Mara joined them, offering Twilka a fragrant bouquet of the local flowers, all in vivid colors, the combined scent not unlike the perfume of the White Lady herself. “The monk allowed me to pick these—he even suggested a few blooms. I think he’s enjoying this rare occasion. Shall I walk you down the aisle?” She gave Nick a small push. “You two go join the monk and wait for us.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Grinning, Nick bent to brush a kiss over her lips before he pulled Khevan away, stepping into the garden.
Alone with her friend for a moment, Twilka raised the stunning bouquet to her nose and took a deep breath. Fingering the petals of one particularly gorgeous purple flower, she said, “I don’t know that I ever expected to actually marry anyone. Kind of an unusual step for a Socialite like me. We either stay single or we have a Sectors-wide blowout and spend a lot of daddy’s money, you know?” She gave Mara a sideways glance. “Then get divorced a year or two later and move on.”
Mara hugged her, careful not to crush the flowers. “But you do want to proceed? Because we can stop the ceremony…”
“I want this more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my entire life. I mean, after what we’ve been through, nothing can separate Khevan and me ever again, but he’s a very traditional guy under all that sexy black leather, apparently. And, to my surprise, I think I am too. Who knew?” She grinned, admiring the tariqna ring coiled around her finger. “His proposal after merdamier ended was breathtaking. I even have an engagement ring, courtesy of the Lady in White. Hey, I can use this as inspiration for a new line of wedding attire.”
“All right, I’ve seen that look on your face before.” Taking her elbow and adjusting Twilka’s hair ever so slightly, Mara drew her forward. “No designing until after the ceremony and we’re safely off the planet. Let’s go get you married.”
About to make some witty quip in reply, Twilka raised her eyes and saw Khevan waiting at the far end of the garden, in the very spot where she’d cried her eyes out after he disappeared from her life five years ago. Nick and the Renegade flanked him and a small group of hastily assembled monks were off to the side, singing to the accompaniment of a flute and what looked like a violin.
Khevan had evidently been watching for her and his face lit up in an unaccustomed, huge smile as she and Mara walked along the path toward the small group, timing their steps to the rhythm of the monk choir’s lilting music.
As the song ended, Mara squeezed Twilka’s hand before transferring it to Khevan’s, whose grip crushed her fingers.
“Relax,” she stage whispered, leaning toward him. “We’ve got this.”
“There is no life without you,” he said.
The senior monk cleared his throat. “I have the proper words to recite, if you’d like to continue this ceremony in the accepted fashion.” The twinkle in his eye belied the stern tone. “I realize you need no vows, no blessing from me, to seal the bond between you, but as we stand in the Lady’s garden, let us proceed.”
Twilka handed the bouquet to Mara so she could grasp both of Khevan’s hands. The ceremony was quick and she knew she’d barely remember the words she’d spoken later, but when the monk pronounced them united, Khevan swept her into his arms for a kiss that seemed to go on forever while their friends cheered, the monks sang, and a flight of white tariqnas flew an intricate pattern overhead, weaving through sparkling bursts of color in the sky.
“The White Lady isn’t subtle, is she?” Safe in Khevan’s arms, Twilka stared at the display overhead in the morning sky. “Will her sister be upset? I love it, but the display does seem like a pointed jab.”
“Your new wife is correct,” the Renegade said. “Far be it from me to criticize either goddess, but I think you should be going. Now.”
“Ordinarily, I’d provide a feast and order more songs in your honor from my chorus. Your friends would offer toasts.” The Senior Monk appeared a bit sad as he contemplated the festivities that would have to be foregone. “But your groundcar awaits you at the rear of the temple.”
“I’ve told Rafferty to be ready to lift off the moment we arrive,” Nick said, bending to kiss Twilka on the cheek. “You made a beautiful bride, kid.”
Clutching her bouquet, Twilka said a hurried thank you to the monk before Khevan and her friends swept her away, hastening through the halls of the White Lady’s temple behind a young brother who radiated excitement at all the unusual occurrences.
True to the monk’s promise, a groundcar was waiting, engine revving.
They piled in and the driver took off almost before the door was shut, heading for the spaceport beyond the ancient city. The Renegade remained behind, standing on the temple steps, watching them pull away.
Twilka leaned into Khevan’s embrace and took another deep breath of the flowers’ perfume before gazing into his eyes. “This reminds me of the last time I left Temple Home, except today is so much better, to be leaving free and clear with you.”
“I regret the time we lost,” he said, his voice low, the words meant for her ears alone.
She shook her head. “I think we had to take a winding path to this point, to really appreciate what we’ve won.”
“Surviving the wreck of the Nebula Dream was enough to bind Nick and Mara forever,” he said.
“We’re more complicated. But I like that about us, now that the waiting, the loneliness, and the battle is over.” She pulled him closer for a kiss.
“No regrets?”
Twilka shook her head, stroking his cheek, now bare of any tattoo or mark. He captured her hand, dropping a tender kiss on her ring finger.
“I did forget to ask the monk to add one thing to the wedding vows.”
Head tilted, he gazed at her with a smile. “And what might that be?”
“Considering everything we’ve been through, starting with the Nebula Dream and up through today, I want a promise from you that our future will never be boring. We’ve set a high standard now and you know we Socialites can’t stand to be bored.” She felt giddy with the pleasure of being together finally, no obstacles standing between them and the life she craved with Khevan. Teasing him just added to the fun.
His laugh filled the groundcar, startling Nick and Mara, who’d been having their own private conversation in the front.
“I assure you, my beautiful bride, no moment of a life with you will be boring.”
“Good.”
“Although anyone made of less stern stuff than you might request some peace and quiet,” he said with a sly grin.
She shook her head although she was laughing. “That’s a deal breaker for me, non-negotiable.”
“Consider the issue moot, not worthy of another thought. And just in case this sedate car ride is beginning to bore you…” He hit the privacy screen button, obscuring the view of their seats from the car’s other occupants and gathered her close. “Allow me to demonstrate my good intentions.”
Thank you for reading STAR SURVIVORS!
Don’t miss the first book in the connected series:
ESCAPE FROM ZULAIRE
Andi Markriss hasn’t exactly enjoyed being the house guest of the planetary high-lord, but her company sent her to represent them at a political wedding. When hotshot space marine Captain Tom Deverane barges in on the night of the biggest social event of the summer, Andi isn’t about to offend her high-ranking host on Deverane’s say-so—no matter how sexy he is, or how much he believes they need to leave now.
Deverane was thinking about how to spend his retirement bonus when HQ assigned him one last mission: rescue a civilian woman stranded on a planet on the verge of civil war. Someone has pulled some serious strings to get her plucked out of the hot zone. Deverane’s never met anyone so hard-headed—or so appealing. Suddenly his mission to protect this one woman has become more than just mere orders.
That mission proves more dangerous than he expected when rebel fighters attack the village and raze it to the ground. Deverane escapes with Andi–barely. On their hazardous journey t
hrough the wilderness, Andi finds herself fighting her uncomfortable attraction to the gallant and courageous captain. But Deverane’s not the type to settle down, and running for one’s life doesn’t leave much time for romance.
Then Andi is captured by the rebel fighters, but Deverane has discovered that Zulaire’s so-called civil war is part of a terrifying alien race’s attempt to subjugate the entire Sector. If he pushes on to the capitol, Andi will die. Deverane must decide whether to save the woman he loves, or sacrifice her to save Zulaire.
Please enjoy this excerpt from Escape from Zulaire…
The Sectors Special Forces captain awaiting Andi in the library stood with his back to the door, hands on his hips, staring at one of Lord Tonkiln’s prized abstract paintings. Well over six feet of hard warrior, he’d rolled his camouflage uniform sleeves up, revealing muscular arms matching the rest of his physique. Andi glimpsed the hint of an intriguing tattoo, a black sword wreathed in comets, on one bicep. His hair was sandy brown, a bit shaggy for military correctness. He tapped the toe of his boot against the expensive mahogany floor. The captain’s whole attitude suggested a man poised for decisive action at a moment’s notice, reinforced by the way he wheeled at the sound of the door opening.
“Finally.” His glance at the military chrono on his tanned wrist was an unconscious gesture of annoyance at time forever lost.
Green eyes in a tanned, ruggedly handsome face. Andi’s knees went a little wobbly for a moment. My particular weakness in a man. Classic square jaw, straight nose, high forehead with a small scar on his cheek.
His eyebrows drew together in a frown. “Miss Markriss?”
“Why are you here?” Andi snapped out of her fascination with his features, feeling her cheeks grow hot. Wow, was I blatantly staring or what? “Has something happened to Dave Flintmay? The Loxton planetary agent?”
Flashing very white teeth in that tanned face, he smiled at her, but the too-easy grin didn’t reach his tired eyes. “Don’t you people get the news out here? Comlinks broken?”
She blinked, trying to follow this unexpected conversation starter. “What?”
Lady Tonkiln received a stack of messages each morning, from either her husband or friends in the capital. Lysanda also had many messages, filled with inconsequential social gossip. Nothing for Andi, but then, everyone knew she was on an extended vacation from the office. The Loxton operation was on its summer hiatus along with most of Zulaire. “Of course we get news. What does that have to do with anything? Captain, what are you doing here?”
Glancing at Iraku, the officer’s lips tightened as if he bit back some hasty comment. Unabashedly eavesdropping, the Naranti servant remained by the open door. “Thank you, I think the lady and I can manage.”
Andi stifled a laugh. The gardener’s assistant had been right—the captain’s accent was pretty bad, soft on the consonants and missing the required prefixes. His hypnotraining must have been a rush job.
Iraku stared at the outworlder, who glared back, jaw clenched, one hand resting on the butt of his blaster.
I never tried outright dismissal on the old dictator. Avoiding him sure doesn’t work. Breaking the silence, Andi tried for a gracious note. “Thanks for escorting me, Iraku. Can you do me a favor and inform Lady Tonkiln I’ve returned to the house, since she was concerned?” Blinking at last, the servant bowed low. He left without another word but drew the door closed behind him in a leisurely fashion calculated to infuriate the impatient captain.
As Andi watched in disbelief, Deverane crossed to the door. Opening it a few inches, he checked to be sure Iraku hadn’t lingered within earshot, before shutting the door again.
Offering no explanation to Andi for the cautious maneuver, he gestured toward the overstuffed chairs grouped in front of the fireplace. “Would you like to sit?”
“No, thank you, I want to know what’s going on.” She took a deep breath, trying to calm her frayed nerves. Is all this mystery necessary?
“Captain Tom Deverane, Sectors Special Forces.” He walked to the chairs himself. To be polite, she joined him, shaking his proffered hand before seating herself. “Excuse my dust,” he said. “But I’ve been in the Western Plains and the Abujan mountain range for quite some time now.”
“Why don’t you try telling me something relevant about why you’re here?” Many a slow-moving clerk at the Loxton offices had jumped at that peremptory tone from her.
“I forget you’ve been out of the loop.” Sitting down, Deverane leaned forward, putting his hands on his knees and taking a deep breath. “Two days ago I got urgent orders, relayed from Sector Command, diverting me from my primary mission. The new priority was to come five hundred miles out of our way to extract you for a safe return to the capital city.” From the dry tone in his voice, Andi guessed how little he’d appreciated the change. “Now, if you could get your things together, I’d like to be on our way before dark.”
She blinked. Today? He wants me to leave now? Andi shifted back into the chair’s embrace, crossing her legs. “Get my things—what are you talking about? I’m the guest of Lord Tonkiln’s family, and I’m expected to present a significant gift from Loxton at the reception tonight with due ceremony. I can’t ride off with you on literally a moment’s notice without some compelling reason. Why is your Command issuing orders concerning me anyway?”
The captain got up in one smooth motion, like a great cat uncurling, paced to the fireplace and back, then half sat on the edge of a sturdy table. I bet he’s a person in constant motion—discussing anything in patient detail doesn’t appear to be his style. Well, I’m not one of his soldiers and I don’t take orders from him, so he’d better explain himself.
“Miss Markriss—”
“Call me Andi.” And let’s get this discussion on a less military, more personal level so you stop trying to give me orders.
The quick, meaningless smile crossed his handsome face again, never reaching his eyes. “Andi. In case you haven’t heard, this entire planet is about to be embroiled in a devastating Clan war.”
Click to get more info about Escape from Zulaire.
***
Thanks again for reading STAR SURVIVORS. I really hope you enjoyed it.
You’ve just read the latest book in The Sectors SF Romance Series. All books in this series take place in the same adventurous world of brave space soldiers and the competent ladies who love them. You can read the books back to back, or as individual, stand-alone stories. The other books in the series are Escape from Zulaire, Wreck of the Nebula Dream, Mission to Mahjundar, Hostage to the Stars, and Trapped on Talonque.
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Also by Veronica Scott
Science Fiction Romance
The Star Cruise Series
Star Cruise: Marooned
Star Cruise: Outbreak
Standalone SFR
Lady of the Star Wind
***
Ancient Egyptian Romance
(with a dash of the paranormal too!)
The Gods of Egypt Series
Priestess of the Nile
Warrior of the Nile
Dancer of the Nile
Magic of the Nile
Ghost of the Nile
Healer of the Nile
Table of Contents
Copyright
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Star Survivor
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Also by Veronica Scott
ading books on Archive.
Star Survivor (The Sectors SF Romance Series Book 6) Page 15