Page 8 of Saved By My Alien Husband
7
HAVEN
D elphine bit her lips nervously as we followed Daryl through the narrow corridors toward Michael's office. The protectors surrounded us. Together, we were a blend of Earth’s humans and the Eldrin, as if we were both allies and threats. My princess moved closer to me, looking around warily, her gaze landing on our escort now and then. Despite her effort to play it off, I could feel her tension—and I had no plans to let it go unaddressed.
She glanced up, a familiar softness in her gaze mixed with confusion as she eyed Parvati, resting contentedly on my shoulders. I smirked, amused, reaching for Delphine’s hand as she took in the sight. I’d waited for this reunion long enough and would give her anything to ease her worries. Though Parvati’s loyalty must have been a surprise; she was more than just a pet—more like my secret-keeping, ever-watchful ally.
“What exactly did Michael do?” I asked, my voice lowered as we neared the doors.
“It wasn't what he did, exactly, more so his attitude toward me,” she whispered back. “He is respected in the community, so when someone of his stature made it obvious that he disliked me, it led to everyone acting differently. He didn't like me, so they didn't either.” She shrugged, trying to brush off a part of her past that hurt her. “It’s no big deal.”
The heaviness in her voice could not be ignored. Anger burned low in my chest, but I swallowed it down. Letting my grip tighten around her waist, I said softly, “Yes, it is. I swear, Delphine—from now on, no one will treat you with anything but the respect you deserve.”
She leaned into me as we walked, her silence saying everything. Her throat seemed to bob, as if she were holding back tears. We walked on, and my own resolve grew. Whoever couldn’t see her worth would be quick to learn.
Daryl’s voice cut through the quiet. “Here we are,” he announced, rapping twice on Michael’s office door.
As it opened, a laugh greeted us—Michael’s laugh. He welcomed us inside, his face almost unrecognizable, the tension of leadership momentarily softened. Next to him sat a familiar figure, perched casually on the edge of Michael’s desk: my father, King Candor of the Eldrin. His presence was as commanding as ever. The king knew how to combine power and familiarity, like he was a friend that happened to control everything.
It was an impossible standard for me to meet. I was too hotheaded to be who he wanted me to be.
Michael gestured to us. “Your Highness, Delphine, come in.” His tone was almost jovial, as though we weren’t here for negotiations that would shape humanity’s future.
Surprise flashed across Daryl’s face, his gaze flicking from me to Delphine, who looked equally taken aback. Apparently, this was not normal behavior from their dome leader.
Candor dipped his head toward Delphine. “Delphine, I’ve heard so much about you. Welcome to the family. I am King Candor of the Eldrin rescue ship, at your service.”
“The pleasure is mine, Your Majesty,” she said.
I rarely saw my dad throughout the day. Maybe I’d see him once a week. Delphine saw him occasionally, but only in our psychic connection where they couldn’t speak to each other.
My father’s gaze then fell on Parvati, who meowed, bowing her head in return. “Parvati, thank you for all your valuable leadership while we traveled to meet you. We owe you our gratitude,” the king said. A familiar nod of acknowledgment passed between them, and Delphine’s wide eyes nearly made me laugh out loud.
He sat on the edge of Michael's desk again, completely comfortable and casual, while also commanding all the attention in the room.
“Now, Haven, we have much to catch up on,” he said, gesturing for Delphine and me to sit opposite him.
“The king and I were just talking, Delphine,” Michael said, “about how you are leaving with them and that the citizens of Earth are welcome to come with them, if they choose too, as long as we don't interfere with their cat rescue.”
Michael held back another laugh after he said the sentence, coughing and taking a sip of his water.
The two men shared a chuckle, and I could tell by the look on my wife’s face that this was startling to her. Maybe Michael was someone I had to watch out for, if his laughter made my wife uncomfortable.
“And your response was?” I asked Michael.
“We'll offer salvation to every citizen in our dome. Communicating with the other civilizations hasn't been easy in recent years, so the king has offered to fly us over to the other humans to extend this olive branch as well,” the leader explained. “This will give the entire planet a chance to live to their full potential life-span, at the generosity of King Candor.”
“And will those who remain be able to survive here alone?” I pressed, fully aware of the possible bleakness ahead.
“For a time, those that stay will be alright,” Michael said, which wasn't a very positive response. “We’ve been trying to keep morale up, but in truth, our analysts are pointing to a cataclysmic event happening in the next year. If you hadn't come, we'd be dead soon. I'll tell that to anyone who will listen so they can leave, now that we have the option to. Our kind will survive if we leave with you.”
A year? I didn’t know that. Glancing at Delphine, the devastation of this news crossed her face; she didn’t know either. We almost didn’t make it in time.
I could have lost her.
Father’s face tightened subtly, then he asked, “And do you think the other settlements will agree?”
Michael nodded gravely. “It’s a little complicated with some of the domes, but we’ll do our best. We’ll need to strategize together on that.”
The king turned to me. “Haven, what are our options if we wait?”
One of the few responsibilities he had passed to me so far was our navigation. “If we minimize other resources, we can remain here up to a month, perhaps two,” I replied, glancing around at our advisors, human and alien alike. “After that, we’d need to leave to refuel.”
His eyes were thoughtful. “We’ll remain here for a week, give or take. Then each dome will have about a week to choose.”
Michael gave a curt nod. “More than fair.”