“The claiming is usually recorded. It’s legally required for the mating to be binding under the Scales of Xylan Law.” I watch her face carefully. “But the human Brides have... opted out of the traditional viewing party.”
Her eyes go wide. “There’s aviewing party?”
“Xylans watchs the bride fight back, it’s considered a glorious moment. Leah explained to everyone that humans find this embarrassing.”
“Leah is a saint.”
“Ines.”
She looks at me.
“I want you to stay.” I keep my voice steady, even though my hearts are pounding. “I want you to be my Bride. But this is your choice. I will not force you. If you decide this isn’t what you want, I will let you go and I will not ever bother you again and allow you to carry on with your life as you see fit.” It costs me everything to say it. My claws flex inside my gloves. Every instinct screams at me to grab her, hold her, never let her leave.
But she deserves the choice.
“I’m not an easy male,” I admit. “I’m gruff. I often say the wrong things. I’ve spent my whole life in this mine with my brothers and I don’t know how to be... soft. I can’t promise I’ll be good at this.”
“At what?”
“At being your mate. At making you happy.” I look down at my gloved hands. “But I would try. Every day. I would try.”
She’s quiet for a beat and then she responds, “I’ve been alone for a long time. You need to know that my parents are gone and my siblings are scattered across different planets. My best friend Ana died and I never really let anyone else in after that.” She takes a shaky breath. “If I left I’d be going back to an empty apartment in Singapore to eat dinner alone and wonder why I’m working so hard when there’s no one to share it with.”
“Ines—”
“Let me finish.” She holds up a hand. “Tonight your family fed me bone broth. They made me drink recovery blend. Jana made pancakes because she remembered I said they were my favorite.” Her voice cracks slightly. “I got stabbed today and they all fussed over me like I mattered. Like I belonged.” She looks at me with watery eyes. “I spent years telling myself I was fine being alone. I really do love my career. But…I was so lonely, Texon. And I didn’t even let myself admit it.”
She reaches out and takes my gloved hand in hers.
“I want this,” she says. “I’ve spent the last several days interviewing and talking with everyone you care about and learning your job and meeting your family. I want not only you, but your family too and Timbur.”
She squeezes my hand and exhales. “I would love waking up in this bed every morning with you. I want to be a mother and have your offspring. I want to grow old here with beings whoactually show up for each other. And I do not mind at all, about leaving my job back on New Earth.”
“Ines, are you certain?”
“Yes. I’m ninety-nine percent certain I can figure out some sort of remote position with one of the news services in the four sectors.” She meets my eyes steadily. “So yes. I’ll be your Bride. I’ll clasp your hand and let you chase me and probably fail to break any of your bones, but I’ll try.”
Something hot blossoms in my chest. Joy. Relief. Fierce, overwhelming possession.
Her eyes are shining in the crystal light.
I want to tear off the gloves right now. Clasp her bare hand and then start the chase. My claws flex inside the thin green fabric. My whole body strains toward her. The need is almost unbearable. But I can’t. Not yet.
“The danger isn’t over. Beings tried to kill you today. We have to wait for this.”
She’s quiet for a moment. I can see her thinking it through, can see the moment she accepts the logic of it. “You’re right. We have to wait until things calm down and everyone feels safe and then we can do our romantic ceremony.”
“Until Kryzon is dealt with.” I hold her gaze. “Then I will claim you properly.”
We lie back down, side by side. Closer now than before. I reach over and take her hand. Gloved fingers intertwining with gloved fingers. Two layers of fabric keeping us from the fever.
“Texon?”
“Yes?”
“I’m glad it’s you.”
A smile widens across my features. “It was always you, Ines.”
