Page 23

I kept it anyway.

In that moment, I vowed to do everything I could to help Oaken win over some future bride. I may have technically been his wife now, but my real role would be his relationship coach. I would make him the most eligible male on this entire freaking planet. A bonafide human aficionado.

Sure, he had the book Tasha wrote, but obviously there were still some misunderstandings on his end, as evidenced by the fact that I was currently holding a bangle and not a ring for a finger. Though, to be fair, wedding bangles were definitely a thing. My mother had had set, though I remembered them about as well as I remembered her face.

Which meant I barely remembered them at all.

Oaken became a tiny dot in the distance of his mountain valley ranch. Before he completely disappeared, I slipped the bangle onto my left wrist.

It was a perfect fit.

10

TASHA

Magnolia and Jaya had wandered off together for a tour of the property, much like the tour I got yesterday. It was only Tenn and me now, standing together in the sunny, pretty spot where Oaken’s wedding had just taken place. I crossed my arms over my chest and raised a brow at my husband.

“You know they really didn’t have to kiss, right?” I asked. “Kissing isn’t actually compulsory to make a human marriage legal. And I know it isn’t compulsory for Zabrians, either, considering you didn’t even know what kissing was before Cherry and Silar’s wedding.”

Tenn met my gaze with his typical steely confidence, not a waver of guilt in those orange eyes.

“I know.”

“Well, if you know, then why did you make them do it?”

“Because it was good for them.”

“Good for them?” I asked, balking. “What does that even mean?”

Tenn adjusted his hat, staring thoughtfully out at the rose-gold mountains. “The human kiss,” he said, “is very powerful. In one moment, it can change the entire course of a man’s life.”

“You’re talking about a simple kiss like it’s some kind of mystical, magical thing,” I said with a shake of my head. “But in reality, a kiss is only that significant when it happens between the right people, and at the right time.”

My husband looked just a little too satisfied with himself when he replied, “Exactly.”

“I… What?”

“Trust me, Tasha. I have a feeling about something.” He smirked down at me, sending heat rushing to my cheeks. “And I think maybe, deep down, you have a feeling about the same thing I do. Because I didn’t see you protest this much during the ceremony. When it actually counted, you didn’t make a sound.”

“Well… I…”

Busted.

Why hadn’t I made all these arguments during the wedding itself? I could have saved Jaya some awkwardness.

Only…

The kiss hadn’t looked awkward. It had looked sweet and intense and…

Magical.Shit.

“You know kisses are just as powerful as I do,” Tenn murmured, one hand cupping my jaw as he backed me up against a nearby fence post.

“I…”

His lips brushed mine, his words skimming over my mouth. “And you know I’m right.” I felt his grin before he added, “Like always.”

I would have had a hell of a lot to say about that smug little statement. Except he was kissing me now, his lips working in hungry, wet strokes over mine, and my breath was stolen away, along with all my words, arguments, and, God help me, most of my good sense.