Page 16 of The Alien's Unwanted Bride

Zora swallowed hard. Where had that knowledge come from? Why couldn’t she remember?

The moment stretched between them, filled with unspoken words and growing respect. Sprig finally broke the silence, its cheerful voice cutting through the tension.

“Congratulations on not becoming shadow snacks!” the robot chirped. “Shall I compose a victory anthem?”

Zora couldn’t help but laugh, the release of tension feeling wonderful after the intensity of the battle. Even Dravek’s lips twitched in what might have been the beginnings of a smile.

“I vote for continuing the journey,” Zora said, her eyes meeting Dravek’s.

The prince nodded, his expression softening slightly. “Agreed. And... thank you, Zora. Your quick thinking was invaluable.”

The sincerity in his voice warmed her, and Zora hoped that this new understanding between them would continue to grow.

As they pressed on, the labyrinth seemed to respond to their teamwork. The paths became slightly more stable, the shifts less frequent. It was as if the living maze was acknowledging their efforts, granting them a small reprieve.

They walked in companionable silence for a time, each lost in their own thoughts. Her mind drifted to Dravek, replaying the grace and power he’d displayed during the fight. She’d always known he was a skilled warrior, but seeing him in action had stirred something within her.

She snuck a glance at him, admiring his strong profile and the determined set of his jaw. There was more to him than the stern, duty-bound prince she’d initially assumed him to be with layers of complexity she wanted to unravel.

Dravek must have sensed her gaze, for he turned to look at her. Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, Zora saw a flicker of something in his dark gaze—curiosity, perhaps, or a hint of the same attraction she was feeling.

As they rounded a corner, Zora’s foot caught on a root, sending her stumbling forward. Dravek’s arm shot out, catching her before she could fall. For a moment, they stood frozen, his arm around her waist, her hand on his chest.

A flood of emotions washed over Zora. “Thank you,” Zora murmured, looking up into his dark eyes.

His grip on her waist tightened almost imperceptibly. “Are you all right?” he asked, his voice low and husky.

“I’m fine,” Zora replied, suddenly breathless. “Just a little clumsy.”

Their eyes locked, and Zora felt as if the whole world had narrowed to this moment and this connection between them.

Slowly, almost imperceptibly, Dravek began to lean in. Zora’s breath caught in her throat, her eyes fluttering closed...

“Ahem!” Sprig’s electronic voice cut through the moment like a knife. “Not to interrupt what appears to be a very important staring contest, but I believe I’ve detected an anomaly ahead.”

TWELVE

In the deep tunnels of the Shadow Lands cave, Dravek wanted nothing more but to taste this incredible woman in his arms. But as his luck would have it, the exasperating little bot interrupted at the precise wrong time.

He released Zora, stepping back, feeling the loss of her warmth keenly, but he forced himself to focus on Sprig’s words.

“What is it, Sprig?” Zora asked.

“I have detected a water source. It could be an underground spring.”

Dravek considered this information, his tactical mind already assessing the potential benefits and risks. “An underground spring would be useful. We need to refill our water supplies. But we’ll need to remain vigilant. We don’t know what else might be drawn to the water source.”

They followed Sprig’s guidance, winding through narrow passages until the sound of gently bubbling water reached their ears. The passage opened into a small cavern, and both Dravek and Zora gasped at the sight before them.

The walls were lined with luminescent crystals that cast a soft, ethereal glow over the stream of flowing water. It was a hidden oasis, untouched and beautiful.

“It’s amazing,” Zora breathed, already moving closer to the water’s edge. She dipped her hand in. “It’s cold.”

Dravek scanned the cavern, noting with approval that there was only one entrance – easy to defend if necessary. “It seems safe enough. We should take a break.”

Several feet from the rocky creek lay a patch of the soft, springy moss that seemed prevalent in this lower cave. She took a seat, letting out a sigh when getting off her feet.

“This is divine,” Zora said. “I feel like I could stay here a long time.”

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