Tazhr

TAZHR

I rolled over and shut off my percomm. I didn't know who had the audacity to call me that early in the morning, but I wasn't having it. Emma and I were still exhausted from moving all our things into one place and redecorating.

Who knew getting the apartment set up just the way she wanted it could take a month?

Leaning over to brush the hair back from her cheek, I couldn't help but smile. If she wanted to do it all over again, I'd be willing.

It was worth it to see her excited steps through the market, the way she bounced on the balls of her feet when we set up a shelf just for her books.

The one we didn't bring?

The history of Deathgate.

It was part of our story, part of what brought us together.

But that was the past. We had a long, bright future to look forward to now.

With Conii's dealings broadcast everywhere, Alkard had time to dig into her old records, getting the proof we needed to clear Havek to the Grand Judge of Thodos III.

Havek was acquitted of all his crimes and returned to the station with a new mate, Payton.

And just like that, our family was even larger.

I gazed over the gold lining on her face. I didn't think anything could have made her more beautiful, but seeing my tracery on her only made her more astonishing. It was like the color was made for her skin, eyes, hair, all of her. It just fit, like everything else about us.

Her eyes slowly opened, the smile on her lips making my chest skip a beat.

"You're gorgeous," I whispered before kissing her.

She giggled beneath my kiss, but her laugh was interrupted by my percomm going off again. I groaned and rolled over, checking the name that time.

Havek.

"Hey," I chimed as I answered the call.

"Are you going to the meeting today?"

"Do I have a choice?" I laid back in bed while Emma cuddled up to me.

Havek scoffed. "Do we ever?"

"I'll be there," I sighed. "What else do you have going on today?"

"Payton is going shopping with Tessi; that's about it."

"Good that she's getting out some."

I knew about the struggles Payton had since returning to the ship. It was understandable that she was anxious after all she and Havek went through. As I said the words, Emma's percomm buzzed. She picked it up and read the message before turning to me and mouthing ‘Tessi.'

"Looks like your girl's going to have another joining up for the fun," I told Havek while rubbing Emma's shoulder. "Emma's going to be there, too."

"How did we all wind up with human mates, Taz?" Havek laughed.

"I don't know," I replied, looking down at Emma while she messaged Tessi back. "There's something otherworldly about them."

Emma playfully slapped me on the chest. I laughed. "I gotta go, Havek. I'll see you soon."

"Sounds good," Havek replied before hanging up the phone.

I turned to Emma and tackled her with embraces and kisses. Once she came down from the laughter, I lay next to her and lightly touched her arm.

"I love you, Emma," I murmured.

"I love you, too, Tazhr," she replied before kissing me.

Looking at the time, I sighed and kissed her again before getting out of bed.

"Alkard will have my head if I'm late."

Especially since I had an errand to run first.

There was something I needed to take care of, and Emma couldn't know about it. I wasn't sure how she would feel about it, but I knew it had to happen.

I hated keeping secrets from her, even if I had the best intentions.

Standing outside in the marketplace, I looked at the sign for a moment, debating if I was doing the right thing. I hoped I was, and she would think so, too, but I wasn't going to know unless I took the chance.

My hand pushed the door open, and a human man greeted me happily from behind the counter. "Morning! Don't see many Vinduthi around these parts."

I rubbed the back of my neck and chuckled. "Yeah, it's a special occasion."

He nodded and grinned again before waving his hand to the rings in the display case behind him. "Please, take all the time you need."

Emma and I were formally mated by Vinduthi law, but I wanted to ensure I incorporated her culture as well. She deserved that. She deserved much more than that.

I exhaled and walked forward, looking at all the various designs. I shook my head while stroking my chin. "I never say this." I looked at the man. "But I have no idea what I'm doing."

He laughed. "It's not something very typical for Vinduthi. Don't be nervous, son." He leaned on the counter. "What's her personality like?"

I grinned and looked at the wall with my hands on my hips. "She's…" I paused. How can words even describe her? "She's brave and vibrant and just…" I sighed. "She's beautiful in every way. She would die for the ones she loves. She's selfless and loving; she's everything I never knew I needed."

I closed my mouth when I realized I was getting sappy about her with another man. Who am I?

He chuckled. "No need to be embarrassed. Here." He leaned over the display case and brought out a ring with golden stones on the sides. In the center, there was a beautiful hexagonal diamond. He handed it to me. "To match your mating traces, I assume she has them, too."

I nodded, taking the ring from him and looking at it. Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out a piece of string I carefully tied around her finger while she slept, holding my breath the entire time, more nervous than getting ready for battle.

After a slight examination, he nodded. "That's the right size, son." He looked at me and grinned. "Looks like a perfect match."

I inhaled deeply before looking at the ring again and pulling out my percomm. "How much?" The answer didn't matter. Emma was worth everything.

I walked out with a black box in my pocket and spent the whole time walking to the Fallen Star, thinking about what came next.