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

Chapter 6

SIX

W ith pep in his step, Dravek entered the grand hall for breakfast, looking for the one woman who never left his dreams last night. Or the night before.

When his eyes scanned the room and didn’t find his beauty, he couldn’t help the frown that formed.

Raelee sidled up to him. “Let me guess,” she said, “the person you wanted to see isn’t here.”

He instantly straightened and the stoic mask returned to its place. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

His sister-in-law rolled her eyes. “Men,” she huffed as she stepped away.

“Wait,” Dravek called out, catching her arm. “Zora will be here, yes?”

“No.” Her brows drew down as if she was confused. “She’s going somewhere for the day.”

Alarm prickled in his mind. “She didn’t mention it,” he replied. “Where is she going?”

“Never heard of the place. Something like Shadow Lands.”

He nearly choked. “Shadowed Highlands?”

“Yeah, that’s it. Said she’d be back before dark.”

He spun on his heel and headed directly for her lab, Hopefully, he’d catch her before she left. If not, it was possible he’d never see her again.

Barging through the lab door, he entered the room like a storm. “Zora,” he called out. No response.

On the desk, out of place among the neatly arranged reports and data pads, lay a book. Dravek frowned, approaching the desk with curiosity. The book was so old, he couldn’t believe it existed.

As he drew closer, he noticed the book was brittle and a piece of thin material protruded from its pages like a misplaced bookmark.

An inexplicable tension crept into Dravek’s shoulders as he opened it, revealing a neatly folded parchment.

Upon flattening out the sheet, he realized it was an ancient drawing of some kind. The language wasn’t Tharvisian, but it was similar enough for him to figure out he was looking at a hand-drawn image of the Shadowed Highlands, as inaccurate as it was.

A mixture of emotions flashed through Dravek– surprise, irritation, and, most unexpectedly, a hint of pride. The area was notorious for its dangers and strictly off-limits without royal authorization.

“What is she thinking?” Dravek muttered to himself. The Shadowed Highlands were no place for an impromptu expedition especially for someone unfamiliar with Tharvisian terrain. The landscape was treacherous with unpredictable weather patterns and rumors of hostile entities lurking in its mist-shrouded valleys.

As the prince of Tharvis and a military commander, ensuring the safety of guests and allies fell squarely within his purview. Zora’s actions could lead to serious diplomatic complications if something were to happen to her.

The rational part of Dravek’s mind immediately began calculating the potential political fallout, the necessary search and rescue protocols, and the reports that would need to be filed.

Annoyance gave way to a deeper, more personal concern. Unbidden memories of past interactions with Zora rose to the surface.

He recalled a royal banquet where Zora had cornered him, her eyes alight with excitement as she described a rare plant she had discovered in the palace gardens. Her enthusiasm had been infectious, and Dravek had found himself genuinely interested, asking questions that led to a discussion that lasted far longer than he had intended.

Another memory surfaced – a chance encounter in the gardens. He had been taking a rare moment of solitude, walking among the exotic flora when he had come across Zora. She had been so engrossed in sketching a particularly vibrant flower that she hadn’t noticed his approach.

Dravek remembered pausing, struck by the look of intense concentration on her face, the way the sunlight had caught in her auburn hair. He had retreated quietly, unwilling to disturb her work, but the image had stayed with him.

Then there was the day in the library. They had reached for the same book, their hands brushing briefly. Dravek could still recall the jolt of electricity that had run through him at the contact, the way Zora’s cheeks had flushed as she quickly apologized. He had insisted she take the book, ignoring the strange flutter in his chest as she smiled gratefully at him.

Each memory was tinged with unspoken feelings, a connection he had carefully kept hidden behind his stoic facade. Dravek shook his head as if trying to physically dislodge these thoughts.

The soft hum of the room’s ambient technology seemed to grow louder as Dravek paced the lab, debating his next move. His duties as a prince were clear – he should report Zora’s unauthorized expedition to the council and organize an official search party. It was the proper protocol, the responsible course of action. Though it could take hours or even days to get that accomplished.

The thought of Zora facing the perils of the Shadowed Highlands alone sent an unexpected surge of anxiety through him. The rational part of his mind insisted it was simply concern for a diplomatic guest, but a small voice whispered that there was more to it than that.

“Her safety is paramount,” Dravek said aloud, his voice firm as if trying to convince himself. “But is that my only motivation?” The question hung in the air, unanswered.

The realization that his feelings for Zora might extend beyond formal acquaintance was deeply unsettling. It challenged everything about the composed, duty-bound persona he had cultivated over years of rigorous training and expectations.

Somewhere out there, beyond the safety of the capital, Zora was heading into danger. The thought spurred him into action.

With a decisive nod, Dravek made his choice. He would retrieve Zora himself. It was the most efficient solution, allowing him to control the situation discreetly and avoid unnecessary political repercussions. He rationalized his decision, framing it within the context of his royal duties.

“As a member of the royal family, it’s my responsibility to ensure her safety,” he asserted, ignoring the small voice that suggested his motivations might not be entirely professional.

Back in his private quarters, Dravek prepared for the journey. He selected essential equipment from his personal arsenal – a compact energy blade for defense, a multi-functional scanner for navigation and environmental analysis, and a cloak engineered to adapt to various environmental conditions. His choice of attire balanced mobility and protection, favoring dark hues that would blend with the natural surroundings of the highlands.

Dravek moved to his communication terminal, fingers hovering over the controls. Protocol dictated that he inform the royal guard, or at least his personal security detail, of his impending departure. But something held him back. The fewer people who knew about this situation, the better chance he had of resolving it quietly without political repercussions.

He typed out a brief, coded message to his adjutant: “Unavailable for routine duties. Personal matter. Maintain standard operations until I return.” It was vague enough to avoid immediate questions but clear enough to ensure his absence wouldn’t cause undue alarm.

As he sent the message, a twinge of guilt tugged at him. This level of secrecy, while not unheard of, was unusual for him. Dravek had always prided himself on his transparency and adherence to protocol. Yet here he was about to embark on an unauthorized mission for reasons he wasn’t entirely ready to examine.

Pushing the guilt aside, Dravek gathered his equipment and made his way to the door. The palace corridors were still rather quiet at this hour, the soft glow of energy-efficient illumination creating pools of light and shadow. He moved swiftly and silently, years of military training evident in every step.

As he navigated the labyrinthine hallways, Dravek’s mind raced with plans and contingencies. The Shadowed Highlands were vast and treacherous. Finding Zora would be challenging enough; ensuring their safe return would be another matter entirely. He ran through mental maps of the terrain, recalling reports of geological instabilities and unpredictable weather patterns.

Before long, Dravek arrived at the entrance to the palace’s private hangar. The massive doors slid open silently at his approach, revealing rows of sleek vehicles designed for various terrains and atmospheres. His eyes scanned the options before settling on a state-of-the-art hoverbike.

The vehicle was a masterpiece of Tharvisian engineering – sleek, silent, and equipped with the latest stealth technology. Its design allowed for rapid travel over diverse landscapes, from dense forests to rocky mountainsides. It was perfect for the mission at hand.