Page 69 of Alien Prince (Alien Abductions and Seductions #1)
Emily
Our time away was wonderful, but we are king and queen, and so we return to our duties. Not a week later, the air in the palace is heavy, every corridor shrouded in silence. Even the ever-present hum of Erythosian energy seems muted, as if the kingdom itself mourns the loss of Kael’s father.
I stand just outside the grand chamber, my hands clasped tightly together. Inside, Kael kneels beside his father’s bed, the weight of grief etched into every line of his face.
I want to go to him, to hold him, to tell him that it’s going to be okay, but I know this moment isn’t mine to intrude upon. It’s his.
The man who raised him, who shaped him into the ruler and the man he is, is gone, and there are no words that can make that pain disappear.
A soft knock sounds behind me, and I turn to see one of the palace attendants. She bows her head respectfully. “Your Majesty, the people are gathering. They await word.”
I nod, forcing myself to stay composed. “Thank you.”
As the attendant leaves, I glance back at the chamber door. Kael needs time, but the kingdom won’t wait. They’ll look to him for strength, for guidance, for reassurance.
And I’ll be there to stand beside him.
Minutes later, the door opens, and Kael steps out. His eyes are red-rimmed but resolute, his shoulders squared despite the weight pressing down on him.
I move toward him without hesitation, my hands finding his. “Kael,” I say softly, my voice steady despite the lump in my throat.
His gaze meets mine, and the mask he wears for the world cracks. “He’s gone,” he whispers, the words barely audible.
“I know,” I murmur, pulling him into an embrace. He holds onto me tightly, his arms wrapping around me as if I’m the only thing keeping him upright.
“I thought I was ready for this,” he says after a moment, his voice rough, “but I wasn’t.”
“No one ever is,” I reply, my own memories surfacing. My parents, gone in an instant, leaving me with a hollow ache I never thought I’d fill.
He pulls back slightly, his hands moving to caress my face. “How do you bear it?” he asks, his vulnerability breaking my heart.
“You don’t,” I say honestly. “Not completely. But you carry it. You let the love you had for them guide you, shape you. And when it feels too heavy, you lean on the people who love you.”
His eyes search mine, and he nods, his grip tightening. “Have you…”
I nod. “My parents are both deceased. They died years ago. I still miss them, and I always will, but I carry them with me.” I press a fist against my heart.
Kael hugs me. “I am sorry for your loss.”
“As I am for yours.” I look up at him. “The people are waiting,” I say gently.
He exhales deeply, nodding again. “Let’s go.”
The throne room is filled with a quiet hum of voices, the gathered crowd reflecting the collective sorrow of the kingdom. Kael and I step onto the dais.
“My people,” Kael begins, his tone resonating with a quiet strength, “today, we mourn the passing of a great king, a man whose wisdom and dedication shaped Erythos into the kingdom we cherish.” He pauses, his gaze sweeping across the room, meeting the eyes of nobles and commoners alike. “My father was more than a ruler. He was a mentor, a protector, and, above all, a man who cared deeply for every soul under his reign. His decisions were not always easy, nor were they always popular. But they were always made with the well-being of this kingdom at heart.”
I feel a swell of pride watching him.
“He taught me what it means to serve, what it means to lead—not through power or fear, but through compassion and understanding. It is a lesson I will carry with me every day as I take up the mantle he has left behind.” His voice falters slightly, the rawness of his grief breaking through for a moment, but he steadies himself, lifting his chin as his violet eyes gleam with determination. “This is not a time for division or despair,” he continues. “It is a time for unity, for strength. My father believed in the potential of Erythos, in the resilience of its people, and I promise you I will honor his legacy by building a future worthy of his vision.”
The crowd shifts, the collective sorrow giving way to something else—hope, respect, and an unspoken commitment to stand with their new king.
Kael is the embodiment of strength and resolve. He speaks with the authority of a king, commanding the respect of everyone in the room. But it’s the heart of a son—the raw, unfiltered emotion beneath his words—that truly moves me.
This is the man I chose, the man I love. And in this moment, I know without a doubt that we’re ready to lead Erythos together, no matter what the future holds.
The room falls silent, all eyes turning to us. Without hesitation, I reach for his hand, threading my fingers through his.
We stand together, a united front. The room erupts in applause, the sound echoing off the high ceilings. It’s not a celebration but an acknowledgment—a pledge of loyalty and hope for the future.
That night, as we sit together in the quiet of our chamber, Kael leans his head against mine. “I couldn’t have done this without you,” he says softly.
“You’ll never have to,” I reply, my voice filled with quiet conviction.
His lips find mine in a kiss that’s slow and tender, a reaffirmation of the bond that has carried us through every challenge.
The galaxy may throw countless obstacles our way, but as long as we have each other, I know we can face anything.
Our love burns brighter than ever, a guiding light in the darkness. And together, we are unstoppable.
The End
SPECIAL PREVIEW – A Bride for the Alien Enforcer
Tark
The royal palace of Erythos is a familiar sight. My duty is to uphold interstellar law, but I have been here time and again, and Kael and I are friends.
Unfortunately, I had been working an assignment when he wed and also during his father’s funeral, but I am here now that I am between missions.
Now, as I make my way to the private chamber, I can’t help but feel a flicker of curiosity. The reports about Queen Emily have been… intriguing. An Earthling, plucked from her small, backwater planet, not just surviving but thriving in one of the galaxy’s most complex political landscapes.
I’ve never met an Earthling before. Never had a reason to. Earth is a minor planet, barely a speck in the vast expanse of the galaxy. Its inhabitants are unsophisticated by interstellar standards, unremarkable in every way… except for the stories Kael’s advisors have shared about his queen.
When I reach the chamber doors, I announce myself, and the guards let me through. Inside, Kael stands by the fireplace, a relaxed yet commanding presence. Beside him is a curious-looking woman who must be Emily. She’s perched on the edge of a low couch. She’s smaller than I expected, but there’s something about the way she holds herself—confident but approachable—that draws my attention.
“Tark,” Kael says warmly, crossing the room to clasp my arm. “It’s good to see you again.”
“And you, my friend,” I reply, inclining my head slightly before turning my attention to Emily. “This must be your queen,” I say, my tone neutral but curious.
Emily rises, extending a hand in what I recognize as an Earthling gesture of greeting. “Tark,” she says with a smile. “Kael has told me about you. It’s an honor to meet you.”
I take her hand carefully, noting how delicate it feels in mine. “The honor is mine, Your Majesty.”
Her smile widens, and I’m struck by how genuine it is. No pretense, no calculation—just warmth. It’s… disarming.
“You’ve just finished an assignment, haven’t you?” Kael asks, motioning for me to sit.
I nod, lowering myself into a chair. “Yes, in the Borith sector. A smuggling ring attempting to bypass interstellar trade laws. It’s been resolved.”
Emily tilts her head, her curiosity evident. “That sounds dangerous.”
“Sometimes,” I admit, “but I take my duty seriously. The galaxy thrives on order, and it’s my responsibility to ensure it stays that way.”
“And now you’re between assignments?” Kael asks, pouring a glass of the local brew and passing it to me.
“For the moment,” I reply, accepting the glass. “I was passing through this sector and thought it fitting to congratulate you both in person. Also, Kael… your father was a good man.”
“That he was.” Kael gives me a small smile.
Emily’s gaze lingers on me. “I’m sure you’ve traveled to so many worlds,” she says thoughtfully. “Have you ever been to Earth?”
I hesitate, caught off guard by the question. “No. No need to.”
Her smile turns playful. “You should go. It might surprise you.”
I chuckle lightly, but her words stick with me. Earth is such an insignificant place, but Emily’s confidence is infectious.
“I’ll consider it,” I say, more to humor her than anything else.
Days later, as I leave the palace and return to my ship, the queen’s words echo in my mind. I’ve spent my life traveling the galaxy, upholding the law, and navigating the complexities of interstellar politics. I’ve seen wonders and horrors, beauty and destruction.
But Earth?
Perhaps it’s time to see this strange, backward planet for myself.
With a faint smile, I enter my ship and plot a new course. My next assignment can wait.
I have a new destination in mind.