Page 61 of Alien Prince (Alien Abductions and Seductions #1)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Emily

The halls of the palace are quiet now, the once-constant tension of the rebellion finally lifted. With Nyran dead, the stronghold emptied, and his remaining rebels all locked up, there can be peace.

Outside, Erythos’s twin moons cast a silvery glow over the gardens, their light spilling through the windows and pooling on the floor like liquid mercury.

I stand by the balcony, gazing out at the city below. The celebrations have already begun, the people rejoicing. I should feel that same sense of triumph and relief.

But I don’t.

Instead, my chest feels tight, my thoughts a tangled mess as I replay everything that’s happened. The battles, the betrayals, the moments where I wasn’t sure we’d survive…

And Kael. Always Kael.

He’s been my anchor through it all, his unwavering strength a beacon, but now that the fighting is over, the question I’ve been avoiding comes crashing to the forefront: can I stay here?

This world is beautiful, yes. Its people are strong and resilient.

But it’s not Earth. It’s not home.

And what if staying here means losing myself? I’ve changed so much since I came here, but is that for the better? I’ve shot at the rebels. I even killed some. Yes, we were at war. Yes, you could argue self-defense, but…

The sound of footsteps pulls me from my thoughts, and I turn to see Kael stepping onto the balcony. He looks tired, his silver skin catching the moonlight as he moves toward me. The softness in his gaze makes my heart ache.

He’s changed so much too since I first met him. He’s not cold and unfeeling.

“You’ve been quiet, Emily. Is everything all right?”

I glance away, wrapping my arms around myself. “Just… thinking.”

He steps closer, his presence grounding as always. “About leaving?”

The question catches me off guard, but I nod, unable to meet his eyes. “I don’t know if I can stay, Kael. This world, your people… it’s so different. I’m different.”

“You belong here,” he says softly, his hand brushing against mine. “You’ve proven that a hundred times over.”

“Maybe,” I whisper, my voice trembling, “but at what cost? What if I lose who I am?”

We both fall silent, and I wish I didn’t feel torn. My job at the library pales in comparison to everything that’s happened here. Maybe now we can focus on helping that colony, if they haven’t already received aid.

We.

Oh.

Abruptly, Kael drops to one knee.

My breath catches as he reaches for my hand, his violet eyes meeting mine with an intensity that steals the air from my lungs.

“You aren’t the only one who can do research,” he says with a grin before turning serious. “I’ve spent my entire life doing what was expected of me,” he says, his voice now raw with emotion. “Serving the throne, protecting the kingdom, making decisions based on duty instead of desire.” He pauses, his grip on my hand tightening. “But this— you —are not about duty. This is about love. My love for you, Emily.”

My heart pounds. He’s proposing? Like I always imagined. Not that I thought my future fiancé and husband would be an alien, of course.

“I want you by my side,” he continues. “Not because the kingdom demands it but because I do. I can’t imagine a future without you in it.”

Tears blur my vision as he pulls a small, intricately carved ring from his pocket. It’s not like any ring you would find on Earth. It’s a piece of Erythosian art, delicate and shimmering like starlight.

“Emily,” he says, his voice steady despite the vulnerability in his gaze, “will you marry me?”

I stare at him, my emotions warring within me. Joy, fear, love, and uncertainty swirl together, leaving me breathless.

“Kael,” I whisper, my voice shaking. “I… I don’t know.”

His expression falters for a moment, but he nods, his thumb brushing over my hand. “You don’t have to decide now,” he says quietly. “Take your time. No matter what you choose, my feelings for you will never change.”

His words break something in me, and I sink to my knees in front of him, my hands clutching his as tears spill down my cheeks.

“I love you,” I say, the truth spilling out like a confession. “I love you so much it scares me.”

He pulls me into his arms, holding me tightly as I bury my face in his chest. “Then we’ll face that fear together,” he promises.

As we sit there, wrapped in each other’s arms, I realize that no matter where I end up, my heart will always be with him.