Page 86 of Caveman Alien's Heat
“The food is less important,” Nator’ax growls with obvious impatience. “We just need the vows. Surely no wait is necessary? The day is young. We can do this before midnight, no doubt.”
I put a hand on his arm and smile up to him. “My love wants to be married immediately. And I feel the same way. But good things come to those who wait, as we say on Earth.”
“On Xren, what comes to those who wait is usually death,” Nator’ax rumbles. “But I suppose three days will be acceptable. I recently learned how fast five days can pass.”
“That was too fast,” I agree. “Can you sit down? Nobody’s going to attack us here.” I quickly look up. “Except the irox, maybe.”
He shakes his head. “No irox has been here for a long time. They know to avoid it. I will rest later. Now I have to face my chief and explain why I was gone for so long, with the woman I swore to not abduct.”
- - -
Three days pass in a blur of preparations and stolen kisses, as well as some that are not stolen at all. Korr’ax accepts Nator’ax’s explanation without much pushback, not least because my fiance tells the story so well that everyone in the village comes to listen.
Now, at midday, I stand in my gladiator sandals at the foot of the towering red rock with my heart hammering louder than the drums.
The entire tribe has gathered, as well as some striped warriors from other tribes. They form a wide semi circle behind us, their loincloths bright with paint and beads. Steady, resonant drumming rises from the group of boys at the base of the rock, deep booms that vibrate through my chest and into the ground beneath me.
Nator’ax stands tall before me, magnificent in new, long loincloth and a black fur sash that leaves most of his striped chest bare. The fur is from a jungle animal, but I’m sure he was inspired by the Gar tribe when it comes to the design and the material.
Astrid the shaman steps between us, her hair crowned with winter flowers and feathers. She lifts her hands. The drums soften to a low, heartbeat rhythm.
“Today we witness a bond between worlds,” Astrid calls out, her voice carrying clearly. “Riley of Earth and Nator’ax of Xren, both of the Borok tribe. Two hearts choosing one path.”
She turns to me first. “Do you give your warmth, your future, and your loyalty to this warrior? To stand beside him through every storm and every quiet night?”
I look up into his intense gaze and my voice comes out steady and sure. “I do. I give him all my tomorrows. He is the home I choose every single day.” We made those vows ourselves, and I’m happy with mine.
Astrid nods, then faces Nator’ax. “And do you swear to protect her, to cherish her, and to return to her always?”
Nator’ax’s deep voice rolls over the gathering like thunder softened by devotion. “She is the reason my sword strikes true and my heart keeps beating. I swear my strength, my fire, and my life to her. Until the stars burn out.”
I haven’t heard his vows until now, and the calm sincerity in them takes me breath away.
A soft murmur of approval moves through the tribe.
Astrid lifts a braided cord of soft leather and crimson thread. She wraps it slowly around our joined hands and wrists, tying the knot with careful reverence. “By blood and bond, by choice and sky, before the Borok tribe and its members, I declare you mated. You are one now.”
The drums explode into joyous, thunderous celebration. Cheers erupt all around us.
Nator’ax pulls me close with his free arm and kisses me deeply, one large hand cradling the back of my head. The kiss is fullof promise, relief, and fierce tenderness. When we finally part, he rests his forehead against mine, our bound hands pressed between our chests.
“You are my forever,” he murmurs, just for me, voice rough with emotion. “The light I will always return to.”
“And you are my strength and my peace,” I whisper back, smiling through happy tears. “I am yours completely.”
“And I am yours,” he rumbles. “Let’s not forgetthat.”
The tribe surges forward with laughter and blessings and comments, the girls first.
Nator’ax can’t deal with it for long before he lifts me effortlessly into his arms. I laugh as he spins me once under the bright midday sun, the red rock with its painted totem wall towering above us like a silent witness. For the first time since arriving on this wild planet, everything feels exactly right.
He carries me up the stairs to the penthouse. The saucer is there, and the hatch is open.
“I wonder what Callie will say when she sees us,” I ponder as Nator’ax lifts me into the saucer and then puts me down on my feet. “I hope she’ll be happy to have some visitors. Or maybe she’ll be annoyed about being interrupted from alone time with her own man.”
Theodora told us what Dex reported to her, after he found Callie in the company of a caveman who Dex said is a fisherman.
“If we find the place,” my husband says as he stems his palm against the ceiling, never a big fan of flying in this thing.
