Page 34 of Grounded (Convergence #1)
He nodded. “A claimed destru—that's the male's title—will do anything to protect his destra, often going into a mindless rage when she's threatened. It's dangerous to even insult a destra in the presence of her destru.”
“And those Aethari attacked me.”
“Yes.”
“Wait. I'm sorry. I know you're being very clear and taking your time to explain this, but I'm trying to process things while under emotional stress. I need just a little more clarity. Are you saying that we're already in this . . . this destiny thing?”
Thax braced himself for her anger and then nodded. “It just happens. Source blessed us. I started feeling the draw a while ago, but it seemed impossible. It's never happened with a Medean. So, I found other explanations. Finally, it got to the point where I couldn't deny it.”
“That's why you were so sure about us,” Liria whispered. “I thought it was arrogance, but it was faith.”
“Faith and the bond urging me to keep trying.”
“I think I felt it too. I just didn't understand it.”
Excitement burst inside Thaxvarien. Would she really accept him?
He hurried on, “We're still in the stage of Source bringing us together. We've acknowledged it, but we can still reject it if you wish. That would sever the bond. Or we can strengthen it by declaring ourselves publicly. No one could keep us apart after that. But it's a very serious step, Liri.”
“Holy shit.” Liria leaned back against the wall. “Holy. Shit.” Then she swung toward him. “Is this like a marriage?”
“No, it's not a marriage. Yes, it's serious, as I said, but we could still break up. We're not magically bound forever.”
“That sounds like there's more.”
“Eventually, if we decided to seal the bond, we could undergo a rite more holy and binding than marriage.
The Star's Kiss settles the bond into what it's meant to be—an unbreakable, eternal union.
Most Aethari blessed with a destiny bond will eventually complete the rite.
But we don't have to, and even if we do, I would still like to marry you.
If you wanted to, I mean. Uh, of course, that's if you want to be my destra. You can say no. We just have to reject the bond to break it,” Thax's voice shivered on the last two words.
He cleared his throat and went on, “Or we can keep things as they are and not declare ourselves.
Or declare ourselves and not do the rite.
Or just wait until we're ready for the rite.
Or for marriage. Or . . . what I'm trying to say is it's your decision, Liri. I absolutely want this. I want all of it, but—”
“Stop, Thax.”
He stopped and stared at her, his heart racing. Oh, sweet Source, please guide her heart to his. Even if she just wanted to wait, he'd be happy with that.
“I want this too,” she said. “I want you. I knew this was special. After what happened tonight, that's undeniable. I'm kind of relieved to know there's an explanation for what I've been feeling. It's like our love has been verified by the highest authority.”
“Liri.” Thax pulled her into an embrace. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too. You've risked a lot for me, Thax.” She leaned back to look at him. “Did you really think I'd reject you after all of that?”
“Liri, I never know what to expect from you.”
She laughed and then kissed his cheek. “Then let me tell you. Where you are concerned, Thaxvarien Rennux, you can expect me to stand beside you and support you. You can expect me to accept you as you are and love you completely for all that you are.” She cupped his cheek.
“And you can expect me never to fail you—not if I have a choice in the matter.”
“Fuck, woman,” Thax whispered. “I don't deserve you.”
“I say you do. More importantly.” Liria lifted her chin. “I deserve you.”
Thaxvarien laughed, the joy bubbling out of him, and then pulled her in against his chest. “Thank you, destra.”
How good it felt to call her by her title at last.
“What do I call you? What was that word again?”
He looked down at her, his throat closing on the rush of emotion her words brought. After relaxing it, he managed to whisper, “Destru. I am your destru.”
“I like that. And I love you, destru.”
Had he been happy before? Now, Thax was infused with a bright delight that couldn't be dimmed. He felt as if he could do anything. Even change the Aethari.
“My destra.” He couldn't get enough of the word now that he could say it to her. “I knew we were destined for each other, but this is more than I could have hoped for. Liri, we can change the world together.”
“Whoa, one step at a time. Why don't we work on changing your father's mind first?”
Thax sighed and eased them back down onto the pillows. His wings—another cushion below them—curved around his destra. It was kind of nice to have only one pair of wings in bed. If Liri had been Aethari, he wouldn't have been able to hold her so close. Yes, this was so much better.
After kissing her forehead, he said, “I don't want to talk about my father right now. I want to talk about us. Our future.”
“All right. What do you see for us?”
Thax's smile went tender. “A home. A family.” He looked down at her. “Do you want children?”
Liria blinked. “But we can't have children.”
“Nothing seems to be impossible for us.” He nuzzled her cheek. “And Source is guiding us. Who knows? Maybe the whole thing about Aethari and Medeans being unable to procreate is just another lie my people have fostered. Maybe Source wants us to uncover the truth.”
“Do you really think so?”
He shrugged. “If we had children, it would be indisputable.” He grinned down at her. “A little girl with bright blue eyes.”
“And black wings that shimmer in the sun,” Liria added. Then she scowled. “I don't know if I want to give birth to a winged baby.”
Thax burst out laughing. “We don't grow wings until after we're born, around the fourth month.”
“Oh, all right then.” Then she chuckled. “I can't believe I'm talking about children with you.”
“They will have to wait until my service is done.”
“At least until then.” Liria rolled her eyes. “We're both young. We have centuries ahead of us. Maybe we should enjoy being with each other first, before we start a family. I don't want to have children just to prove that we can.”
“You're right.” He kissed her forehead. “I think I just want to take care of you for a while.”
“Take care of me.” She grimaced. “You know I can take care of myself.”
“Of course, I know that. But you honor me by allowing me to see to your needs. It's my right as your destru. But you may also see to mine if you wish.” He grinned. “I like the way you take care of me.”
She grinned back. “Nicely said.”
Thaxvarien bit his lower lip. “How much do you know about Aethari culture?”
“Not a lot.” Liri snorted. “You know, beyond that which just pops into my mind.”
“And you think I'm the miracle.” He shook his head. Then he got serious. “We like to put on a civilized front, but when it comes down to it, we're a bit . . .”
“Uncivilized?” Liria teased.
“Primitive.” Thaxvarien shrugged, shifting closer.
“Like those trophies I gave you.” He glanced at the feathers on the desk.
“At that moment, they felt necessary. The only proper way to end that battle.
But now, looking back at my actions, I can't imagine how I must have appeared to you. Liri, I'm not a savage.”
Liria sat up and laid her palm on his heart. “I rather liked you savage. You've been sweet to me, and I like that too, but seeing you go wild in my defense—well, I have to admit it was a turn-on.”
Grinning, he sat up. “Oh? You like me wild? I can get wild for you. I'm starting to feel very primal right now.” He waggled his eyebrows at her. “I think it may be time to see to my destra's needs.”
His Liri giggled, then checked the sound with a hand over her mouth. “Oh, sweet convergence! You made me giggle like a girl!”
Thax laughed and pulled her into a hug. “However you want me, my destra, I'm yours. Tender, savage, at your feet. Just say the word.”
“I like the sound of that.” She snuggled up against him and whispered, “Thax, should we have reported the attack?”
Thaxvarien went still. “I needed to get you safe. If they report it, I'll deal with it.”
“If? The fight will be obvious when they return to the fortress.”
“Yes, but not who they fought with.”
Liria went silent.
“Don't worry about it, Liri.” He kissed her forehead. “I was within my rights to defend us. If they accuse me of attacking them, I will accuse them in return. It will be all right.”
But even as he spoke the words, Thaxvarien grew concerned.
Liria was right. He had brutalized those soldiers.
Even if they didn't want to talk, they might be forced to.
And he would be held accountable. He did have the right to defend Liri, but perhaps not to that extreme.
He just hoped they left his father out of it.