Epilogue
Fourteen Months Later
“You look as beautiful as a rakiram blossom,” Screl said, the words warming her despite the chill coursing through her bones.
Lena smiled, squeezing his hand and steeling herself as they stood outside the door to the throne room at the palace on Botune.
It had been over a year since they had left the planet, escaping on a small ship provided by Princess Vottol.
The princess who was soon to be inaugurated as the new Thren sovereign.
The announcement of the previous Sovereign’s untimely death had been a shock, Screl going quiet for a few days as he processed the news.
Equally shocking had been the message inviting them to Princess Vottol’s coronation, though Lena supposed that without his father there to ridicule and abuse, there was nothing stopping them from visiting the Thren homeworld.
They had taken their time on this trip, spending the day visiting the palace grounds, Screl pointing out his favorite flowers. Yes, the Thren she had once considered so frightening had specific flowers he was drawn to, yet another sweet fact that made Lena beam with joy.
She did look like a rakiram blossom, a cobalt blue bodice giving way to a sweeping emerald skirt mimicking the delicate flower.
It was similar to the dresses she wore back on his first ship, though much less risqué, as this was a public event.
She saved those old, sultry numbers for their quarters, a private place to enact the fantasies they were both so captivated by.
“Don’t be nervous, amoreth. The ceremony will be quick, and we will be parted for only a short while.”
Lena nodded, taking a deep breath as they awaited their turn to be announced.
This was a joyous day, and she didn’t want to let her nerves ruin it for Screl. He’d had a meeting with Princess Vottol this morning, the future Sovereign asking if he would like to be reinstated as one of the princes of Botune.
It had shocked both of them, though after a long discussion Lena had urged him to take the offer. Even with all that his father had done, she knew how important his family was to him, how important his diplomatic efforts with the Alliance were.
Princess Vottol had assured him that there would be minimal duties, little expectations beyond official functions, though he was welcome to restart his diplomatic relationship with Henios if he wished.
He’d be free to live with Lena and continue his small but enterprising business taking mid-size shipments to and from the space station as well.
Lena joined him on his twice-monthly trips, enjoying the time away from Henios and a chance to explore new extraterrestrial planets. Between that and Ochin’s, she was busy, but loved every second of it, especially since most moments were spent with her fated.
As the pleasant memories of the past months flitted by, she was drawn back to the present, her pulse quickening as the doors whooshed open and the throne room was revealed. It was filled with Threns of all ages, many wearing elaborate robes similar to the silvery one Screl wore.
“PRINCE ROHIETH SCREL AND HIS FATED, LENA ASTRUM.”
The announcement echoed through the room, and a surge of joy raced through her, overcoming the anxiety as they walked arm in arm down the center aisle.
The room looked so different packed with jovial Threns as opposed to the stark emptiness from the last two times she’d been here, though she didn’t miss the curious looks directed her way.
Still, to be honored in such a way, acknowledged as the rightful mate to the Thren walking beside her, was sublime. She could sense Screl’s elation as well, a comforting warmth that spread from where their arms touched and circulated through her entire body.
At the end of the aisle, he turned to her, giving her a kiss before ushering her to her seat. With a wink, Screl walked up the stairs, taking his rightful spot in front of his throne as he waited for the rest of his siblings to join him on the stage.
Pride welled in her, a tear trickling down her cheek at the view of her fated in his place of glory, free from the abuses of his father for good.
The ceremony had been like everything else she knew about Thren culture—minimalist and efficient.
Screl’s siblings had marched down the aisle one by one, Princess Vottol coming last and standing in front of the largest central throne.
A Thren elder performed a quick ceremony before a large crown was placed on top of her head, officially making her the newest Thren sovereign.
There was polite clapping, then a line of delegates and honored guests formed to honor the new leader.
Somehow, Lena was included in that group, her body electrified with anticipation as she greeted the Thren royalty one by one.
Screl was first, giving her a kiss on the hand and a smile which melted her heart, followed by his two siblings that had eagerly done their father’s bidding with sheepish grimaces.
Last was Vottol with an eager grin pulling at her lips.
“Lena. It is so wonderful to see you again. I trust you are doing well?”
Lena bowed low, following Thren custom, before returning the smile.
“Very well, thank you. Congratulations on your appointment, though I’m sorry for your loss.”
She wasn’t really, but it seemed the polite thing to say in a situation such as this.
The Sovereign gave a wry smile, lowering her voice.
“It really was a shame. His passing was so sudden, but that is the way of things.”
She didn’t appear too crushed by her father’s death. In fact, Lena could swear there was a glimmer of mischief in those deep blue eyes, a shiver trickling down her spine at the implication she dared not think about.
The Sovereign grasped her hand, smiling sweetly.
“I do hope you will stay with us for a few days. I would love to show you the Falls of Bocovis. It’s a short shuttle trip from here.”
“Of course,” Lena replied, bowing low once again and making room for the next guest ready to greet the new leader.
It was all so surreal as she stepped off the dais, one she had been on just a year ago in drastically different circumstances. She followed the crowd toward another room, this one a plainly dressed ballroom, and waited impatiently for Screl.
The celebration had been quite entertaining.
Lena ate and danced, even tasted some of the Thren ale she had once served Screl and his officers back at Ochin’s. Dronzal kept her company until Screl returned, the bond raging in her chest as he pulled her into a firm embrace.
“Are you ready to get out of here?”
His whisper fluttered past her ear and sent an icy shiver down her spine, her body practically melting into his arms.
“Right now?” she asked as she pulled away.
“I’ve had enough of greeting honored guests. Besides, I have a surprise.”
Lena beamed, taking his offered hand and nodding at Dronzal before following him from the festivities.
Screl led her through the maze of the palace in silence until they exited into the open air, the brisk night catching her by surprise.
A flutter of nerves rushed through her as she eyed the dark forest beyond, great trees reaching into the sky with only the glow of the stars to light them.
Screl brushed her hair off her shoulder, tracing the scars from his bite, his mark. He’d given her many over the last few months, each one filling her with joy, knowing that it meant she was his until the day they died.
Tentacles curled around her waist, spinning her to face the forest beyond, his breath warm against her exposed neck.
“Do you remember what I told you about the Thren way of joining?”
The words set her entire body aflame, her cunt already throbbing as she quickly realized what his surprise entailed.
“Y-Yes, Yavriel,” she managed, her voice hoarse, betraying her need.
“Good. I’m going to give you a head start, amoreth, but know that once I catch you, there’s nothing you can do to stop me from claiming you in the dirt.”
Lena grinned, embracing the rush of endorphins tingling her skin and gathering her skirt into her hands.
Screl pressed a kiss to her neck, squeezing her ass once before letting her go, though she still felt his presence behind her.
“Run, my mate. Make me work for it.”
Without needing further prodding, Lena took off, the wind whipping her hair as she ran for the tree line, her heart thumping in her chest.