Epilogue
Ciara
T he next month on Molvi turned out to be quite the whirlwind. Between strengthening my relationship with Amreth, familiarizing myself with my new homeworld, and sorting my career, time just flew by. But my neighbor and new BFF Malaya was a huge blessing. Having gone through that entire relocation process, she had all the tricks and tips to make everything as painless as possible.
Saying she was an angel couldn’t begin to do her justice. Malaya was funny, witty, and always eager to help. I actually had to chastise her about resting with her huge belly as she drew nearer to delivering her first child. Seeing her going through that pregnancy also alleviated many of my concerns about future babies with Amreth. Women often complained about how their fetus kicked their bladder and kidneys around like they’d stolen their lunch money, but Obosian babies were natural protectors.
From my understanding, they could feel any discomfort they caused their mothers and would instantly police themselves not to negatively affect her. Sure, they were overly massive, but not to a debilitating extent.
As Malaya was the official Reporter of the Conclave and of the Enforcers, she got to write the earth-shattering scoop about the mass arrests of Marilia Hesper, her son Noah Montel, and countless other associates. The downfall of Typhoon Pharma sent shockwaves throughout the industry. The pharmaceutical giant was put under guardianship while justice followed its course. Naturally, Amreth and I gave Malaya an extensive interview going in-depth about the hardships and devastation the Kreelars endured.
Elias Jacobs’s reputation got slapped hard as he was swept up in the legal tsunami. However, he had been preparing for that day for years. Within hours of the first indictments going public, his army of lawyers were already filing motions to dismiss with an impressive amount of supporting documentation and detailed precedents justifying why he should be exonerated from all responsibility due to the coercion and duress Marilia subjected him to for years. And then the statute of limitation also kicked in.
The weasel had been clever enough to have written communications where he expressed his need to go public, which systematically got shot down with less-than-subtle threats. I doubted real moral anguish prompted those requests. He was just cleverly covering his ass.
In the end, he got off with a stern reprimand and substantial fine—which was really nothing considering the wealth SS12 earned him. Although a part of me wished he’d face some more severe consequences, I couldn’t really argue against the outcome. After all, none of this tragedy could be pinned on him specifically. He never encouraged or condoned Noah’s sexcapades which triggered the initial encounter. Noah smuggled the strawberries without his knowledge or consent. And he had no reasonable motive to justify a search of his team’s belongings or for tracking their movements.
This could have happened to any other research team leader with a scumbag teammate.
The entire process would take at least a couple of years before all indictments and trials were completed. But at least, Marilia, her son, and closest acolytes were guaranteed a trip to Molvi. It surprised me that Amreth hoped they wouldn’t end up in Dakon’s Quadrant. I would have expected him to wish the worst fate on them. But they would die too quickly there. In a Sector like his or Kronos’s, they would suffer for years before they died.
Did it make me a monster that I also wished extended pain for them?
All that mattered was that Aku and the Kreelars were more than satisfied with the outcome, especially after confirmation that the investigation revealed more wrongdoings to other primitive species. In fact, the UPO set up the most insane lab on Molvi. They effectively recruited me to perform advanced research in various fields pertaining to primitive species. Most of them concerned the very planets negatively affected by Typhoon Pharma’s mercenary actions. Thankfully, none of the ones discovered so far had suffered something as tragic as the Kreelars. However, one of the most disgusting cases we discovered involved their beauty products division. They had been tampering with the food of wild reptiles in order to modify their skin and scales. Once the creatures finished molting, the pharmaceutical employees would swoop in and gather the skin to be used in absurdly expensive rejuvenating creams.
The tampering negatively affected those animals, causing their shedding to be extremely painful and reducing their life expectancy. It also made those reptiles improper for consumption by the primitive species that used to hunt them and for whom they were a major dietary source.
As much as I hated that such things ever occurred, I was on cloud nine as those had always been the types of projects I aspired to work on. Furthermore, it made Amreth beyond happy knowing that I had a fulfilling career right here on Molvi. Even though he tried to be laid back whenever we discussed our future together, I could see deep in his eyes the fear that he would fail to make Molvi a good enough place for me to settle in permanently.
As he predicted, the Conclave bestowed three hundred grams of algarium to him for his contribution to saving the Kreelars. In reality, he should have only received half with the other gifted to me. But as we weren’t officially married just yet, they couldn’t give me any as those were reserved for Obosians—which applied by extension to their spouses and offspring. It still touched me that they would include my share in his so that he could give it to me once our wedding took place in a few months.
The wretched thing just kept being postponed with everything else that was happening, not to mention the fact that both his parents and mine were going crazy wanting to have the biggest and baddest wedding combining human and Obosian rituals. Amreth and I would have been fine with eloping. But we were happy to let our parents have fun with this madness, so long as they shouldered the burden, which they eagerly did.
Tonight, two weeks after being honored by the Conclave, I returned home and settled my personal shuttle on the landing pad at the edge of the main terrace. I made my way down the ramp only to find Amreth waiting for me by the entrance with a mysterious expression. That he was still wearing his breastplate set all my senses on high alert. At this hour, unless some incident called him back to one of his Quadrants, my mate liked strutting about bare chested, the same way human women whipped our bra out the minute we returned home from work or errands.
“What’s going on?” I asked before stretching my neck to look over his shoulder to see if we had an impromptu guest.
I couldn’t think of who it could be as he would normally have warned me in advance, even if it was just Kronos and Malaya. Anyway, he was comfortable enough with both of them not to wear a top or breastplate in their presence. In more ways than one, they were like siblings to us.
“I have a surprise for you,” he said with that same unreadable expression.
“A good one I hope?” I said, my curiosity piqued but also laced with a hint of worry.
“I want to believe it will be,” he replied, his gaze locked with mine.
I closed the distance between us. That he instantly drew me into his embrace, his expression softening with a tenderness bordering on adoration instantly lifted some of my tension. He leaned down and gave me a passionate kiss that had my toes curling and my knees feeling wobbly. Barely five months had gone by since we first met following his rescue attempt, but it had sufficed for me to fall madly in love with my incubus. I always expected the initial passion that burned so fiercely between us our first couple of times together would eventually settle into something tender and comfortable with time. But it only seemed to keep growing, like a million lifetimes would never suffice to sate the hunger and fever consuming us.
He released me, took my hand, and lured me to the large table by the pool. Only then did I notice two tall glasses, a bottle of sparkling wine set to chill, and a medium-sized box between them.
“What’s that?” I asked, intrigued. “What are we celebrating?”
“I finally decided how to use the algarium, but I need your consent to proceed,” he said, a hint of nervousness seeping into his voice.
“ My consent?” I echoed, taken aback. “Like you said so well yourself, your body is yours to do with as you please. You do not need my permission to pierce whatever part of your body you wish. And you’re educated enough on the topic not to make a choice that could be detrimental to your health or welfare in the long run.”
“You are correct,” he said carefully. “But this time it also involves your body.”
I stiffened, and my face immediately closed off as a cold shiver coursed through me. Not even five minutes prior, I had been thinking just how madly in love I was with this male. Could he possibly have so little respect for my boundaries that he would try to guilt trip me into getting piercings after I clearly expressed this was a no go for me? Did he think that by having them already made, I wouldn’t have the heart to refuse him?
“It’s not what you think,” he added quickly upon seeing my physical reaction. “You stated that you unequivocally would not get piercings, and I respect that. What I have in mind will not require any body modification from you.”
“Ooookay,” I said carefully, tension bleeding out of my shoulders as I glanced at the box. “Then what is it?”
Amreth reached a hand towards the table. To my utter annoyance, instead of taking the box to reveal its contents, he picked up the bottle then took his sweet time opening it and then filling the glasses. I glared at him, but he continued to grin smugly with a dare in his eyes.
Challenge accepted!
Two could play games. While he was halfway through filling the second glass, I swiftly attempted to snatch the box. Just as my fingertips were brushing the surface, Amreth’s tail wrapped around my wrist and yanked my hand away.
“Hey!” I exclaimed in outrage.
“You naughty girl!” he grumbled. “No touching allowed.”
“You said it was a gift for me,” I argued before reaching for it again with my free hand.
The wretch released my wrist, and wrapped his tail around me at lightning speed, flattening my arms against my sides, and binding me like a freaking sausage.
“What the…?”
He chuckled and stared at me with an insufferably smug expression while his eyes sparked with mischief.
“An item only becomes a gift after it has been given,” Amreth said in a slightly chastising tone. “This box was not given to you. In fact, what it contains is not for you.”
Shocked, I stopped fighting against his tail binding me and gaped at him in surprise and confusion.
“It’s not?” I asked, kicking myself inwardly for repeating the obvious.
He shook his head with a taunting expression. “Nope. This one is your gift to me , should you accept mine first.”
This time, I just stared at him speechless, my mind drawing a blank as to what the heck was going on. To my surprise, instead of growing even more smug and mischievous, Amreth suddenly looked a little nervous, almost shy as he unwound his tail restraining me.
“In the months since we’ve met, I’ve fallen madly in love with you, my Ciara,” he said in an almost solemn tone. “As Kayog deemed us soulmates, it has from the beginning been a foregone conclusion that you and I would marry. Our parents certainly are going all out on that front.”
The sliver of derision with which he spoke that last sentence made me snort and then nod in agreement. But I felt even more confused as to where he was going with this. If not for his initial sentence reiterating his love for me, I would be on the verge of hyperventilating at the prospect he was preparing to dump me.
“It feels like none of this was ever handled the normal and proper way. Everything was kind of done backwards. But I want to do this right. You deserve to have this done right,” he said, making my heart flutter.
My breath rushed out of me when Amreth took a step back before getting down on one knee. Eyes bulging, I watched him fish a small box out of his pocket and then hold it before me. Tears started pricking my eyes when he opened the lid to reveal the most stunning engagement ring. It looked like they had weaved algarium into the types of twists I occasionally did in my hair. In the center, the twists created a delicate receptacle which held a beautiful Kreelar stone, matching the color of my eyes, and engraved with the symbol for eternity.
“I want us to be one, now and always, in body and soul, because we chose and love each other. I want you to bond with me, and for these rings to be the physical representation of the commitment we make to each other, in accordance with your culture, while also embracing mine. Will you have me, Ciara?”
Cue the dam bursting.
Tears drenched my cheeks as I cried and laughed while blubbering my consent. My hand shook as he placed the ring on my finger. The oddest mix of amusement at my silly reaction and joy at my acceptance played on my mate’s gorgeous features. When he finally gave me the box from the table so that I could put the other ring on his finger, I nearly dropped it too many times to count from emotion, making him burst out laughing.
Eventually, I succeeded then threw myself into his arms. It was silly for me to have such a reaction to what technically was a mere formality, but this truly made it perfect. The thoughtfulness with which he came up with a way for me to partake in an important aspect of his culture while respecting my boundaries meant the world to me. That he would do it in such a way, making it clear that he didn’t take me for granted just because everyone saw us as a foregone conclusion made me feel loved and valued.
He claimed my lips in a possessive kiss that instantly set my blood ablaze. I reached for the clasps of his breastplate, eager to have an unfettered access to the perfection that he was. To my surprise, Amreth caught my wrists, stopping me. He broke the kiss and locked eyes with me as I stared at him in confusion.
“I want to bond with you. Do you consent?” he asked, his eyes flicking between mine.
My heart leapt. I licked my lips nervously, excitement and a sliver of fear making my stomach flutter. Obosians could only bond once in their lives, linking their soul for eternity to their chosen partner. Even the death of their spouse would not allow the survivor to form a new bond with someone else. They truly married for life. So for him to ask me to bond with him was not a commitment made lightly. He truly meant for us to be together for as long as we drew breath.
The bond itself didn’t scare me. I was more than all in. But they normally did this while flying. My wimpy self would more than likely ruin the moment peeing myself or flat out puking in fear because of the height. Based on the description Malaya had given me of her bonding flight with Kronos, it put to shame even the wildest, most neck-breaking rollercoasters out there. Although she skimmed over the details, it involved quite a bit of naughty play. The bond also caused quite a bit of pain for humans while it slightly modified us not only to enhance our immune system, but also to grant us the ability to see souls, although not to the same extent as a pureblood Obosian.
But it would take a lot more than that to keep me from bonding with the love of my life. My fear of heights be damned. I wouldn’t let it ruin the best thing that had ever happened to me.
“Yes, Amreth, I consent. I want to spend the rest of my life with you,” I said in a slightly shaky voice.
“My love,” he whispered, reclaiming my lips with a fervor that wrecked me.
He lifted me up, and I instinctively wrapped my legs around his waist, focusing on the feel of him around me and clamping down on the first hints of fear trying to take root in my heart. To my shock, Amreth didn’t take flight with a single powerful flap of his wings as was his wont. Instead, he casually started walking towards the house without breaking the kiss. When the giant doors parted open with a soft swish, I pulled back to look at him inquisitively.
He smiled tenderly. “Flying is not required. Your comfort and welfare are all that matters. Wingless Obosians can bond too while remaining land bound.”
My chest constricted with love for my mate and guilt for depriving him of the full experience of bonding.
“You’re so wonderful to me. I’m sorry for cheating you out—”
“You’re not cheating me out of anything,” he interrupted sternly as he made his way to our bedroom. “I can fly any time, any day. The bond isn’t about zipping through the sky, it’s about two souls coming together. I couldn’t care less where or how we do it. I just want my soul to be one with yours.”
“You’re so damn perfect. I don’t know what I did to deserve you,” I whispered, my voice filled with emotion.
He snorted. “You won’t say that the next time I pester you just for the fun of it.”
I chuckled, nodding as he carried me inside our room. He could be an insufferable pest, making me both want to strangle and kiss him. But all such thoughts flew right out of my mind when he set me back down in front of our bed. How was it possible for anyone to make me feel so loved with a single look?
We didn’t speak, our hands doing all the talking as we mutually rid ourselves of our clothes between gentle kisses and caresses. In this instant, there was none of the usual unbridled lust that normally fired us. It was pure love and infinite tenderness. He carefully picked me up and lay me down on the bed before joining me. For the next eternity, he worshiped every centimeter of my body, his hands and tongue on me bringing me slowly to a gentle climax, unlike the earth-shattering ones he often gave me, and which left me a complete wreck. This one had me flying high, shrouded in a cloud of bliss and complete well-being.
I understood that he was preparing me for the bite that would seal our bond. Before I fully came back down, he settled on top of me and carefully began pushing himself inside. I would never tire of the feel of his massive cock stretching me and filling me to the brim. His scales, xinnix, and piercings against my inner walls and my G-spot quickly had me cresting again. He kissed me, our tongues mingling while he gradually accelerated the movement of his hips.
He broke the kiss and lifted his head to look at me. One glance at the expression on his face turned my voluptuous moan into a strangled gasp. His silver white irises had shrunken so much they all but vanished in the black sea of his sclera. His bared fangs appeared longer, sharper, their tips glistening with a drop of what I suspected to be his bonding essence. But it was the feral way he stared at me, like a savage beast about to devour its prey that had my stomach do a couple of backflips.
Before I could do or say anything, Amreth moved at the dizzying speed of a striking snake and buried his fangs in my neck. An intense burning sensation exploded at the puncture point. I opened my mouth to cry out in pain, but a shout of ecstasy came out instead as he immediately blasted me with a powerful wave of his bakaan , wresting an instant, powerful orgasm from me.
Simultaneously, something appeared to break inside him, and he unleashed his passion on me. His fangs still filling my veins with his essence, my mate fucked me hard, each stroke of his massive cock sending blistering bolt of fire coursing throughout my entire body as one insane wave of pleasure after another crashed into me, fueled by both his body wrecking me and his aura whipping my blood into a frenzy. This endless whirlwind of bliss drowned out the burning sensation of his acid-like essence eating me from within.
My brain knew that this pain should have me writhing in agony. And yet it was endless moans of ecstasy that tumbled out of me as I sank my nails into my mate’s powerful back. Pleasure almost too much to bear steadily built within me as I lifted my pelvis to meet him thrust for thrust as he pounded into me. At the same time I finally realized that he had pulled his fangs out of me, I also noted that the overwhelming sensations sweeping me away didn’t exclusively belong to me.
I was now also feeling Amreth’s pleasure as if it was my own.
A violent orgasm slammed into me. Half a beat later, he threw his head back, roaring his own release, filling me with the searing heat of his seed. A blinding light exploded before my eyes, and the echoes of Amreth’s climax resonated inside me with such brutal force that I feared my mind would fracture. It created an endless loop of his pleasure feeding mine and mine feeding his, until there was no beginning or end between us, just an infinite crescendo of ecstasy.
We were one body, one soul.
He collapsed on top of me, his body shaking with the same spasm of bliss as mine did. To my surprise, he rolled onto his side, facing me, instead of onto his back before pulling me on top of him as he normally did. Feeling bereft and cheated of the cocooning warmth of his embrace, I groggily opened my eyes to stare at him, only to realize the same bright light still blinded me.
I blinked a few times, confused as to what was off. Then the light began to shimmer in the most stunning iridescent pattern in a circular fashion as Amreth’s face began to emerge from the luminous glow. My jaw dropped in sudden understanding as the blinding glare receded to form a mesmerizing halo around my mate’s head.
“Oh God! I see it,” I whispered, transfixed.
Amreth smiled at me with infinite tenderness and joy.
“Yes, my mate. You can now see my soul in a way no other living being ever can or ever will. I love you. My light, all that I am, all that I ever will be is yours, Ciara.”
“As I am yours. You are my heart, my love, the other half of my soul, now and always.”
He finally rolled onto his back, drawing me into his embrace and closing his wings around us. Safe and sheltered in the arms of my beloved, hearts and souls intertwined, I was home.
THE END.