Page 20 of Alien Prince Defender (Space Knights MC #4)

GRACE

I t had been two months since the attacks in my beloved city of Chicago, and a lot had happened since then. I had just finished training my replacement medic. It was another woman — which I was happy to see put into motion.

She was young and sweet — a girl named Amanda, but she was also determined and resilient. She was smart, and I knew I would be leaving my unit in capable hands as far as she was concerned. I wasn't worried about her disappointing Mike in the slightest.

"You're a fast learner," I told her. "I think you will fit in just fine, here."

"Thanks, Grace." Amanda smiled proudly. "It really means a lot to me, coming from you."

"I mean it, too. You catch on quick. I have to say — I was pretty impressed."

"What can I say," she beamed. "You have been an excellent trainer."

As far as putting the city back together, everyone had worked tirelessly — long nights, long days… they all blended into each other for so long. We had finally made it over the hump. We'd climbed to the top of the metaphorical mountain. We were dirty, sweaty, and even a little bloody, but we'd made it to the light at the end of the tunnel.

It had been a long time coming, but we'd recovered most of the city from the destruction it had endured, and we'd had a ceremony for most of the deceased, along with a parade in their honor going through the city streets that happened just last week.

We had lost thousands of people to those android attacks, but we were strong, and we overcame the biggest battle of all — the cleanup and the healing that came afterward.

While I was standing in the garage talking to Amanda, I noticed my handsome Tarax approaching me.

"Ready to go?" he asked, slinking his arm around my back as he tossed Amanda a friendly wave. "Jennifer is waiting on you," he said to me.

"Yep." I nodded. "I'm ready." I shook Amanda's hand. "Good luck. I know you'll do great. If you'll excuse me, I have to get going. I'm going to give a good friend of mine an exclusive interview about the siege. She's an up and coming reporter."

"Sounds great," Amanda said. "Thank you so much for all your well wishes about my career here, too."

I began walking away with Tarax. As soon as I stepped foot out of the garage, I felt free.

"How are you holding up, baby?" Tarax asked.

"I'm doing surprisingly better than I thought I would," I said. "I am excited to start the next chapter of my life with you." I took his hand and smiled up at him adoringly. "New beginnings are always exciting. I'll always remember my life here and where it all started, but I know I'll be much happier with you."

"You're right." Tarax grinned. "I feel the same. Oh, and guess what?"

"What?"

"Merrix told me that a few world governments are working on creating alliances with the Space Knights. They learned about several of the new Knights — yourself included, bravely put your own lives on the line to protect Earth from the hostile androids. I think this union was what sealed the deal and steered them in a mutual direction with us."

"That's wonderful news," I exclaimed. "We need all the help we can get. If we all become allies, then we can wipe out our enemies faster."

"My thoughts exactly," Tarax said and lightly kissed my cheek as we walked over to Jennifer's office that was only a few blocks away. Luckily for Jennifer, her office building remained virtually intact, so she was able to get right back to her job within several weeks after the android ambush.

"I'm proud of you," Tarax added, giving me a doting smile.

"Really?" I glanced up at him. "For what?"

"All your hard work over the last couple months. You are going to fit in great with us in space."

I was exhilarated for the future. "I know. I can't wait."

We approached the office. Jennifer was already standing outside, waiting for us with an eager expression on her face.

"Hi, guys," she said, waving animatedly.

She was wearing an olive green dress that complimented her curvy figure. Her flaxen hair was long and wavy and in her usual pigtails. It was comfortable to be around her again. She was a friendly and familiar face that reminded us that the world wasn't all lost.

I embraced her in a warm hug.

"It's so good to see you again," I said. "You look well."

"So do you." Jennifer smiled. "As always, of course."

After a few minutes, Jennifer set me up in front of the camera and the interview commenced.

"This is an exclusive interview," Jennifer said proudly into the camera, grinning at me to make me feel at home.

"Yes, that's correct," I said, sitting up straight and formal.

She asked several questions about the raids and how things played out, even though she already knew the answers, she wanted me to tell our story to her audience. I went through everything that occurred over the course of the five day siege.

"I know I can honestly say, I don't think we would have survived without your help, Grace, thank you." Jennifer smiled.

"It took all of us, and you know it." I smiled back.

Jennifer winked and then leaned forward. "Do you mind telling us about your plans for the future?" Jennifer asked, leaning close and staring expectantly at me as if she were riveted by everything I said.

"Not at all," I obliged. "I plan to marry Tarax, my handsome fiancé from the planet Telanis and help the Space Knights as their medic."

Jennifer, who had already heard this news, pretended to be surprised. "That is an incredible bombshell," she exclaimed.

I laughed. "Yes, well… we were together during the raids, and we realized how much we loved each other. We worked as a wonderful team and continue to do so. I will be joining him in space, along with his Space Knights task force. The Space Knights will remain in the solar system to protect Earth from any further threats."

"Well, I wish you a lifetime of health and happiness," Jennifer chimed. She seemed authentically excited for both of us.

"Thank you so much, dear friend," I said.

After the interview ended, I stepped out onto the Chicago streets with Tarax for what would become the last time in a while. I was feeling somewhat sentimental.

"Remember — I can always bring you back if you are ever homesick," Tarax mentioned. "Our space bikes travel at the speed of light. We could have you back here in no time."

"Thank you, darling." I smiled and kissed his lips. "That helps make the goodbye process a lot easier."

"You will love space," he promised me. "It's so liberating to be riding out there in the open."

"I can't wait to experience it," I admitted. My stomach pattered with excited butterflies.

"Let's go, then…" Tarax trailed off, taking my hand as we walked to his space bike together, hand in hand. Merrix and Norin would be waiting for us with our life support armor. It was time to put this adventure behind us and start a new beginning together.