“Thank you, mom,” Mia said softly. “You and Marisa look beautiful too.” She wasn’t lying; her sister was stunning in a cream-colored dress with gently draped folds that skillfully concealed her slight baby bump, while her mom appeared remarkably youthful in a peach-colored sheath that flattered her rounded figure. Her dad and Connor were dressed in Krinar clothing as well, looking surprisingly sharp in their fitted white pants, boots, and structured sleeveless shirts.
“I can’t believe my baby sister is getting married,” Marisa sniffled, her eyes filling with moisture too. That wasn’t unusual, though; Mia’s sister cried at the drop of a hat these days.
“And to a K, no less,” Connor jumped in, a big grin on his face. “Dan, did you ever think such a thing would happen to your youngest?”
“No,” her dad said dryly. “I certainly didn’t.”
Mia’s family were sitting in a private room in the giant hall structure, watching Mia putting the final touches on her hair. As a wedding gift, Leeta had sent her a design for a beautiful hair accessory, and Mia was now placing it on her head. Made of some sparkling metals and shiny white-colored stones, it went all around her hair and through each curl, making Mia look like a fairy princess.
Her dress only added to the impression. It was long, covering her feet, with a wide skirt and a strapless sweetheart neckline that pushed up her breasts and flattered her slim torso. It would’ve been a classic wedding dress, if it weren’t for the fact that Mia’s entire back was left exposed in the style of her usual Krinar outfits. Since the dress was long, Mia decided to wear high heels, giving herself four extra inches of height – which made her almost as tall as the shortest Krinar women.
“Korum hasn’t seen you yet, has he?” her mom asked anxiously, and Mia shook her head, smiling at the superstition.
“He hasn’t, mom, relax.”
Mia knew she should be feeling nervous herself. After all, didn’t all brides freak out, at least a little bit? And Mia had more cause to freak out than most, given the size of her wedding and the fact that the entire Krinar race would be watching the unprecedented event either virtually or in person.
However, she didn’t have even a hint of bridal jitters. All she could feel was a warm glow of happiness. Korum had taken care of all the logistics, handling the wedding preparations with the same calm assurance as he did everything else, so there was nothing to worry about on that front. As for their future together, she knew it wouldn’t always be smooth sailing, but their love was strong enough, real enough, to survive whatever obstacles lay ahead.
Some part of her still couldn’t believe that this was happening, that she was about to get married to a K she had once feared and regarded as an enemy. Although only a few short months had passed, so much had changed in her life – and in Korum’s life. They had each learned the value of compromise, of seeing the other person’s point of view. Mia had grown stronger, more confident, while Korum had begun tempering his natural arrogance and controlling tendencies. He was still ridiculously overprotective, of course, but Mia hoped that would ease with time, as memories of Saret’s attack gradually faded. Korum’s possessiveness was a different matter; she strongly suspected that part of his personality would never change.
“You know, you’re going to be a celebrity back home,” Marisa said thoughtfully, watching Mia. “My baby sis – the first human to marry a K! If the media gets ahold of it, you’ll be all over the news . . .”
“I know.” Mia mentally shuddered at the thought. She and Korum had already discussed the disturbing possibility. “When we come back to Earth, we’ll likely be living in Lenkarda, so it won’t be so bad for us. For you guys, though . . . You might want to consider moving to Lenkarda too, regardless of what happens with the petition.” It went without saying that Mia’s family would have to live in the Centers if they were granted immortality, just like charl.
Taking one last look in the mirror, Mia turned and smiled at everyone. “I’m ready.”
* * *
Dressed in a white human-style tuxedo, Korum stood waiting at the altar. As the first notes of the traditional human wedding march began to play, his pulse jumped in anticipation. In a matter of minutes, Mia would be walking down that aisle, and he would finally see his human bride.
Two hours ago, her parents had pulled her away and warned him very strictly that he couldn’t lay eyes on her until the ceremony began. Bad luck or something ridiculous like that. Korum hadn’t been pleased, since he had wanted to help Mia dress – and maybe sneak in a quickie before the lengthy celebration – but Ella Stalis had been adamant and Korum had grudgingly given in. Arguing with his soon-to-be mother-in-law was not high on his list of priorities today.
As the music continued, he cast a quick glance around the large celebration hall. Decorated in white and silver tones, it was filled to the brim. In addition to Korum’s family, friends, and various acquaintances, many members of the Krinar elite were attending in person. The rest of Krina – and the Krinar residents of Earth – were experiencing it virtually. Everyone was watching him with unbridled curiosity, and Korum knew they were wondering why he was doing it, why he was marrying his charl. Even Arus had been puzzled. “Isn’t that redundant?” he’d asked Korum after a Council meeting in which Korum had participated remotely. “You and Mia are already as good as married. She’s your charl.”
Korum had simply smiled, not bothering to explain his reasons. Mia was indeed his charl, and now she would also be his wife.
In the distance, he could hear her footsteps. Her father was leading her in, as per the old custom of giving the bride away. Korum grinned to himself. He would gladly take her off their hands.
As she appeared at the other end of the aisle, on he
r father’s arm, his breath caught in his chest. Mia looked radiant, more beautiful than any woman Korum could ever remember seeing. She was glowing, her blue eyes shining with happiness and her lips curved in a wide smile. The dress emphasized her tiny waist and pushed up her deliciously round breasts, drawing his attention to her cleavage. Just seeing her like that made him want to pick her up and carry her to bed – and keep her there for the next several hours.
Soon, Korum promised himself, and did his best to push all thoughts of sex out of his mind. It was impossible, however, because he simply couldn’t tear his eyes away from her. As she glided down the aisle, he found himself hungrily watching her every step, drinking in the delicacy of her features, the elegant lines of her neck and shoulders. Her skin looked so soft, so touchable that Korum’s fingers actually itched with the urge to stroke it, to feel it all over.
Then she was there, next to him, and the music reached a crescendo, then quieted down. Korum took Mia’s hand and turned toward the blond human woman who would perform the ceremony. Once a judge in Missouri, Lana Walters was now a charl living on Krina, and she was honored to be part of such a historic occasion.
“Dear friends, family, and all who are present or watching us today,” Lana said in a husky voice, “we are gathered here today to witness the marriage of Nathrandokorum and Mia Stalis, the first time such a union has ever taken place.” She paused for dramatic effect. “Korum, do you take Mia to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?”
“I do,” Korum said, looking at Mia. At his words, her smile became impossibly bright, dazzling him with its beauty.
“And you, Mia? Do you take Korum to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?”
“I do.” Her voice was strong and clear, without even a hint of hesitation.
“Then I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Korum didn’t need any urging. Bringing Mia toward him, he bent his head and kissed her, the delicious taste of her sending a surge of blood straight to his groin. It took all his willpower to stop after a minute. When he pulled away, she was looking up at him with her mouth slightly swollen and her blue eyes soft with desire.