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

Chapter 20

TWENTY

D ravek stood before the ornate mirror, barely recognizing the figure staring back at him. The flowing robes of vibrant purples and blues, adorned with intricate silver patterns that seemed to dance in the light, were a far cry from his usual military attire. The elaborate headdress, a delicate construction of shimmering crystals and gossamer threads, felt foreign and precarious atop his head.

“I look ridiculous,” he muttered, adjusting the uncomfortable garments for the hundredth time. The weight of their mission pressed heavily on his mind, making the extravagant outfit seem even more out of place.

A soft laugh from behind him drew his attention. Zora stepped into view, resplendent in her own Xuevisian gown. The sheer fabric shimmered with every movement, reminiscent of the auroras that painted the sky outside. Dravek’s breath caught in his throat at the sight of her.

“You look perfect,” Zora said, her eyes twinkling. She moved closer, reaching up to adjust his headdress. “The very picture of a Xuevisian noble.”

Her proximity sent a jolt through Dravek’s body. Her scent, a mix of exotic Xuevisian flowers and something uniquely Zora, threatened to overwhelm his senses. He fought to maintain his composure as her fingers brushed against his skin while she fussed with his attire.

“I feel like a child playing dress-up,” Dravek admitted, his voice low and tinged with vulnerability. It wasn’t just the outfit that made him uncomfortable—it was the entire situation. Subterfuge and espionage were far removed from his usual direct approach to conflict.

Zora’s hands stilled, and she met his gaze in the mirror. The understanding in her eyes made his heart constrict. “You’re doing this for all the right reasons, Dravek. For peace, for justice...” She paused, a slight blush coloring her cheeks. “For us.”

The unspoken depth of feeling in that last word hung between them. Dravek turned to face her, taking her hands in his. “For us,” he repeated softly, marveling at how natural it felt to include himself in her world.

Their moment was interrupted by a cheerful beep as Sprig zoomed into the room. “Outfit coordination complete!” the little robot announced proudly. “Probability of blending in successfully: 72.3%.”

Dravek raised an eyebrow at Zora. “Only 72.3%?”

She laughed, the sound lightening the tension in the room. “That’s actually quite high for Sprig’s calculations. Remember when he gave us a 12% chance of surviving the Labyrinth of Leaves?”

The memory brought a rare smile to Dravek’s face. “Fair point. Though I’m not sure how reassuring that is.”

Sprig projected a holographic image of their outfits, adding increasingly outlandish accessories with each pass.

“Perhaps a glowing mustache for the prince?” Sprig suggested, superimposing a ridiculous neon green mustache onto Dravek’s image.

Despite the gravity of their situation, Dravek found himself chuckling. “I think not, Sprig. Though I appreciate your... creativity.”

As the laughter died down, the reality of their mission settled back over them like a heavy cloak. Dravek’s expression grew serious as he turned to Zora. “Are you ready for this?” he asked, searching her face for any sign of doubt.

Zora’s smile faded, replaced by a look of determination that Dravek had come to admire deeply. “As ready as I’ll ever be. We’ve come too far to turn back now.”

Dravek nodded, squeezing her hands gently. “Whatever happens out there, we face it together. I won’t let any harm come to you, Zora. I swear it.”

The intensity in his voice surprised even him. Zora’s eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, Dravek feared he’d said too much. But then she stepped closer, her hand coming up to rest on his cheek.

“And I’ll protect you,” she said softly. “We’re partners in this, Dravek. Equals.”

The urge to kiss her was almost overwhelming. Dravek leaned in slightly, his heart racing. But a sharp beep from Sprig broke the spell.

“Alert! Festival procession approaching. Optimal infiltration window in T-minus ten minutes!”

Dravek straightened, his military training taking over. “Right. We should join the others.”

Zora nodded, but as they turned to leave, she caught his hand, intertwining their fingers. “Together,” she said, her voice filled with promise.

“Together,” Dravek echoed, drawing strength from her touch.

They stepped out of the room and into the corridor where the rest of their team waited. Ylara Windrider, the Xuevisian rebel leader, nodded approvingly at their disguises. “You’ll fit right in with the festival crowd. Remember, our primary objective is to reach the Grand Hall undetected. Once inside, we’ll need to?—”

Dravek listened intently as Ylara went over the plan one last time. The warmth of Zora’s hand in his, the subtle shifts of her body as she listened, even the sound of her breathing—all of it grounded him, giving him a focus beyond the mission.

As Ylara finished her briefing, a hush fell over the group. The weight of what they were about to attempt settled heavily on everyone’s shoulders. Dravek looked around at the faces of their comrades—humans, Xuevisians, and Tharvisians united in a common cause. His gaze lingered on Zora, and he found her already watching him, her eyes filled with a mix of grit and something deeper that made his heart race.

“It’s time,” Ylara announced, her voice cutting through the tension.

Dravek took a deep breath, squeezing Zora’s hand one last time before reluctantly letting go. As they moved toward the exit, preparing to step into the vibrant chaos of the festival, he leaned close to Zora.

“When this is over,” he murmured, his lips close to her ear, “there’s something I need to tell you.”

Zora’s eyes met his, a flicker of hope and anticipation crossing her face. “I’ll hold you to that, Prince Dravek,” she whispered back.

With those words hanging between them, full of promise and unspoken feelings, they stepped out into the Xuevisian night. The sky above was alive with swirling auroras, casting an otherworldly glow over the festival below. Music and laughter filled the air, mingling with the scents of exotic foods and the shimmer of countless floating lanterns.

Dravek felt Zora’s presence at his side like a physical force as they merged into the crowd. Despite the gravity of their mission, he couldn’t help but feel a thrill of excitement. For the first time in his life, he was stepping completely out of his comfort zone and embracing the unknown. And he was doing it with Zora by his side.

As they wove through the bustling streets, dodging revelers and street performers, Dravek marveled at how natural it felt to move in sync with Zora. They navigated the crowd as one, their steps perfectly aligned, hands brushing occasionally in a way that sent sparks through his body.

A group of masked dancers whirled past, their costumes a riot of color and light. One of them bumped into Dravek, nearly dislodging his elaborate headdress. Before he could react, Zora was there, steadying him with a hand on his arm and deftly adjusting the headpiece.

“Careful, Your Highness,” she teased. “We wouldn’t want you to lose your disguise just yet.”

Dravek felt a smile blossom, marveling at how she could make him feel so at ease even in the midst of such a high-stakes situation. “What would I do without you?” he murmured, only half-joking.

Zora’s expression softened, and for a moment, the noise and chaos of the festival were gone. It was just the two of them, standing in a bubble of calm in the storm. “Let’s hope you never have to find out,” she said softly.

The moment was broken by Sprig’s insistent beeping. The softball-sized robot was tucked away in a hidden compartment of Zora’s elaborate gown but still managed to make its presence known. “Alert! Grand Hall entrance approaching. Prepare for phase two of infiltration!”