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

Epilogue

EPILOGUE

Z ora sank deeper into the plush cushions of the Tharvisian palace’s family room, relishing the familiar crunch of potato chips between her teeth. The salty, Earth-born snack was a welcome taste of home amidst the exotic flavors she’d grown accustomed to over the past months. Around her, sprawled in various states of relaxation, were her sisters—Raelee, Venus, and Mila—all indulging in their own chosen comfort foods.

“I swear,” Mila mumbled around a mouthful of chocolate, “I’d risk interplanetary incident for a steady supply of these.”

Venus rolled her eyes, but her hand was already reaching for another handful of popcorn. “You say that now, but give it a week and you’ll be craving those weird Tharvisian berries again.”

Raelee, ever the diplomat, smiled serenely. “I think there’s room in the universe for both, don’t you?”

Zora couldn’t help but laugh, the sound bubbling up from a place of contentment she was still getting used to. Two months of married life, of honeymoon bliss across the stars, had softened some of her edges. She felt more at home in her own skin than ever before.

“Speaking of the universe,” she said, reaching for nail polish in a shade that reminded her of Tharvisian sunsets, “have you heard from Mom lately? I keep meaning to call, but between the trade negotiations and that new botanical research project...”

As if summoned by her words, the air in the center of the room shimmered. A holographic image flickered to life, solidifying into the smiling faces of Meline and Ylara.

“Mom!” four voices chorused in surprise.

Meline’s eyes crinkled with warmth. “My darling girls. I hope we’re not interrupting anything too important?”

Zora glanced down at her half-painted toenails and back up at her mother’s image. “Nothing that can’t wait. Is everything all right?”

Something in Meline’s expression made Zora sit up straighter, a flutter of nervous energy in her stomach.

Ylara spoke next, her melodic voice tinged with excitement. “We have news, my young friends. News that the stars themselves have whispered to us.”

The four sisters exchanged glances, a mixture of curiosity and confusion passing between them. Zora leaned forward, her forgotten nail polish rolling off her lap onto the plush carpet.

Meline’s smile widened, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears of joy. “Now that all four of you have fulfilled your marriage pacts, the future heirs of the Xuevisian and Tharvisian thrones will be coming soon.”

A beat of silence followed, broken only by Venus’s sharp intake of breath.

“Wait,” Mila said slowly, “are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

Meline nodded, her face radiant. “It’s been confirmed by the stars, my loves. All four of you are expecting.”

The room erupted into a cacophony of voices, questions tumbling over each other:

“How is that possible?” “Are you sure?” “But we’ve only been married two months!” “What do you mean, ‘confirmed by the stars’? Whatever happened to confirmed by a doctor?”

Meline held up a hand, her laughter cutting through the chaos. “One at a time, girls! I know you have questions, and we’ll answer them all. For now, know that this is a joyous occasion. Your father and I couldn’t be happier. We can’t wait to meet our grandchildren.”

Before anyone could press for more details, the holographic image flickered and faded, leaving the sisters staring at the empty space where their mother’s face had been.

Zora’s mind whirled, her hand unconsciously drifting to her stomach. A child? Her and Dravek’s child? The idea was simultaneously thrilling and terrifying.

The sound of approaching footsteps broke through her reverie. The door to the family room swung open, revealing Dravek, Vex, Azlun, and Roqron. The four men paused, taking in the shell-shocked expressions of their wives.

“Is everything all right?” Dravek asked, his brow furrowing in concern as he made his way to Zora’s side.

Raelee was the first to recover, rising gracefully to greet Vex. “Everything’s fine,” she assured him. “We just received some... unexpected news.”

One by one, the couples paired off, drifting to different corners of the room for privacy. Zora stood alone with Dravek, his strong arms encircling her in a comforting embrace.

“What is it, my love?” he murmured, his deep voice rumbling through his chest. “You look as if you’ve seen a ghost.”

Zora leaned back, meeting his concerned gaze. How to explain something she barely understood herself? She took a deep breath, deciding that directness was the best approach.

“Dravek,” she began, her voice barely above a whisper, “my mother just told us—told me—that I’m... that we’re...” She faltered, then forged ahead. “We’re going to have a baby.”

She felt Dravek stiffen, his arms tightening almost imperceptibly around her. For a heart-stopping moment, she feared his reaction. Then, slowly, a smile spread across his face, transforming his usually stoic features.

“A child?” he breathed, wonder coloring his tone. “Our child?”

Zora nodded, her own smile growing to match his. “Apparently, the stars have confirmed it. Whatever that means.”

Dravek laughed, a rich, joyous sound that Zora was still getting used to hearing. He lifted her off her feet, spinning them both in a circle that left her giggling like a schoolgirl.

“A child,” he repeated, setting her down gently. His hand came to rest on her stomach, a gesture of protectiveness and awe. “A perfect blend of our worlds, of our love.”

Zora covered his hand with her own, marveling at the rightness of it all. “Are you happy?” she asked, though she could read the answer in every line of his face.

“Happy doesn’t begin to cover it,” Dravek replied, pulling her close once more. “I love you, Zora Arison Tharvis. You’ve given me more joy than I ever thought possible, and now this... a family of our own.”

Zora melted into his embrace, her earlier shock giving way to a bubbling excitement. “I love you too,” she murmured against his chest. “I can’t wait to meet our little one.”

The End