Page 66 of Alien's Heart
“I have never cared much for a traditional mating ceremony, but if it is something you desire, then I will do what I must,” he said.
Traditional Tal mating ceremonies were elaborate celebrations that could last for days. Nox had distant memories of attending one as a kit. Specifically, the memories were of immense boredom and his mother dragging him off to scold him for not sitting still. He was a kit. Expecting an energetic kit to sit quietly while two people lit candles and repeated promises like they were casting a spell was too much. He did not hold fond memories of the event. While Nox now could sit quietly for extended periods of time, he was not in a rush to repeat the experience.
His mate took his hand and said, “Nah, a courthouse wedding was good enough for me.”
“Yes, I needed to do it quickly before you changed your mind about me.” Nox had insisted that their first stop after he had been released from the hospital be the provincial courthouse. Although Ruth wore his claim mark and they exchanged words of devotion, he needed a legally binding contract to prove it was real and not a wonderful delusion.
Ruth squeezed his hand.
His mate was very real.
He also took the opportunity to change his name. Well, amend. He was no longer Just Nox No-Surname. He was Nox Washington, mate of Ruth Washington.
“You do not wish that others had been there to witness our mating?”
Ruth’s lips twitched with a smile. “I know you mean signing the marriage license, and not, you know, mating.” She wiggled her eyebrows.
“Do not distract me with juvenile humor. I am serious.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry. That was inappropriate. Read the room, Ruth,” she muttered to herself. Before she could continue, music started to play, and the audience turned as the two grooms entered the garden.
Ruth
Rege and Than walked down the aisle. They moved stiffly in formal clothes, but they held their heads high. Delicate golden chains decorated their twisting horns, which was the only thing delicate about the pair. Years of slinging heavy bags of flour around had given them a solid upper build and arms as thick as Ruth’s thighs.
Not that she was looking, but Serene liked to brag about her mates. Ruth had to admit they were a good-looking pair, but everyone looked good on their wedding day.
Speaking of…
The music changed. The audience stood.
Serene strutted down the aisle. An ankle bracelet with bells chimed with every step. Paint decorated her bare feet. She wore a gown of pale blue with a fine, nearly translucent shawl over her head and shoulders.
Her friend was beautiful.
She wasn’t going to cry.
Ruth pressed a handkerchief to the corners of her eyes, completely at a loss to stop the tears.
Nox placed a hand on her shoulder and had a worried look on his face. “You are distressed. I knew you wanted a ceremony.”
“No. I’m having some big emotions right now. I’m happy,” she said, still whispering. When his one intact ear twitched in doubt, she added, “Honestly. These are happy tears.”
Serene reached the altar. She, Rege, and Than held hands, forming a circle. Soft, instrumental music continued to play. Joy radiated from Serene, and her grooms reflected it.
Later, after candles were lit and vows were exchanged, music filled the night. They danced and cheered and laughed until Ruth was breathless and sought refuge in a quiet corner.
Ruth rested her head on Nox’s shoulder. His tail wrapped possessively around her waist. Shorter now than it used to be, his tail barely reached her front, instead of all the way over her stomach. Despite the cool night air, she felt overheated from the dancing. “The ceremony is beautiful, and a big party is nice, but I’m glad we didn’t have one. Too much work.”
He picked up the thread of their interrupted conversation from hours ago. “Our celebration would be better thannice.”
“Oh, I’m sure you would’ve thrown a legendary shindig.”
“I would have trained Little Hunter to deliver the ring, like in that film we saw,” Nox said, his tone implying that training the wuap to carry a ring was something he still might do.
“Well, as adorable as that’d be, I liked that it was just us. Honestly, I was too excited to wait to organize something.” Having a few friends as moral support would have been nice and she knew Nox would have wanted his cousin Harmony to be there, if possible, but she had no regrets.
“You want to keep me to yourself,” he said.
