Epilogue

ABBEY

"No, no—I don't believe there should be any kind of legal or punitive repercussions for the two of you," Commander Rarev purred, much to Abbey's relief.

They were sitting in the Monstrum Commander's office aboard the Monstrum Mother Ship. Solon had insisted on going first thing in the morning, right after breakfast.

Abbey didn't mind—despite being up most of the night Bonding and making love with her new mate, she felt amazing. She loved being back aboard the Mother Ship. Spex had been exclaiming about every new thing he saw as they walked through it and Abbey was glad it made her little Eye-pet happy. Also, she was glad and relieved to hear that she and Solon weren't in any kind of trouble.

"The only time punitive actions would be taken after breaking a Renouncement would be if there was force involved or either party was unwilling," Rarev continued. "It sounds to me like the two of you just found your way back to each other and realized that you belonged together."

"That's exactly what happened," Abbey said, nodding. Well that and the fact that she'd decided she wasn't going to take "no" for an answer! She still didn't know how she'd gotten so brave last night—but it had seemed to her that if she didn't take Solon then and there, she might lose him forever. And the big Monstrum hadn't complained any. He was as happy as she was that they were Bonded now—Abbey could feel it through their new link.

"Yes, sweetheart—I'm very happy. Happier than I've ever been in my life," he assured her. His mental voice was as deep and rumbling as his physical one and Abbey loved hearing it in her head.

"I'm glad the two of you came to see me," Commander Rarev said, drawing her attention back to the conversation that was happening outside her head. "Because the Empress of Tengula Five has contacted me. She wants to sign trade agreements with the Monstrum but she has one condition."

"Oh? And what's that?" Solon asked.

"She wants the two of you to come back and live on Tengula Five as our official ambassadors," Commander Rarev said. "I told her that I wasn't sure, since I know Abbey has deep ties to her home planet, but that I would ask you. What do you think?"

Abbey bit her lip. What did she think of the offer? On one hand, she felt bad about abandoning Aunt Rose to run the florist shop all by herself. But things really hadn't been the same since everything that had happened with Chris Brander at the reunion. She no longer felt happy and content working at Rose's Roses—it felt like everyone was staring at her. But on the other hand…

"I really want to go back to Tengula Five," she said slowly. "But I feel bad for my aunt. I'm not sure she can run the shop without me."

"If it's money you're worried about, Solon approached me some time ago about letting your aunt sell flowers from the Monstrum Mother Ship in her shop," Rarev said. "I would be more than willing to allow it. And if your aunt was the only purveyor of rare, alien blooms, it seems to me she could charge higher prices, thus keeping her shop open fewer hours while still turning a profit."

Abbey had all but forgotten about the possibility of Rose's Roses selling flowers from the Monstrum Mother Ship. She felt a surge of hope and clapped her hands as she nodded eagerly.

"Oh, yes! If you'd allow that, then I think Aunt Rose could manage without me—or she could afford to hire someone else to help. Of course, I'd still want to come home and visit her on a regular basis."

"The Empress said to tell you that you could visit home anytime you like," Commander Rarev assured her. "She is apparently very fond of you and wishes you to be happy."

"I'll talk to my aunt, but I'm sure she'll say yes." Abbey was brimming over with excitement. "Oh, I'm so happy! I just love Tengula Five!" She turned to Solon. "But what about you? How do you feel about moving there for good?"

Solon put an arm around her and Abbey felt a wave of love and devotion flowing from the big Monstrum.

"I'll live anywhere you want, lelka, as long as I'm with you," he rumbled. "You are my home."

"Oh, Solon…" Abbey couldn't stop herself from leaning forward for a kiss and then he was wrapping her in his arms and pulling her close to deepen it.

A low chuckle from the direction of the golden blur that was Commander Rarev finally interrupted their kiss.

"Well, I'll tell the Empress the good news as soon as you talk to your aunt, Abbey," the Monstrum Commander said. "But for now, maybe the two of you should go back to Solon's suite. It seems you still have Bonding Fever—the urge that newly Bonded couples feel to Bond over and over again. It usually lasts for some time."

"You could be right." Solon rose from his chair and then Abbey gasped as he swung her into his arms. "We'll talk to you again soon, Commander," he said to Rarev. "But for now, I believe my new mate and I need some time alone."

And he carried Abbey away into their beautiful new life together.