Page 21 of The Alien's Unwilling Bride

He was quiet for a moment, considering her question. “I’m not sure I know anymore,” he admitted, his voice low. “For so long, I’ve been what everyone needed me to be – the dutiful prince and the technology scientist. But out here, with you...” He trailed off, his eyes meeting hers with an intensity that made her breath hitch. “I feel like I’m rediscovering parts of myself I’d forgotten existed.”

The honesty in his words touched something deep within Mila. She reached out, hesitating for a moment before placing her hand on his arm. “I like this version of you,” she said softly. “The one who’s not afraid to get his hands dirty in the name of science.”

Roq’s laugh was warm and rich, sending a pleasant tingle through Mila’s body. “Well, in that case,” he said, a mischievous glint in his eye, “allow me to demonstrate my newfound appreciation for manual labor.”

Before Mila could react, Roq had scooped up a handful of the damp, alien soil. He held it up to his face, inhaling deeply. “Fascinating,” he murmured, his tone mock-serious. “I detect notes of... dirt. With a hint of more dirt. Your expert opinion, Dr. Arison?”

Mila couldn’t help but laugh, the sound echoing across the landscape. “Very scientific analysis, Your Highness,” she teased back. “But I think you missed a spot.”

With a playful grin, she reached out and smeared a bit of the soil across Roq’s cheek. He looked so comically shocked that Mila burst into laughter again.

“Oh, you think that’s funny, do you?” Roq growled, but there was no heat in his words. His eyes sparkled with mirth as he advanced on her, hands full of mud.

Mila backed away, still giggling. “Don’t you dare, Roq! I mean it!”

But it was too late. With surprising speed, Roq closed the distance between them, wrapping one arm around her waist to hold her in place as he smeared mud across her forehead with his free hand.

“There,” he said, his voice low and breathy. “Now, we match.”

Mila suddenly became acutely aware of their position – Roq’s arm still around her waist, their bodies pressed together. She could feel the heat radiating off him, smell the earthy scent of his skin mixed with something uniquelyhim. Her laughter died in her throat as she met his gaze, seeing her own desire reflected at her.

For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. Mila’s heart pounded in her chest as Roq’s eyes dropped to her lips. She found herself leaning in, drawn by an invisible force...

The shrill screech of a not-so-distant animal shattered the moment. Mila jumped back.

“I, uh... we should keep moving,” she stammered, trying to regain her composure.

Roq cleared his throat, running a hand through his hair. “Right. Yes. Lead the way, Dr. Arison. Head toward the sun, by the way.”

She smirked back at him and turned in the other direction.

As they moved deeper into the wild lands, Mila tried to focus on the task at hand. But her mind kept wandering back to that moment – the feel of Roq’s arm around her, the intensity in his eyes. She snuck glances at him as they walked, noticing the way the dappled sunlight played across his features, highlighting the strong line of his jaw and the curve of his lips.

Focus, Mila,she chided herself.You’re not here to moon over some hunky alien prince.

But even as she thought it, she knew it wasn’t that simple anymore. Roq wasn’t just some alien royal – he was becoming a true partner, someone she could rely on both professionally and personally. The realization both thrilled and terrified her.

Hours passed and the twin suns of Tharvis began to dip toward the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow across the landscape. Mila wiped sweat from her brow, realizing for the first time how long they had been walking at an incline, steadily climbing a small mountain.

The rough and rocky terrain was treacherous, promising a twisted ankle at any moment. Finally, they had reached the top and could start downward.

As she crested and peered out over the valley below, she gasped. “Roq,” she called out, her voice tinged with concern. “Hurry up. Look at this.”

He was at her side in an instant, his shoulder brushing against hers. The casual touch sent a jolt of electricity through Mila, but she forced herself to focus.

What lay before them left them speechless. The hard, stone-covered ground of the hillside vanished, replaced by loose, soft ground. Almost like a beach with no water.

“What has happened here?” Roq asked.

Mila’s sharp eyes scanned the expanse. “The land has been processed leaving the byproducts of deep mineral extraction.”

Roq’s eyes widened. “Are you saying?—”

“Yup, someone has mined here, and they’ve been trying to cover their tracks.”

Roq’s expression darkened as his thoughts caught up to hers. “You’re right,” he said, his voice grim. “This level of mineral depletion... it’s far worse than we initially thought. The damageisn’t localized – it’s systematic. Whoever’s behind this has been operating for years.”

A chill ran down Mila’s spine as the implications sank in.

---