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I f someone would have told Paris, she’d end up on another planet and madly in love with a brutish alien hunk, she would have laughed in their face. Only weeks ago, she was working a mundane job and the most excitement she’d experienced in her week was the new episode of her favorite television show.

But now not only was she in a new world, she was going to be reunited with her mother. She stared at the monitor and beheld a large while palace that was bigger than any building she’d ever seen in person. This was where her mother had been for the past twenty years.

Paris was certain in a place like this, her mother and sister had lived in luxury compared to what she’d experience yet she felt no resentment, only happiness that they had a good life. That was one of the worries that had plagued her since they’d disappeared.

Paris was thankful to have Zahn by her side.

She took a deep breath as he landed his personal hovercraft. Her heart sped up and nerves hit Paris, making her hands shake. Zahn helped her out of the vehicle and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

“You have no need to be nervous, Paris. You will be treated like a princess.”

“I don’t care about being treated like a princess. I just hope my mother likes me.”

He smiled down at her. “She won’t like you. She’ll love you.”

His word gave her some comfort but as they walked toward the castle, her anxiety rose once again when they passed through a row of guards.

Each soldier they walked by they crossed their forearms over their chests in salute, that reminded Paris that Zahn held a high ranking military position. If she remained on this planet, her life would change drastically. She looked up at him and all of her doubts melted away.

Even though this was a new adventure in her life, Paris knew everything would be okay as long as Zahn was by her side.

They entered the palace to find a man in a gold uniform standing by the door. “General Zahn,” he lowered his head in reverence. “And the esteemed, daughter of our Queen Calliope. Allow me to escort you to the throne room where the queen and princes await.”

“Thank you, Kalis,” Zahn responded. He gave Paris’s hand another squeeze.

Paris had been waiting for this moment all her life and yet she’d never been more frightened? What would she say to her mother whom she hadn’t seen since she was child?

Kalis halted at the door or the throne room after leading them down a grand hall decorated in colorful tapestries. “You may go in.”

Paris released Zahn’s hand. “I think, I need to go in by myself.”

He nodded. “As you wish. Just know that I’ll be here if you need me.” He bent down to give a light kiss on the lips.

Paris pulled away with a smile, and her heart filled with love for this beautiful man. “I know.”

She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders before heading into the throne room.

Standing in the center of the room was her mother. She looked like an older version of herself yet her appearance was still youthful. One would not assume that this woman had children in their twenties. She was draped in a beautiful dress made of a shimmering fabrics of colors she’d never seen before. It was a mixture of red, yellow, purple and pink, yet somehow it worked. Her hair was piled on top of her head and woven with golden thread and colorful jewels.

Her baring was regal and her back straight. She was the epitome of what a queen should look like. Yet all Paris could see was her mother.

The queen stared at her with glistening eyes. “Paris?”

Paris nodded.

“You’re so beautiful. I thought I’d lost you but you’re here. Are you real?”

“Are you?”

“Very much so.” Queen Calliope held her arms out.

With tears streaming down her face, Paris ran into her mother’s embrace. “I missed you so much, Mom.”

“I’ve missed you too. Welcome home, baby.”

The Scientist’s Woman: Book Three of the Thibian Chronicles coming soon