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Marisa nodded. “What better way to motivate you than a deadline?”
“Uncle Zorak!” Saya and Sono shouted in unison, running into my arms. “We heard the bell! Did you buy us presents?”
“These presents are for me, actually,” Vanessa said. “Sono, Saya, meet my mom, Marisa, and my best friend, Zoe.”
The boys grinned mischievously at her before introducing themselves, but shortly lost interest with adult matters.
I smiled as I watched Vanessa and my family buzz around the house, preparing for our upcoming ceremony. Marisa and Zoe had been a great help in getting ready for it, offering their support and expertise from decorations to food. It felt good having them here to share this special moment with me.
Saya and Sono ran around the house excitedly, playing tag as they went while Marisa set up snacks in the kitchen. Zoe seemed to have taken over Vanessa’s room as she scoured through her closet for decorations and pulled out all sorts of trinkets to give the place a festive feel.
“What are you doing?” Vanessa demanded. “Are you seriously cutting flowers out of my blouse?”
“It’s a hideous blouse,” Zoe pronounced cheerfully. “I’ve always hated it, and now it can sacrifice its life for your engagement party.”
Vanessa rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t help but smile.
“Saya, Sono,” I said, “why don’t you two go help Marisa and Zoe? I’m sure they could use some extra hands.”
The boys cheered with excitement and eagerly ran off to the kitchen and Vanessa’s room. Meanwhile, I offered to help Vanessa with the decorations outside. We hung up bright streamers of fabric in different colors from the trees and set up tables for food. It was a lot of work, but it felt good to finally have something tangible that showed how happy we were about our upcoming ceremony.
Vanessa looked around with awe, her eyes twinkling in delight at how much effort everyone had put in for our special day. She wrapped her arms around me and placed a soft kiss on my cheek, thanking us all for our hard work and generosity.
“This looks incredible,” Vanessa said quietly, looking around in wonderment. “Thank you.”
I smiled and squeezed her hand, my heart filled with joy. Then, a thought occurred to me. I released Vanessa’s hand and walked over to the kitchen counter, where Sono and Saya were helping Marisa prepare food.
“Hey,” I said cheerfully. “Do you think we can get some music going? It would make this party even better.”
Marisa grinned as she handed us an old record player from the shelf. We set it up in the corner of the kitchen next to a small radio and began flipping through albums until we found something suitable for dancing. As soon as the first sweet notes of dance music filled our ears, Vanessa grabbed my hands and pulled me close, leading us into a waltz in the middle of the kitchen floor.
The boys clapped their hands excitedly around us as we twirled gracefully across the room, laughing as we went. We swayed together in perfect harmony, lost in each other’s embrace as we moved to the rhythm of love that surrounded us with every step we took. Our family formed a circle around us, singing along to the music.
The future was looking good.
Chapter 30
Vanessa
Today was the day. After months of planning, our mating ceremony had finally arrived. Though Orkarian in custom, we had incorporated some human traditions as well. I wanted to honor both sides of who we were as a couple.
Donning the ivory silk gown Zoe helped me embroider with gold thread, I hardly recognized the breathless woman gazing back at me in the mirror. But it was me - about to be joined forever with my soul’s perfect match.
My heart raced wildly as I walked down the flower-strewn aisle on Dakor’s arm. But it stilled the moment my eyes found Zorak. Resplendent in formal robes, he was the most handsome being I’d ever seen. His face lit up with naked wonder and love as I drew near.
The ceremony passed in a blur. Vows were exchanged, binding our souls in this life and all those beyond. Zorak’s voice shook with emotion as he pledged himself wholly to me. My own tears fell freely when I made the same unbreakable promise. We had defied the universe to find each other. Now, nothing would ever divide us again.
When the high priest pronounced us mates for eternity, Zorak’s lips claimed mine in a passionate kiss that left no doubts about our future. We were one - in our hearts, minds, bodies and spirits. The missing piece of me had been found.
The celebration afterwards was raucous and joyful. Saya and Sono never left my side, proudly showing me off as their new aunt. Watching Zorak laugh and dance with his family, such happiness radiated from him that he appeared almost incandescent to my eyes. This was everything I had never known I always wanted.
As the moons rose high overhead, Zorak drew me away to our new dwelling. He scooped me effortlessly into his arms to carry me over the threshold. “Welcome home, my mate,” he murmured before kissing me deeply.
Our joining was tender yet intense, full of reverent wonder. As we shed our ceremonial robes, I opened my mind and body completely, holding nothing back. I wanted - no, needed - him to feel every ounce of my endless love.
At the first joining of our bodies, a gasp escaped me. The psychic link between us had never felt so strong, allowing me to experience Zorak’s pleasure as though it were my own. He groaned harshly against my throat at the doubled sensations.
“By the gods, I can feel you, Vanessa...” he managed hoarsely. “Inside me...”
