The Alien’s Unwanted Bride (Alien Brides #4)

Chapter 4

FOUR

D ravek stood at the edge of the elevated platform, overlooking the vast expanse of the Tharvisian military training grounds. The facility, carved into the side of a rugged mountain, sprawled before him like a testament to Tharvisian might and ingenuity. Holographic combat simulators flickered to life, projecting lifelike battle scenarios that shimmered in the fading daylight.

As the twin suns of Tharvis dipped below the horizon, the sky erupted into a breathtaking display of purples and ambers. The prince’s dark armor, adorned with silver accents that caught the dying light, cut an imposing figure against the colorful backdrop. The Tharvisian crest on his chest gleamed, a constant reminder of the weight of his responsibilities.

Dravek’s gaze swept over the assembled elite soldiers of the Tharvisian Royal Guard. Their faces expressing a mix of determination and reverence looked up at him expectantly. He drew in a deep breath, allowing the crisp mountain air to fill his lungs before addressing the troops.

“Today’s exercise,” he began, his voice resonating across the training grounds, “focuses on adaptive combat strategies against unpredictable foes.” With a subtle gesture, he activated a holographic projection hovering above his palm. The air shimmered, materializing into lifelike representations of various threats, including the notorious Drakanor mercenaries known for their guerrilla tactics.

As he expanded on the details of the exercise, a flash of movement in his peripheral vision caught his attention. Glancing toward the observation deck, he was surprised to see a familiar figure – Dr. Arison, the Earth botanist. She stood among a small group of dignitaries, her auburn hair catching the last rays of sunlight.

For a moment, Dravek faltered, caught off guard by her unexpected presence. He quickly regained his composure, but not before noticing the look of genuine interest on Zora’s face as she watched the proceedings. It was a stark contrast to the polite but often bored expressions of the other observers.

Pushing aside the distraction, Dravek refocused on the task at hand. “You’ll face scenarios that will push you beyond your limits,” he continued, stepping into the holographic warzone. “The enemy you face today will adapt to your strategies. You must think faster, move quicker, and anticipate their every move.”

As the exercise progressed, Dravek found his attention split. While the majority of his focus remained on guiding his troops through the complex simulations, he couldn’t help but be aware of Zora’s presence. More than once, he caught her leaning forward, her eyes wide with excitement as she followed the intricate maneuvers.

The training reached its climax with a one-on-one demonstration. Dravek selected Lieutenant Korrin, one of his most skilled warriors, as his opponent. As they circled each other in the center of the training ground, Dravek was acutely aware of all eyes upon them – including a pair of deep blue ones from the observation deck.

The fight was intense, a blur of strikes and countermoves. Dravek and Korrin were evenly matched, each anticipating the other’s tactics. But Dravek had an ace up his sleeve – a complex maneuver he had been perfecting in private. With lightning speed, he feinted left, then dropped low, sweeping Korrin’s legs out from under him. In a flash, Dravek had his opponent pinned, the match decisively won.

As he helped Korrin to his feet, a sound caught Dravek’s ear – a cheer, quickly stifled from the observation deck. He looked up to see Zora, her hands clasped over her mouth, eyes shining. The sight sent an unexpected warmth through him, a feeling he couldn’t quite name.

As the troops began to disperse, Dravek made his way to the observation deck. He told himself it was simply to greet the dignitaries as protocol demanded. But he couldn’t deny the quickening of his pulse as he approached Zora.

“Dr. Arison,” he said, inclining his head in greeting. “I wasn’t aware you had an interest in military exercises.”

Zora’s cheeks flushed slightly, but her smile was genuine. “I find all aspects of Tharvisian culture fascinating, Your Highness,” she replied. “And I must say, your fighting skills are quite impressive.”

Before Dravek could respond, General Emear, one of his high-ranking officers, stepped forward. “Indeed they are, Dr. Arison,” the general said, his tone warm. “Perhaps you’d like a closer look at our training facilities? I’d be happy to give you a personal tour.”

Dravek felt an unexpected surge of... something. Annoyance? No, it was sharper than that. He was surprised to recognize it as jealousy. The realization unsettled him, adding to the emotional confusion that seemed to swirl around Zora’s presence.

“I’m sure Dr. Arison has more pressing matters to attend to,” Dravek said, his voice cooler than he intended. “Her botanical research is quite demanding, I believe.”

Zora looked between the two men, a slight furrow in her brow. “Actually, I would love to learn more,” she said carefully. “But perhaps another time. I wouldn’t want to impose on Your Highness’s schedule.”

Dravek felt a pang of regret at the hint of disappointment in her voice. He opened his mouth to say... what, exactly? He wasn’t sure. But before he could speak, an aide approached, informing him of an urgent matter requiring his attention.

With a nod to Zora and General Emear, Dravek took his leave. As he walked away, his mind was in turmoil. Why had General Emear’s offer bothered him so much? And why did he care whether Zora was impressed by his fighting skills?

As the last of the soldiers disappeared into the base, Dravek found himself alone on the training grounds. The holographic projectors powered down, leaving only the natural beauty of the Tharvisian landscape. The twin moons of Tharvis began their ascent, casting a soft, ethereal glow across the mountains.

For a moment, Dravek allowed his princely facade to slip. His shoulders sagged slightly, the tension he habitually carried easing just a fraction. He moved to the edge of the platform, his gaze drawn to the distant horizon where the lights of the capital city twinkled like earthbound stars.

The cool evening breeze carried with it the scents of the Tharvisian night – the crisp mountain air mingled with the faint aroma of night-blooming flowers that grew in the crevices of the rocky terrain. It was a smell that always brought a sense of home, of belonging. Yet, standing there under the vast canopy of stars, Dravek felt a familiar pang of isolation wash over him.

He was a prince, a military commander, respected and perhaps even feared by many. But in moments like these with no one around to see, he was simply Dravek – a man with doubts, desires, and a longing for something he couldn’t quite name.

The distant sounds of the palace complex reached his ears – the hum of energy fields and the occasional whir of a passing hovercraft. Life continued its relentless pace, oblivious to his momentary introspection. With a small sigh, Dravek straightened his posture, the mantle of his royal duties settling back onto his shoulders like a familiar weight.

He turned away from the view, his steps echoing in the empty training ground as he made his way to the exit. The halls of the military complex were quiet at this hour with only the occasional patrol or late-working technician crossing his path. Those he encountered snapped to attention, offering crisp salutes which he acknowledged with a nod.

As Dravek made his way back to his quarters, his mind was in turmoil. The memory of Zora’s bright eyes and enthusiastic cheer replayed in his thoughts, stirring emotions he had long kept buried. He found himself torn between the warmth her presence ignited and the cold reality of his duties.

The arranged marriage to Zora was a political necessity, a union designed to strengthen the alliance between Tharvis and Earth. Dravek had accepted this fact with the same stoic resolve he applied to all his princely duties. It was logical, strategic – emotions had no place in such matters.

Yet, as he entered his spartan quarters, Dravek couldn’t shake the image of Zora’s smile, the way her face had lit up during the training exercise. Her genuine interest in Tharvisian culture, her kind demeanor, her quick mind – all these qualities drew him in despite his best efforts to maintain emotional distance.

“This is unacceptable,” Dravek muttered to himself, pacing the length of his room. He paused before a large mirror, studying his reflection. The face that looked back at him was composed, controlled – the perfect mask of a Tharvisian prince. But in his eyes, he could see the conflict raging beneath the surface.

He thought back to their interaction on the observation deck, to the unexpected flare of jealousy he’d felt when General Emear offered Zora a tour. Why had that bothered him so much? And why did he respond by becoming colder, more aloof?

Dravek ran a hand through his hair, a rare gesture of frustration. “She is to be your wife,” he reminded himself sternly. “Nothing more than a political partner. These... feelings... are irrelevant.”

But even as he said the words, he knew they rang hollow. Zora wasn’t just a political pawn. She was brilliant, passionate about her work, and curious about his world. Her kindness and enthusiasm were a stark contrast to the calculated interactions he was accustomed to in the royal court.

For a moment, Dravek allowed himself to imagine a different scenario – one where he and Zora had met under different circumstances, where duty and politics didn’t stand between them. The thought brought a bittersweet ache to his chest.

“No,” he said aloud, his voice harsh in the quiet room. “This line of thinking is dangerous.”

Allowing himself to develop genuine feelings for Zora could only lead to complications. If he saw her as more than a political partner, it could cloud his judgment, compromise his ability to put Tharvis first in all things. And yet, the more he tried to push away these thoughts, the more persistent they became.

He moved to his desk, intending to distract himself with work. But as he sat, Dravek could still recall the way Zora’s eyes had lit up when he’d looked at her.

“This cannot continue,” Dravek said firmly, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. When he opened them again, his expression was once more the impassive mask of the stoic prince. He made a decision then – he would maintain a professional distance from Zora. It was the only way to ensure he could fulfill his duties without obstacles.

Yet even as he resolved to be colder, more distant in his interactions with her, a part of Dravek rebelled against the idea. It felt wrong to shut out the warmth and light Zora brought into his structured world.

As he turned his attention to the reports on his desk, Dravek couldn’t shake the feeling that he was standing on the edge of a precipice. On one side lay the familiar terrain of duty and protocol: on the other, an unknown landscape of emotion and possibility.

For now, he would hold to the path of duty. But deep down, Dravek knew his resolve would be tested in the days to come. The conflict between his growing feelings for Zora and his ingrained sense of duty was far from resolved.

With a heavy sigh, Dravek forced himself to focus on his work, pushing thoughts of Zora to the back of his mind. But even as he immersed himself in military reports and diplomatic briefings, a small part of him remained acutely aware of the woman who was slowly but surely working her way past his carefully constructed defenses.