Chapter 44 #3
He turned and took a knee so he could claim the rings from Alanna’s cousin. He grinned at the boy, rubbing his head in approval of a job well done, before standing and passing the rings to Survii and Alanna.
Survii went first. He held up the plain band, designed to match his crystal ring, though there was a large diamond at the front.
“With this ring, I thee wed,” he intoned, sliding it onto the appropriate finger, right behind the crystal ring he had already given her.
Alanna took his hand in turn and repeated the motion. “With this ring, I thee wed.”
“Then, by the power invested in me by the governments of Earth and the United Nations, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Survii was moving before he was even given permission.
He claimed Alanna’s mouth with the full confidence of a male who knew it was his.
Only his. By the laws of her people, the traditions of his, and every instinct hardwired into his body.
And their love was so important, the future of her race was built upon it.
She was so vital to her planet now, they knew her importance, because of this.
He couldn’t wait to show her off.
They were going to have a party to celebrate this bonding, and afterwards, they would be taking a traditional human post-bonding ceremony trip.
Then, the agreements would be signed.
They would open Earth to the universe.
Every species would have access to this wonderful species and their amazing abilities. They would change the course of history!
And it started with this kiss.
The crowd was cheering for them, but the noise was distant and meaningless. Survii forced himself to keep the kiss – more or less – chaste. He had been emphatically informed that there should be no tongue involved and it shouldn’t last longer than five seconds.
Which didn’t seem nearly long enough for such a momentous kiss, but he consoled himself with the knowledge that there would be more later.
He broke the kiss, gently cupping her cheek. Giving her a smile as she beamed up at him like she thought he hung the stars in the sky.
“Mine,” he told her in English.
“Forever,” she promised in Domtri.
They separated, but he didn’t let her go. He held her arm as they looked out over the gathered crowd that, once again, were on their feet.
He started back down the aisle, only this time he didn’t walk the path alone.
Alanna was at his side – as she always would be from this day forward.
Behind him, their attendants for the ceremony were doing the same, pairing up together and following after.
Was that also meant to be a romantic position?
He wasn’t sure, but it certainly seemed that way.
Outside, their wedding planner directed them to the part of the garden in which they were going to be taking ceremonial photos. Very important, apparently. It also gave time for the guests to clear out the building and move to the hall they would be going to next.
After the photos were all taken, they continued to the next building.
The post-wedding celebration was called a reception.
He did not know why. Were they supposed to be receiving something?
Did the guests count? And were they still the ones ‘receiving’ them when the party was being held in the conference hall of the botanical gardens?
The room chosen for it had wide, beautiful crystal doors that could be opened into a private, beautifully maintained garden so the guests could wander between the two at their leisure.
To Survii’s dismay, before they even arrived there, Alanna was being taken away from him by her bridesmaids. They had to change her dress. They laughed at him when he protested at being separated from his bride and mate so soon.
But he was shooed away by giggling females and was forced to let his groomsmales take him to the conference hall themselves. They had no change of clothing. Were they supposed to put on a separate outfit as well? Apparently not because he had nothing else to wear.
There were even more people at the reception than there had been at the wedding. And it turned out that they were receiving something, as there was a long table along one wall filled with beautifully wrapped packages. Gifts for the newlyweds.
Tuvo informed him that he would have to check everything before it was allowed in their suites at the hotel. Still, even if something had been given with ill intention, most would not be and Survii was touched at the offerings.
Of course, he knew that humans were far more pack minded than the domini but seeing the proof of it in those shining packages given for no other reason than to celebrate their joining really drove the point home.
They didn’t realize until they had already entered the conference room that they weren’t supposed to do so.
The human male meant to be their handler had been trying to get their attention, to stop them, but they hadn’t noticed, and it was too late.
They were supposed to have waited for the females, but they were already here now, so they just stayed.
There was a table at the front of the hall for the wedding party.
Survii took off his jacket and placed it around his chair.
Romival did the same. Survii rolled his sleeves up as Tuvo took off his jacket and his tie and unbuttoned his shirt as though they were all choking him.
Atem left his jacket on, but similarly freed his neck, laughing.
“Do you think the females will mind us getting comfortable?” Havali asked, though he had made no attempts to adjust his formal clothing.
Survii opened his mouth to say that Alanna certainly wouldn’t when there was a small commotion at the back, and he turned.
And once again, his mate stole his breath and sanity.
She still wore white, but she had doffed her cape and replaced her dress.
Aside from the color, this dress was fully opposite of the one she wore before.
The sleek, satiny shine had been replaced with elaborately embroidered and airy lace that fluttered and flounced around her knees.
Bell sleeves and bare shoulders and white shoes that tied up her calves.
The white flowery piece in her hair had been removed as well, this time replaced with a silky, satin scarf that tied around her head and trailed over one shoulder.
A more elaborate dress in design, but much easier to move in.
Everyone already in the hall oo’d and aw’d over her. More photos were taken. Survii stood there like a brain addled idiot, staring with an open mouth, as the crowd parted, giving her yet another aisle to walk towards him.