Page 73 of Sy

Then his expression fell. “But please don’t do that. Sy really loves you.”

Fresh tears welled in her eyes.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “Both of you. I…” She straightened her shoulders. “But I promise, I won’t be needing an escape route today.”

The two boys beamed at her, relief written into every line of their bodies.

Lila squeezed her hand. “Ready?”

The garrison’s main doors loomed before them, ancient wood gleaming in the afternoon sun. Beyond those doors waited Sy, the warrior who’d claimed her heart despite—or perhaps because of—all their differences.

“Ready,” she said, and this time her voice didn’t shake.

The massive doors began to swing open with a groan of ancient mechanisms, and her heart thundered. This was it. This was the moment she’d step forward and choose her future—not because anyone forced her but because love had brought her here, to this planet, to these people, to Sy.

She took the first step forward, Kal and Tor moving into place on either side of her, their youthful pride evident in every step. Lila walked behind her, her daughter’s presence wrapping her in another layer of support and love.

The garrison’s main hall took her breath away. The vast stone chamber was packed with faces—human and Izaean alike. Even a few feral Izaeans had come, standing at the back of the crowd and glaring at everyone who got near with red eyes. Tears welled again in Ashley’s eyes. The sight of so many people gathered to witness her getting married made her heart skip.

But then she saw Sy, and everything else faded away.

He stood at the end of the aisle, tall and proud. He’d cleaned his leathers until they gleamed, and his dirty blond hair was slicked back from his face. The overhead lights caught the sharp angles of his features, highlighting the alien characteristics that made it so obvious he wasn’t human. Not that she cared—he was the most handsome man she’d ever seen.

Her warrior.

Her Sy.

The way he looked at her… like she was his sun, moon, and stars all at once. Like she was precious beyond measure. How had she gotten so lucky?

She clutched her bouquet tighter as Kal and Tor escorted her down the aisle. Each step brought her closer to her future, and she couldn’t tear her eyes away from her handsome alien mate’s face. His expression softened with such tenderness that tears threatened again. She blinked them back, determined not to cry before the ceremony even began.

Kraath stood on the raised dais, wearing what appeared to be an official sash across his chest. His stern face softened into a smile as she approached, though his eyes remained sharp and assessing.

When they reached the dais, Kal and Tor stepped aside with matching grins, taking their places near Sy. Lila moved to stand beside Michelle in the front row, taking Ashley’s bouquet with her. Then it was just Ashley and Sy, facing each other before Kraath.

The garrison commander lifted his hands, and the murmur of voices died away instantly.

“We are brought here today,” his deep voice carried across the hall, “to witness something extraordinary. It is rare for two souls to travel so far to find each other through the vastness of space. But they have. And today, we celebrate as Warrior Sy andLady Ashley join their lives together, proving that love knows no boundaries—not of planets, not of species, and not of culture. Their union represents hope for all of us, proving that love reaches beyond all differences. Please…” He turned to them to say, “face one other and take the hand of your mate.”

Sy’s hands were warm and strong, familiar now after all they’d been through together. She squeezed gently, and his answering pressure made her smile.

Kraath’s voice rang out clear and strong, carrying to the back of the hall. “Blood calls to blood and soul to soul.” His words filled the silent air, ancient and formal. “Soul calls to skin, woman to man, binding the halves of a whole together for all eternity.”

Kraath turned to her. “Lady Ashley, do you take this warrior who bears your marks on his skin to be your bond mate, to support and honor him for the rest of his life?”

Tears filled her eyes as she looked up at Sy. “I do.” She nodded.

“Warrior Sy, do you take this female who has called marks on your skin to be your bond mate, to protect her and honor her for the rest of your life?”

Sy’s smile was radiant as he gazed down at her.

“I do,” he said, his voice so certain that her heart felt too full to contain all her love for him.

She watched as Kraath produced a length of red cloth.

“This binding,” he said, holding up the ceremonial cloth so all could see, “is merely a physical symbol of what already exists between these two.”

He began wrapping the cloth around their joined hands, the rich red fabric a contrast against their skin.

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