Page 17 of The Alien's Unwilling Bride

The sky above Tharvis erupted without warning, transforming the wild lands into a treacherous, rain-soaked expanse. Thick, warm sheets of water poured from the heavens, drenching everything in their path. The once-stable ground beneath Roq’s feet turned to slick mud, each step a calculated risk.

Roq’s eyes darted around, assessing their surroundings. The alien flora, usually docile and bioluminescent, seemed to come alive in response to the deluge. Tendrils reached out, their glow intensifying as if stirred by the storm’s energy. The landscape he knew so well had become an unpredictable, dangerous maze.

“We need to find shelter—now,” Roq called over the roar of the storm, his voice filled with urgency. He glanced at Mila, concern etched on his features. Her clothes clung to her body, her hair plastered to her face, but her eyes blazed with determination.

“Lead the way,” Mila yelled, struggling to maintain her footing in the treacherous mud. Despite the chaos around them, Roq couldn’t help but admire her resilience. She pushed forward, matching his pace stride for stride.

Roq’s keen eyes scanned the terrain, searching for any sign of refuge. The rain beat down relentlessly, obscuring his vision and making the task all the more challenging. Then, through the curtain of water, he spotted it—a small opening in the side of a hill, barely visible but promising shelter.

“There!” He pointed, motioning for Mila to follow. “A cave!”

They pushed through the storm, battling against the wind and rain. Roq’s muscles burned with exertion, but he pressed on. His protective instincts, honed through years of royal training, kicked into overdrive. He had to get them to safety.

As they neared the cave, Roq quickened his pace. He reached the entrance first, pausing only long enough to scan the interior for any immediate threats. Satisfied that it was safe, he gestured for Mila to enter.

“Go,” he urged, his voice barely audible above the storm. “I’ll be right behind you.”

Mila didn’t hesitate. She ducked into the cave with Roq following close behind. The moment they were inside, they both collapsed against the rough stone walls, their chests heaving from the exertion.

The cave was large enough for the two of them to fit in with some extra space. Its walls were rough-hewn, carved by nature rather than design. The only light came from the faint bioluminescence of the plants outside and the occasional flash of lightning. The air inside was cool and damp, a stark contrast to the warm rain they’d just escaped.

Roq took a moment to catch his breath, his eyes adjusting to the dim light. He could hear Mila’s ragged breathing beside him and feel the heat radiating from her body despite their soaked clothes. The closeness of the space combined with their exhaustion and the intensity of the storm created an atmosphere that was both intimate and charged.

“Well, that was fun,” Mila said, her voice laced with sarcasm as she pushed her wet hair out of her face. “Nothing like a mad dash through alien terrain to get the blood pumping.”

Roq couldn’t help but chuckle, wiping the water from his own face. “Tharvis tends to keep things... interesting.” His tone was light, but he could feel an undercurrent of tension in the air—something that went beyond the storm and their current predicament.

He glanced at Mila, really looking at her for the first time since they’d entered the cave. She was soaked to the bone, her clothes clinging to her body in a way that made Roq acutely aware of her presence. Her hair, usually styled in a ponytail, was a loose wild mess. Yet, there was something about her in this moment—disheveled, tired, but still radiating strength—that Roq found utterly captivating.

“You’re staring,” Mila said, a hint of amusement in her voice. “Do I look that bad?”

Heat crept up his neck; he was thankful for the dim light that hid his embarrassment. “No, not at all. You look...” he paused, searching for the right word. “Remarkable.”

Mila raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. “Remarkable? That’s a new one. Usually, people go for ‘beautiful’ or ‘stunning’ after a near-death experience.”

“You’re those things too,” Roq said without thinking, then cleared his throat. “I mean, you handled yourself remarkably well out there. Not many could keep up in those conditions.”

“Smooth recovery, Your Highness,” Mila teased, but there was a softness in her eyes that hadn’t been there.

The cave’s small size forced them to sit close, their shoulders almost touching. He was suddenly intensely aware of every point where their bodies nearly met, of the sound of her breathing, of the scent of her skin beneath the earthy smell of rain.

“We should try to get dry,” Roq said, his voice sounding strained even to his own ears. He reached into a pocket of his utility belt, pulling out a small metallic cube. With a press of a button, the cube unfolded, expanding into a large, thick blanket.

Mila’s eyes widened in surprise. “Okay, that’s impressive. Let me guess—standard issue for Tharvisian royalty caught in rainstorms?”

Roq smiled, handing her the blanket. “Something like that. It’s thermal-regulated and water-resistant. It should keep you warm and help you dry off.”

“What about you?” Mila asked, hesitating to take the blanket.

Roq pulled out another cube. “I always carry a spare. You never know when you might need to share.”

As they both wrapped themselves in the high-tech blankets, Roq couldn’t help but notice Mila as she removed her clothes from under the blanket to set them on a rock to dry. He followed her lead and did the same, acutely aware of the fact they were both naked under their blankets. He watched the material cling to Mila’s form, accentuating her curves. He quickly averted his gaze, trying to focus on their situation rather than his growing attraction.

“So,” Mila said, breaking the silence that had settled between them. “What’s our plan? Wait out the storm?”

Roq nodded, grateful for the distraction. “That’s the safest option. The wild lands can be treacherous even in good weather. In this storm, it’s too dangerous to venture out.”

“And the equipment? Will it be safe at the camp?” The concern in Mila’s voice was evident. Roq knew how important her research tools were to her, how much of herself she’d invested in this mission.

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