Page 4 of The Alien's Unwanted Bride

“It’s like they’re dancing,” Dravek murmured, awe evident in his voice.

“Exactly!” Zora exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement. “They’re responding to the sonic vibrations, but in a way I’ve never seen. The implications are fascinating. If we can understand the mechanism behind this response, it could lead to advancements in everything from communication technologies to new medical treatments.”

As she spoke, her hands moved rapidly, taking samples and readings with practiced ease. Sprig hovered nearby, its sensors whirring as it recorded data and captured images.

With rapt attention, Dravek watched her work, occasionally asking insightful questions that revealed a deeper understanding of xenobotany than Zora had expected.

As the morning wore on, she relaxed in his company, their conversation flowing easily from scientific theories to childhood stories to playful debates about the best way to classify a particularly stubborn species of shape-shifting vine.

“No, no, you can’t just lump it in with the Morpheus family,” Zora argued, waving a scanner emphatically. “Just because it changes shape doesn’t mean?—”

Stepping back, her heel hit a raised root. She teetered backward, bracing for impact with the mossy forest floor. But instead of the soft thud she expected, she felt strong arms wrap around her, catching her mid-fall.

THREE

Time seemed to slow as Zora pressed against Dravek’s chest, his face mere inches from hers. The world narrowed to the depth of his obsidian eyes, the warmth of his breath on her cheek, the solid strength of his arms around her.

“Are you all right?” Dravek asked, his deep voice softer than she’d ever heard it.

Zora nodded, not trusting herself to speak. Her heart hammered in her chest, and she felt every point of contact between them. The spicy, earthy scent that was uniquely Dravek enveloped her, making her head spin in a way that had nothing to do with her near-fall.

“I’ve got you,” he murmured, and Zora wasn’t sure if he meant just in that moment or something more.

“Thank you,” she managed to whisper, her voice breathy and unfamiliar to her own ears.

For a heartbeat longer, neither of them moved. Then, slowly, almost reluctantly, Dravek helped her regain her footing. His hands lingered on her waist as if ensuring she was steady.

The moment was shattered by Sprig’s cheerful beep. “Zora Arison, I’ve detected an elevated heart rate and increased skintemperature. Are you experiencing a medical emergency? Shall I alert the palace physicians?”

Zora jumped back, her face flaming. “No! No, Sprig, I’m fine. Just, uh, excited about the fungi. You know how I get about new species.”

Dravek cleared his throat, and was that a hint of a blush on his cheeks? Surely not. Tharvisian princes didn’t blush. “Yes, well, perhaps we should take a break. We’ve been at this for hours, and I wouldn’t want you to overexert yourself, Dr. Arison.”

“Zora,” she said impulsively. At his raised eyebrow, she elaborated, “You can call me Zora. When we’re not in formal settings, I mean. If you want to.”

A slow smile spread across Dravek’s face, transforming his usually stoic features. “Zora,” he repeated as if savoring the name. “Then you must call me Dravek.”

“Okay... Dravek,” Zora said, testing out the informality. She liked how his name felt on her tongue.

A comfortable silence fell between them as they packed up the sampling equipment. Zora’s mind whirled with the morning’s events—not just the scientific discoveries but the unexpected connection she felt growing between her and Dravek.

As they made their way back to the palace, Dravek suddenly stopped, turning to face her. “Zora,” he began, then paused, seeming to gather his thoughts. “I want you to know how much I admire your work. Your passion, your intelligence—it’s truly inspiring.”

Warmth bloomed in her chest at his words. “Thank you, Dravek. That means a lot especially coming from you.”

He took a step closer, his expression intense. “I was wondering if perhaps you’d like to?—”

“Zora Arison!” Sprig’s excited beep cut through the moment. “I’ve completed processing the fungi data. Preliminary analysis suggests an 87% match with the Harmonia Luminesca species. Shall I compile a full report?”

Zora blinked, momentarily disoriented by the abrupt shift. “Oh! Yes, Sprig, that would be great. Thank you.”

She turned back to Dravek, curiosity mingling with a hint of disappointment. “I’m sorry, you were saying?”

Dravek’s expression had shifted back to its usual composed mask, though his eyes still held a warmth when they met hers. “It’s nothing that can’t wait. We should get you back to the palace—I’m sure you’re eager to review that data.”

As they resumed walking, Zora couldn’t shake the feeling that something significant had almost happened. She snuck a glance at Dravek’s profile, admiring the strong line of his jaw and the way the dappled sunlight played across his features.

What had he been about to ask her? And why did she feel simultaneously relieved and disappointed that he hadn’t finished his question?

---