Chapter 38 #2
As well, because they wanted to broadcast the wedding. When he said he wanted the Earth and all its people to celebrate with them, he meant it literally. Moreover, he wanted to broadcast the claiming to all of them to gawk at.
“Of course, we understand if this is not allowed by your culture,” Lie rushed to say, clearly not trying to repeat the mistake he had made yesterday.
“But I know our people are curious about yours. Seeing the claiming will make them more comfortable with the idea of being mates themselves. And I know how important that is to you.”
Manipulative. Cunning. But not untrue.
“You understand, secretary general, that no two species mate exactly the same. The claiming I will perform is simply how the domini do it.”
“Of course. Completely understandable. But the difference will still open the minds of humanity. It is a chance to learn. To understand just how important she is to you.”
Oh, he was good. He knew exactly what to say. Exactly how to steer his thoughts and emotions to try to force him into doing what he wanted.
“Only if it is allowed, naturally,” Lie added quickly.
“I would like to see this as well,” John said, his tone more interested than cajoling. “If you don’t mind. I know Alanna’s parents would also like to be part of this. If we can.”
Survii focused back on John, since he actually liked that male.
“The second part of the claiming is private. For myself and Alanna only. No one is permitted to see that. My instincts would demand I fight anyone who dared get close to us in that moment. However, the first part of the claiming, the challenge, is open to witnesses. You may be there for that.”
John smiled, but it was Lie who responded, vibrantly-
“Excellent! We will begin preparations immediately!”
“Indeed.” Survii smirked. “Alanna will look forward to working with you on this. And remember, secretary general, whatever she wants. Or it doesn’t happen.”
He smiled. “We know well the importance of the wedding day to the bride. My own wife had plans for it going back to her childhood. Human men long ago learned the lesson to let a bride have her way when it comes to the wedding.”
Ah, maybe there was something of a mating instinct among their people. Certainly not as strong as most species if they were capable of selling their own females through the process, but if this was a known thing among their people, then maybe it was there after all.
“I will begin preparing what I need for the claiming.”
John spoke up, “I would be happy to lend you any help you might need.”
Survii chuckled. “I appreciate it, but you make the offer to the wrong male. Atem is her brother. He is her strongest family member. He will act as her guardian.”
John looked a bit confused, but he nodded his head once. “Then, I will be eager to speak with him about this.”
Survii grunted in understanding before turning. Looking at his female who had been dutifully and faithfully translating the conversation as though she weren’t central to it.
“Is this all right with you?” He asked softly, reaching out to stroke the back of his fingers against the side of her neck.
She started in surprise at being so directly addressed.
“You’re asking me?”
“As he says, the wedding is for the bride. Do you still want this? Knowing that they are going to broadcast it to the world? Knowing that they will all be benefiting from it?”
She laughed. “You’re so sweet, Survii. Thinking of me all the time.”
“You are the most important thing to me, Alanna. You are my very reason for existing now. If you do not truly want this, tell me now. I will end it immediately. Even if it ends the negotiations.”
She laughed. “You can’t hinge the fate of the world on my happiness, Survii.”
“Says who?”
Her merriment ceased as she heard the sincerity in his voice. Her eyes darted around, but the other domini males at the table were all looking at her with similar expressions. Expectant. Waiting. Genuinely wanting to know her thoughts about this because it would change things going forward.
“You’re serious,” she looked back to him, whispering softly. “You would really throw all this away if it made me happy?”
“Alanna,” he gave her a dull look. “If you don’t know how far I would be willing to go for you, then I am not loving you right.”
“Jeez, Survii,” she ducked her head shyly. “You’re not supposed to literally watch the world burn for me, you know.”
“I would set the flame myself,” he promised, ready to do it now.
She smiled, holding out her hand. He took it eagerly. Holding it tight as he lifted it to his lips and kissed her fingers reverently.
“I kind of figured that they were going to broadcast everything,” she said softly. “And I do mean everything. My dress, the location, the planning choices. They’re going to want to see it all. And I’m okay with that.”
“Are you? Really?” He pressed, needing to know. Not wanting her to be put out or dismayed at all by any of this. If the wedding truly was so important to the human females, then he wanted to make sure the entire thing made her happy.
“I really am,” she promised. “I want this.”
“Do you?”
She nodded once, definitively. “Absolutely.
Completely. I want them to see our joy. Our love.
I want them to be part of this. I want them to be excited about my wedding with me.
When I said I wanted a big party, I meant it.
I want the entire Earth to celebrate like it's the royal wedding but greater. I want their love. I want their energy. I want their joy. I want them to be part of this because they are part of this. Because this will define their future as well.”
He smiled. “Should have known. If you need their energy, then their energy you shall have.”
Survii turned forward again, facing the human males that were watching him with cautious gazes. They couldn’t even guess what he had been saying since he had switched to Domtri, and the females only translated what they spoke in Standard.
Survii gave them both dark looks before deliberately softening his gaze with a practiced smile. “I agree to these terms.”
Both of them beamed at his acquiescence.
“We’ll make the announcement!” Lie declared boldly.
“We have the best wedding designers who already have perspectives prepared to present at Alanna’s earliest convenience.
We’ll contact Atem to find out what you need for the, er, claiming.
We’ll alert the media crew so they can begin capturing everything.
We have a manager to be in charge, don’t worry at all. ”
They were more prepared for this wedding than they had been for negotiations. Though, being fair, alien negotiations weren’t nearly as common as weddings on Earth.
“The moment this is done,” Survii interjected before he could get carried away, “the negotiations will be signed, and Earth will be a protectorate of the domini and ratchi as part of the Coalition.”
Both males nodded.
“We look forward to it,” Lie said, just as victorious as when he agreed to marry Alanna.
Survii refused to look at his smug face. Instead, he turned to gaze upon Alanna. Was enraptured by the smile she granted him. Approval for his choices.
And her happiness was really all he needed.