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“Goodmorning, you two.Laciedear, you had me so worried.Icame down to medical to see you, but you were sleeping, andIwasn’t going to wake you.I’mhappy you two seem to have worked things out.ItoldDaRyou would, of course.Hegrowled and stomped around when he heard thatMeKwas in the med bay with you, butI’velearned how to distract him after all these years.AndMeK, is that a smile on your face?”

“ItisMistressKira.Ifinally have a reason, and someone is teaching me not to be so serious.”

Carlabumps into me playfully, “Thebiggest ones always fall the hardest, my girl.”

MeKtakes their teasing in stride as we walk up the main path with them, but when he suddenly turns,Iwave to both of them, wondering where we’re headed.Justas we step intothe enchanted forest, he veers off again, and nowI’mtruly dumbfounded.

Whenmy sandal slips on a rock, he reaches down only to swing me up into his arms.JustwhenIstart to ask him where we’re going,IhearKikicoming up behind us, just chirping away. “Ithink someone is mad at us for slipping off.”AndbecauseI’mlooking overMeK’sshoulder atKikirunning up the path,Idon’t see it at first, until he stops.

Turningmy head,Igasp.Sittingon top of an outcropping is a huge pod dwelling.Largewrap-around porches surround the outer windows as the base leans out over the hill and that’s whenIhear it: water.

“MeK, this is stunning.Who’sis it?”

“Doyou want to see inside?”

“Absolutely,Ido.Ihad no idea you were building anything this far out.”

Hedoesn’t set me down even when he places his hand against the control pad, and a large door slides open.Packingme inside, he turns, looking around like this is the first time he’s seeing it as well.Kikitakes off, sniffing every corner whileIwiggle out ofMeK’sarms.

“Letme down,Iwant to go see the view!Thisplace is amazing—Wow!Wouldyou look at all the natural light and the size of these rooms?Theremust be at least four bedrooms.Canyou imagine trying to keep that kitchen clean?Thecabinets have cabinets!You’vebeen holding out on me becauseInever would’ve dreamed this up.”

“Butyou did dream it.Iheard you … all the times you talked about the things you enjoyed back home.Iremembered them all.Lastrising,Iwas talking toBuKabout his plans for the future, and he told me that you andBriarboth had mentioned wanting to be next to the water.Comewith me outside and tell me if the view is what you always dreamed of.”Hetakes my hand in his as we walk up a spiral walkway that lines the walls in the main living area.AndifIthought the inside was amazing, nothing compares to the porches.”

“Wow, there are so many viewsIdon’t know what to look at first.MeK,Idon’t know who you built this for, butIcan sure tell you that whoever ordered this is one lucky little asshole.Waita minute, what amImissing here?”Iturn to look at him, andIswear he seems nervous.

“Itis yours,Lacie.Imade this for you …Well, for us.Theporches are equipped with an atmospheric barrier that will control the temperatures.Theonly time you will not be able to use them fully is when the darkness settles.Wecan lay out here and watch the stars and listen to the soft sounds of the water below.Neitherrain nor animals can infiltrate this area.Ialso have a fully functional workshop at the bottom, and we have plenty of room to expand if we need more space later.”

“Didyou just say you built this for me?”

“Yes…Yousee, my designs have made me very wealthy, andIhave been designing this dwelling for quite some time.Ihad no idea whyIwas drawing it out until you came along.Lastrising, whenIwas retrieving items from my home planet,Ihad this unit sent here on a freighter, along with special assembly bots.Theyhave been working on this all rising.Buildinghere took some convincing, and thankfully,KyTwas able to help with the negotiations.However, theTimbersultimately granted accessfor this dwelling and two others.Ieven askedBriarfor help.Shewas the one responsible for the sustenance prep area.Ipromised her she could have the one closest to us sinceIknow she means a lot to you.

Iwant this to be our home,Lacie, and for you to be my mate, if you will have me?Idid not know what this humanLOVEwas and, at one time, thought it was foolish, butIknow now that is not the case.Ilove you more than anything—before or to come—butIunderstand if you need more time.”

Istand here looking at him and his vulnerability as he’s expecting me to turn him down. “MeK, this … you … all of it’s overwhelming, butIdo believe that’s the new norm for me.Ifell in love with you the moment your eyes flashed when you were looking at us humans like we were vermin.Nothingin this world would make me happier than to be yours always.Nomatter how long that is.”

“Thatis going to be a long time, my little human, as your life force is now linked to mine.Themoment we consummated our union, we sealed our two runes.Becausethis has never happened to anyone fromMekurem,Ihave no idea if your body will go through any more changes, but either way, you are mine until theLordofLighttakes us both home.”

Injust two steps,I’min his arms, his lips on mine as he spins me around.

“Come, we have much to do.”

Kikiis playing around our legs as we run down a newly paved path, only for a crack of thunder to echo around us.Istop whenIrealize it’s raining what looks like diamonds that are falling through the trees.Takinghis big hands in mine,Ilead himaround and around.Ourlaughter echoes through the trees as we both become drenched, dancing in the rain, andI’venever been happier.Iclose my eyes, sending a small prayer out, thankingGod,Mamaw, andPapawfor sending me out on this adventure to the stars, making sureIwould never be alone again.

Epilogue

MALIK

“Melanna,my sweet one, why do you seem to be so upset this rising?Ithought your bans were about to be announced for your upcomingCompanionchoosing.Areyou not pleased withMeK?Hecomes from an impeccable background.”

“Thatis the problem,Grandpere,Malik.Iam so embarrassed because he turned me down for a primitive pale-faced rat.”

“Ibeg your pardon?”

“Yes, his mother did her best to make him go through with the contract, but he erased it after all those risings of negotiations.Tellingher that he had found his true mate and was refusing to leave her.”

“Yousay this race is primitive?”

“Yes, humans or something.Hisfather has them hiding on a moon next toEtherium.GrandpereMalik,Ihave never been so humiliated, and now all others will turn from me because they will thinkIdid something to make him dishonor the contract.”

Iwatch as the tears flow down her beautiful face. “Comehere, my granddaughter.Iwill find you someone better, butIwill not allow this to go unpunished.Ihave heard that human females are worth a great deal, andIknow a few rogueKorgonswilling to take the chance to capture them.Yourrevenge will come my dear, but speak of this to no one until the deed is done.”

“Iknew you would not allow them to do this to me.Ilove you,GrandpereMalik.”

“Oh, myMelanna, you have done so well, my favorite one.”

THEEND