Page 77 of Tis the Season for Tentacles
He leans in and kisses my forehead. “I promise, but just so you know, I think it’s rather adorable.”
“Yeah, yeah.” My smile fades and I turn serious again. “Even marriages don’t always last. Being your life partner sounds amazing but there’s so many unknowns ahead of us.”
“That is true,” Najar agrees. “There is risk for both of us in making such a commitment. As Kheph often reminds me, nothing in this universe is guaranteed when it comes to love, but to have loved and lost is better than to regret never loving at all.”
“He’s surprisingly wise,” I say.
“You don’t even know the half of it. The stories I could tell.” He chuckles and then sighs. “I’m sure we will face challenges. Even I can admit, I’m not always the easiest man to live with. Being in touch with my feelings is not something I am naturally good at, but I am willing to do the work to be with you.”
“If things don’t pan out, what then?”
He clasps my hands and kisses my knuckles. “We would cross that bridge if we ever came to it. What I can promise you is that no matter what happens between us, my honor as a warrior would never allow me to rest until I made sure you were able to find a new life that would make you happy, whether that be helping you reintegrate into human society on Earth or perhaps settling down on another planet somewhere. I would doeverything in my power to assist you, even if that meant asking others for help.”
I believe him. There isn’t a single doubt.
Besides, I also know that Khephren, Luna and Sasha would hold him to his promise to help me.
He gazes deep into my eyes, hope shining on his face. “If I can find a way to resolve the situation with your sister, will you stay and be my life partner?”
“Yes,” I say, my voice hoarse with feeling.
His entire face lights up, and it’s stunningly beautiful to witness.
“Trust me, Felix. I will find a way for us to be together no matter what.”
“And Cosmo,” I add with a wink.
He chuckles. “Yes, and Cosmo. We already have our own ready-made little family, don’t we?”
He’s right about that, and it warms my heart.
I’m not sure how we’re going to resolve the matter of Gemma, but for now, I plan to follow his advice and trust that Najar will somehow engineer a winning plan for us to be together.
Chapter Seventeen
Chronicles of Chaos: An Informal Record of Life Aboard the Sleigh Belle
Stardate: 78429.1
Origin: Elysium Lunar System
Destination: Earth
I never thought I’d be writing this in the ship’s log, but I’ve fallen in love. Our captain, Khephren Thrase, was right when he warned me that such emotions can slowly creep up on you before suddenly bowling you over. But by that point, you’re happy to be swept away.
Will I ever be as lovey-dovey and ridiculous as Khephren and Sasha? Probably not. Or, at least, not around others. Maybe just when Felix and I are alone…
I’ve asked him to marry me. Never in my life did I think I would be the marrying type. Not because I’m against marriage, per se. Rather, I just never believed it was in the cards for me. But the minute I pulled Felix onto our ship with that tractor beam, I changed my destiny—and his.
Because the greatest miracle of all is that he loves me too and wants to share his life with me.
And Cosmo, our newly adopted foxhound, of course.
If I didn’t already know that it would set Luna and Khephren off into annoying raptures, I’d almost say it’s a Christmas miracle…
—Najar Mezdel, First Lieutenant and Voice of Reason on the Sleigh Belle
NAJAR
