Page 60 of All or Nothing
He did as I said, opening his eyes and taking me in in my full “mating day” getup.
Since I wasn’t a virgin (and we weren’t on Earth anyway) I’d gone with a gauzy bright red dress with a sweetheart neckline and off-the-shoulder sleeves. Layers of tulle floated around me, wrapping around the bodice of the dress so that it showcased my waist and bust but flowed out to hide my tummy—I was getting less insecure about it all the time, but it was a work in progress. I’d borrowed one of Xollen’s horn chains and worn it around my neck, and had a hair comb carved from something pearlescent and glowy in a spray of flowers. More flowers carved from the same material dangled off of it by delicate chains. It had been a gift from Gesea, before she knew I’d cut my hair, but I was making it work with a lot of really clever hair pinning and styling gel. I’d kept my makeup light but couldn’t resist painting my lips a bold red that matched my dress. I felt like a princess, and I hoped Xollen would like it.
I was not prepared for him to start crying.
“You are stunning, Joss,” he croaked, producing a silk handkerchief from thin air and dabbing at his eyes. “I cannot believe the Goddess has blessed me with such a perfect mate.”
My own eyes started prickling with tears, and I waved my hands in front of my face to try and stop them from falling. “Goddammit Xoll, you’re going to make me cry and ruin my makeup.”
He handed me his hankie and I used it to carefully dab away the tears. “I’m sorry, but one could argue that this is your fault for being so beautiful at a time like this.”
We both laughed, and then I couldn’t resist taking this smudge-proof lipstick for a test run, kissing my man silly.
Uraka burst into the room, making us both jump and separate.
“They are ready, Joss!” she exclaimed, panting like she’d run here. She looked very dashing in her suit, her long hair pulled back into an elaborate tangle of braids that Djelani has done for her this morning. “What are you still doing here?” she howled, spotting Xollen. “Leave this place at once and get into position!”
I shared a look with Xollen. You’d thinkshewas the one getting mated today, instead of just giving me away in the Earth tradition. “Ura, calm yourself. The room is right down the hall. The justice of the peace isn’t going anywhere. It’s fine. Better go though before she picks you up and throws you there,” I added to Xollen, giving him one last peck.
“I think you aretoocalm, little one,” she grumbled once he’d left, crossing her arms and showing off how her biceps bulged against the fabric of the suit. “This is a momentous occasion. You reach into the aether of the universe as one and declare your bond for all to see. Veldar themself could not rip you apart after this day.”
I smiled at my friend, patting her cheek, where the traditional yvrenii mating tattoo had been inked after her and Djelani’s joining last month. “I know, but I’m worried you’re going to hurt yourself if you stay worked up like this.”
She chuckled, gold eyes flashing, then offered me her arm to begin leading me down the hall to the small auditorium where mating ceremonies were held.
I hadn’t been interested in doing a whole other ceremony just to get the things I wanted from an American-style wedding, but I had wanted to involve all my new friends and family in the ceremony, so I’d convinced Uraka, Djelani, and Gesea to be my wedding party, while Derris acted as Xollen’s best man.
We’d invited Hellum, the yvrenii security guard, after all, as well as Ghena and Wren, so while I thought it was an incredibly small wedding, it was a huge collection of people for a mating ceremony according to everyone else. We’d gotten a lot of looks from the officials in this wing of the building, and even though we’d told them what to expect, Justice Hollstis still seemed shocked and a little overwhelmed.
Other than that the process was very official and dry: the justice read over the mating agreement, we signed all the necessary paperwork, and then spoke our vows. I had added the kiss and the ring exchange, and then that was it: me and Xollen were officially mates. He was mine and I was his, and there was nothing his parents or Verilla could do about it.
“Let me get another picture of the happy couple!” Gesea called, urging us together. “Let’s see a kiss!”
We obliged, and everyone cheered like dorks. “That one’s going on the nexpage!” Derris called, making us laugh. They’d convinced us to announce our mating on the comic’s nexpage, as a reason for why there’d be two weeks with no updates, and the outpouring of support and affection from our readers was almost overwhelming. So many had asked for pictures and updates, and who was I to deny those wonderful people anything?
“We should head over to the restaurant,” Djelani pointed out, flicking the tasseled end of her lavender garment—I forgot what it was called, but it resembled a sari back on Earth—over her shoulder and threading her arm through her own mate’s. Uraka was a wreck, sobbing and gasping with emotion, and Djelani tugged her out the doors to help her calm down.
“You are so beautiful, little one!” Uraka hiccuped over her shoulder. “I am so happy for you!”
“We’re moving to the restaurant!” Derris bellowed from between cupped hands. “Everyone out!” They’d have to start setting up the room for the next couple’s ceremony soon, anyway.
Hellum strolled up to us, beaming and looking a little misty-eyed. “I’m so happy for you two. Congratulations, my friends!” He clapped us both on the shoulder. “I hope I can find something half as beautiful as what you have.” I noticed that his eyes darted over to Ghena, who was helping Wren clear away the few decorations we’d bothered with. Hellum congratulated us once more, sweeping us into a tight hug this time, then said his goodbyes and left to make his way to where we’d have a nice dinner together to celebrate.
“Come, my bride,” Xollen said, wrapping an arm around my waist. “I’m starving.”
“I’m actually your wife now that the ceremony’s over,” I told him, suppressing my laughter.
As expected he squawked and turned his head to look at me. “That’s it, I give up. I can’t handle all these Earth words. You are mymate, and that is good enough.”
I laughed, tilting my head back to look at his beautiful face, grinning down at me with love.
“Yeah, it is.” I agreed.