Page 29 of Quick on the Claw

When they finally parted, both slightly breathless, Tiffany couldn’t help but grin. “You know, I could definitely get used to this whole alien romance thing.”

Zak chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest. “I’m glad to hear it. Though I hope you know you’re far more than just some ‘alien romance’ to me, Tiffany.”

The sincerity in his voice made her heart skip a beat. Before she could respond, however, a splash from nearby caught their attention.

A group of creatures that looked like a cross between otters and dolphins had surfaced near their boat. Their sleek bodies shimmered with iridescent scales, and their playful chirps filled the air.

“Oh my goodness, they’re adorable!” Tiffany exclaimed, her eyes wide with delight.

Zak laughed. “They’re called shimmerfish. They’re quite friendly, if you’d like to say hello.”

Eagerly, Tiffany leaned over the side of the boat, holding out her hand. One of the bolder shimmerfish swam up, nuzzling her palm with its velvety snout. Its touch sent a pleasant tingling sensation up her arm like gentle static electricity.

“They’re amazing,” she breathed, giggling as more of the creatures swarmed around the boat, chirping excitedly.

Zak watched her with a soft smile, clearly enjoying her enthusiasm. “Here,” he said, reaching into a compartment in the boat and pulling out a small bag. “They love these treats.”

Together, they spent the next hour feeding and playing with the shimmerfish. Tiffany’s laughter echoed across the lake as the creatures performed acrobatic leaps and splashed them playfully. Zak joined in, his usual regal demeanor giving way to genuine joy.

As the sun began to dip toward the horizon, Zak suggested one last adventure for the day. “There’s a cliff not far from here that offers the most breathtaking view of the sunset,” he explained. “It’s a bit of a hike, but I think you’ll find it worth it.”

THIRTEEN

Tiffany grinned, always up for a challenge. “Lead the way, Your Majesty.”

The hike proved more strenuous than Tiffany had anticipated. The terrain was rocky and steep, requiring careful navigation. More than once, she found herself grateful for Zak’s steady hand helping her over tricky patches.

As they climbed, their conversation turned to deeper topics. Zak spoke about his fears for the kingdom’s future and the weight of responsibility he carried as king.

“Sometimes I worry that I’m not enough,” he admitted quietly. “That I’ll make a decision that will harm my people, or fail to protect them when they need me most.”

Tiffany’s heart ached at the vulnerability in his voice. She stopped, turning to face him fully. “Zak, the fact that you worry about that shows what a good king you are. You care deeply about your people. That counts for a lot.”

He smiled softly, reaching out to cup her cheek. “Thank you, Tiffany. Your faith in me means a lot.”

As they neared the top of the cliff, Tiffany shared her own doubts and desires. “I’ve always wanted to make a real difference in the world,” she explained. “But lately, I’ve been wondering if I’m on the right path. If there’s something more I should be doing with my life.”

Zak listened intently, offering words of encouragement and support. By the time they reached the summit, Tiffany felt lighter, as if sharing her burdens had somehow made them easier to bear.

The view from the cliff took Tiffany’s breath away. The entire kingdom spread out before them, a tapestry of vibrant colors bathed in the golden light of the setting suns. The sky was ablaze with shades of pink, purple, and orange, more vivid than any sunset Tiffany had ever seen on Earth.

“It’s incredible,” she breathed, leaning into Zak’s side. His arm wrapped around her waist, holding her close.

“Yes, it is,” he agreed softly, though when Tiffany glanced up, she found him looking not at the view, but at her.

As night fell, they settled onto a blanket Zak had brought, gazing up at the star-filled sky. Tiffany marveled at the unfamiliar constellations, listening intently as Zak pointed out various celestial bodies and shared the legends associated with them.

“And that bright star there,” he said, pointing to a twinkling blue-white point of light, “that’s your sun. Earth is too small to see from here, but that’s the star it orbits.”

Tiffany stared at the distant star, a wave of emotion washing over her. It was strange to think that her entire world, everything she’d ever known, was just a tiny speck circling that far-off point of light.

“Do you miss it?” Zak asked softly, his fingers intertwining with hers.

Tiffany considered the question carefully. “Parts of it,” she admitted. “My students, some of my friends. But...” she turned to look at him, her heart swelling with emotion, “I’m starting to feel like I belong here too.”

Zak’s eyes softened, filled with an emotion that made Tiffany’s breath catch in her throat. Slowly, giving her plenty of time to pull away if she wanted, he leaned in.

Their lips met in a kiss that was both tender and passionate. Tiffany’s hand came up to cup the back of Zak’s neck, pulling him closer as she poured all of her confusing, wonderful emotions into the kiss.

---