Page 91 of Alien Mercenary's Wife
Reese turned to face him, and the love in her eyes made his throat tight. No hesitation, no doubt. She was here because she wanted to be. Because she'd chosen him.
She handed her bouquet to Eris with a smile and turned back to him.
Daaynal moved to the center of the dais, his voice carrying clearly through the hall as he addressed the assembled guests.
"Warriors, nobles, and honored friends… we gather here today for a ceremony that brings me immense joy as both Emperor and father. Today, my son T'Raal claims his mate before the gods and the Empire. For too many years, I believed I had no heir, no blood of my blood to carry on our lineage. But the gods work in mysterious ways, and they have returned to me not just a son, but a warrior of extraordinary honor who has built his own legend among the stars."
He looked directly at T'Raal, pride shining in his eyes. "T'Raal chose his own path, forged his own destiny, and proved his worth not through birthright but through deeds. Today, he chooses a mate who embodies the same strength, courage, and honor that define the finest of our people. Princess Reese has earned her place as his chosen one and as a daughter of the Empire."
Daaynal's gaze swept the crowd, ensuring his words reached every corner of the hall. "Let this bonding serve as proof that love knows no boundaries of species or origin, and that the strongest bonds are forged not by duty, but by choices freely made."
He paused, allowing the weight of the moment to settle over the crowd before beginning the ancient ceremony.
"Blood calls to blood and soul to soul. Soul calls to skin, woman to man, binding the halves of a whole together for all eternity." Daaynal's gaze found Reese, his voice warm. "Princess Reese, do you take this warrior who bears your marks on his skin to bond-mate? To support and honor him for the rest of his life?"
T'Raal held his breath. He knew her answer, but hearing it here and now would make it real.
"I do."
Daaynal turned to him. "Prince T'Raal, do you take this female who has called marks to your skin to bond-mate? To protect her and honor her for the rest of your life?"
The question was just a formality—he'd known his answer since the moment he'd first seen her.
"I do."
Daaynal raised his hands. "Then, as Emperor of the Lathar, I bless your bonding. May it bring much solace and be fruitful."
Daaynal's expression shifted, and he winked. "And in deference to human tradition, this is where you kiss the bride."
The words broke the tension. T'Raal reached for Reese with hands that shook slightly, cupping her face as he'd done countless times before. But this was different—this was for everyone to see. She belonged to him as much as he belonged to her.
When they kissed, everything else disappeared. Just Reese in his arms, kissing him back with the same joy he felt.
When they broke apart, both breathing hard, applause erupted from the assembled crowd.
Daaynal stepped forward.
"I present to you Prince T'Raal and Princess Reese Verran of the house of K'Saan, bonded before the Empire and blessed by the gods."
His human princess.
His mate.
His everything.
EPILOGUE
Her name was Charlotte. Charlotte Mason.
Daaynal stood in the doorway of the medical bay, his gaze fixed on the still form lying in the healing bed. She hadn't been fully conscious when he'd carried her from the transport, her body riddled with the same neural damage that had nearly killed his new daughter-in-law.
But where Reese had been walking wounded, Charlotte had been dying.
He stepped closer, drawn to her despite himself. The woman in the bed bore very little resemblance to the fierce veteran he'd read about in the intelligence reports. Her features were tight with pain, even in unconsciousness.
Hair more ice than blonde fanned out on the pillow around her head. He found himself staring, unable to look away. He was a warrior emperor. He'd killed his first assassin as a child, and he'd been in more battles than he could remember, but even so, he winced at the jagged scar that cut across her cheek.
She was beautiful in the way that dangerous things were.
