Chapter 41
Misty
The party following the wedding ceremony wasn’t exactly the grand, fun party she would want from a wedding ceremony, but it was nice nonetheless. There was a bit of a pall over the event, knowing that she wasn’t going to get to enjoy her wedding night tonight, but she pushed that aside as she and Tsok made their rounds.
This whole thing was testing her patience when all she wanted was to jump her mate. Or, rather, have her mate jump her once they pulled off his filter. But this was supposed to be a test by design. These last three days leading up to their actual mating were meant to prove that they still had control of themselves and that this was a rational, purposeful choice they were making.
But damn it was frustrating!
The feast was sumptuous, the guests were impressive, she felt like a real-life princess floating amongst them. Schmoozing, mingling, accepting gifts that, frankly, were outright extravagant. Someone gave them a whole ass vacation house in the far north, while someone else gave them a fancy hover, and a third person bought them a priceless work of art that, apparently, was from a very famous artist, judging by the ooh’s of appreciation that came when it was unveiled. These were the wealthiest, most important people on all of Kree. Their gifts – a tradition from both cultures – were equally incredible. And, crazy enough, she still wasn’t expected to thank them for those things. They didn’t even call them wedding gifts like she would. They were mating dues – whatever that meant. They were gifts by human standards.
None of it compared to the Imperium’s gift though.
They approached the two of them last. Floating over the ground, their combot joyfully flitting around their head, they came to a halt in front of them.
“ I would thank you both, ” they said formally. Their voice wasn’t amplified, but they weren’t making any attempts to talk quietly either, unbothered if others heard. “ Both for granting me the privilege of witnessing and attesting your vows, but also for inviting me to this precious ceremony at all. I truly appreciate this. ”
“We’re the ones who are grateful,” Tsok said, using his own, grand, politician voice. “We are grateful for your presence and your willingness to hear our vows. This has been an honor. Thank you, your excellency.”
Oh, sure, that got a thank you, but not the vacation home.
“ That was no hardship. You have treated me with great kindness and consideration in hosting my visit and aiding in my tasks while I was here. I have a gift for you as well. I hope you will accept it. ”
“You already more than did enough for us,” Misty said, imitating Tsok’s formal way of speaking.
“ Still. Please, accept this. ”
As he spoke, a tray came floating their way. Similar to the ones that were circulating with drinks and food amongst the guests. Only, nestled upon this one was, instead, a large, sparkling gemstone. It was a stunning shade of blue, sparkling like no gemstone Misty had ever seen. It was also the size of her first, each facet appeared polished but it hadn’t been cut to a precise shape.
It was impressive, even by gemstone standards. But the gasp that went up around her made Misty think that there was more to this stone than met the eye.
“You’re giving us this?” Tsok asked breathlessly, clearly stunned.
Misty wanted to ask what it was, but she didn’t want to interject in what was clearly a moment that the others were able to appreciate in a way she couldn’t.
“ It is yours ,” the Imperium assured him.
“You’re far too generous,” Tsok said, gently lifting the gem. “This is too much.”
“ Nonsense. You’ve done a great service for me. I am happy to part with this for you .”
Misty cocked her head at the thing in Tsok’s hand. She could swear that it was almost pulsating with a gentle light where he touched it. Like there were ripples coming off his hand into the crystal. She looked from the rock to the Imperium, and she knew they were looking back at her.
And somehow, she didn’t think the rock was for letting them attend their wedding.
“Thank you, your Excellency,” Tsok said, lowering his head. Misty quickly did the same. She might not recognize the gift, but it was clearly special.
Only once the High Imperium stepped back and Tsok had given the gem to Davard to safely put away, did she lean over and whisper.
“What was that?”
Tsok looked surprised for only a second before understanding dawned. “Right. You wouldn’t know. That was a vitullian gem.”
“Oh. Like vitulli the species?”
“Yes. Vitullian gems are unlike anything in the universe. They’re incredibly rare. You can only get them from the vitulli directly. No one has ever found them in nature. They say that they’re the only remains of their original planet.”
“It was pretty,” Misty said. “I’ve never seen a gem like that.”
“They’re not just pretty. They’re invaluable sources of energy. One fragment of a vitullian gem is strong enough to power a subspace generator for half a century. One that size could probably power the entirety of Kree for a year.”
“ That little rock?” Misty asked, looking back, but it was already gone. And sure, it was probably wrong to call a fist sized gemstone little, but it certainly didn’t seem power-a-planet big.
“That was a priceless gift,” Tsok assured her. “The vitulli do not give out their gems often. In fact, I can count on one hand the number of times they’ve been given out. This is a real honor, even without the practical uses.”
“I bet they’re buying my silence.”
“There you go again.” He chuckled, putting his arm around her waist. “Nothing they could do would be something bad.”
“I’ve given up on ever finding out. I’m just going to take my big, shiny rock and be happy with that,” she waved her hand, dismissing the Imperium’s odd behavior. She was just going to accept her wedding present and be happy with that.
She turned to her new groom – not yet her mate – putting her hand on his chest. “One more day until these filters come off. You excited?”
He growled, his grip tightening. “That’s certainly a word for it.”
She giggled, running her fingers over his shoulder, then down his arm. Letting them fall into the grooves made by his braids. She marveled at the pretty shapes. At how good he made them look.
One more day.
She didn’t know how she was going to last that long.