“Find me a priest of the old gods,” I say to him. “This estate has one, do they not?” Most of the oldest families still retain a chapel on site, but like many things, they are for lip service more than devotion.
“I…of course. Is there a problem?”
“No. Bring him to my quarters immediately.”
Aldar opens his mouth to argue, and I glare at him. He snaps it shut without a word of protest, nods and bows, and then races off.
I turn around to go back to my rooms, and once there, shut the door behind me. Milly’s still on the bed, her red hair disheveled and wild around her face. Her mouth is bright pink and slightly swollen from kissing, and it makes me want to go and claim her all over again.
I smile.
Her eyes widen in shock. “Varrik? What are you smiling about? What’s wrong?”
“Aldar has gone to get a priest,” I say, heading toward the closet of gowns I’ve had made for her over the last several weeks. Most of them are emblazoned with my house symbol and her status, and I don’t know if I want her wearing something that declares her property in that way. “What gown do you want to be married in? The one I first saw you in? It has no symbols on it.”
“What?”
“Do you not like that one?” I ask, turning to her. “Is it inappropriate for a human marriage?”
She gets up off the bed and races to my side, her brows going up. “You’re serious? You want to get married?”
“I would not lie about such a thing.”
“Varrik!” Instead of looking pleased, Milly puts her hands to her smooth, hornless brow, so different from mine. “You can’t do this. It’s such a bad idea.”
“It is not a bad idea at all,” I say, and take her hands from her forehead. “Do you not wish to marry me, my pretty human? To be my mate? Is this not what you want?”
Her mouth opens and she makes a small sound of protest. “Varrik…it’s wonderful for me but awful for you.”
“No,” I correct gently. “It is wonderful for me, too. I get you in my life, forever.” I smile broadly. “As equals.”
Milly’s expression is wary. “Your people will hate it.”
“As if I care what they want. I’ve played their games for far too long already.”
“Varrik, they’ll say such awful things about you.” She tugs on her hands, trying to free them from my grip. “They’re already saying terrible things. This will just be worse—”
“It will be the ruin of me,” I agree. “I won’t be accepted into polite society any longer, but I find I grow very weary of such things. I like the idea of retiring to somewhere quiet, with real gardens instead of this.” I lift my chin, indicating the city sprawl that extends beyond Lady dra’Niiron’s small patch of greenery. “In fact, I have a pastoral estate that I’m quite fond of. Would you like to go live there?”
“A farm? What’s it called?”
“Risda III.”
Milly blinks, and then a small, charming giggle escapes her. “Your farm is an entire planet?”
I love the sound of her pleasure. I think I will make it my goal to hear that bright, sweet laugh every day for the rest of my life. I smile back at her. “It is an outer rim planet, very remote. It’s not that exciting, but it has lovely skies and a serene view. And wildlife. Do you like birds?”
Her expression grows wistful. “I love birds. And I love the thought of moving to a farm planet with you. But…Varrik, are you sure this is what you want?”
“I am very sure,” I tell her, releasing one hand to lightly caress her cheek. “I have wanted nothing but you since the moment I first laid eyes on you. Retiring to the outer rim with you in my arms for the rest of my days sounds like a dream. I can imagine no place I’d rather be.” I think for a moment, and then add, “It’s certainly not my dream to spend more time here at Lady dra’Niiron’s endless party.”
She sighs. “Oh good, because this is the worst party ever.”
“They’re all like this. Now you see why I wish to escape?” When she chuckles, I lift her small hand to my lips and brush my mouth over her delicate fingers. “Will you marry me and be the odd alien bride to this scandalous, debauched lord?”
Her smile is brilliant. “Of course I will.”
* * *
A short time later, Milly is in her iridescent dress, her feet bare as she stands across from me and holds my hands. She wants to be joined to me in the first way we met, and her eyes glow with happiness as she smiles at me. The priest marries us, and then legal document after legal document is signed. I have people to do most of these things, but my personal advisor is unavailable at the moment due to the odd hours.