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I raced him to the airlock, winning only because he let me, but that only made me love him more.
He picked up a pack and grinned down at me as the outer hatch slid open, and a warm breeze blew in, carrying the fresh scent of flowers and growing things.
I stepped out onto lush grass the hot pink of Space Kitty’s fur. Little blue flowers dotted it, and larger orange ones covered the green bushes that blanketed the ground under the purple trees. Birds in every color wheeled across the lavender sky, the various notes of their songs blending into a chaotic but harmonious whole.
A slow spin showed more and more colors. “It’s… it’s…”
“A lot,” Wrin said dryly, but with a teasing undertone.
“I was going to say it looks like a unicorn farted a rainbow all over everything, but it’s ‘a lot’ is a nicer way to say that.”
“You-nee-corn?” Wrin’s brow pinched. “You have an animal that farts color?”
I laughed. “A mythological animal.”
His expression grew serious. “Could you get used to it? This rainbow world?”
“Of course,” I said. “It’s lovely.”
He nodded and slid the pack from his shoulder to rummage inside. Then he handed me a phone in a clear protective case mounted to the top of a spike.
“What’s this for?”
“It’s for you to claim this world, if you want. If you activate it, it sends an official notice to the Senate.”
Shock zipped through me. “But it belongs to the kreecats.”
“As smart as they are, they aren’t yet fully sentient. Now that the telepathy field is down,someone’sgoing to claim this planet. It’s the only unclaimed one in the seven sectors. It might as well be you.”
He stepped closer. “It will be a home for you, for your people. I know how much this has worried you.”
Oh. My heart pinched, full of love for this male and how he cared for me.
“What do I do?”
“Drive the spike into the ground and activate the comp. State your name and that you claim this world. The Senate will still need to approve it, but this will start the process.”
I gripped the stake in both hands and used my whole body to jam it into the ground. As soon as the screen lit, I said, “This is Captain Vivian Lee, and I claim this planet for the humans ofARK 1.”
Responsibilities done, I was ready to make an even more important declaration. I turned to him.
“Are you happy?” he asked. “Is the burden of leadership lightened enough now that we can speak of other things?”
“Yes. I—”
But he was already moving, scooping me up into his arms to bring our faces level. “I can’t hold it in any longer, my soul’s breath. I love you. I love your care for those in your charge. I love your ability to take control. I love your fierce spirit that calls to the warrior in mine. The Goddess could not have given me a more perfect match than I have in you.”
Joy hummed along the mate bond, warming my very soul.
He loves me!
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Wrin
Vivv-Ee-Aan’s beautiful brown eyes met mine. “Oh, Wrin. It’s you who are perfect for me! The way you challenge me to always be my best. The way you take care of me, as if doing it only for my happiness instead of using it as a way to control me. The way you support me while letting me be strong.” She cupped my cheek. “I never imagined loving anyone as much as I love you.”
Joy shattered my very being, tearing me apart and reforming me into something new, something better.She loves me!My heart pounded against the confines of my chest, as if it longed to fly to her.
