Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Lilly smoothed her hair down while she examined her appearance one last time. Tyrell had outdone himself and found her a beautiful, full-length gown of snow white. The gown was made of a super soft material that reminded Lilly of silk and swirled about her in a soft cloud every time she moved. The gown had a square neckline and long flowing sleeves that reminded Lilly of something a medieval princess would wear; it also had a fitted waist and bodice that clung to her curves. “You look lovely, Lilly,” Lars said from where he watched her by the door. “Come, it is time to go, Ronan is probably worried you have changed your mind.” “Thank you,” Lilly turned, accepting her robe from Lars. She eased into it carefully, flipping up the hood so as not to mess up her hair; once she was covered, she turned to Lars. “Let’s go,” Lilly said as Lars gave her a toothy smile and opened the door for her. Lilly fought down one last attack of nerves and stepped into the corridor. She’d never been one to believe in fate but, something had saved her that night and led her to this dusty, ruined planet and Ronan. Ronan was the man of her dreams, even if he was from another planet. * * * * Ronan paced nervously from the edge of the fountain to the shade of the trees and back. He heard a chuckle and looked up to see Cahir and Eacha leaning against the fountain and laughing at him, while Rugger stood a few feet away, frowning with his arms crossed in obvious annoyance and anger. “What is so amusing?” Ronan snapped. He wasn’t going to let anything stop his wedding. Not even his friends. “Nothing, or everything depending on how you think about it. You are exchanging vows with your pale-skinned female and promising to be faithful to her. It is amusing when you could have any female you wanted,” Cahir said, turning to indicated the dome behind them. “Not that she is not lovely and intelligent, but there are many females yet to be found and bedded,” Eacha added with a grin. “Be quiet,” Ronan growled, glaring at his friends. “They speak their minds, just bed the female and get it over with, who cares what she thinks or wants,” Rugger said, glowering at Ronan. “I do, and you would do well to watch your tongue as she will soon be my wife and one day your queen.” Ronan snarled. He couldn’t believe his men, his friends, did not support his choice or his desires. The smile disappeared from Cahir and Eacha’s faces as they exchanged sheepish looks. “We meant nothing; we just never thought to see you settle for one female so soon. We both like her and admire her for her courage, though.” Cahir said, earning a curt nod from Ronan. “You would do well to remember that she has been helping us from the beginning and that we left home to find females as mates, not just for bed sport. I could ask for no finer female if we searched for another five years.” Ronan hissed softly, so only his friends could hear him over the bubbling of the fountain. While Ronan thought of his men like brothers and cared for them as such, he knew with every fiber of his being that Lilly was his mate. It hurt that they didn’t see what an amazing female she was. “You are right; I just don’t want you to regret your actions,” Rugger replied. “I will have no regrets; she is all I could want in a mate and more,” Ronan replied, giving Rugger a challenging look. Rugger sighed, and then nodded. “Very well then, I will not stand in your way, though I still think you could do better.” Ronan was about to give Rugger a scathing set down when he saw Lilly approaching on the arm of Lars with Tyrell a few steps behind. Ronan felt his hearts skip a beat when Lilly stopped and slipped off her black robe. Her long, bright hair cascaded down to her waist in a shimmering wave, and her curves were displayed to advantage by a form-fitting white gown. Ronan stepped forward to take Lilly’s hand as Lars took her discarded robe and laid it on the edge of the fountain. He reached into the fountain and pulled out a handful of wildflowers tied together with a scrap of cloth. Lars handed it to Lilly with a toothy smile then stepped aside to let Tyrell move past him. “You look beautiful,” Ronan said, earning a shy smile from Lilly. “Thank you, you look very handsome.” Lilly felt her heart speed up as Ronan tightened his huge hand about hers. “Thank you, do not be afraid, I will let no harm come to you.” Ronan wanted to say more, but till they were free, he couldn’t give Lilly the assurances she needed; he couldn’t even tell her who he truly was. “I know you shall try, and that is all that matters.” Lilly felt Ronan squeeze her. “All right, it’s time. Lilly explained to me what is to be done. You are to exchange vows and then rings. After that is done, I will declare you wed, and you may kiss.” Tyrell motioned for Lilly and Ronan to join him in the shadows of the trees. “I have also made two copies of a wedding contract for you both that you each must sign, as must all the others as witnesses, now are you both ready?” “Yes,” Ronan replied, pulling Lilly closer as she gave a nod of agreement. Tyrell pulled his tablet out of his jacket, and giving them a fleeting smile, held it up. “Ronan of Gilese, do you promise to take Lilly MacTaggert of Earth as your wife, to honor her, to place her above all others, and to care for her as long as she lives in both sickness and health ?” Tyrell gave Ronan an expectant look. “I do, and I vow to protect her always and do what I can to make her happy,” Ronan said, looking down into Lilly’s upturned face. He tried to commit to memory her face at this moment, how lovely she looked, the sounds around them, everything about this moment. “And do you, Lilly MacTaggert, promise to take Ronan of Gilese as your husband, to honor him and to be faithful to him and to care for him as long as you both shall live?” Tyrel demanded looking at Lilly. “I do, and I promise to love him with all my heart and to do all I can to protect him,” Lilly added. Tyrell gave her a grin as he nodded. “Now the rings, Ronan, you first.” Lars stepped forward with two rings in the center of his scaly palm and held them out for Lilly and Ronan to take. Ronan took the small ring and turned to see that Lilly had lifted her left hand; he caught her hand and eased the ring onto her index finger. “This ring is a symbol of my eternal devotion for Lilly and my vow to protect her always.” Lilly gave Ronan a smile, knowing that in his own way, he had said he loved her. She took Ronan’s left hand and eased the finger onto his finger, seeing him smile as she did. “With this ring, I promise to love Ronan with all my heart till the end of my days,” Lilly said, holding Ronan’s eyes with her own. She knew that his people didn’t use the word love, but she also knew he understood the concept, and it was how best she could express her feelings. “Very good, well vows have been exchanged and witnessed. In my power as Captain of the guard, I pronounce Ronan and Lilly sealed for now and forever. Ronan may now kiss his bride,” Tyrell said with a grin as beside him, Lars began to clap loudly. Ronan pulled Lilly against him and, cupping her upturned face, pressed his lips to hers. He’d wanted the kiss to be a simple reminder of what he felt for her, but the moment his lips touched hers his plan went up in flames. Lilly’s soft mouth opened under his, and his tongue touched hers as her left hand tightened about his shirt, holding him tight. “Yes well enough of that for now, you both have to sign,” Tyrell said loudly as Cahir and Eacha began to chuckle beside him. With regret, Ronan tore his lips from Lilly’s, but he kept a possessive hand on her waist. “Wait, I have something for Ronan.” Lilly turned to Lars, who handed her a multicolored metal cuff and a matching medallion hanging from a thick leather cord. Lilly handed Lars her flowers and offered the bracelet and medallion to Ronan. “Where did you get these?” Ronan asked, examining both the cuff and the medallion which seemed to be made of ship metal and embossed with gold, brass, and copper. “I made them for you. The metal came from the wastelands, from discarded ship components. The bracelet I was told is a Hyperion tradition; it has a Lilly for me and a tree for you.” Lilly ran her finger over the cuff. “Lars said a married male wears such a cuff so females will know he is taken. The medallion is your custom on one side I made my solar system on the other side, yours. I wanted this wedding to feel as much like a true wedding for you as possible.” Ronan let Lilly slip the cuff about his wrist and then examined the medallion; it was as she said, his solar system was on one side and one with nine planets on the other. In the center of the medallion was a two-inch-wide dark red stone representing the sun for both sides. “You made these for me, I am moved.” Ronan carefully examined the medallion, marveling at the workmanship. He leaned forward to kiss Lilly, quickly then slipped the medallion about his neck. “You really like them?” Lilly asked hesitantly. She wanted to give Ronan a gift to let him know how much she cared for him. As Prime, he was one of the wealthiest slaves in the Dome and could afford almost anything he desired. She was afraid her gifts would seem simple and inadequate. “I do, my woman made these for me, I shall never take them off. I wish I had your skills. When I take you home, I shall have a medallion made for you.” Ronan pressed the medallion against his chest, deeply moved at the work it had taken to make him his wedding gifts. “Well, now that is done, you two are the last to sign.” Tyrell held the tablet out to Ronan, who took it with a nod and, using his finger signed his name and then pressed his thumbprint against the screen before handing the tablet to Lilly, who also signed and pressed her thumbprint against the screen. “Wonderful, I will upload the contract and make you copies, and congratulations.” Tyrell said. “I asked the cook to make you a special meal it should be ready soon so don’t be long.” Tyrell gave Lilly and Ronan a smile then hurried away. Lars extended his hand to Ronan. “Take good care of my friend.” “I shall,” Ronan replied as he returned the lizard man’s handshake. Lars nodded then turned to hurry after Tyrell. “Well, congratulations, Ronan, Lilly, welcome. I know we have not been the best of friends to you, but we shall try harder to make you feel welcome.” Cahir said with a smile, earning a nod of agreement from Eacha. “We shall wait for you in the hall.” Rugger paused studying Lilly for a moment, then he too nodded. “Welcome, Lilly. I gave Ronan my word to give you a chance, and so I shall, just be good to him.” Then, without waiting for a reply, he walked quickly away. As soon as they were alone, Ronan pulled Lilly against him for a quick kiss. “It is done, we are wed. I know you are frightened of what is to come, but I promise to make it good for you. Do you trust me?” “Yes, I do, and I know you shall. I’m no longer frightened, for I have you; no matter what shall happen in the future as long as you are with me, I can overcome anything.” Lilly gave Ronan a smile. It was true she didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, but for now, she had Ronan by her side. “That is my brave female, now we shall put on your robe so the suns won’t burn your skin, and then we shall eat, and then later I shall make you mine.” Ronan lifted Lilly’s black robe, helping her into it. He loved her pale, soft skin and didn’t want anything to harm it. “And I shall make you mine,” Lilly replied with a shy smile. Ronan gave her a grin, then took her hand in his and led her towards the dining hall, his hearts filled with happiness, for he would soon claim his mate.