Page 51 of Alien in the Depths

“What is all this?” she asked, incredulous. “And how did you even…”

“Don’t worry about that,” Zaraq told her with a grin. “Just enjoy it.”

Sofia’s usual sarcasm melted away, and she had to admit, the gesture made her giddy. She’d never, ever been romanced like this and the novelty of it, as well as its unexpectedness, made her stomach fill with butterflies.

She let Zaraq lead her to the blanket, and when they sat down, he gave her a look that made her heart race.

“Sofia,” he told her, his purple eyes catching the warmth of the candles that flickered at the edges of the blanket. “I still can’t believe I found you. Someone like me should never have gotten a chance at love, but against all odds, you proved me wrong.”

Sofia felt her breath catch in her throat at the word love, and she suddenly knew what was happening. All she could do was stare at Zaraq, though, as he gazed back with adoring eyes.

“I love you, Sofia. I wanted to tell you so many times. I’m in love with you, and I have been from the start.”

The words soaked into Sofia, and she felt herself expanding. “I love you, too,” she told him. It spilled out of her like a tidal wave, a release, a joy that she’d been holding inside. “I love you so much.”

With this, she leaned forward, planting her lips on Zaraq’s in a lingering, loving kiss. Zaraq’s hands reached for her waist, and for a second, it seemed like time was standing still.

When they finally pulled away, Sofia saw something else in Zaraq’s eyes.

“You nearly died for my sake,” he told her, his voice heavy with emotion. “And it made me realize I don’t want to spend another second of my life without you. I want to commit to a future with you.”

The candlelight showed the sincerity on Zaraq’s face, revealed the soft smile on his lips, and, once again, showed the love in his gaze.

“What do you mean?” Sofia’s voice sounded strange to her, as if it couldn’t possibly contain all the excitement, happiness, and anticipation she was feeling at that moment.

“It means I want to take you as my mate. Or as the earthlings would say, marry you.”

From his pocket, Zaraq produced a gold ring covered in ancient symbols, but Sofia hardly saw it. Instead, she was gazing at Zaraq.

Time stood still for another long moment as that tidal wave of happiness mounted in Sofia’s chest again.

“Oh my god, yes!” She nodded, and unable to contain herself, she kissed him again, deeply, lovingly.

Around them, the night birds continued, the sirulet singing its happy, lilting song as if in celebration. Sofia didn’t think she’d ever been that happy in her life.

“I love you,” Zaraq whispered again, pressing his forehead to hers.

“I love you, too.”

When she finally looked at the ring, she realized it was some kind of relic, and she looked up at Zaraq again with a wide grin.

“This is so perfect,” she told him, holding out her hand.

“I looked into human traditions,” he explained, slipping the ring onto her finger with gentle hands. “But something told me you might prefer a less traditional approach.”

“You nailed it,” she said, grasping his hand. “Now I think you oughta nail something else.”

Zaraq gave her a puzzled look, and Sofia just laughed, almost relieved he didn’t get that one. “Let’s go back to the room, huh?”

Zaraq nodded, and they hurried back along the garden path, Sofia grinning all the way.

Chapter 20

Zaraq

Zaraq felt a strange sense of freedom after so many years of being on the run. Now, with his name cleared, he was free to pursue his life with Sofia.

And that was exactly what he wanted.