Page 67 of Married to the Beast

“What? But my husband, we’re already Joined.”

“The first ceremony was one of convenience—one I meant to break because I didn’t believe anything real or lasting could come from it,” he said firmly. “I want to have a new ceremony with you—one to symbolize our lasting love and the fact that we’re never going to be parted.”

Aleena felt like her heart was melting.

“Oh, my Bear—what a wonderful idea,” she murmured. “When will we hold it?”

“After you get out of here—the Med Center,” he clarified. “They’ll probably want to hold you at least a little while for observation. I’ll set up an appointment for tomorrow with thewoman who helps plan events—Kat is her name, I believe—and we can hammer out the details.”

“But when will you Bond me to you and change the color of my eyes?” Aleena asked anxiously.

“After you’re healed and we have the ceremony,” he said firmly. “That will give us time to plan everything out.”

“But I don’t want to wait!” Aleena protested. “I want to be with you now—tonight.”

“But baby, you’re still hurt.” He cupped her bruised cheek gently. “Don’t you want time to heal?”

“No—I want to be with younow,” Aleena said stubbornly. She nuzzled her cheek into his big, warm hand. “Please, my Bear, if you truly want to prove your love for me, change the color of my eyes and Bond me to you so that I know you’ll never leave me.”

“If that’s really what you want, I’ll do it,” he murmured, stroking her cheek. “Just give me an hour to get a few things ready, baby and then I’ll come back for you. That will give the quick-healing gel we used on your face and lip some time to work. Is that okay?”

“That sounds fine.” Aleena smiled at him. “I’ll be waiting for you.”

“All right. I’ll be back soon.” He kissed her tenderly on the forehead and rose to go. “Just relax and take a little nap, baby.”

Aleena nodded and, after he left, she tried to do as he said but the events of the night kept playing out in her mind. Her time with her stepmother and half-sister had been horrible, but she was already putting it to the back of her mind as well as she could. Instead, she concentrated on the wonderful knowledge that she and the man she loved were going to be together forever.

44

ALEENA

She did drift off eventually and it seemed like only a few minutes later before Bear was coming back into the room.

“Oh, are you back already, my Bear?” Aleena sat up, blinking.

“Yes, baby.” He came over to the side of the bed. “Are you sure you want to do this tonight?”

“Absolutely positive,” Aleena said firmly.

“All right then, come on.”

He lifted her out of bed and when Aleena protested that she could walk, he shook his head.

“No, baby—I want to carry you. You’re mine and I’m not letting you go.”

Aleena relented and leaned her head against his broad chest. She had a blurred impression of the huge ship as he carried her through it. The Kindred Mother Ship was like a city in space with so many things to see and do. Aleena was certain she would love living there but for now, she just wanted to get back to the place she would be calling “home.”

Bear brought her to a well-appointed suite—as the silver door slid open she saw that it was small but spacious and tastefully decorated with large, overstuffed furniture that was just the right size for her big Kindred husband.

The living area had a fire wall where the blue and gold flames danced and flickered. Sitting in front of the flames was a strange looking chair but Aleena barely had time to look at it before Bear carried her into another room.

This one had a large round tub set into the floor and the water inside was steaming and fragrant.

“What’s this?” Aleena asked, looking at it with interest.

“This is the bathing pool, baby. I thought we could take a bath together first. You know, take things slowly,” Bear rumbled.

Aleena liked the idea of being naked and wet with her husband.

---