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

Chapter 19

NINETEEN

T he makeshift laboratory carved into the heart of the rebel base hummed with energy. Zora’s fingers danced over the holographic display, manipulating the intricate molecular structure of a Xuevisian vine. Bioluminescent crystals cast a soft blue glow over her face, accentuating the determination in her eyes.

“If we can modify the vine’s cellular structure here and here,” she mused, zooming in on specific sections, “we could create a non-lethal restraint that’s virtually unbreakable.”

Ylara leaned in, her silvery hair brushing Zora’s shoulder. “Fascinating. And this won’t harm the plant?”

“Not at all,” Zora assured her, a hint of pride coloring her voice. “It’ll actually stimulate growth. Once it’s served its purpose, it’ll flourish wherever it’s planted.”

As she spoke, Zora felt a familiar presence behind her. Dravek’s hand rested lightly on the small of her back, a gesture both protective and intimate. The warmth of his touch sent a pleasant shiver through her, igniting a now-familiar spark of desire. But it was more than just physical attraction – his presence brought a sense of comfort and security that Zora was beginning to crave.

“Impressive work,” Dravek murmured, his deep voice carrying a note of admiration that made Zora’s heart swell. “This could give us a significant advantage in close-quarter combat situations.”

Zora turned, meeting his intense gaze. The connection between them crackled with unspoken emotion. For a moment, she was lost in the depth of his dark eyes. She saw more than just desire– there was respect and admiration.

Ylara cleared her throat, a grin beginning. “Well, I’ll leave you two to finalize the details. When you’re ready, we could use both of your expertises in the strategy room.”

As Ylara departed, Dravek’s posture relaxed slightly. His hand moved from Zora’s back to her waist, drawing her closer. “You never cease to amaze me,” he said softly. “Your mind is as beautiful as the rest of you.”

Heat rose to her cheeks, not just from the compliment, but from the genuine warmth in Dravek’s voice. She placed her hand on his chest, feeling his steady heartbeat beneath her palm. “Thank you,” she said, allowing her fondness to show in her smile. “You’re pretty amazing yourself.”

Dravek’s eyes widened slightly at her open display of affection, but his lips curved into a tender smile. Zora’s heart leaped at the sight. She wanted to encourage this softer side of him, to show him it was okay to embrace their growing connection.

“We make a good team,” she added, her voice low and intimate. “In more ways than one.”

Dravek’s arm tightened around her waist, pulling her flush against him. The heat of his body sent a thrill through Zora, and she had to resist the urge to kiss him right there in the lab.

“Indeed, we do,” Dravek murmured, his voice husky. He leaned in, his lips brushing her ear as he whispered. “Perhaps we should... explore that teamwork further later?”

Zora shivered at the promise in his words. “I’d like that,” she breathed, allowing her hand to trail down his chest before reluctantly stepping back. “But duty calls for now.”

Dravek nodded, his eyes still dark with desire. “Until later, then.”

As Ylara requested, Zora and Dravek made their way to the strategy room, her mind whirled with thoughts of him. Their physical attraction was undeniable, but it was the deepening emotional connection that thrilled her. She hoped for more – dreaming of a future where their arranged marriage could become as loving and genuine as her sisters’ unions.

The strategy session passed in a blur of tactical discussions and battle plans. Throughout it all, Zora’s thoughts kept drifting to Dravek. She noticed how he seamlessly integrated her botanical knowledge into their military strategies, how he deferred to her expertise without hesitation. His respect for her abilities deepened her growing feelings for him.

As evening approached, the mood in the rebel base shifted. The day’s intense preparations gave way to a need for levity, a chance to boost morale before the challenges that lay ahead.

It began with Zora’s quirky robotic assistant Sprig attempting to cheer up a group of tired rebels. The little robot projected a holographic image of itself, comically oversized, and began to dance in a jerky, mechanical parody of a Tharvisian waltz.

Soon, laughter filled the cavern as rebels gathered to watch the ad hoc performance.

“What in the world?” Dravek’s amused voice came from beside Zora. She turned to find him watching the spectacle with a rare, unguarded smile that made her heart skip a beat.

“I think they’re trying to lighten the mood,” Zora chuckled, unconsciously leaning into him. “Though I’m not sure if that’s supposed to be a dancing routine or a malfunction.”

As if hearing her comment, Sprig suddenly projected a holographic image of Zora and Dravek. The miniature versions of themselves began to dance, mimicking their movements from their sparring session earlier—but with exaggerated, comical flair.

The rebels erupted in laughter and cheers. Several called out, encouraging the real Zora and Dravek to show them how it’s done.

Dravek raised an eyebrow at Zora, a challenge in his eyes. “Shall we give them a proper demonstration?”

Zora hesitated for a moment, aware of all the eyes on them. But the joy in the room was infectious, and the opportunity to be close to Dravek was too tempting to resist. “Why not? Though I warn you, I’m much better at cataloging plants than dancing.”

With a grin, Dravek took her hand and led her to the center of the impromptu dance floor. As they began to move together, the world seemed to fade away. Dravek’s hand on her waist and her palm against his chest felt right as if they were made to fit together.

They moved in perfect harmony, their earlier sparring session translating seamlessly into dance. Dravek led with confidence, guiding Zora through turns and dips that left her breathless. The cheers and music faded into background noise as Zora lost herself in Dravek’s eyes, seeing in them a reflection of her own emotions—desire, affection, and a hint of vulnerability that made her heart ache with tenderness.

As the dance came to an end, Dravek pulled Zora close, their faces mere inches apart. For a moment, it seemed as if he might kiss her right there in front of everyone. Zora hoped he would, no longer caring about propriety or appearances. She wanted the world to see how she felt about this man.

But instead, Dravek simply rested his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling. “Thank you,” he murmured, his voice low enough that only she could hear. “For reminding me that there’s still beauty in the world even in the midst of war.”

Zora’s heart swelled with emotion. She reached up, cupping his face in her hands. “There will always be beauty,” she whispered back, “as long as we have each other to remind us of it.”

The intensity of Dravek’s gaze made Zora’s breath catch. She saw a flicker of something in his eyes – a softening, a vulnerability that he rarely allowed anyone to see. In that moment, Zora realized that her feelings for Dravek had deepened into something far more profound than she had ever expected.

The spell was broken by a round of enthusiastic applause from their audience. As they stepped apart, Zora caught Ylara’s eye across the room. The rebel leader gave her a knowing smile and a subtle nod of approval. In that moment, Zora understood that her relationship with Dravek wasn’t just a personal joy—it was a symbol of hope for the rebels, a living embodiment of the unity they were fighting for.

The spontaneous celebration continued late into the night, a much-needed respite from the constant combat training and strategy sessions. As the crowd began to thin, Zora was drawn to a quiet alcove, needing a moment to process the whirlwind of emotions she’d experienced throughout the day.

She leaned against the cool stone wall, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. The weight of responsibility settled heavily on her shoulders, but now it was intertwined with the warmth of her growing feelings for Dravek. She allowed herself to imagine a future where their arranged marriage blossomed into a true partnership filled with love and mutual respect like her sisters had found.

“Credit for your thoughts?” Dravek’s voice, soft and concerned, broke through her reverie.

Zora opened her eyes to find him standing before her, his expression a mix of worry and affection. Without a word, she stepped into his embrace, burying her face in his chest. His arms encircled her, strong and protective, and some of her tension melted away.

“I’m scared, Dravek,” she admitted, her voice muffled against his shirt. “All these people are depending on us and I have no idea what I’m doing. What if I let everyone down?”

Dravek’s hand came up to stroke her hair gently, the tender gesture making Zora’s heart swell. “You won’t,” he said with quiet conviction. “You’re the strongest person I know, Zora. Your compassion, your brilliance, your determination—they inspire everyone around you. Including me.”

Zora pulled back slightly, looking up into his eyes. The depth of emotion she saw there took her breath away. “How can you be so sure?”

A soft, bright played on Dravek’s lips. “Because I’ve seen what you’re capable of. You’ve already changed so much—brought hope where there was none and united people who were once enemies. Whatever challenges we face, we’ll face them together.”

His words filled with unwavering faith in her brought tears to Zora’s eyes. “What did I do to deserve you?” she whispered.

Instead of answering, Dravek leaned down and captured her lips in a tender kiss. It was different from their previous passionate encounters—this was a declaration of support and love that needed no words. Zora melted into the kiss, pouring all her unspoken feelings into it, hoping Dravek could feel the depth of her emotion.

When they finally parted, both slightly breathless, Dravek rested his forehead against hers. “We should get some rest,” he murmured. “Tomorrow will be another long day of preparations.”

Zora nodded but made no move to leave the circle of his arms. “Stay with me tonight?” she asked softly allowing her vulnerability to show. “I... I sleep better when you’re near.”

Dravek’s eyes softened with affection. “Always,” he promised, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.

Hand in hand, they made their way to Zora’s quarters. As they settled into bed, Zora curled into Dravek’s side, her head resting on his chest. The steady beat of his heart and the warmth of his embrace soothed her worried mind.

Just before sleep claimed her, Zora had a moment of perfect clarity. Whatever challenges lay ahead, whatever battles they would face, she knew that this—the love and trust she shared with Dravek—was worth fighting for. It was a reminder of the better world they were striving to create, a world where barriers between planets and people could be overcome.