I gulp and take one last look in the mirror. Just as I’m about to adjust my mane again, I pause, catching my dam’s stern, but amused look in the reflection behind me. “I’m ready.”
Va’naar joins me and puts his hand on my shoulder. “We are ready,” he says, bolstering me with his quiet support.
Chapter 18
Va’naar
As soon as we exit our room and make our way down the stairs, it hits me. The sudden realization that my primary and I are finally mating Polly blasts through me so hard, I nearly stumble off a step.
Concerned gasps from family and guests who witnessed my misstep fill the air.
Ca’lek reaches out, grabs my shoulders and steadies me. His eyes are full of concern. “Are you okay?”
“Fine,” I begin to say, struggling to calm my overexcited breaths.
Watching the exchange for a moment, our dams brush past us and shoo everyone outside to give us privacy. I nod my head in thanks, before our dams close the door behind them, leaving us alone. Our sires move back, stepping out of sight long enough for us to finish up and make our way.
Looking my primary square in the face, I can see the strong emotion behind his eyes. It’s full of strength, warmth, and compassion. I think back to all those years ago when we first met and remember how arrogant I thought the male standing before me was. Or how I’d hate to be bonded with someone so strong-willed as him. My lips curl up in a smile at how incredibly wrong I was.
“More than fine actually.”
Ca’lek smiles, leaning his forehead against mine. Closing my eyes, I savor the contact with the male who has become my best friend, my brother, and my bonded. Without him, I may have never left the planet and I would never have met Polly.
“Good. Because this is one of the best days of our lives, Va’naar, and I want you to know that I’m proud to share it with you. Now, let’s go get our mate,” he says, grinning like a fool.
I clasp my hand onto his shoulder, ready to face the crowd of guests seated outside waiting for us. Stepping down, I miss and stumble again, then grab Ca’lek’s arm to steady myself again. He easily takes my weight, and I can see from the expression on his face he’s about to make a joke about my clumsiness.
“Don’t you dare,” I snap, playfully flashing my teeth.
Now that I’m reacquainted with my feet, he lets go and raises his arms in surrender. “Wasn’t going to. Wasn’t going to say a thing,” he says, jumping down to the final step.
There, he waits for me holding his arms out like he’s waiting for his elderly grand-dam. When I reach the bottom, I bat his hands out of my way and roll his eyes at his overindulgent joke. Our sires chuckle behind me as they rejoin us.
“First one to Polly gets to mate her first toni—” I begin to say, but before I even have a chance, Ca’lek has burst through the old fashioned doors, leaving me behind as the doors swing wildly in my face.
“You’d better chase him down son,” my primary orders, chuckling raucously in the seconds I stand gaping at the doors.
With a shake of my head, I push myself forward and burst through the doors and race after my primary, startling the guests into shocked exclamations as they watch us sprint through the Gathering Hall and into the garden. Catching Ca’lek by the back of his tunic, I jerk him off his feet. He stumbles and falls into a heap. I leap over him in my headlong dash towards my mate.
He growls, grabs my foot and throws me off my landing. I collapse on top of him. We wrestle vigorously, both of us fighting to come out on top. Nipping each other and snarling playfully, I revel in this moment. The only thing that could make this any better would be if our mate was grappling with us.
“Ca’lek? Va’naar?” her voice calls from the end of the aisle.
“Coming my love,” I reply, sighing in frustration. Ca’lek throws me on my back and jumps up.
Flipping quickly to my feet, I leap onto his back, knocking him to the ground again. Polly’s reaction of shock echoes out as she watches our antics. I bounce off Ca’lek’s torso and sprint towards her, somehow passing him.
At the last moment, Ca’lek slams into me again and we slide the final stretch on our faces. He recovers first and props his elbow on the back of my head, then looks up at her.
“Good greetings my heart,” he says cheerfully. “We missed you.”
The audience bursts into noisy laughter at his declaration, clapping and cheering. Shoving him off, I sit up and brush the stains at my ruined tunic. Unfortunately, my collar is ripped and hangs open to the middle of my chest. Somewhere along the line, I lost my tatoli and the belt around my waist is crooked.
Ca’lek’s tunic is just as bad, torn from one shoulder to the opposite hip, his tatoli is skewed and missing half its decorations. His perfectly groomed mane is a complete mess and somehow, he’s missing a shoe.
Polly stares down at us in a mix of amusement and exasperation before succumbing to the laughter herself. She laughs so hard, her hands wrap over her baby bump and she bends forward, nearly falling on us.
“The two of you are terrible,” she announces once she calms herself enough to speak.
“They are indeed!” my dam snaps, coming up the aisle with my tatoli.
Apparently, the cords separated in our scuffle, but other than a few wrinkles, it is in better condition than Ca’lek’s. Mother fusses disapprovingly and attempts to fix the damage to my clothing while Ca’lek’s dam tries to fix his.
“How could you do this to your clothing?” Mother Ja’nir asks, groaning at the mess.
“Sorry Mother,” Ca’lek replies, looking chastised.
Polly covers her smile, watching our dams’ futile attempts to fix our tunics.
“At least the tatolis aren’t entirely destroyed,” my dam says with a sigh, draping mine over my head once more. “That is the important part I suppose.”
“It is?” Polly asks, her expression turning thoughtful.
“Yes, the tatoli is used during the ceremony to bind the three of you as one,” Mother Ja’nir replies, picking some of the more damaged decorations from Ca’lek’s.
“I have an idea,” Polly declares. She steps forward and pulls the tatolis off us both, holding them in her hands. “Strip out of your shirts.”
In no time at all, Ca’lek and I are divested of the ruined tunics and draped with the tatolis once more. Someone produces a brush and we are quickly re-groomed, straightening as much of our fur as possible. Polly eyes our shirtless torsos with eager appreciation and reaches out to run her hands over our chests.
“Are we ready to begin?” a voice asks dryly from behind us. The interruption causes my mate to give a startled squeak, yanking her hands back in embarrassment at being caught nearly fondling us in public.
Ca’lek’s eyes open wide with shock and he whirls around to stare at the officiant waiting on the dias. The elderly officiate is a vaguely familiar female who watches us with affectionate amusement while my primary flounders for some way to answer her. Her stature is stately and strong, but her entire pelt has grayed with age and in places, is shot through with the silver white of advanced age. Her eyes are sharp and clear, and miss nothing while she looks down at us from the dias.
“Eldest Nea’lah!” he finally blurts out.
My breath catches in my throat at her name. This is the Council member who could have denied our petition and stained our family names with shame. Her gaze locks with mine and I gulp at the intensity of her stare, before lowering my head in respect. Her gaze is so heavy, I practically feel it when she transfers her attention to our mate. Ca’lek and I both react, shifting to lend her more protection. Nea’lah snorts under her breath.
“I wanted to meet the female who inspired two such dedicated males to defy centuries of tradition. I can see why. Love is a beautiful and rare thing,” Nea’lah states, her voice rising so the audience can clearly hear her. “True matings are rarer still in our culture. The fact that you three were fortunate enough to find each other and brave
enough to stand as one is something that brings my heart much joy. I am honored to be the one who will pass this female into the care of these males.”
“Thank you, Eldest,” Polly replies, stepping forward to bow her head to the female. “And thank you for being willing to listen to my mate when he came before the Council asking for understanding and compassion. I would not want to take my mates from the home they love, but I would also not be willing to give them up either.”
My heart soars at Polly’s speech. I pull her into my arms and kiss her, then release her only so Ca’lek can do the same.
“I have seen many unhappy matings between males and their contracted females. They were good younglings who simply did not have enough time to find their true mate. This world has long clung to its old ways. Perhaps it is time to change that?” Nea’lah suggests, posing the question with a raised eyebrow.
“Perhaps it is,” Ca’lek agrees, holding Polly close.
“It is a consideration that will likely appear at the next High Council meeting. For now, I believe it is time to finalize your mating to your chosen female.” The Eldest sweeps her hand to indicate we should take our places.
∞∞∞
Polly
As per Mephidaean tradition, I’m standing in the center of the garden on a dias between my mates. We are surrounded on all sides by friends and family members, all waiting for the ceremony to start. Ca’lek stands on my right, grinning like a fool with his eyes glued on me. And Va’naar on my left, is every bit as excited and staring as well. I can hear it in his unsteady breaths.
Though we’re standing together, our hands are apart, waiting for the ceremony to begin. I can feel their arms trembling when they brush against me and it makes me smile knowing how happy they are to begin their lives with me. I’ve never been more excited over anything in my entire life.
“We gather today to celebrate the bonding of the Var’esh-De’lin line to that of the Parote line. The blending of families is a blessed event, made even more special with the anticipation of young so soon in this joining. These males have expressed their desire to take this female into their den, to shelter her, to care for her. And to care for her pups she will give them. As many of you know, these males defied generations of tradition to take this female into their lives. That alone makes this mating a stronger, more lasting union.”
I blush when both of my mates sneak and kiss my cheeks when the Eldest pauses in her speech. Nea’lah smiles at their antics before she continues.
“Who offers these males for the consideration of this female?” Eldest asks.
“We do.” Ca’lek and Va’naar’s primary sires step forward.
“And who stands behind this female, offering her strength and acceptance in her choice?”
“We do.” My future mother-in-laws chorus behind me. They filled the role my own mother would have taken had she been alive. Tears of gratitude prickle at my eyes.
“Ca’lek. Va’naar. What do you offer this female? Why should she take you into her bond?”
“I offer my home, my wealth, and my name. I offer the protection of my strength and the security of my embrace. I offer all these things and I offer my heart. Whether she accepts any of these things, she has them all, for now and forever,” Ca’lek answers, looking down at me as he speaks. His eyes are bright and intense with emotion.
Va’naar slides a knuckle down my bare arm, drawing my attention. “I offer my loyalty, my care, and my laughter. I offer the comfort of my arms and the skill of my hands. I offer all of these things and with them, I offer my heart. Whatever she chooses, she has them all. Now and forever, I am hers.”
Eldest Nea’lah’s eyes turn suspiciously shiny. Or perhaps it’s just the glare from my own happy tears?
“Polly. Do you accept these males into your heart and your bond? Do you take them as bonded mates, for now and forever?”
“Yes. I take them into my arms and my bond. With all my heart, now and forever,” I say, struggling not to sob through my vow.
“Take your mates’ hands Polly.”
I reach out and tightly grasp Ca’lek and Va’naar’s hands, entwining my fingers with theirs. Ca’lek squeezes my hand back and raises it to his lips for a quick kiss. Waiting for him to finish, Va’naar does the same to my other hand.
Eldest Nea’lah reaches out and removes the tatoli from Ca’lek. My heart races. She takes it and wraps the ribbon around our hands, looping it up and over. Loosely winding the entire length around us from fingers to elbow, she binds us together and ties the ends in an infinity knot. Then she repeats the process on my other arm with Va’naar’s tatoli. When she finishes, she raises our bound hands for everyone to see and steps back.
“As these knots are tied, so are your lives. By these ribbons, you are one. May your lives always draw together in love and never anger. May your vows stay always bright in your hearts. Let none come between that which we join this day,” Nea’lah intones loudly.
The Eldest takes our hands and brings them together, crossing mine and Ca’lek’s hands over the top of mine, with Va’naar’s still gripping them tightly.
“Hold tight to one another through both good times and bad, through the joy and the pain, shelter one another, love one another, and watch as your strength grows. Blessed is this union and this family, for now and forever.” As she ends her speech, she takes the top loop of each tatoli and pulls them down our arms and through each other.
Something about the way she removes them causes them to knot together as they come off. She turns round and presents the ribbons to my new inlaws. Mother Ja’nir takes it, holding it in her hands as she cries happy tears. Mother Ja’nir hands the elder female a small box in return.
“Ca’lek Var’esh. Va’naar De’lin. I pass this female into your care. May you always keep by her side,” Nea’lah says, passing the box to Ca’lek and steps back.
Opening the box, Ca’lek pulls a necklace from it. It’s delicate and beautiful. A brilliant green stone surrounded by graceful golden wires, hangs from a thin chain, winking in the sunlight as he holds it out to Va’naar. Pulling two more out, he drops the box and holds one in each hand. The stones are the same color, but the settings are more masculine and the chains thicker, sturdier.
“The kiritas are a symbol of our bond. Cut from the same stone, they represent each of us. Each one unique and special, but together they form one piece. Each of us is strong on our own, but we are stronger together,” Ca’lek says, holding the necklaces on either side of the chain that Va’naar holds.
Va’naar slips the delicate kiritas over my head, settling it between my breasts, giving a playful smirk when his knuckle dips into my cleavage and lingers. Nea’lah clears her throat, making him jump at the sound. His guilty little start amuses me, but I smile as Ca’lek hands me the other necklaces.
“Now and forever,” I whisper, slipping the chains over my mates’ heads. I rest a hand over each of their hearts and they reach up covering my hands with theirs.
“Now, forever, and always,” they say in response.
“I present to you all, the union of Var’esh, De’lin, and Parote,” Eldest Nea’lah’s voice rises one last time, only to be drowned out by the cheering of the audience.
Ca’lek pulls me close and kisses me. His hands clench on my back as if he’s afraid to let go. I’m almost dizzy with need when he finally releases me. Va’naar spins me into his arms and takes my lips in a passionate kiss of his own, leaving me to reel as I cling to his shoulders.
Chapter 19
Polly
The ceremony ended almost two hours ago. Once the cheering died down, everyone moved inside to the reception room and settled in to enjoy the food, dancing, and well wishing. I have spent most of it seated, but my feet are terribly swollen and I’m exhausted. Not to mention, I’m starting to hurt. A lot. My feet hurt, my back hurts, my belly hurts. I just hurt.
Now I’m in need of a bathroom before my bladder bursts, embarrassing me. I could use the
lavatory on the first floor, but I also want a quiet moment to relax without being bothered by other guests. Slowly making my way towards the doors, I pause and clutch my stomach when a painful cramp twists my insides and one of the babies kicks in response.
“Everything okay?” Ca’lek asks softly, caressing my cheek with his thumb. “You’re not having any regrets are you?”
“No regrets, I promise! Everything’s fine,” I reassure my worried mate.
How could he possibly think I’m regretting any of this? What a goof!
His eyes bore into mine, turning darker if that were even possible. “You know you can tell me anything. You’re my heart. I’ll always be here for you.” His voice rumbles with pleasure and satisfaction, while he puffs his chest proudly.
“It was just another cramp. Honestly, I probably ate too much. Everyone keeps shoving food in my mouth the moment they see me. I think Mother Da’leah told everyone you guys weren’t feeding me,” I joke, rubbing my belly in small circles. He places his hands over mine, as if wanting to help. My ‘rough around the edges’ mate can be the sweetest when he wants to be.
The cramp dissipates and I lean up on tip-toes and place a gentle, but passionate kiss on his lips. He returns in kind, wrapping his arms around me as he pulls me flat against his chest. Well...flat is a bit of an exaggeration given how huge I am now.
“Mmmmm, delicious. You taste like salu, but I’m feeling hungry for a different taste now. Perhaps we should leave early?”
“I second this idea,” a voice agrees from behind. It’s Va’naar and when he approaches, he places soft kisses on my exposed neck, taking advantage of my weak spots.
Damn this hairdo! It leaves my neck so exposed and they know just how to take advantage of it.
“The two of you are incorrigible! Always trying to get me in your bed!” I say, erupting with laughter. “And as much as I love that idea, I don’t think your parents will be happy if we dip out early, when they worked so hard to put this ceremony together for us.”
The Alien Pirates' Treasure (Star Pirates Book 1) Page 24