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

Chapter 7

SEVEN

A s Dravek approached the hoverbike, he ran a hand along its smooth surface, feeling the faint hum of its advanced propulsion system. He input a series of commands into the bike’s control panel, programming it with the coordinates of the Shadowed Highlands.

Just as he was about to mount the vehicle, a sound from the far end of the hangar made him freeze. Footsteps echoed off the polished floor, growing closer. Dravek’s hand instinctively moved to the energy blade at his hip as he turned to face the potential interruption.

“Your Highness?” a familiar voice called out, tinged with surprise. “I didn’t expect to find you here at this hour.”

Dravek relaxed marginally as he recognized Garek, Vexor’s best friend and royal trusted advisor. Garek approached, his sharp eyes taking in Dravek’s attire and the prepped hoverbike.

“Garek,” Dravek acknowledged, his tone carefully neutral. “You’re out early.”

Garek raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his expression. “I could say the same for you. Especially considering your... interesting choice of wardrobe.”

Dravek glanced down at his dark, utilitarian outfit, so different from his usual royal attire or military uniform. He met Garek’s gaze steadily, weighing his options. Of all the people who could have discovered him, Garek was perhaps the best-case scenario. Their friendship stretched back to childhood, built on a foundation of trust and mutual respect.

“I’m undertaking a... personal mission,” he said, choosing his words carefully. “It’s a delicate matter that requires discretion.”

Garek’s expression sobered immediately. He stepped closer, lowering his voice despite the empty hangar. “Is it a security concern? Should I alert the guard?”

“No,” Dravek said quickly, perhaps too quickly judging by the look of surprise on Garek’s face. He took a breath, steadying himself. “It’s not a security threat. It’s... a diplomatic matter.”

Understanding dawned in Garek’s eyes, followed quickly by concern. “This wouldn’t happen to involve your fiancée, would it? The botanist?”

Dravek’s silence was answer enough. Garek sighed, running a hand through his short-cropped hair. “Dravek, my friend, what are you doing? This isn’t like you.”

The use of his name without title was a testament to their friendship, one of the few people who could address him so informally. It also served to underscore the seriousness of the situation.

“She’s ventured into the Shadowed Highlands,” Dravek explained, his voice low and urgent. “Alone and unprepared. I need to bring her back before...” He trailed off, unwilling to voice the myriad of dangers that plagued his thoughts.

Garek’s eyes widened. “The Shadowed Highlands? Is she mad? Or just painfully unaware of the dangers?”

“A bit of both, I suspect,” Dravek said, a hint of fondness creeping into his tone despite the gravity of the situation. He quickly schooled his features back to neutrality, but not before Garek caught the slip.

A knowing look crossed Garek’s face, but to his credit, he didn’t comment on it. Instead, he asked, “Why not send a search party? Why go yourself?”

Dravek hesitated, the question cutting to the heart of his internal conflict. “It’s... complicated,” he finally said. “The fewer people who know about this, the better. We can’t risk a diplomatic incident.”

Garek studied him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he nodded. “I understand. Or at least, I think I do.” He placed a hand on Dravek’s shoulder, a gesture of support. “Be careful. The highlands are not to be trifled with even for someone of your skill.”

Relief flooded through Dravek. He hadn’t realized how much he needed this understanding, this unspoken approval from one of the few people whose opinion he truly valued. “Thank you, Garek. I’ll return as soon as I can.”

Garek stepped back, allowing Dravek to mount the hoverbike. As the prince activated the vehicle’s systems, Garek called out, “And Dravek? When you return, we’re going to have a long talk about this... diplomatic matter of yours.”

Dravek nodded, knowing he couldn’t avoid that conversation forever. With a final glance at his friend, he engaged the hoverbike’s thrusters. The vehicle rose silently, hovering a few feet above the ground.

As he maneuvered toward the hangar’s exit, Dravek’s thoughts turned once again to Zora. Her smiling face flashed in his mind, followed quickly by images of the dangers that could be befalling her. His grip tightened on the hoverbike’s controls.

“I’m coming, Zora,” he muttered under his breath as the bike shot forward into the Tharvisian morning. “Just hold on.”