The crowd disappears as the kiss turns into something more.He’s the only thing I feel.See.Want.My blood pounds in my ears and the ragged sound of my own breathing fills my head as I reach for him.
“My Lady.”The hilt of a dagger slams down on top of our table and I jump.My heart leaps into my throat.From the corner of my eye, I see Lord Umbridge’s squire standing next to our table.The evil villain himself sits atop his horse a few steps behind.“Lord Umbridge requests the gift of your attention.”
Rygar is on his feet, ready to attack.I reach for his hand.“It’s okay.It’s just part of the show.They’re not a threat.”
Rygar, apparently, doesn’t believe me because no matter how hard I tug, he doesn’t sit back down.The entire room is staring at us.In fact, I look up to see the large display screen they’ve been using to help the audience see what’s going on has a ten-foot-tall version of us front and center.
The stupid dude playing Lord Umbridge doesn’t help matters.“My Lady, I see that thou art newly wed.I pledge to slay the arrogant Lord Windham in your honor.I beg thee, accept my favor.”
Lord Umbridge extends a lance toward our table.Tied to the end is a black handkerchief with his noble family’s crest.Feeling like a giddy teenager, I take it.
I glance up at Rygar who is watching the interaction with one eyebrow raised.Assessing.I wink at him to make sure he knows this is just a game.
Rygar’s shoulders relax and he removes his hand from the fancy row of buttons on one arm of his suit to rest it on the back of his chair.
Lord Umbridge shouts his vow to the room.“Once I have proven myself, I will return for you.”He gestures toward Rygar with his sword.“This oaf has not proven himself worthy of such a beautiful bride.I shall return and rid you of this beast.”He lifts his sword to point at the ceiling and shouts, “I shall make you mine!”
Our entire section screams in approval.
Rygar growls, his gaze locked onto the stupid actor like he’s already dead and just doesn’t know it yet.
My space warrior is so sexy.
Before I can move, Lord Umbridge spins his horse away from us and trots to the end of the jousting area, his squire sprinting behind him on foot.I wrap my fingers around Rygar’s wrist and gently pull him back down into his seat.“Rygar, this is all part of the show.I’m sure they do this every time they have a woman here in a wedding dress.That’s probably why the hostess sat us here, right next to the arena.”
“I do not like that male.”
I burst out laughing.I don’t think I’ve laughed this much inyears.My ‘alien’ is funny.Adorable.And kissable.He’s fucking perfect.Joy bursts to life inside me like a paintball has hit my heart.It’s so fast, so unexpected, it hurts.A lot.I realize, staring at my new husband as the evil Lord Umbridge and his adversary race toward one another on horseback, that I haven’t thought about Nicholas for hours.His name is like white paint splashed on white walls inside me.No effect.No feelings.Nothing.He’s nothing.
How is this possible?Rygar has completely taken over the smallest spaces in my head and my heart.What madness is this thing between us?Because the tequila wore off a while ago and I’m still… warm.Happy.Relaxed.
And I think this man of mine might just be everything I’ve ever wanted.A man who adores me, kids, and the proverbial white picket fence where we set down roots.
An eruption of cheers—and boos from the other side of the arena—snaps my attention back to the mock battle playing out before us.Lord Umbridge has managed to unseat his challenger.He slides from the saddle of his large black—of course his horse is jet black—steed as the squires rush forward to give the two knights their swords.
B.I.L.L.:Commander, I was tracking Dark Fleet assets from the scene of the vehicle explosion.They are on their way to your location.
“How much time do we have?”
B.I.L.L.:Unknown.I lost contact.
“What do you mean you lost contact?”Rygar’s attention shifts from the mock battle and clanging swords in the center of the arena to scanning the crowd and checking the exits.
I grew up with a Navy SEAL, I’ve witnessed this routine hundreds of times.My dad never relaxed until he knew every entrance and exit to every building we were in.When I was a kid, he made it a game.I got pretty darn good at it myself.In fact, I realize I unconsciously counted two stairwells going to the second floor, five emergency, fire alarm exits, the main entrance we came through, two doors to the kitchens and a large corridor they used to bring in the horses.
This place has more holes than a block of Swiss cheese.
Why are men in black SUV’s chasing him?Why didn’t I pay more attention when he was shooting rocket things out of his spacesuit?I mean, sure, orgasms can be highly distracting.But I’m not usually so… unconcerned.It’s like I was high on drugs in that car, not just tequila.
Where did he get the advanced technology and weapons in his suit?He said he was from another world, but the much more likely explanation is that he is in Special Forces, has access to advanced technology, and enough money to order the best cosplay costumes on the market.I have no idea where one would order the suit he has, but I totally want one.
I’m not exactly thin, but I would totally rock a spacesuit.
The faux duel comes to its exciting conclusion as the hero ‘stabs’ Lord Umbridge through the heart.His howl of pain is quite dramatic as he collapses to the ground, vanquished by the valiant hero.
The applause is loud and I join in, adding a loud whistle for good measure.
Rygar is already on his feet, his hand on my elbow as he gently helps me stand.“We need to leave.Now.”
