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I had the idea to incorporate as much of Kalei into our ceremony and without hesitation took a trip to the planet to scavenge for broad leaves and flora. Looking down at my handiwork, I’m my greatest creation to date. A little of him, and a little of me. Some of our history.
“Don’t forget this,” Alice says, ringing a large garter around her finger. And little something for our future.
“Oh, thanks. I almost forgot.” Sitting down, she dutifully helps the garter onto my leg. “Do you think he’ll like it?”
“He won't know what hit him,” she says, looking down at her comm-watch. “It’s almost noon. We better get you in there.”
Before we turn to open the door, Alice squeezes my hand. “Good luck out there, by the way. Are you nervous?”
“Terrified,” I confess, looking into her eyes with an ironic smile. “But he’s my mate. He’s worth it.”
We step closer to the edge of the arena Garet and I designed for our mating ceremony. It’s only been a few short months since my first line broke the fashion world. Alice called it first. My designs hit the fashion scene like a breath of fresh air. And the possibilities of opening up high fashion to the human market have proved,lucrative, to say the least.
My return trip to Kalei was a total antithesis to my first. Instead of serving Sathior’s bustles and hooks, I had my own attending staff. Adoring fans waited for me at the gangplank.I could get used to this. Judging by the numbers in my comm account, I’ll have to.
Friends and family arrive to join us for our ceremony. Among them, I see my little daughter running between the benches that surround the archways in the middle. She looks so carefree, playing tag with Riley and giggling her head off. I remember now why every credit I make is so important.
It’s all for her. Her future will look so different from the childhood I had. All thanks to Garet.
The sun tries to blind me from a tall figure standing in the middle of the arena. Placing my hand up to my eyes, Garet becomes clear amongst the throng of people. Warmth builds inside me that soon, the Kaleidian who helped my dreams come true, will be my very own mate.
He finally catches my gaze from the top of the arena and as soon as his eyes meet mine he covers his mouth with his hands.Dropping it I see the words “Wow” articulate across his lips. I can’t wait to touch him, hold him. But until sundown, there won't be any of that.
I find my way to the center of the arena where two stone benches sit opposite one another. A priestess stands in the middle, cloaked in white, holding her hands out for Garet and me to join her.
“Friends,” she says, calling everyone to attention. “Can we be seated?” People sit and stare in silence.
Garet says nothing, as intended. His clan's traditions place special reverence on silence between mates during the ceremony. Excitement builds in my tummy, filling me with butterflies that this, finally, is the moment where I become his.
The priestess smiles, placing her hands on our heads, she says, “At the time of creation, a gift was given. For consciousness can only be birthed with great violence, this gift was an exchange for the agony of life itself. A love so pure, no time can stop it, no test can surpass it, and no distance can fully separate it.
“Garet and Tania now is the ultimate test of your bond. From noon today until sundown, until the last ray of light shines on Kalei, the limits of your bond will be put to the ultimate test. We stand here as observers of the strength of your bond. May you endeavor together here and in your lives to come.”
With that, she takes a step back, looking in the direction of the sun. Around me, our mostly Kaleidian guest list flexes their scales in the sunlight, absorbing the light like nutrients. They have this to sustain them in the long hours ahead.
I have Garet.
“Dong!” The time is now. Sun beams overhead digging its wrath into my skull until my eyes meet Garet’s. That's when I feel it.
A rumble begins deep inside me, a tug that feels connected directly to him. When I look at him it’s like his very strength isbeing pumped from his body to mine. I know the bond of mates is strong, but I wasn't expecting anything like this.
Time morphs into quiet moments as everyone fades around us. I was so worried that I wouldn't be strong enough for this, but being here now, feeling the power my lover possesses channel into me, I can't begin to doubt it anymore. She’s right, that priestess. This is no ordinary thing. This is a gift.
The hours fade like the ticking of seconds. I can hardly tell one from the other. The look on Garet’s face never changes in all the time that passes. I don't know how he does it. I know he’s carrying both of us right now, sending me waves of relief and comfort.
Any ordinary human would have a back that ached or eyes that were blinded by the sun. But I feel only joy. Garet has made so many things possible. I can't imagine my life without him or Armani.
I don’t care if we did things a little out of order. Hearing her giggle and laugh from up in the arena benches feels so right. I can rest easy knowing that not only will things be easier from now on, but she’ll always have two people looking out for her.
She’ll have a village.
‘You guys are perfect,” Alice cheers from the sides. “Keep it up.”
“I can see from here how strong your bond is.” Danel sounds impressed. I hear them, I know they’re there. But at this moment, I hold on to Garet.
His eyes focus on mine, fierce and strong. I can't tell what he’s thinking, but, if I had to guess I'd say that the distance, all six inches of it, is too big. I want to reach out and caress his scales with my fingertips. I can see so much desire in his eyes. It’s not just the sun that’s burning in those scales.
He wants me. I spend the next few hours entertaining a new idea. I can't yet say if he knows my meaning. I guess I’ll have to tell him after the ceremony.
