Acting Out (19 page)
Authors: Paulette Oakes
Korian thirsted for her blood, and longed to pronounce a
death sentence, but then he remembered the assassin’s words when he had arrived
in Jessica’s rooms. “My recommendation is for a life sentence to be served in a
prison camp on Calfaxis. Death is too swift a punishment for what she conspired
to do this day.”
Nidoba scanned the faces of the Council and announced, “All
those in favor of life imprisonment on Calfaxis, say ‘agree’. Those who are opposed
to prison and wish for execution, say ‘disagree’.”
Deedoe, Uthor, and Manex all agreed to the prison sentence,
but Lor-Yan and Nidoba said no. Since the majority agreed to the incarceration,
they pronounced her sentence and sent her from the room to a secure holding
cell. They could hear the echoes of her screeches even after the panel closed
and silence descended upon the room.
Korian stood at the head of the table and met the eyes of
each of the seated delegates in turn. With his gaze locked on Nidoba of
Mamaxon, he announced, “Now, let us discuss the future of T’Kala and how the
Council can help.”
One week later…
“Are you sure you want me to do this? I mean, maybe you
would rather have
her
be your witness. She was the one that saved your
ass, after all,” Mahoney groused as she flicked an invisible piece of lint off
her starched dress uniform.
Jessica cuddled her sweet
bimbop
to her cheek and
kissed her soft, furry head. “How many times do we have to go through this? All
three of us saved my ass that day. If you hadn’t drilled me so hard on those
defensive moves, I would have frozen up when that bitch tried to hit me. As far
as I’m concerned, all three of us are heroes.” Jessica paused to straighten the
big pink bow around Little Mahoney’s neck before adding, “Besides, this is
likely the only wedding I will get, so it’s only right that my best friend in
the universe stand by my side.”
Mahoney snorted, but her pleased expression gave away her
true feelings on the matter. “Man, your mom is going to be pissed when I see
her. Not only are you quitting Hollywood, but you’re getting married without
her there to run the show. Have I thanked you yet for allowing me to be the one
to break the bad news to her?”
Jessica admired her reflection in the mirror and gently
touched the T’Kalan dagger hair pin that held her red waves out of her face. Enahara
had outdone herself with the white gown, even though she had pressed Jessica to
choose a more vibrant color. “Only a thousand times, and with increased snark,
might I add. Besides, the news that she and my sisters will be inheriting all
my Earthly goods effective immediately should soften the blow. My only concern
is how to forestall her from demanding a visit to meet my new royal husband and
her first grandchild. It will be at least a year before I’ll be able to convince
Korian to allow us a visit to Earth. That’s a lot of emails and video calls to
get through with her constant guilt trips.” The two women shared looks of
commiseration before she added, “When will
The Ax’Sandre
be ready to
launch?”
“The repairs have all been completed and tested, so she’s
space-worthy. Now that the Council has agreed to send a fleet of Alliance ships
to patrol T’Kalan airspace for the foreseeable future, we can set sail at any
time without fear of leaving T’Kala vulnerable to attack. We have to make
several stops before we get to Earth, including a visit to Harani to pick up my
new student,” the warrior paused to glare at her oblivious friend, “so it may
be several months before we return home.”
Jessica’s face fell at the news. “You’ll be home in time for
the baby to born, won’t you? We’ve only got five months until I pop.”
Mahoney reached out to pat the small swell of her friend’s
abdomen. “Don’t worry, little mama. I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
Holding out her arm to show the way to the door, she said, “Let’s get the show
on the road. Nothing like a good old fashioned shotgun wedding, am I right?”
Jessica laughed merrily, her heart light and full of
happiness. She hooked one arm through Mahoney’s and carried a
thalia
-covered
basket in the other that held her furred companion. They made their way to
Korian’s rooms and passed through the bedchamber and out the door of the suns
room into the twilight of the evening. As the two women took their position at
the start of the red carpet runner, soft music began to float on the evening
breeze. The haunting strains of the stringed melody evoked feelings of love,
hope, desire, and unity. Jessica glanced to side to see Lysanter Mic’Arin running
his fingers over the three necks of his instrument while purple and red lights
in the shape of a man and woman entwined together. She blew him a kiss and
mouthed “Thank you” as she and Mahoney began their trek down the red carpet
toward her anxiously waiting king.
Korian looked devilishly handsome in his new dress uniform
with his raven’s wing hair swept back from his sculpted face and his pale
lavender eyes shining with emotion. At his side stood Captain Mikael R’Varsel,
but the warrior had eyes only for his own lifemate. Behind the two men,
arranged in a semi-circle, were the men that Jessica had dubbed “my warriors”
from her time aboard
The Ax’Sandre
, including her dear friend, Zandar
Nic’Omar. They stood at attention behind their king and their captain, but most
sported jubilant grins or broke rank to offer her a wink. Seated in the
audience were only a handful of special guests that included Ax’Sandre
R’Varsel, her human mother Marte, Officer Felonia and her brother Fallon, and
Enahara with her attentive lifemate. These were the people that had become her
family in such a short time, and her eyes filled with happy tears to see them
all gathered there to celebrate with her.
As Jessica came to a stop next Korian, the music faded to a
gentle hum and Commander Andreus stepped forward between them. Clearing his
throat, he began, “Warriors, officers, family, and friends, we have all
gathered here this eve to celebrate the union of King Korian Ak’Falin to his
Warrior Captive, Jessica MacGregor of Earth. Claiming of a captive is a
time-honored tradition dating back to the very first warrior king, and today,
we rejoice with our liege as he continues this tradition. With their friends
and family and the stars as witnesses, it is my privilege to join them together
in the lifemate bond.”
Jessica could feel the well of emotion inside her begin to
bubble over, and she despaired of ever getting her hormones back under control.
She hastily wiped her dripping nose on her hand as the Commander asked, “By
T’Kalan law, it is the responsibility of our closest friends to guide, counsel,
advise, and mediate to ensure that the lifemate bond remains strong throughout
our lifetimes. Who shall stand for King Korian Ak’Falin as witness?”
Mikael stepped forward and clapped his hand to his king’s
shoulder and squeezed. “I, Captain Mikael Ontari R’Varsel, stand as witness.”
When Mikael stepped back once more, the Commander continued,
“Who shall stand as witness for Jessica MacGregor?”
It was Mahoney’s turn to step forward, but she pulled
Jessica into a side hug and placed a rough kiss on her head before she
answered, “I, Lieutenant Commander Katsuko Mahoney R’Varsel, stand as witness.”
After Mahoney resumed her place, Korian took Jessica’s hand
inside his own as they faced each other. Her watery smile matched his own as
the Commander continued. “King Korian Ak’Falin, do you promise to honor,
respect, cherish, protect, and love Jessica MacGregor above all others, to work
with her to secure the future of your young and for all of T’Kala, and rule
with her at your side as her equal, until such time as you are called back home
to the stars?”
Korian smiled widely and lifted her hand to his lips for a
chivalrous kiss. “All this and more do I promise until the stars call me home.”
Jessica could feel the tears slipping down her cheeks as
Andreus turned to her. “Jessica MacGregor, do you promise to support, encourage,
assist, defend, and love King Korian Ak’Falin above all others, to strive for
the betterment of your young and the people of T’Kala, and rule with him at
your side as his equal, until such time as you are called back home to the
stars?”
Jessica’s breath shuddered in her throat, but her voice was
clear and strong as she replied, “All this and more do I promise until the stars
call me home.”
“Then by the authority vested in me through the law of
T’Kala governing its people and through the blessing of the stars, I pronounce
you lifemates,” Andreus paused for a moment while the audience waited
expectantly. “What are you waiting for, warrior? Claim your lifemate already!”
The audience laughed and cheered as Korian swept her into
his arms and crushed her against his chest before claiming her lips with his
own. Distantly, Jessica heard Andreus call out, “I present to you our Warrior
King and his Warrior Queen, Korian and Jessica Ak’Falin of T’Kala!”
Korian pulled away from her only to bend down and scoop her
up into his arms as he began to stride down the red carpet to the sound of
Mikael booming out, “WARRIORS, SALUTE!”
Jessica could make out Mahoney’s voice above them all as
their fists hit their chest and they shouted, “KING KORIAN! QUEEN JESSICA!
HOO-AH!”
Jessica’s happiness bubbled up from her throat into a laugh
as Korian paused to deposit the basket with her pet in it with Enahara, and
then continued to stride past the guests to sweep her inside to his rooms.
Smacking him on the shoulder, she giggled, “Korian! What about the party and
our guests?”
He didn’t stop until they reached his bed where he deposited
her reverently in the middle. “Let them get started without us. Perhaps your
Mahoney will even save you some sweetbread, for I mean to claim my lifemate
over and over again this night.”
Jessica watched through heavy-lidded eyes as her husband
began shedding his clothes at a rapid rate. Holding her arms out to receive
him, she replied, “Just another promise that intend to hold you to, my king.
From now until the stars call us home.”
THE END
**STAY TUNED FOR NEWS ON THE NEXT “STAR-CROSSED LOVERS”
NOVEL FEATURING ZANDAR NIC’OMAR AS HE MEETS HIS MATCH WHILE VISITING EARTH!**
THE STAR-CROSSED LOVERS SERIES
THE EDEN DAIRE SERIES
Amara,
Interrupted (An Eden Daire Short 1.5)
Eden
After Dark (An Eden Daire double short 2.5)
THE LOVE ME RIGHT SERIES
OTHER STAND-ALONE BOOKS
Easy
Recipes for Lazy Folks: Broke and Busy, Too