Page 109 of Alien Prince

I glance away, wrapping my arms around myself. “Just… thinking.”

He steps closer, his presence grounding as always. “About leaving?”

The question catches me off guard, but I nod, unable to meet his eyes. “I don’t know if I can stay, Kael. This world, your people… it’s so different. I’m different.”

“You belong here,” he says softly, his hand brushing against mine. “You’ve proven that a hundred times over.”

“Maybe,” I whisper, my voice trembling, “but at what cost? What if I lose who I am?”

We both fall silent, and I wish I didn’t feel torn. My job at the library pales in comparison to everything that’s happened here. Maybe now we can focus on helping that colony, if they haven’t already received aid.

We.

Oh.

Abruptly, Kael drops to one knee.

My breath catches as he reaches for my hand, his violet eyes meeting mine with an intensity that steals the air from my lungs.

“You aren’t the only one who can do research,” he says with a grin before turning serious. “I’ve spent my entire life doing what was expected of me,” he says, his voice now raw with emotion. “Serving the throne, protecting the kingdom, making decisions based on duty instead of desire.” He pauses, his grip on my handtightening. “But this—you—are not about duty. This is about love. My love for you, Emily.”

My heart pounds. He’s proposing? Like I always imagined. Not that I thought my future fiancé and husband would be an alien, of course.

“I want you by my side,” he continues. “Not because the kingdom demands it but because I do. I can’t imagine a future without you in it.”

Tears blur my vision as he pulls a small, intricately carved ring from his pocket. It’s not like any ring you would find on Earth. It’s a piece of Erythosian art, delicate and shimmering like starlight.

“Emily,” he says, his voice steady despite the vulnerability in his gaze, “will you marry me?”

I stare at him, my emotions warring within me. Joy, fear, love, and uncertainty swirl together, leaving me breathless.

“Kael,” I whisper, my voice shaking. “I… I don’t know.”

His expression falters for a moment, but he nods, his thumb brushing over my hand. “You don’t have to decide now,” he says quietly. “Take your time. No matter what you choose, my feelings for you will never change.”

His words break something in me, and I sink to my knees in front of him, my hands clutching his as tears spill down my cheeks.

“I love you,” I say, the truth spilling out like a confession. “I love you so much it scares me.”

He pulls me into his arms, holding me tightly as I bury my face in his chest. “Then we’ll face that fear together,” he promises.

As we sit there, wrapped in each other’s arms, I realize that no matter where I end up, my heart will always be with him.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Kael

After a moment, I draw Emily to her feet, and we leave the balcony to enter my chamber. The room is dim, lit only by the soft glow of the Erythosian crystals embedded in the walls. Emily moves to sit on a settee, and I sit on the edge of my bed across from her. Her posture is tense, her gaze distant. How much time does she need? I know that life hasn’t been easy for her since the vessel chose her, but is she truly considering leaving all of this behind?

I promised to return her to Earth at any point in time. Will she force my hand and invoke that vow?

I can’t lose her.

Inhaling deeply, I stand and cross over to her. The crown, the throne, the kingdom… all of it pales in comparison to the thought of a life without her. I never would have thought I would even consider this, but I have fought too long and hard. I will ensure that the kingdom is safe from any threat, but for once, I will put my wants and needs first.

“Emily,” I say softly, my voice cutting through the quiet.

She looks up, her wide eyes meeting mine, filled with emotions I can’t quite decipher.

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