Page 37 of Dark Horizon New Dawn

His fellow Guardians were particularly revelrous tonight, which was to be expected after a mission. There was nothing like killing scum who truly deserved it to put everyone in a good mood.

Peter was still clapping when the newlyweds took to the dance floor for their first dance as an officially married couple. Brundar and Callie had been mated for a while, and yet seeing them swaying in each other's arms, lost in their private universe, made him a little emotional.

Thankfully, he wasn't the only one. Anandur was wiping tears from his eyes, and for once, he wasn't pretending.

Who would have thought that the stoic Brundar could deliver such beautiful vows to his bride?

Callie and Brundar's vows had been touching, but then Peter had found all the previous couples' vows moving.

Love was truly a beautiful thing, and he hoped to one day find his own fated mate, but the waiting line was long, and there were many ahead of him.

No one knew for sure why the Fates rewarded some with the boon of a fated mate and not others, but the belief was that it had to do with the sacrifices one had made for other people or the terrible suffering that one had endured.

The only hardship Peter had ever suffered was when Emmett had abducted him, and he'd been afraid of being used as a stud bull for Kra-ell Dormants, but even though it had been a scary experience, he really hadn't been harmed, so it probably didn't count as enduring great suffering.

Bottom line, he wasn't expecting his truelove mate to appear anytime soon.

After Annani departed, Peter waited until the servers emerged with their trays and scanned the room. Looking for a glint of blue hair, he spotted Marina weaving between the tables while expertly balancing a tray laden with champagne flutes.

She'd promised him a dance at the wedding, and he intended to collect on that promise sooner than later. He also had plans for her later that night, and he had a feeling that she would be more than amenable to those plans.

Rising to his feet, Peter made his way through the crowd, zeroing in on Marina.

Seeing him heading her way, her eyes widened, and a smile ghosted her lips. She shook her head slightly, hinting that she wasn't ready for him to collect on her promise, but he was impatient, and he needed to hold her in his arms right away.

Hell, he'd been imagining that since the moment she'd promised him that dance, her lips curving in a seductive smile and the scent of her arousal nearly bringing him to his knees.

It had flared for only a moment, but it had been enough to imprint itself on his psyche for eternity.

Kagra's words suddenly sounded in his mind, chilling his fervor. You are a romantic, Peter, and you fall too easily. You are enamored with the notion of love.

So what? Love was the spice of life, and even though neither Kagra nor Marina could be his fated one, he wasn't looking for a forever love. For-now love was good enough, for the simple reason that it was the only kind available to him.

When he reached Marina, he plucked the tray from her hands, put it down on the nearest table, and took her hand. "Come dance with me."

"I can't. I'm working." She reached for the tray.

"You can take a break. If anyone has a problem with that, they can take it up with me."

She still hesitated.

"Just one dance. The world won't crumble if the champagne is served a minute later."

"Fine," she said in a resigned tone. "Just one dance, and if Mila comes to scream at me, I'll point her in your direction." She untied her apron and draped it over the back of a vacant chair.

"Attagirl." He took her hand. "This morning, you spoke of freedom and choices. I'd say choosing to take a break to dance embodies that sentiment."

Marina laughed. "That's a great argument. I wonder what Mila would think of it."

"I don't really care." He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close against his body.

She laughed again, nervously this time. "This is not a slow dance."

"I don't really care," he repeated. "I've dreamt of doing this since you promised me a dance this morning."

Her eyes sparkled as she looked up at him. "Me too," she whispered.

As an electric charge of attraction pulsed between them, he wanted to kiss her so badly, but he was acutely aware of the eyes on them. Some were smiling, others seemed curious, and still others looked disapproving.

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