Sa’Tai rests a hand on my shoulder. “Fight well. Love hard. Make peace.”
I return his gesture. “You too, my friend.”
Sa’Tai walks off as I get in line.
Ohni gets up onto the platform and announces the Bonding ceremony, but I don’t listen as I look through the people for Jovie and my crew.
The moment I see her, I feel I cannot love her more than I do right now, but I want to try.
Jovie’s curves are wrapped tightly in a metallic purple dress with a translucent green sash. Someone has curled her hair, so it looks like a crazy bundle of electric arcs.
My heart can’t take it. My Storm is raging, throwing a fit inside me because she isn’t in my arms.
I can’t stop myself from running to her, picking her up, and burying my face in her chest with a hungry growl.
Jovie lets out a delighted yelp and bursts into laughter.
“Sir, you must wait your turn,” a guard says.
I look over at him. “I’m not letting her go.”
“It must be seen as mutual. She has to climb the ramp to the stage herself.”
“Ugh, fine.”
When I set her down, she kisses me.
“Just a few paces away.” Jovie gets in line.
Ohni calls out to us. “Would our first match like to go first? Prince Aurelius…”
“Yes!” I skip the males’ ramp, bolt up the central steps, and fling myself over the railing into position beside Ohni, who steps out of my way.
“Jovie?” Ohni calls to her.
My beautiful mate walks with grace up the ramp, excusing herself as she passes other women standing ready along the wall.
I reach for Jovie’s hand, and she takes it, evoking a white Oramma orb.
“Are there any bonding customs on Amphir that we should be aware of?” Ohni asks. “You hadn’t submitted any additional details.”
Jorusk walks up to us, dressed in light gray Rogue armor. If my father saw him, he’d throw a fit. But Fieri seems almost proud as he watches the young Drathious hand me two name badges. “Arc these over the heart. So is the word of the last Orillium, Allele.”
I take them and inspect the metal. “You do not have to endure this, Jovie.”
“Do it,” she says.
I place her metal name over my chest first.
“Do you, Prince Aurelius of Amphir…” Ohni starts.
“Genesis,” I add.
“Of Genesis, take Jovie Nevaté as your mate to protect, love, and cherish her for as long as you both shall live?”
Looking at Jovie smiling up at me, knowing she helped my team rescue me, I have no doubt she is everything I dreamed of. My Storm was right to pick her.
With a slow blink, I focus my energy into the metal against my chest and burn her name into me forever. The sting is mild for me. It won’t be as gentle to her.
