Page 129 of The Sovereign: Part One
“Your presence means a great deal,” Maxim said, clasping each of their hands with sincerity.
The twins looked entirely enchanted, and I could hardly blame them.I’d spent nearly every moment of the past thirty days beside him, and still, each time Maxim appeared at our Sablestone, I needed a breath to remind myself he was real.
Stellan turned his back toward his family slightly, leaning in.“I didn’t want to bother you during your Vesture, but the IRDAA Bill you’ve been working on?It should pass Monday morning.”
My mouth fell open.“It…” I trailed off, breathing out a laugh.“But it wasn’t on the schedule until next month.”
Stellan winked at me.“Consider it an Oathbond present.I wanted to tell you myself.”
“Thank you!”I said, throwing my arms around him, then quickly thought better of it.I glanced up at Maxim.“The Individuality Recognition and Design Autonomy Act.I’ve been working on it for two years; it affirms the personhood and operational dignity of Hiven.”I turned back to Stellan.“But wait.I haven’t been over the final.Do you think I could…?”
He chuckled.“Isara, I have a full team handling it.I’ll review the final draft personally before it moves forward.For now, you’re newly Oathbonded, and it’s your birthday.Enjoy it!”
“I know, but I… if it’ll be voted on Monday morning, I’d really like to make sure the language is solid.”I glanced up at Maxim.“Would you mind if we stopped by my office on the way?”
“Of course not.I know it’s important to you.”
I lifted up on the balls of my feet to plant a kiss on his cheek.“Thank you, sincerely.Today is important to me, too.”
“But we have thirty days of Accordance.It can wait another hour or two.”
I beamed at Stellan.“Isn’t he wonderful?”
“Indeed, he is.Just pin your approved final to the Forum grid and I’ll take a look first thing Monday.And after that?”Stellan asked, arching one brow.
“Enjoy, yes, sir.Director Dorne… I will.Thank you so much.”I could barely form the words, squeezing Maxim to me as the Dornes turned to leave.“Did you hear that?DidIhear that?You truly don’t mind, right?You’re not just saying that to be polite?”
Maxim’s hands settled gently on my shoulders before he bent to press a kiss to my lips, unhurried, anchoring.“All I want is for you to be happy,” he said.“Whatever that looks like, whatever it takes.”
I jumped up to hug him, squeezing him tight.“Thank you!This is so unbelievably rude and selfish, I’m so sorry, but thank yousomuch!”
We walked hand in hand, both of us stealing glances at our rings, grinning each time like it was the first we’d noticed them.In the transport, Maxim made sure our bags were secure before instructing Calyx to take us to the Dominion Building.The ride was a blur of laughter and conversation, about the ceremony, the vows, how we felt in our skin now that the words had been spoken.But more than once, Maxim lifted my hand, studying the ring that now circled my finger.His eyes lingered, almost disbelieving, as if the sight were too unimaginable to believe.Finally, he pressed a kiss to it, a silent prayer sealed against my skin.
The transport eased to a halt outside the Dominion.I offered a polite nod to the atrium steward, Fio, a hospitality-grade Hiven posted near the entrance, then scanned my badge and guided Maxim toward the Ascens.Heads turned as we passed, still dressed in full Oathbond formality, our attire and joined hands drawing more attention than either of us had thought to anticipate.
Inside the Ascens, Maxim wasted no time.He turned to me like gravity itself had shifted, backing me gently against the cool transpane, his body a wall of heat and restraint.
“Hold still,” he murmured, fingers sliding up to the back of my mock-neck collar.I heard the faint pop of each button, and then the glide of fabric giving way as he loosened the high neckline and bared the curve of my throat.
His mouth found my skin instantly—hot, desperate, devastating.He kissed beneath my jaw, then lower, until his lips brushed along the hollow of my collarbone.I clutched at his coat, breath shallow, hips tipping toward his without meaning to.One hand slid down my spine, the other eased the neckline of my dress just enough to deepen the access, and, to my dismay, the sound I made was barely human.
“You have no idea,” he said with labored breath against my skin, “how difficult it’s been to wait.”
I swallowed a groan as the Ascens began to slow, and in the next moment, Maxim righted himself.The fabric slid back into place with a gentle tug, and his fingers moved quickly, rebuttoning the collar at the nape of my neck with maddening finesse.A final kiss to my temple, and he stood tall, composed, elegant—every Sovereign’s dream.
The panels opened, and he offered his arm like he hadn’t just melted me with his mouth in thirty vertical seconds.
“I need to tell you I fully endorse what you’re doing.And also, this is torture,” Maxim said, stopping just short of my office.
“The bill is already fairly clean.I just want to make sure.I’ll be quick, I promise.Calyx?The panel.”
“No,” Maxim said, stopping me just outside.He shook his head, anchoring himself against the wall above me with his fist, just one arm barring me from going inside.He leaned in close.“Do I want you in bed all to myself?Yes.”He winced.“More than you could possibly fathom.”He shook off the thoughts in his head and exhaled.“But you’ve been working on this bill for two years, Isara.Truly, there’s no rush.Take as much time as you need.”
My shoulders fell, and my brows pulled together.“I really did just bond myself to the perfect man.”
He scanned my face, a small grin turning up the edges of his mouth.“Go on,” he said, his eyes flicking to the threshold.
I rushed inside.“Calyx?”
