Prime Nial raised his hand again and the crowd went silent. I glanced to over my shoulder and realized several huge screens were displaying the entire thing. I looked about three times my normal height on that thing and I wondered who could see it? Just the people here? Did they have broadcast television?
“Prince Thomar Arcas, you battled in the Hive wars for fifteen years. You were captured with your second, Varin Mordin, and fought the mind control of a Nexus unit to escape. You suffered agony unlike any other warrior but found the courage to accept an Interstellar Bride. You returned to a Hive prison ship and freed twenty-seven female captives and five infants. You stand before me now, after a lifetime of dishonor and distrust from your own people with your head high, your mate and your second at your side.
Let it be known that from this day forward, the Arcas name is honored once more. The royal bloodline of Arcas is welcome in the arena. Prince Thomar Arcas, I restore your title, your privilege and your honor to you and your family.”
The crowd seemed frozen for a few seconds. Shocked? I swallowed hard and waited.
What were they waiting for?
I glanced into the crowd and saw several of Thomar’s family members touching their throats, violet bands were black had been moments ago.
His family color was violet? Like rainbow beautiful, rare violet?
Nice.
The spectators seemed to heave a collective breath and…scream. The noise was deafening and went on for long minutes. In my mind, Thomar’s relief was quiet. Reserved.
He turned and looked at me. He didn’t care about this ceremony.
He cared about getting me naked, his desire rushing through my mind. His hard cock on display for my appreciation.
Next to me, Varin chuckled. “One track mind.”
Prime Nial rose his hand again and motioned Varin forward. He stepped up next to Thomar and stood, hands clasped behind his back as if he hadn’t a care in the world.
He didn’t care about this either. They had made their choices years ago. Lived with the consequences. Were at peace with their decisions.
As was I. Volunteering to be a bride was the best thing that I had ever done. These two, my mates, a miracle didn’t expect. I was grateful for whatever time we had left.
“Captain Varin Mordin, your family disavowed you when you chose to fight with Thomar Arcas. You persisted. You have battled next to him, honored him, served as his second and protected your female with honor.”
The crowd cheered again, but Prime Nial hushed them. “I ask you both now to serve on my war council.”
This shocked both of my mates. I smiled. Finally, something was ruffling their feathers.
The queen, Jessica, stepped forward. She had a little girl on her hip. Adorable. Smiling. Maybe two years old. “Lady Arcas, I would ask you to remain on Prillon Prime as well. I would add you to the Queen’s council and ask that you oversee the care and healing of the women from Earth that must now, remain here.”
Me? What? “I’m not a psychologist. They are going to need therapy.” Not that I wanted to refuse a queen, but these women needed more than I could give them.
“You will have all the resources you require. And you understand what they have suffered. You have suffered. You have endured imprisonment. You are from their home world. They need an advocate like you.”
Well, when she put it that way. “I accept, on one condition.”
She grinned at me. “And what is your condition?”
I looked around the arena, spotted a large chair, kind of like a throne near the center of the arena. If Jessica could do it, I could. Rachel said it was the highest honor a bride had ever given her Prillon mates. I wanted that for my mates. They were honorable. Good. Their people needed to know that I believed that with every cell in my body. “I ask that my mates be allowed to claim me here. Now. And that all here would serve as witness.”
Thomar dropped his weapon.
Varin staggered like a drunken man.
I smiled, lifted the gown off over my head and walked naked to the throne in the center of the stadium.
* * *
Varin
By the gods.This could not be happening.