Page 16 of Saved By My Alien Husband

15

DELPHINE

Four Days Left On Earth

“ I think I'm more nervous now than I have ever been in my life,” I whispered to Haven, my hands trembling as they covered my flushed face. My heart was racing and I felt like I couldn't take a full breath. It was a few days later, days that had been filled with pure bliss, with interspersed meetings about the changes the ship and citizens would go through to accommodate the addition of a few thousand people.

Haven pulled my hands down, entwining his fingers in mine. “I love you, so they'll love you.”

He said it as if that was the obvious answer, but it wasn’t. I swallowed hard, the tightness in my throat making it feel like a struggle. “You grew to love me over several years. They have ten minutes to form their opinions of me.”

“And then the rest of their lives afterward. It will be okay. We are doing this together,” he said, my Haven. His name was so appropriate, it was like his late mother was psychic.

We stood outside the Eldrin's royal meeting room, where I'd speak and have my image broadcasted to all of the Eldrin for the first time. As humans began boarding the ship, and with our journey to the next domes coming up, it was time to formally introduce myself. Of course, the king already shared that his son got married to one of their citizens, and I’d met a few Eldrin walking to and from Haven’s room and the dome, but my formal introduction broadcast couldn’t wait any longer.

Last night’s nightmare was still fresh in my mind. I was standing in front of Haven's subjects, naked, and they were laughing at me, saying I was a freak for my smooth skin and hair, while they stood with strong thick skin and barely any hair.

Having my dreams back was one of the oddest parts of being with him in the real world. Maybe my mental health would improve too, who knows? Supposedly people processed things in dreams, when for a decade my brain was trying not to love an alien that I didn’t believe was real instead. No wonder I'm so fucked up.

Mavel called us in and we walked forward, greeted by the lights and camera positioned in front of a podium. Despite being created by an entirely different species on another planet, so much of their technology was similar enough to ours that it was recognizable. A big light set up next to a big box pointed at a spot we were supposed to stand was fairly universal. It was made of the same odd combination of greenery and black material from the ship as much of the rest of the items I'd seen, like advanced tech that evolved alongside nature. There was even a clear monitor that had his alien language scrolling on it, ready to feed lines.

Signaling that the broadcast was about to start, we positioned ourselves before the camera. Gripping Haven's hand, I smiled and waved, trying not to imagine the thousands of aliens watching from their rooms and in meeting centers.

Haven spoke first, eloquently sharing about how we met, and what my people needed in this time of change. He would say two or three sentences in English, then repeated it in his home language. We both decided to speak multilingually, to show our worlds blending together.

My palms grew sweatier with each kind turn of phrase, knowing it would soon be my turn.

While many of the Eldrin learned English, either to help with this mission or as a personal growth challenge while traveling the past ten years, not everyone spoke it yet. Now that the humans were joining us, it would become part of their required education, just as my people would have to learn the Eldrin ways. A blended culture, for however long the human race decided to travel with them.

Saying my people was a pinch me moment. The people I grew up with may have not always been kind to me, but they felt like my responsibility now.

“Hi,” I said weakly, my voice croaking, when Haven signaled it was my turn. “I'm excited and nervous to talk with you today. I know how important you all are to Haven, just as much as the human race means to me.”

Taking my notes out of my pocket, I glanced at them for a moment to steady my breath.

“I've been speaking with Haven in my dreams for ten years, not knowing the words he spoke were true, but hoping beyond reason that they were. Our love bloomed in my fear and loneliness,” I said, taking a steadying breath. “Without the expectations of the outside world getting in our way, we got to know each other. I'm so grateful for the years we had before we met in person.”

Turning my head, I looked at Haven. He smiled back as if he agreed, dropping a hand to my shoulder and squeezing. Taking his strength, I continued. “My home is on the brink of extinction. Our planet isn't safe anymore. You know this, coming for your genetic predecessors, our cats. With very little time left, we wouldn't have made it without you. Thank you for your hospitality, for opening your home to us, learning our language, and welcoming me as your princess. I hope I can live up to what you need from me and that us humans can become as important to your lives as you have been to us.” I touched a hand to my chest. “We'll do our part, and we are honored for the chance that you didn't need to give us.”

Haven squeezed my hand and shared some concluding thoughts about what would happen next. I watched him speak, transfixed by the way his mouth moved. As he finished, I leaned against his shoulder and we said goodbye to the camera, promising to speak to them again soon.

The lights powered down and I released a sigh of relief.

“Good job, Delphine,” Michael said, clapping as he emerged from a darkened corner.

I jumped, not noticing him when the lights had drowned out the room. “Thank you, Michael,” I said, self-conscious. I wasn't used to his compliments. I wondered if I'd have the same reaction to other people. Would those that hated me suddenly change their minds or would they double down?

“It was well done, daughter,” King Candor said. “They'll love your sincerity.”

Daughter.

Haven pulled me into a hug. “I'm proud of you.”

The support was so foreign that I choked up, my throat closing down as tears filled my eyes.

“Son, can you and your bride spare an hour to have dinner with me tonight? I know it's only been a few days since your wedding, but if you can pull away from your room for a little longer today, I'd love to get to know my new extended family.”

“Of course,” Haven said when I nodded against his chest, silently agreeing to the plans. “We'll be there.”

“Sir,” I said, turning in Haven's arms to speak to his father. “Have you spoken to my parents?”

“Please, call me Candor. No need to be formal with me,” he said with a smile. “They did agree to join us. But I want you to know, Delphine, that you are in control here, not them. Whatever you say goes, alright?”

I nodded, unable to say more. They were so similar, Haven and Candor; kinder and more considerate than most of the people I've known all my life, though I know it felt different for Haven. There was an edge to my husband that I knew his dad didn’t have, though it was a simmering difference under the surface that I felt I didn’t know the full breadth of yet.

Looking up at Haven, I spoke of my feelings with my eyes as my throat closed up.

Understanding flashed across his face and he spoke for me. “Father, me and Delphine were talking, and we do not want them to be treated as official members of the royal family. Can you set them up in separate sections of the ship?”

“It will be done,” my father-in-law promised.

The lump in my throat lessened. “Thank you,” I whispered. Now, their deaths wouldn't be on my conscience, and we could move on as we always have, ignoring each other.

“We'll see you tonight,” Haven said, tugging me out of the room before anyone could talk further. Michael and King Candor's voices sounded behind me, murmuring amongst themselves.

Leading me down the hall, Haven said, “Let's go visit the gardens.” From a respectable distance, Mavel followed. He was our constant shadow, having followed us from our room this morning and now as we left. There must be some sort of sensor or camera system hidden so that he knew when we were leaving. Did he sleep when we slept?

“I've only seen them in my dreams and it was so beautiful.” Technically, I knew now that it wasn't simply a dream, but rather a psychic projection, yet thinking about visiting each space as my first time there was strange. I'd been there, but I hadn't. It was an odd thought to reconcile.

Using the elevator at the end of the floor, we made our way to the gardens. The doors opened with a chime and we were back in the space I'd loved to find Haven in when I closed my eyes.

The garden aboard the alien ship was a sanctuary, a place where time seemed to flow differently than the rest of the ship. The space was filled with a spectrum of vibrant colors, the stark black walls slowly being taken over by the climbing vines. The air was warmer, with trees and plants of all sizes and textures. It somehow seemed more alive than the gardens and farms I'd seen in our domes, like it was given more understanding to do as the plants needed to rather than forced into neat effective rows.

The ground was covered in a soft, moss-like carpet. It appeared more wet and dense than what made up his—no, our —bed. Small rocks laid out a path on top of it, letting us know where to step.

“Come along this way,” Haven said when the usual path we took forked.

Seeing spots where plants were cleared away, I asked, “What's this?” The color of the dirt here was darker than the soil I was used to seeing on the Eldrin ship. It looked more like what I would see on my planet.

And it was.

“We're going to start cultivating the plants of Earth here,” Haven explained. His hand gestured to the new signs along the different beds, labeled with names I learned growing up. Roses, wheat, corn, and several other names of plants that must have been in the farming dome.

Not empty, but waiting. Seeds were sown and there was a small propagating section of little cuttings in the back.

“Michael is bringing more with the farmers today. They'll train with our teams on how to work with our plants, as well as teach us all we need to know about yours. We have certain fertilizers that help our plants grow faster, but they may not interact well with your plants, at least not until they adapt. So we are being cautious, growing some the longer way and bringing already healthy plants that we'll try and keep in as close to their old conditions as possible. There is a section of plants to experiment with, using our techniques, to see how they fare with it.” He walked me along the path, showing me other areas they'd started to clear out. “While the ship makes more rooms, it's also working to expand to have multiple gardens, so we will have more than just the ones here.”

I was so touched by the care that had already been put into this project, and it had only been days. After feeling alone for so long, having hope felt foreign.

“Our princess,” someone said in a rushed murmur.

Glancing around, I saw an Eldrin woman covering her mouth with a hand as if overwhelmed. She stepped out from the garden bed, her knees dirty as if she had been bending to tend to the plants. The women looked very similar to their male counterparts, but with different proportions. From her outfit, I could see parts of her upper chest where there were more defined ridges than what I had seen on Haven's chest, as if she had more than one collarbone. All the Eldrin were bald, but did have eyebrows and selective fuzz on other areas of their body. She and Jalen looked similar, their noses and jaw-line a similar shape. I wondered if they were related.

Without realizing, I tugged on my own strands. Would our eventual children have hair?

Haven beckoned the gardener over with a hand gesture. “Luria, I would like to introduce you to our future queen.”

“It's a pleasure to meet you,” I said, extending my hand to her.

Luria took it in hers and shook it up and down emphatically, her hands as textured as Haven’s. “I'm meeting our future queen and doing the human custom of a handshake at the same time .”

Chuckling, I agreed. “Not the queen yet, but yes, good job with your handshake.”

That was so adorable. What other customs would the Eldrin be excited about that I didn't think much of?

When we turned around, there was a gathering line of other Eldrin wanting to say hi. Nervously, I smiled at them as voices started to build and ask questions.

As I met each of them, answering their questions about Earth and humans, I grew more confident that I could handle the pressure. It was a unique combination where I felt like I was in a display case at an exhibit, as well as someone sought after and revered.

When it had been nearly an hour, Haven spoke to the line that seemed to grow bigger by the second and told them he would arrange another meet and greet, but for now we needed a break. As they started to disperse, I exhaled. My emotional battery was depleted.

“That was very attractive,” Haven said, taking my hand and tugging me under his arm.

I leaned into his embrace. “What do you mean?”

He smiled down at me. “Seeing you standing your own with the Eldrin? Inspiring them and seeing them each as individuals, treating them with respect? Nothing can beat it. It was the hottest thing I've ever seen. You were meant to lead them.”

Blushing, I said, “It was exhausting, but I felt good about it. I've never had to talk to that many people before.”

“Earth was lucky to have you. I am lucky to keep you,” he said, placing a hand to my cheek.

“I am not your pet, you aren't keeping me,” I said and pinched his side. “You've earned me.”

“Hm, earned? That may be so, I'll have to keep doing that. But don't forget, you are mine , as I am yours.”

We stood in the center of the garden together, holding on to each other. His head was laid on mine, tucking me into him.

A cough sounded behind us. “Haven, Delphine, there is a situation that needs your attention,” Mavel said.

I had forgotten he was here.

“Is everything alright?” Haven asked.

“Well...” Mavel hesitated.

Haven held me tighter, the tension growing. “Say it, Mavel.”

“Your father just sent a messenger. The fuel reserves are lower than they should be.”