Chapter 15

FIFTEEN

T he wild lands stretched out before Mila, a lush and alien landscape transformed by the recent rainstorm. Bioluminescent plants pulsed with soft, ethereal light, their colors shifting from deep purples to vibrant blues. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and exotic flora, a heady mixture that filled Mila’s lungs with each breath. Waterfalls cascaded down newly formed cliffs, the rushing water catching the light of Tharvis’s twin suns and creating shimmering rainbows in the mist.

Mila stepped out of the cave, her boots sinking slightly into the soft, spongy ground. She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the sounds and smells of this alien world wash over her. Despite the looming environmental crisis, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of wonder at the resilience and beauty of nature, even on a planet light-years from Earth.

“It’s breathtaking, isn’t it?” Roq’s deep voice came from behind her, sending an unexpected shiver down her.

Mila turned to face him, her breath catching in her throat. Roq stood framed in the cave entrance, the soft glow of bioluminescent fungi backlighting him like some otherworldly deity. His usually impeccable appearance was charmingly disheveled – white and black hair tousled by the lingering humidity his clothes slightly rumpled from their night in the cave. But it was his eyes that held Mila’s attention – dark and intense, filled with a warmth that made her heart race.

“Yeah,” she managed, hoping he didn’t notice the slight tremor in her voice. “It’s amazing how quickly the ecosystem has adapted to the storm.”

Roq stepped closer, his gaze sweeping over the landscape before settling back on Mila. “The Tharvisian environment has always been resilient. But I’ve never seen it quite like this.” He paused. “Though I suppose I’ve never looked at it through the eyes of an Earth scientist.”

A blush slid up her neck at the compliment. She turned back to the view, trying to focus on the task at hand rather than the way Roq’s presence filled all her senses.

“We should get moving,” she said, her voice steadier now. “The storm might have affected the mineral composition of the soil. We need to collect fresh samples to take back and analyze.”

Roq nodded, his expression shifting to one of determination. “Agreed.”

As they set off into the wild lands, Mila found herself replaying the night before. The memory of their kiss lingered in her mind, making it hard to concentrate on the alien flora surrounding them. She snuck glances at him as they walked, noticing things she’d overlooked before – the graceful way he moved despite his imposing height, the subtle play of muscles beneath his shirt, the thoughtful furrow of his brow.

“See something interesting?” Roq’s amused voice broke through her reverie.

Mila started, realizing she’d been staring. “I, uh... was just thinking about how different you look out here,” she said, scrambling for an explanation. “Away from the palace, I mean. You seem more... relaxed.”

Roq’s expression softened, a genuine smile spreading across his face. “I feel more relaxed out here. Away from the pressures of court and expectations... I can just be myself.”

“And who is that?” Mila asked, genuinely curious. “The real Roq, I mean.”

He was quiet for a moment, considering her question. “I’m not sure I know anymore,” he admitted, his voice low. “For so long, I’ve been what everyone needed me to be – the dutiful prince and the technology scientist. But out here, with you...” He trailed off, his eyes meeting hers with an intensity that made her breath hitch. “I feel like I’m rediscovering parts of myself I’d forgotten existed.”

The honesty in his words touched something deep within Mila. She reached out, hesitating for a moment before placing her hand on his arm. “I like this version of you,” she said softly. “The one who’s not afraid to get his hands dirty in the name of science.”

Roq’s laugh was warm and rich, sending a pleasant tingle through Mila’s body. “Well, in that case,” he said, a mischievous glint in his eye, “allow me to demonstrate my newfound appreciation for manual labor.”

Before Mila could react, Roq had scooped up a handful of the damp, alien soil. He held it up to his face, inhaling deeply. “Fascinating,” he murmured, his tone mock-serious. “I detect notes of... dirt. With a hint of more dirt. Your expert opinion, Dr. Arison?”

Mila couldn’t help but laugh, the sound echoing across the landscape. “Very scientific analysis, Your Highness,” she teased back. “But I think you missed a spot.”

With a playful grin, she reached out and smeared a bit of the soil across Roq’s cheek. He looked so comically shocked that Mila burst into laughter again.

“Oh, you think that’s funny, do you?” Roq growled, but there was no heat in his words. His eyes sparkled with mirth as he advanced on her, hands full of mud.

Mila backed away, still giggling. “Don’t you dare, Roq! I mean it!”

But it was too late. With surprising speed, Roq closed the distance between them, wrapping one arm around her waist to hold her in place as he smeared mud across her forehead with his free hand.

“There,” he said, his voice low and breathy. “Now, we match.”

Mila suddenly became acutely aware of their position – Roq’s arm still around her waist, their bodies pressed together. She could feel the heat radiating off him, smell the earthy scent of his skin mixed with something uniquely him . Her laughter died in her throat as she met his gaze, seeing her own desire reflected at her.

For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. Mila’s heart pounded in her chest as Roq’s eyes dropped to her lips. She found herself leaning in, drawn by an invisible force...

The shrill screech of a not-so-distant animal shattered the moment. Mila jumped back.

“I, uh... we should keep moving,” she stammered, trying to regain her composure.

Roq cleared his throat, running a hand through his hair. “Right. Yes. Lead the way, Dr. Arison. Head toward the sun, by the way.”

She smirked back at him and turned in the other direction.

As they moved deeper into the wild lands, Mila tried to focus on the task at hand. But her mind kept wandering back to that moment – the feel of Roq’s arm around her, the intensity in his eyes. She snuck glances at him as they walked, noticing the way the dappled sunlight played across his features, highlighting the strong line of his jaw and the curve of his lips.

Focus, Mila, she chided herself. You’re not here to moon over some hunky alien prince.

But even as she thought it, she knew it wasn’t that simple anymore. Roq wasn’t just some alien royal – he was becoming a true partner, someone she could rely on both professionally and personally. The realization both thrilled and terrified her.

Hours passed and the twin suns of Tharvis began to dip toward the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow across the landscape. Mila wiped sweat from her brow, realizing for the first time how long they had been walking at an incline, steadily climbing a small mountain.

The rough and rocky terrain was treacherous, promising a twisted ankle at any moment. Finally, they had reached the top and could start downward.

As she crested and peered out over the valley below, she gasped. “Roq,” she called out, her voice tinged with concern. “Hurry up. Look at this.”

He was at her side in an instant, his shoulder brushing against hers. The casual touch sent a jolt of electricity through Mila, but she forced herself to focus.

What lay before them left them speechless. The hard, stone-covered ground of the hillside vanished, replaced by loose, soft ground. Almost like a beach with no water.

“What has happened here?” Roq asked.

Mila’s sharp eyes scanned the expanse. “The land has been processed leaving the byproducts of deep mineral extraction.”

Roq’s eyes widened. “Are you saying?—”

“Yup, someone has mined here, and they’ve been trying to cover their tracks.”

Roq’s expression darkened as his thoughts caught up to hers. “You’re right,” he said, his voice grim. “This level of mineral depletion... it’s far worse than we initially thought. The damage isn’t localized – it’s systematic. Whoever’s behind this has been operating for years.”

A chill ran down Mila’s spine as the implications sank in.

“Drakanor?” she whispered, the name tasting bitter on her tongue. “But why? What could they possibly gain from destabilizing the entire ecosystem?”

Roq’s jaw clenched, a muscle twitching beneath his skin. “Power,” he said, his voice low and angry. “If they can prove that the current leadership – my family – is incapable of protecting Tharvis, they could make a bid for control. It’s not just about resources; it’s about the future of our planet.”