Page 23 of The Alien's Unwilling Bride

Mila felt her heart swell with a complex mix of emotions – fear, hope, and a deep, undeniable affection for the man beside her. She squeezed his hand, marveling at how natural it felt to reach for him, to seek comfort in his touch.

“Us,” she repeated, testing the word on her tongue. “That’s going to take some getting used to.”

Roq chuckled softly, the sound sending a pleasant warmth through Mila’s body. “I rather like the sound of it,” he said, his thumb tracing gentle circles on the back of her hand. “Though I must admit, when I first met you, I never imagined we’d end up here.”

Mila raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing at her lips. “Oh? And where exactly did you imagine we’d end up, Your Highness?”

Roq laughed, the sound echoing softly in the cavern. “Well, if I’m being honest, I thought you’d be itching to return to Earth by now. You made it quite clear that you weren’t thrilled about this arrangement.”

“I wasn’t,” Mila admitted, her voice softening. “But that was before I knew... before I understood...”

“Before you understood what?” Roq prompted gently, his eyes searching hers.

Mila took a deep breath, gathering her courage. “Before I understood you,” she said quietly. “The real you, not just the prince or the scientist. Before I saw how much you care about your people, about Tharvis. How brilliant and dedicated you are.” She paused, a slight blush coloring her cheeks. “And how infuriatingly charming you can be when you’re not being all proper and princely.”

Roq’s smile was warm, his eyes twinkling with amusement and affection. “Infuriatingly charming, am I? I’ll have to remember that one.”

“Don’t let it go to your head,” Mila retorted, but there was no bite in her words. She found herself leaning closer to him, drawn by the warmth of his presence.

“And what about you, Dr. Arison?” Roq asked, his voice low and intimate. “What did you imagine when you first arrived on Tharvis?”

Mila considered the question, thinking back to her first days on the alien planet. “Honestly? I imagined doing my research, maybe making some interesting discoveries, and then going home. I didn’t expect to get caught up in a planet-wide conspiracy or...” She trailed off, suddenly unsure how to put her feelings into words.

“Or?” Roq prompted, his gaze intense.

“Or to find someone who understands me so completely,” Mila finished softly. “Someone who challenges me, who makes me see things differently. Someone who makes me want to stay.”

The words hung in the air between them, heavy with meaning. Roq reached up, gently tucking a strand of hair behind Mila’s ear. His touch lingered, sending a tremble down her.

“Mila,” he murmured, her name sounding like a caress on his lips. “I want you to know that whatever happens, whatever we face, I’m grateful for this time with you. You’ve shown me a sideof my own world I never truly appreciated before. You’ve made me a better leader, a better scientist... a better man.”

Mila felt her heart swell with emotion. She leaned into his touch, her eyes never leaving his. “Roq, I?—“

A sudden rumble shook the cavern, cutting off her words. Dust and small rocks rained down from the ceiling as the ground trembled beneath them.

“What was that?” Mila gasped, instinctively clutching Roq’s arm.

Roq was already on his feet, pulling Mila up with him. “Seismic activity,” he said grimly. “But it’s not natural. Our planet’s core is extremely stable. Something has to be causing it.”

Her earlier fear and anger rushed back. “We have to find their operation and stop them before they cause irreparable damage to Tharvis’s existence.”

Roq nodded, his expression hardening into one of determination. “You’re right. We need to act now.”

As another tremor shook the cavern, Mila felt a surge of adrenaline course through her. The danger was real, the stakes higher than ever, but she found herself strangely calm. She looked at Roq, seeing her own resolve mirrored in his eyes.

“So, what’s the plan?” she asked, a hint of her usual sass creeping into her voice. “Sneak into the secret base of a radical faction hellbent on destroying your planet’s ecosystem? Should be a walk in the park compared to dealing with Earth politics.”

Roq’s laugh was sharp and surprised. “Your ability to find humor in dire situations never ceases to amaze me, Dr. Arison.”

“What can I say? It’s a gift,” Mila quipped, but her smile faded as she grew serious. “Roq, whatever we’re about to face... I want you to know I’m with you. Not because of any political arrangement or scientific mission, but because I choose to be.Because I believe in you, in us, and in what we can accomplish together.”

Roq’s eyes softened, and for a moment, Mila thought he might kiss her. Instead, he took her hand, bringing it to his lips for a gentle kiss that sent sparks shooting through her entire body.

“Together, then,” he said, his voice filled with warmth and determination. “Let’s go save a planet.”

As they prepared to venture deeper into the tunnels toward the source of the seismic disturbances, Mila felt a mix of fear and exhilaration. The journey ahead would be dangerous, the odds stacked against them. But with Roq by her side, she felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

They moved through the winding passages, retracing the route previously taken. More tremors guided them down a different passage.

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