced that he would say no to her. She never wanted to stop exploring the galaxy but if he had refused, she would have given it up. She wanted to explore, but she wanted to be with him more.
The thought of heading into unknown territory and meeting unknown species was almost as exciting as the thought that Tres wanted to marry her.
Almost.
“We’ll need a bigger ship,” she said. “Presuming your sister will join us.”
A smile tugged at the corners of his lips and he looked towards her father, brother and his sister where they were waiting.
“She will go wherever I go. She shares my passion for exploration and I share your belief that she may grow to like your brother. I wish only for her happiness. As a princess of Vega, she is forbidden to marry until her twin has.”
“Twin?” Renie said, hoping he would say what she wanted him to.
“I am her twin. Vegan royalty always has twins. A boy and a girl.”
She frowned and began walking with him again. “That takes the fun out of having a family. Now I know what we’ll have.”
He stopped and she jerked backwards when his hand pulled on hers.
“Family?” Tres said, curiosity in his eyes and voice.
“If you want to... not right now... not yet... maybe someday?”
He laughed at her and she dropped her gaze to the floor, her cheeks blazing over how ridiculous she had sounded. She wanted a family but she wanted to explore the galaxy first. She had said it without thinking, not realising that he would take it so seriously.
“After we have charted the entire galaxy, yes?” he said and she got the feeling that he could already read her.
She nodded and went to walk again but he stopped her, pulling her into his arms.
“Renie?” he said with a serious expression that made her heart pound with nerves.
“Tres?”
He smoothed the tangled strands of her dark hair back, watching his fingers. A look of tender affection entered his eyes and he smiled. She smiled too when he caressed her cheek and his eyes met hers.
“Will you?” he said.
“Will I what?”
He pressed his forehead against hers and cupped both of her cheeks in his palms.
“Be mine?”
Her heart thudded hard against her chest. Reaching up, she held his cheeks and drew back enough that she could see his eyes.
“Always,” she whispered.
He tilted his head, dipped his mouth towards hers, and kissed her so slow that her whole body felt light and warm. It was a tender caress of her lips, a kiss that spoke of love and affection. She melted into it, wishing it would never end and not caring that they had an audience.
His hands caught hers and he lowered and held them.
When he broke the kiss, she stared into his eyes, lost in their fascinating depths and her feelings for him.
“Ready?” she said to Tres with a sideward glance at her father.
“Ready,” Tres said and then added, “Are you ready?”
Renie looked back into his eyes. She knew what he meant by that question. He wasn’t asking whether she was prepared to face her father, but rather if she was prepared to face a future with a Vegan. She was under no illusion that it was going to be easy. Their union could only promote peace between the species. Even if it upset a few, it would benefit many.
Besides that, she wanted to marry him.
No. She loved him and she was going to marry him.
As long as they loved each other, she could face anything.
She smiled.
Was she ready to walk forwards at his side towards their future?
Taking Tres’s hand, Renie held his gaze, seeing her happiness reflected back at her and how wonderful that future would be.
There was only one answer to his question.
“Yes.”
The End
###
About the author
Felicity Heaton is a great believer in love at first sight and the romantic ideal. Having grown up reading extensively, she developed a deep love of classical literature, ranking Jane Eyre, North & South, and Persuasion amongst her all time favourite reads. The most romantic moment of her life was when her husband got down on bended knee on the steps of Sacré Coeur, Paris, at night in front of several hundred spectators and proposed. She was too drunk on love, and subsequently champagne, to care about the audience. All she could see was the man that she loved. A writer of emotion and life, she always strives to touch a chord of familiarity in her readers and give them characters they can love and a read to remember.
Connect with me online:
Website: http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/felicityheaton
Blog: http://felicityheaton.blogspot.com/
Daughters of Lyra: Heart of a Prince Page 11