Her Rebel Alien Warrior (Fated to the Warriors Book 1) Page 18
We all exchange compliments and laughs as the sizable crowd fills the cliff. A young KrysOlakn brings us celebratory fizzy drinks and Marie leads us in another Earth tradition, a toast where she offers kind wishes for our family and friends. When the time comes, Loretta and I split and the KrysOlakn percussive band begins to play a steady, happy rhythm on their drums.
On Earth, our fathers would play a large role in this ritual, although that is impossible here. Loretta has spent plenty of time telling me of the man who raised her, an honorable man on a planet where not everyone is so kind. On this day, however, the ritual celebrates the union of two beings, two families, but also two species, and because of this we have decided that Marie will walk me to the front of the crowd first and that PryZor will follow with Loretta next.
I stand and see all the KrysOlakns who have formed our community and our family watching with pride on their faces. I am surprised at how much this ritual moves me. A strange swirl of emotions crashes through my body, from sadness that Loretta’s father cannot join us to the thrill of opening a new future, being the first to live this ritual that our people will sustain for many generations to come.
Finally, Loretta joins me. The KrysOlakn representative to the Grand Parliament leads the ceremony. He talks briefly on the importance of our union and of the significant contributions Loretta has made to our moon in her brief time here. And when he is ready, as is tradition in a wedding ceremony, Loretta hands our baby to her sister and we make our vows to one another.
“UrTak,” Loretta begins, her voice strong and clear. “Never in all my years could I have imagined a mate like you, a home like KrysOlak, and a love like the one we share. When we first met, I thought you were so different than me. I thought our worlds had no common links to bond them. But as I’ve grown to know you and your people, I realized how untrue that is. You are strong, brave, and honorable, UrTak, but it’s not because of your strength that I love you. I love you because of who we are together. You’ve nurtured me and called me to a higher purpose, and with our family growing, I promise that I’ll nurture you, too.” She blinks her beautiful eyes and I see tears, glistening under the yellow sun. “I love you, UrTak, and it is the greatest honor of my life to make a future with you.”
I beam with honor. The most powerful and respected beings on our moon listen to these kind, generous words, but I am prouder still that the ancient cliffs hear her. I have done right by my ancestors and the women we have lost, and I have done right by my destined love, as I will do for our child.
“Loretta,” I say as I rest my hand on her cheek. “You are a fierce and beautiful woman. Before I met you, I was a fighter, but it was your love that has shown me what I am truly fighting for. I am stronger every day that I am with you. My moon must be blessed by many stars to have you make a home here. I swear to the mating cliffs and to all who stand here with us today, I will keep you and our child safe, and with your guidance and companionship, we will see the new world born.”
Tears run down Loretta’s face. “I love you, UrTak.”
“And I love you, Loretta.”
I turn to PryZor, who hands me the small crystal ring forged from the cliffs where Loretta and I first made love. She extends her hand and I place the ring. When I am done, she offers the same gesture to me, sliding a fat silver ring over my finger.
We stand there for a moment, the full weight of history landing on our shoulders as the future opens up before us. When we are good and ready, I take her in my arms and claim her in a long, deep kiss.
We are mated. We are wed. We are destined.
We are the future of our worlds, and the galaxy will shine with the strength our love ushers forth.
The end
Also by Nora Blaze
Fated to the Warriors
Thanks for reading the first book in my new series! If you enjoyed, please leave a review and let me know what you think! The KrysOlakn stories continue with PryZor and Marie, out soon!
About the Author
Nora Blaze is a geeky romance writer with a wild imagination. She’s usually reading or writing, but when she has some free time, she likes to go for long walks with her husband under the stars.
nora.blaze.books@gmail.com