Chapter 10

TEN

M ila jolted awake, her heart pounding against her ribcage. For a disorienting moment, she couldn’t place where she was. The air hung thick with alien scents, and the darkness pulsed with strange, bioluminescent light. Then reality crashed back—she was on Tharvis, deep in the wild lands on an expedition with Roq.

It was still weird not saying “Your Highness.” But he was going to be her husband. The nickname felt right like a secret shared between them.

Something was wrong. The peaceful night sounds she’d drifted off to had vanished, replaced by an eerie silence broken only by unsettling rustles in the surrounding vegetation.

“Roq?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

A shadow moved, and suddenly he was there, crouched beside her. His face, illuminated by the soft glow of alien flora, was tense. “We need to move,” he murmured, fastening his loaded utility belt around his waist. “Now.”

Mila didn’t question him. Over the past few days, she’d learned to trust Roq’s instincts. They gathered survival necessities, leaving behind anything nonessential.

As they slipped out of their camp, Mila’s breath caught. The alien wilderness had transformed into something menacing. Bioluminescent plants flickered with an unsettling rhythm, casting shifting shadows across the uneven ground. Distant wildlife calls now sounded sharp and close as if the entire ecosystem was conspiring against them.

Mila glanced at Roq, worry gnawing at her. His usual composed demeanor had vanished, replaced by a coiled intensity she’d never seen in him. Gone was the witty prince she’d bantered with. In his place stood a warrior, every muscle ready for action.

A low growl echoed in the distance. Mila’s hand instinctively reached for Roq’s arm. “Tell me that’s just some harmless nocturnal creature,” she whispered, aiming for levity but falling short.

Roq’s eyes met hers, and for a moment, she saw a flicker of concern—not for himself, but for her. It sent an unexpected warmth through her chest. “Stay close,” he said softly, his hand covering hers briefly before moving to his weapon.

Without warning, the shadows erupted into motion. A handful of warriors materialized from the darkness, their movements liquid and predatory. Their armor, a blend of advanced tech and primal design, marked them unmistakably as Drakanor—Tharvis’s rebel fighters.

“Drakanor,” Roq growled, positioning himself slightly in front of Mila. The protective gesture wasn’t lost on her, and she felt a surge of both gratitude and a fierce desire to keep him safe as well.

The Drakanor attacked with terrifying speed and precision. Chaos exploded around them, the peaceful night shattered by the hum of energy weapons and the clash of combat.

Mila ducked and weaved, her heart thundering. She was no stranger to danger, but this was different. These weren’t unpredictable animals or hostile environments—these were trained killers with a purpose.

As she narrowly avoided a Drakanor’s energy blade, Mila’s defensive training kicked into overdrive. She scanned the area desperately, searching for anything she could use. Her eyes landed on the Taser-like gadget attached to Roq’s belt and inspiration struck.

“Roq!” she yelled over the chaos. “Your tech—can it disrupt their weapons?”

Even in the heat of battle, Roq trusted her without hesitation. His fingers flew to his device. “What’s the plan?” he shouted back, deflecting another attack.

“Electromagnetic pulse!” Mila ducked under a swing. “Overload their electronics!”

Understanding flashed in Roq’s eyes. He made a final adjustment, and suddenly the air crackled with unseen energy. The Drakanor weapons sputtered and died, energy blades dissipating into harmless sparks.

In the moment of confusion that followed, Mila grabbed Roq’s hand. “Run!” she yelled, pulling him toward a gap between two massive, twisted trunks.

They sprinted through the foliage, the angry shouts of the Drakanor fading behind them. Mila’s lungs burned, but exhilaration coursed through her veins. She’d faced danger before, but nothing like this. And yet, with Roq beside her, she felt a strange sense of invincibility.

As they ran, weaving through the otherworldly landscape, Mila couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride—and something deeper. Her quick thinking combined with Roq’s technological skill had saved them both. They made a good team. More than that, the way he’d immediately trusted her judgment, the way he’d put himself between her and danger... it stirred something in her.

“Nice work with that pulse,” Mila panted as they continued to put distance between themselves and their pursuers.

Roq flashed her a grin that made her heart skip. “It was your idea. I’m just glad my device had enough power to pull it off.”

“Yeah, me too. Look, I know it’s late,” she between breaths, “but I’m fine with you calling for the palace guards to come get us.”

He patted his pocket then another. “My communicator is gone. I must’ve lost it during the fight.”

Of course, she thought. That’s how things worked in her life. Nothing was ever easy.

They pressed on through the wild lands, the terrain growing more treacherous with each step. Twisted roots threatened to trip them, while strange, glowing fungi cast eerie shadows. The sounds of pursuit had faded, but neither dared slow their pace.

Finally, after what felt like hours, they found a small alcove formed by the massive roots of a tree-like organism. Roq did a quick sweep before nodding to Mila. Safe—for now.

Mila slumped against a root, chest heaving as she tried to slow her racing heart. The wild lands seemed unnaturally quiet as if holding its breath. She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to process everything.

When she opened them, she found Roq watching her, his expression a mix of concern and relief. “Are you all right?” he asked softly.

Mila nodded, managing a weak smile. “Yeah, I’m okay. Thanks to you.” She paused, then added quietly, “You saved my life out there.”

Roq moved closer, his eyes never leaving hers. “We saved each other,” he corrected gently. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

The intensity of his gaze made Mila’s breath catch. Suddenly overwhelmed by the night’s events and the realization of how close they’d come to disaster, Mila did something that surprised them both. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Roq in a tight hug.

“I’m just glad we’re both okay,” she murmured into his chest, her voice muffled.

For a moment, Roq stood frozen, clearly caught off guard by the sudden display of affection. Then, slowly, his arms came around her, holding her close. What had started as a gesture of relief and gratitude transformed into something more intimate. Mila felt the steady beat of Roq’s heart against her cheek, the warmth of his body seeping into hers.

“So am I,” Roq whispered, his breath warm against her hair.

Mila lifted her head, intending to step back, to lighten the moment with a quip. But as her eyes met Roq’s, the words died on her lips. There was an intensity in his gaze that made her heart race for reasons that had nothing to do with their recent escape.

Time seemed to slow. Roq’s hand came up to cup her cheek, his touch gentle. She leaned into it, her eyes fluttering closed as Roq lowered his head.

Their lips met in a soft, sweet kiss. It was brief, a mere brush of lips, but it sent a jolt of electricity through Mila’s entire body. When they parted, both of them were slightly breathless.

For a moment, they simply stared at each other, the realization of what had just happened hanging between them. Then, almost simultaneously, they both broke into nervous smiles.

“Well,” Mila said, her voice a little shaky, “I guess that’s one way to seal our alliance.”

Roq chuckled, the sound low and warm. “Indeed. Though I must say, it’s far more pleasant than signing treaties.”

Their laughter, quiet but genuine, filled the small alcove. As it faded, Mila found herself still in the circle of Roq’s arms, surprisingly reluctant to step away. This wasn’t at all how she’d expected this expedition to go, but she couldn’t bring herself to regret it.