Page 64 of Rescuing Mara

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O’Rec

My mate is exquisite.I have no words for the pleasure I just experienced. I feel like I have left my body, and I am now floating down to reclaim myself. Slowly, I slide my cock out of her sex, settling down beside her. She raises her hand and brushes my hair back. Playing with the loose strands. Sadness shoots through me when I think of how I failed her with the Sternotheri.

“Don’t go there,” she whispers as she pulls my head down for a kiss. “You did everything you could. Yes, they took your hair, but they did not take your life. I’d rather have you alive than with your braids intact.

“You are right, my clever mate.” I sigh as I lazily stroke her back, my tail lodged around her leg. “I love having you in my arms.”

She snuggles into my embrace even deeper. “And I love being there.”

We remain silent for a while before she speaks again.

“I am so grateful to be your mate, O’Rec. All my life, I have known nothing but misery, abuse, and hate. You have shown me love, you have shown me a life worth living. I hope we have children soon to share our love with them. So, they know what it’s like to grow up cherished and loved.”

I lift her chin with my finger, staring into her eyes.

“Thank you, Marra, for giving me purpose in life again. I was lost, and I did not even know it. You give me strength, and your love gives me hope. You give me the confidence that I have what it takes to be a leader to my people.” I lean in and kiss her tenderly.

“You are everything, my star. I showed you the future I want with you, and I will do everything in my power to give it to you.”

EPILOGUE

Mara

Lauren and Kepti fuss over me in O’Rec’s bedroom. Kepti pulled some strings and together with some of the other women, made me a beautiful gown to wear to the coronation ceremony. I know O’Rec is having mixed feelings. There is joy but also sadness over the men we lost and worry about T’Rak.

The ceremony for his brother and the others was beautiful, simple, and heartfelt. O’Rec surprised everyone by talking about how we should not hate all Sternotheri. They self-destructed almost their entire race, and even though circumstances were different, we should not treat them like they have the Arracate. He promised us a future of peace and a future where we help the ones in need, even if we were enemies before.

I don’t know if it’s even feasible, but it shows how amazing he is as a leader. There were some murmurs, and T’Rak left soon after, but he is always fair, and I don’t think he meant the High Commander.

I hope he will be here today, though. We haven’t seen him since, which throws a cloud upon our day.

“Don’t be sad, Mara,” Lauren walks to me and hugs me tight. “Today is a joyful day. There are great things coming for the Arracate. You and O’Rec give the people hope. Hope they haven’t felt in a long, long time.”

“Yes, my dear,” Kepti agrees and takes my hand. “You are the perfect mate for our Prince. I, for one, cannot wait to call you my Queen.”

I sniff. “You two are going to make me cry!”

They laugh, and we hug again. A knock on the door interrupts our moment.

“Come in!” I yell. M’Ran shyly enters the room.

“My Que.. My lady, will you please join me? I will lead you to your king so you can enter the courtyard together.” I smile and place my hand on the arm he holds out for me.

“With pleasure, M’Ran.”

O’Rec is in our living quarters. His chest is bare, and he wears some sort of ceremonial … loincloth. It’s white, long, and held together around his waist by a broad belt, exposing his hips and the outside of his thighs. His tattoos are on full display, and he looks gorgeous. A bolt of lust flares through me and he looks up with a smirk.

“You look amazing yourself, my star,”he tells me, and I beam. My dress is beautiful, that’s true. It’s made of the same material as O’Rec’s clothing, but the hem and the sleeves are embroidered with gold stars. The sleeves open once the fabric passes my shoulders and are held together by a band at my wrist. It gives me the feeling I have wings, and I slowly walk towards my mate.

“Do you like my dress, my King?”

He pulls me towards him when I’m within reaching distance and kisses me. “I like your dress, my Queen.”

M’Ran clears his throat, breaking us apart. O’Rec takes my arm, and we follow M’Ran into the courtyard. The first-night O’Rec brought me home, I failed to notice its magnitude. Artificial sun lamps hang from a coved ceiling, bathing the space in warm light. The walls are covered in plants, and right now, the place is filled with every single person who lives on the Ring.

M’Ran guides us through until we are standing in the center of the terrace. We are encircled by the Arracate, the elders in the front row are seated, and all the others stand behind them. Row after row of people. It’s silent. Everybody waits for M’Ran to speak.

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