Page 24 of Varro's Human Bride
“Good morning,Xerr.” She glanced around the room and then breathed a sigh of relief, and he suspected she’d been making sure she was still in their home.
“Is-is it time for my whipping?”
“I am not going to punish you, Julie. Yes, you lied to me, but I am understanding of the extenuating circumstances which led you to do so. I’ll admit I was stunned when I first realized you were lying about your identity. But how can I even be angry? Your deception brought you to me.”
“You are much kinder than I deserve,Xerr.”
She fell silent for a while, her demeanor turning pensive.
“You told your family about me.” Her tone was calm, no hint of accusation in her voice. She wasn’t upset he’d told everyone her secrets, she was simply stating it as a fact.
“Yes, I told my father and my brothers.”
“They must hate me now.”
He shook his head. “They do not hate you, little human. My father was shocked, but he did not say one unkind word about you and if he had, I would have defended you and forced him to recant his words. Tarrkuans mate for life, Julie. You are my wife, my blessed mate, and even he understands this. So do my brothers. None of them expected me to set you aside. But even if they had, it would not change things. Nothing could cause me to set you aside, my sweet mate, for I love you.”
Her eyes widened further and she sucked in a rapid breath. “You-you love me?”
“Yes, I do. I should have told you sooner, little human.”
She touched the side of his face. “I love you, too,Xerr, with all my heart.”
Her words propelled him into the clouds, his sudden joy was so great. He hugged her to his chest and kissed the top of her head, inhaling her fragrant floral scent and thanking the Gods for bringing her into his life. It saddened him that her parents’ death had caused her to decide to leave Earth and come here in the first place, but he could not change the past and bring her mother and father back. But he could vow to take care of her and love her forever. With him, she would always have a home. A place to belong.
“I-I can’t give you children,Xerr. The treatments that modify a chosen Tarrkuan bride’s DNA, I never received them as a child. I know I’m well past the age at which the treatments must be started. I’m so sorry.”
“You need not apologize.” He smoothed a hand through her silken golden locks.
“But you need an heir for—”
“I no longer need an heir. Legally, my brother Gnoss is now recognized as the oldest son in our family. We all signed the required documents and he pledged an oath to my father. Gnoss’s oldest son, Bettnis, is now second in line to rule all Rantholl holdings, including our family seat in Parliament. Though I’m no longer recognized as the oldest, I’ve been appointed to continue overseeing the mining operations in the mountains, as I have always had a good rapport with the workers. Gnoss has also appointed me to become his advisor when he takes his seat in Parliament, a great honor which I could not refuse.”
“You gave up your placement as the oldest sonfor me?” She blinked hard and a sheen of moisture glimmered in her eyes. “I can’t ask you to do that,Xerr. If you—”
He cupped her face and brushed his lips across hers, quieting her protests, a soft sweet kiss also intended to soothe her lingering worries. “It’s already been done. I never cared about the power or prestige of being the Head of House Rantholl. It was simply a duty I was born to fulfill, an obligation I had intended to meet to the best of my ability, but not because I wanted the position. More than anything in this life, I want you, Julie. I need you. Say you’ll be my wife and my mate, always.”
She smiled through her tears, which he was quick to wipe away. After swallowing hard, she held his stare as a newfound glow surrounded her, an aura of bright light and happiness. Her eyes began to sparkle, lightening to the most vivid shade of blue he’d ever seen.
“I will,” she finally replied. “Always.”
* * *
The hover transportglided through the streets of Ashorr to a grouping of houses on the edge of the city. Julie’s heart raced and she clutched Varro’s hand harder.
“Oh,Xerr, I can’t believe you’re taking me to see my sister.” She wiped several tears away. “I’m so happy I can’t stop crying. Ah, I always cry when I’m happy. I hope that doesn’t bother you.” She pecked him on the cheek in a playful manner and then couldn’t help but pause to admire his handsome, masculine profile.
“I believe we’re almost there, little human.”
The transport came to a halt and she leaned over Varro to look out the window. Four years. It had been four long years since Julie had seen Nova in person. Sure, she’d spoken to her via a video comm frequently, and while that was a blessing it wasn’t the same as seeing her in person and giving her a hug. Especially now that they’d lost their parents.
Varro helped Julie out of the transport and guided her to the front door, which glided open before they even had a chance to ring the bell.
“Julie!”
“Nova!”
The sisters embraced, laughing and crying at the same time. Julie was overwhelmed with joy. When she heard two male Tarrkuan voices, she peeked one eye open and saw Varro speaking with Zylonn. It appeared they were holding a pleasant conversation, and Julie’s smile widened when she noticed her youngest nephew, less than a year old, wriggling around in Zylonn’s arms, and clinging to his leg was her oldest nephew, a sturdy looking boy of three with chubby blue cheeks and a tangle of black hair.
