Page 60 of Alien Engineer's Mate

"When did..." Her voice failed as understanding hit. "During the trial? You had these during the trial and didn't say anything?"

"I couldn't." His voice was rough with emotion. "If I'd revealed them, you would have been bound to me. You and the children would have shared whatever punishment they gaveme." His fingers caught hers where they traced the marks. "I couldn't do that to you. Couldn't condemn you to my fate."

She silenced him with a fierce kiss. When she pulled back, tears blurred her vision. "You impossible, honorable, stubborn bastard." The words came out half-laugh, half-sob. "You would have given up everything to protect us?"

"I would give up anything for you, even my life itself." His forehead pressed against hers. "For you. For our children. But now..." A dangerous smile touched his lips. "Now I don't have to. Now I can claim you properly, with both imperial and divine blessing." He pulled back just enough to meet her eyes. "Marry me, Eira Coleman. Be my mate in every way that matters."

Joy burst through in her chest like a supernova, bright enough to burn away every lingering shadow of fear. "Yes." She laughed through her tears, watching his smile grow wider. "Of course yes. As if there was ever any other answer."

He kissed her again, and she could feel him smiling against her lips. Around them, the courtroom erupted in fresh celebration. She barely heard them. Her entire universe had contracted to this moment, to his arms around her and their love.

"We should get back to the children," she managed when they finally broke apart. "Emily needs to see you're safe."

"Our children." He caught her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm. "All of them. Our family."

"Our family," she agreed and kissed him one more time.

Just because she could.

Just because they had forever stretching before them, blessed by both gods and empire.

Just because they were finally, completely, and wonderfully free.

The flickerof the entertainment screen cast soft shadows across his children's sleeping faces. She was curled against Maax's side, one small hand clutching Red Dragon, while Grace had fallen asleep with her head in Eira's lap, dark hair spilling across the fabric of her mother's dress.

His mate—he could finally call her that now—stroked gentle fingers through Grace's hair. The tender gesture made his heart clench, reminding him how close he'd come to losing all of this.

Kyle fought sleep from his position on the floor, his datapad forgotten beside him as he struggled to keep his eyes open. Leaning forward, he removed the device from the boy's hand before he could drop it on his face.

"Papa?" Emily mumbled against his chest, not fully awake.

"Shhh." He smoothed her hair back again. "Sleep, little one. You're safe."

A soft knock at the door broke through the peaceful moment. Kyle's head snapped up, alert in an instant despite his exhaustion.

Sheena stood in the doorway, her advocate's robes from earlier replaced with casual clothing that made her look much younger.

"I hope I'm not too early," she said in a low voice, mindful of the sleeping children.

"Right on time." Eira smiled warmly. "Leo should be ready in a moment."

Maax shifted Emily's weight to Eira, allowing him to stand without waking her. He crossed to Sheena with measured steps.

"I owe you more than I can ever repay," he said. "You fought for my family like a true warrior."

Color darkened her gray skin, but she met his gaze steadily. "I fought for justice. The law must serve truth, not politics and certainly not anyone's personal agenda."

The words—and the steel behind them—confirmed his suspicions about her heritage. No ordinary advocate would speak with such certainty about justice. The Taci family's influence reached to the highest levels of the Tavkronian Council itself.

Leo emerged from his room, and Maax didn't miss how Sheena's whole bearing shifted at the sight of him. The boy carried himself with quiet confidence, so much like his father in the holographs Eira had shared with him.

"A moment," Maax stopped Leo with a gentle hand on his shoulder. "She is precious beyond measure. Look after her."

Leo nodded. "With my life," he promised.

"Oh honestly," Eira's fond exasperation carried from the couch. "He's as bad as you are about protecting everyone."

"Worse," Sheena agreed, but her smile was soft as she took Leo's offered arm.

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