Page 122 of Echo and the Homicidal Sea Panda

“It’s barely noon, and it feels like we’ve been through the ringer. I just might join you for that nap.”

“I hope you will,” Echo said, leaning his head on his mate’s shoulder.

His mate.

He smiled to himself, finally able to publicly claim Maelstrom was his. All the doubts and worries were gone. They were going to get their happily ever after and then some.

TWO MONTHS LATER…

The day Echo Fisher became Echo Marino feltespeciallyremarkable. From their vantage point on the highest cliff on Maki Island, he could see the ocean for miles around them. The sky was a deep, rich blue and blurred the line between it and sea. It was an unusually warm early fall day, but there was still a hint of chill underneath the sun’s heat. The three dozen chairs behind him were filled with friends and family from both sides.

Diego stood up for him, of course, but there was no groom, no best man, and no Marino siblings at all.

The whole first row on Mael’s side was empty.

Echo stood at the altar, an absolute nervous wreck, his stomach a ball of nerves. The ceremony was supposed to start, and Maelstrom was nowhere in sight. The only saving grace was the fact the Matriarch herself was performing the service. If she was there, he doubted the Marinos had run away.

He was second-guessing the agreement with Mael that neither of them was going to walk down the aisle. They would meet at the altar without that tradition. The only problem with that was, if he was dealing with a runaway groom, he didn’t want everyone to witness his mortification. If he’d been waiting to walk, he could’ve hidden away for the pity in their eyes.

Echo straightened his white tuxedo’s tie and tugged on the cummerbund which was hiding the fact he could no longer button the pants around his stomach. He was suddenly sure he looked ridiculous. He’d opted for a jacket that flowed to the ground like a wedding dress in the back. There was white lace applique along the sleeves, lapels, and the back. He fidgeted with the tie again.

“Relax,” Amiria whispered. “They’re just running a few minutes late.”

“If they don’t hurry up, I’m going to have to pause in the middle to pee,” Echo muttered. “Does he not understand I have two babies pushing on my bladder at all times?”

He glanced toward his parents. His father winked and they both grinned up at him.

Tempest suddenly came storming toward the aisle. She came to an abrupt halt just behind the chairs and spread her arms out wide beside her, lowering her center of gravity. She slapped both palms on her chest and the guests turned to stare at her.

“Tika tonu!”she roared, eyes wide. She slapped her chest over and over.

Male voices behind her yelled,“U - e!”

“Tika tonu!”Tempest roared again, still slapping her chest and whipping out her arms.

The entire audience rose and yelled,“U - e!”

They all slapped their chests and pumped out their elbows in time with Tempest.

Echo’s breath caught in his chest.

A haka.

“Tika tonu atu ki a koe, e tama,”everyone yelled, Diego included.

Diego turned and backed down the dais toward the other guests as they moved their arms and stomped their feet in the rhythmic dance of their ancestors.

Tears burned the backs of Echo’s eyes. He lifted a hand to his lips as he watched everyone, including the Matriarch—and his parents, perform the powerful rite. By the next line, Echo could see the towering heads of the rest of the Marino clan appear near the back. Line by line, they moved forward, performing as they went. Finally, the crowd spread enough that he could lock gazes with Maelstrom.

“E tau nei.”

Mael was only feet from him as the next to the last line was roared.

“Ana! Ana! Ana!”

His orca stepped just below the low dais and roared the final line.

“Aue... Hi!”

---