Page 15 of Forever

“I’m sorry, love. I’ll be okay, just a moment of weakness because I’m missing my daughter. If we move back to Earth, I’ll lose my job as ambassador of Zorlox. I’m no good without a career. Work helps me thrive.”

I nodded. Poor Moxy was bereft without her daughter. Being away from her for months at a time wouldn’t work. “Then we’ll work a way where you’re here maybe a month at a time and we’ll visit Earth often.”

“That’s super expensive, Do’Thortn. And unfair to you. I will figure it out.”

I chuckled. “Remember who I am! As the official Prince, I have more than enough funds amassed by my King father.”

“And see? You’re the palace ruler and as such, you need to be here more than on Earth. If you give it up, you’ll lose the inheritance to whoever takes over here.”

“Sweet Moxy. Don’t you understand? I don’t care about the palace or Zorlox, or my title. I care about you and about living the rest of my life with you by my side. It doesn’t matter to me where we live, as long as I’m with you, then I’m happy. My twin hearts dictate my happiness. And I completely understand wanting to be near your precious daughter. If I had a daughter, I’m sure I’d feel the same way. We’ll make Earth our home.”

Her head shook. “No, love. We’ll make both Zorlox and Earth our home. If you won’t fight for what’s yours I will. Somehow it will work out. I have a feeling it won’t matter in the end, we’ll be together and happy and that’s what matters. Kenna will be nearand if she’s not here, she’ll be here some. It’s an adjustment for me. Just be patient. I’m happy to share our wedding with her on Earth.”

“Okay, how about we take things one day at a time and we’ll decide as we go. As long as I’m with you, I’m good.” Short and to the point, and one she can’t argue with.

“Agree. We need to head to the Governing Office. I’m ready to become Mrs. Do’Thortn, Prince of Zorlox. Will this make me a princess?” Her grin sparked joy in my heart.

“A princess? That’s a nice concept. But no, alas. There are no official princesses of Zorlox. But you will be the wife of a prince, will that help?”

“I’m sorry. It must bring up painful memories to think about all that’s happened when your father forces all the females to bear his children. Evolution played cruel here by eliminating all the females, but it’s certainly understandable. Your father was a tyrant.”

“Indeed he was. He single-handedly destroyed one of the most precious commodities on Zorlox, our females. Today not one is alive. But the males survived and now we replenish the planet with females from other species to make a new race of half Zorloxians. Eventually our genes will wash out, but I suppose that’s the punishment of a dictator who single-handedly destroyed us.”

CHAPTER 15

Moxy

I wanted to cry for Do’Thortn and his planet of brothers. Such a sad thing to happen for one person to nearly eradicate the species with his sick decrees. I smiled. “I promise, once we settle, we’ll find a surrogate and you’ll have a hand at the repopulation of Zorlox. And we’ll find a way to live here and make it happen.” Determination settled in my heart to do this for my one true love.

We arrived at the government building, the Zorloxian guards eyed me suspiciously. Do’Thortn didn’t satisfy them with an introduction and we marched right into the magistrate. He stood tall behind the giant desk, of which the surface remained hidden from me due to the height.

“Holovar, this is my mate, Moxy. We wish to make our union official,” my love said.

Holovar nodded curtly, his face devoid of a smile. What did these people have against Do’Thortn? Or was I such a harsh thing totake? No wonder he kept insisting we make a home on Earth. Perhaps we should.

The matter of a binding ceremony had nothing whatsoever romantic in it. No magical moments of holding hands, gazing into each other’s eyes. It was basically Do’Thortn filling out the paperwork in Zorlox language and me singing it in English.

“It’s official, you’re bound to each other. Moxy, you understand what this means? Although the Zorlox laws do not operate on Earth, just as Earth laws do not operate on Zorlox. While here and while in the Koliam system, you are Do’Thortn’s official mate. You have the same rights as he does as far as living here and working here. I understand you are Zorlox’s Earth’s ambassador, so you already have clearance. Being bound to Prince Do’Thortn gives you more rights to being here, as long as he lives and accepts you as his mate. The royal healer is here to determine the physical affirmations. Daulan.”

Another Zorloxian stepped forward and placed a stethoscope to Do’Thortn’s chest. My mate winked at me while the healer listened. Then he attached two leads to Do’Thortn’s chest and turned it on, producing a strip of paper showing his two distinct hearts were indeed beating in synchronicity.

The strip was checked by Holovar and attached to the official paperwork. And just like that, we were officially bound as mates on Zorlox.

Do’thortn guided me out of the government building. He grabbed my arm and we quickly walked to the awaiting hover car to carry us back to the palace. His eyes searched the area as we sped away.

“What’s going on?”

“Feels like we’re being watched, followed.”

I laughed, a shrill sound I make when I’m nervous. “I’ve felt that way since landing here. It’s odd, like I’m not welcome. I just assumed it’s because I’m human.”

“Once we announce our union, those around us will have no choice but to accept this.”

Somehow, I didn’t think it would be that easy. Once back at the palace, Do’Thortn called for a gala for the following evening. That’s when we’ll shine as a united couple.

The techno gown would look odd on Earth, but here on Zorlox, it’s a fashion statement. At least, that’s what the Ooglarians from the neighboring system told me. They were tall and lanky, long dark hair, bulbous heads with oddly shaped roundish eyes. The palace hired them as servants.

They placed blue flowers in my hair to match the Zorloxians. And lastly, Do’Thortn came in and sucked in a big breath when he saw me. “You are ravishing. This will complete the outfit.”

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