Page 42 of The Alien's Unwilling Bride

“We can stop the degradation,” Roqron finished. “Maybe even reverse some of the damage.”

For a moment, they just stared at each other, the magnitude of their discovery sinking in. Then, without thinking, Mila threw her arms around Roqron, hugging him tightly. “We did it,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Roqron stiffened for a moment, surprised by the sudden display of affection. Then his arms came around her, holding her close. “We did,” he agreed softly. “Together.”

As they pulled apart, Mila found herself caught in Roqron’s gaze. The intensity she saw there made her heart race. She cleared her throat, taking a small step back. “We should, um, start compiling all our data. The council will need a comprehensive report.”

Roqron nodded, though Mila thought she saw a flicker of disappointment cross his face. “Of course. Let’s get to work.”

They spent the next few hours organizing their findings, cross-referencing data, and preparing a detailed proposal for stabilizing Tharvis’s core. As they worked, Mila found her mind wandering, replaying moments from their journey together. The tension of their first meeting, the growing respect during their expeditions, the heart-stopping moment in the cave...

She stole glances at Roqron as he worked, his brow furrowed in concentration. When had this brilliant, stubborn alien prince become so important to her? The thought both thrilled and terrified her.

As the last of Tharvis’s suns dipped below the horizon, bathing the landscape in a deep blue twilight, Mila stretched, working out the kinks in her back from hours of hunching over their equipment. “I think that’s as much as we can do for now,” she said, stifling a yawn.

Roqron nodded, running a hand through his hair. The gesture was so uncharacteristically casual that Mila couldn’thelp but smile. “Agreed. We should rest before heading back to the palace.”

They settled on a smooth, flat rock formation, their shoulders brushing as they sat side by side. The bioluminescent plants around them cast a soft, otherworldly glow, and in the distance, strange bird-like creatures called to each other in haunting tones.

For a while, they sat in comfortable silence, the weight of their discovery and the beauty of their surroundings settling over them like a warm blanket. Mila leaned against Roqron, drawn to his solid presence beside her.

“You know,” Roqron said suddenly, breaking the silence. “When I first met you, I thought you were the most infuriating human I’d ever encountered.”

Mila snorted, nudging him with her elbow. “Gee, thanks. You really know how to charm a girl, don’t you?”

Roqron chuckled, the sound vibrating through his chest. “Let me finish,” he said, his voice softening. “You were infuriating, yes. But also brilliant, passionate, and utterly captivating. I’ve never met anyone like you, Mila Arison.”

Mila felt her heart skip a beat at his words. She turned to look at him, finding his intense gaze already on her. “Roqron,” she began, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Wait,” he said, reaching out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Before you say anything, I need you to know something. This... whatever this is between us... it’s not just duty or political alliance for me. Not anymore.”

Mila’s breath caught in her throat. She could see the vulnerability in Roq’s eyes, the same fear and hope that she’d been grappling with for weeks. “It’s not for me either,” she admitted, her voice shaky. “I’ve been trying to fight it, to keep things professional but...”

“But?” Roq prompted, his hand still lingering on her cheek.

Mila took a deep breath, steeling herself. It was now or never. “But I’ve fallen in love with you, Roqron Tharvis. And it terrifies me.”

For a moment, Roq just stared at her, his eyes wide with surprise. Then, slowly, a smile spread across his face – not his usual controlled, princely smile, but a genuine, radiant grin that transformed his entire face.

“You terrify me too,” he said, his voice filled with warmth and amusement. “You challenge everything I thought I knew, turn my world upside down, and yet... I’ve never felt more alive than when I’m with you.”

Mila felt a bubble of laughter rise in her chest, giddy with relief and joy. “So, what do we do now?” she asked, leaning into his touch.

Roq’s other hand came to rest on her waist, pulling her closer. “Well,” he said, his voice low and husky. “I was thinking we could start with this.”

He leaned in, giving her every chance to pull away. But Mila was done running from her feelings. She met him halfway, their lips coming together in a kiss that was everything their first kiss should have been – soft and sweet yet filled with passion and promise.

When they finally parted, Mila couldn’t help but laugh. “You know,” she said, a teasing note in her voice, “when I agreed to this arranged marriage, I never thought I’d actually fall in love with my alien prince.”

Roq grinned, pressing his forehead against hers. “And I never thought a stubborn, brilliant Earth scientist would capture my heart,” he replied. “I guess we’re both full of surprises.”

As they sat together under the alien sky, wrapped in each other’s arms, Mila felt a sense of peace settle over her.

The bioluminescent plants glowed softly around them, a silent witness to the turning point in their relationship. And asTharvis’s moons rose in the sky, casting a silvery light over the landscape, Mila and Roq began to plan not just for the future of the planet, but for their future together.

“So,” Mila said, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on Roqron’s arm. “Does this mean I get to call you ‘honey’ in front of the council?”

Roq groaned, but she could feel him smiling against her hair. “Only if you want to give half of them a heart attack.”

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