Page 30 of Saved By My Alien Husband

29

HAVEN

Zero Days Left On Earth

H umans, cats, and some plants. That’s all we saved from Earth. A fraction of what once was, and only a small part of what still is. But, it was what we could do. That was the choice we made. That I made, along with my father. Regret and guilt weren’t emotions I was very familiar with, but in that moment, they pressed against my chest.

We already had taken on more than we were supposed to. It would be enough.

At least the beasts at the bottom of the ocean, untouched by sunlight, had a fighting chance. It was too cold where they were, the sun bands and storms above the surface had minimal impact on them. They had billions of years to make their circumstances work down there.

No other creature had that luxury, but we had to move on.

This time, we opened the Launch Room to allow for more viewers. My father’s advisors, protectors, humans, Eldrin—we stood shoulder to shoulder, filling the room and spilling into the corridors beyond. The captain’s voice spoke over the speakers, counting down the moments until we lifted off.

The room seemed to still as it started, the rumbling of our ship vibrating up from the floor.

My eyes drifted to Delphine. Tears streaked her face, and beside her, Fate mirrored her grief. Daryl stood close, eyes flitting between the two, as unable to stop their pain as I was.

Glancing around, I caught sight of Jalen. She was standing a little apart, her hand clasped in Greer’s. The faint, unmistakable mark of a bonding burn was visible on their skin where their hands met. I raised a brow, giving her a pointed look.

Her eyes narrowed in warning, daring me to comment.

I raised my hands in mock surrender, mouthing a silent “What? I didn’t say anything,” before turning away.

Some things had gone too well, too easily, and a part of me couldn’t help but expect the other shoe to drop. Sure, there was some danger, and we lost people along the way. Like my mom.

But all things considered, saving the human race took a week once we got here, and I got to have my princess. Really, and truly, have her. The Eldrin's first mission through the stars since we left our ancestors across the galaxies was now complete.

My friends deserved happiness. Maybe I’d get to keep mine.

For once, I let myself believe it.

My father stepped forward, the crowd parting instinctively to let him through. His hand landed firmly on my shoulder, grounding me as we both watched the land below shrink away. Delphine reached for my hand, her fingers threading through mine, and I held on tightly. The three of us stood together, and I grew unexpectedly overwhelmed. A tear dropped from my eyes to the ship floor, silent, but felt.

“I’m proud of you two,” my father said, his voice steady and warm.

“Thanks, Dad,” I murmured.

Delphine gave a soft, tearful “Thank you,” her voice barely above a whisper.

As the atmosphere thinned and the ship’s reverberations intensified, the blue skies gave way to endless black. A few muffled shouts sounded from the rear of the room, panic rising from some unaccustomed to space travel. My father moved away to calm them, his role as king never-ending. I admired him for it, for the quiet strength he exuded in the face of chaos. I didn't think I had that; I was too brash. But maybe he'd be willing to teach me on the way to our next destination.

For now, my focus remained on Delphine.

She stood pressed against me, her tears slowing as she gazed out at the stars now scattered across our field of vision.

“The Earth is gone. My home is just gone.”

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “You have taken it with you, all the humans have. Earth is coming with us, in a way. Not all of it, but enough. It will be remembered.”

We held each other for a time, the crowd settling, moving back to their rooms or to small gatherings.

“It seems I finally did it,” I murmured, my voice low and intimate, meant only for her.

She turned her head, her brows lifting slightly. “Did what?”

“Came to get you.”

Her soft laugh was a balm to all the heat in me. “Took you long enough.”

“Some things are worth the wait, you know.” I leaned down, brushing my lips against her temple. “You’re too impatient.”

As if I was one to talk.

She squirmed in my arms as I nipped at her neck and breathed her in, recognizing the scent of her need.

“Mhm, yes, princess,” I whispered, my voice dipping into a teasing tone. “That’s one of the things worth waiting for.” I tucked her hair behind her ear, leaning close to murmur, “But your greedy little body will need to wait a little longer for my knot. Can you hold out a few more minutes?”

Her sharp inhale told me I’d hit my mark. Her cheeks flushed in the way I liked. “I waited ten years for you, Haven. I can wait a few minutes. I’m not unreasonable.”

“You sure about that?” I quirked a brow, smirking as her lips twitched, caught between a grin and a pout.

Huffing, she leaned against me once more, her gaze drifting back to the stars. Together, we watched as the last vestiges of Earth disappeared, swallowed by the infinite expanse of space. The past was behind us now, and ahead lay a future that was ours to shape.

And for the first time in a long time, I felt something I hadn’t dared to hope for.

Peace.