Page 64 of Invasion of Sorority Z

“Only for you,” I agree firmly. “If any others think to even gaze upon your books without your permission, I will pull their eyes from their heads and gift them to you.”

She splutters with a giggle. “That’s abitextreme, Marrec.”

“I shall allow one warning first then,” I grant.

Another joyous laugh. “You’re amazing, you know that?”

Her words touch my soul. “You amaze me as well, my blossom.”

The trepidation I felt previously has vanished from my mind, and all I feel is great pride. Pride in providing joy to my mate, and pride in how she sees me. My Stee-vee finds joy in being with me. She does not wish for me to fight battles for glory, but rather is gushing with love for me from a simple gift. My mate does not demand more than I can give, and is thrilled by every gesture I have offered her. If I had not already known her to be perfect, it would be demonstrated to me in this moment.

Stee-vee’s eyes return to the walls of books, scanning with immense wonder. “How did you get them all here? How did you pick them out?”

A wise question from my wise mate.

It was not an especially easy task. I owe a large favor to Drak for traveling to manybookstoreson my mate’s home planet. He and the huntress hu-nim An-nana scoured many parts of their dying world for such a large collection.

As for how the books were chosen, Anna advised Drak on Stee-vee’s interests and they compiled corresponding options, grabbing as many as they could store into a pod ship before sending it directly to me.

Most of my task included hiding the books, building the shelves, and putting them up before my mate could catch me in the act.

I tell her all of this, sparing no detail—since I know she enjoys a good story.

“Unloading a pod ship while you slumber might have been the most difficult part on my end,” I explain, smiling sheepishly. “I do not like to leave you when you are sleeping so peacefully.” I hold Stee-vee until she is unconscious every night, even though I do not require rest but once every four days. More often than not, I will have somesal’umso that I may hold her all through the night.

“But Drak and your huntress did much traveling and collecting, I am grateful for their help. I am told by Anna that repayment is not necessary, but perhaps I will find a rare blaster for Drak in my old things.”

“I’ll have to thank them both.” She sniffles, trying to contain her happy emotions. “Butgoodness, I’m not sure how I’m going to thank you. This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. Like, in my whole life.”

It is troublesome to hear that this is the nicest anyone has ever been to Stee-vee. I do not understand how it is possible to exist near her without wanting to rip your soul from your chest and gift it to her.

I pet her hair, tucking it behind her ears. “You can thank me by joining me by the fire and reading me some of your favorite tales. I would read to you, but I’m afraid my language implant still does not account for written words.”

Her pink lips tip up. “I can definitely read to you. If you’re interested, I could also teach you how to read. Not tonight of course, but if you wanted to know how, I could help.”

“Mm,” I hum, nodding as I dip my lips to her head. “I would like this. Once I am proficient, I can read to you whenever you desire.”

Her cheeks flush brighter. “If we weren’t already mated, I’d think you were proposing to me right now.”

My head tilts. “Proposing?”

“It’s when a man—or well, someone in general, asks someone else to marry them. It’s traditionally done on one knee, with a ring as an offering. But you’re already my husband, aren’t you, big guy?”

“I can offer you this ring,” I tell her, ignoring her question. “What does it look like? I will provide it.”

“I don’t need a ring, Marrec.” Her voice is soft and meaningful. “Nothing would shine as bright as your soul seed glowing anyway. I already have everything I need.”

I understand that she is being truthful. And still, “I will get you this ring, and I will present it to you on my knees.”

“Ohjeez,” my mate chuckles. “Well I won’t stop you then. Do as you wish.”

“I shall,” I agree, already planning to request Drak speak with Anna about this. I will have them bring many of these rings when they return to Aprix so that I may choose the one best suited for my mate. Newly excited for this next gift, I pick her up, watching as her feet hover off of the ground. “Let us decide on a book. I wish to listen to your dream stories.”

“Okay,” she whispers, touching a kiss to the tip of my nose.

It takes many minutes until she finds a book that makes her squeal with excitement. She hugs the hard copy to her chest and tells me that it is a story about love and dragons. I do not tell her that I have no idea whatdragonsare, but I imagine her book will tell me. She is simply too excited for me to interrupt her with questions, I decide.

We settle into soft coverings, sitting near the fire light and cuddling close. Before even opening the story, she jumps into a lengthy explanation of the first time she read it. The light in her beautiful blue eyes as she speaks is more than enough proof that this was a perfect gift to give.

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