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  The Ontex rep inclined his head. “He will file an appeal, but this exchange is already in the archives. He does not have a basis for contesting your decision. Be well, Arengar.”

  The Azon ambassador grinned. “Enjoy it. Triumph against the Jerican is always sweet.” He flicked off his monitor and they were left facing Amy Tyrell.

  The Consort looked at Lili’s body and asked, “Is she happy?”

  Arengar inclined her head. “She is. She has a very good time winding my other Avatar up. Between irritation and frustration, it is a good thing that they liked each other before they joined, or he would have strangled her by now.”

  Amy grinned. “That sounds familiar. Does he love her?”

  Arengar tilted both their heads. “He cannot imagine a day without her, nor she without him. Am I correct in thinking that is love?”

  “It is close enough. Call me if you need anything, I will send a message to the Sector Guard to put you on their patrol and contact schedule. The Jerican will not give up that easily.”

  Arengar grimaced. “I am aware. I am preparing for whatever they bring, but their people are mine now.”

  “Have a good evening, Arengar. Wish Lili a good night for me.” Amy waved farewell and disconnected the call.

  Arengar stood and walked to the centre of the room. He nodded to the com officer and took in a deep breath before speaking with two throats and one voice.

  “Ladies and gentlemen of Geko 7. Today I have declared you mine. Your ties to Jerican have been cut and any and all who do not wish to continue to live on my skin may leave immediately.

  “From this moment on, you are Gekkans, the people of Geko 7, beholden to no parent planets or governments. You are your own people now and you will live the lives you want for yourself, your children and their children.

  “For those of you who do not yet know, I have two Avatars now and each brings an emotional awareness to the circumstances of our situation. Nothing and no one will part Yavoy and Lili and anyone who tries will have to deal with me.

  “Now, continue with your harvests, live your lives and come to my Avatars when you have a need that the planet can provide. Thank you and have a good evening, people of Geko 7.”

  Chapter Ten

  The moment that the com officer indicated that the image was off, Arengar left Lili’s body. She slumped slightly only to be caught and held upright by Yavoy.

  “That was quite the speech.” She smiled and held onto him as he walked them out the door.

  “It was. Are you prepared for the aftermath?”

  “Sure. I am always up for a challenge, in or out of bed.” Her legs were wobbly and she was walking slowly, her slippers making small noises on the stone of the hallway.

  “Some of the population won’t like it.”

  “I know and they can leave. We are not telling them to forget where they have come from, merely to embrace where they have chosen to live.”

  “It isn’t always easy to cut oneself off from home.”

  She lifted her chin and stared him down. “It is the hardest thing in the world, but when you have cut the tie, all that remains is the possibility of a new home in the future. That is what you have to work toward. That is what you have to strive for—the chance of a better day.”

  He was silent for three blocks of walking. “You are very much a romantic, aren’t you?”

  She blushed. It was amazing that she could still blush after all that they had done together, but there was nothing like a few words of admiration to make her a giddy girl.

  They passed a few people with trolleys who were under the watchful eyes of their guard. The women giggled and laughed before scuttling away with their carts.

  The guards gave her knowing looks as she passed and her eyebrows started to climb as she wondered what the heck was going on.

  She pressed her palm to their doorplate and as it slid back, the scent of niabbru flowers hit her in a glorious wave.

  “What?” She took a few steps into the room and took in the soft petals on every flat surface as well as a thick carpet of them on the bed. “What is all this?”

  Yavoy took a few steps toward her and pressed a kiss to her forehead, cheeks, nose and lips. “We skipped the courtship out of necessity, so I am making up for it.”

  “You thought this up?”

  “Arengar helped. He had to keep it from you, so he kept you asleep while the arrangements were made.”

  She fought the tears that were threatening, but they started slipping down her cheeks regardless. “This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.”

  He kissed her tears away and unclasped the front of her cloak. “I am very sorry for that, but I will make it up to you.”

  She smiled weakly and lunged up to kiss him, her lips tangled with his and she used a flick of power to drop him to his back on the bed. The scent of crushed blossoms filled the air and lit her body on fire from within.

  It was their first night with a new world order and it need to be celebrated.

  Waking covered with flower petals and the scent of sex clinging to every part of her, she smiled. It had been a very good night and it looked to be a better day.

  Yavoy wasn’t in bed with her, but there was already a platter of breakfast waiting for them.

  He came out of the bathroom and wandered to the tray, picking up two objects and smiling. “Congratulations, we have made the first official holiday of Geko 7.”

  As he approached her with the berries and syrup, her body warmed and laughter bubbled from within.

  It was going to be a much better day indeed.

  About the Author

  Viola Grace was born in Manitoba, Canada where she still resides today. She really likes it there. She has no pets and can barely keep sea monkeys alive for a reasonable amount of time. Her line of day job tends to be analytical which leaves her mind hopping to weave stories. No co-worker is safe from her character analysis. In keeping with busy hands are happy hands, her hobbies have included cross-stitch, needlepoint, quilting, costuming, cake decorating, baking, cooking, metal work, beading, sculpting, painting, doll making, henna tattoos, chain mail, and a few others that have been forgotten. It is quite often that these hobbies make their way into her tales.

  Viola’s fetishes include boots and corsetry, and her greatest weakness is her uncontrollable blush. Her writing actively pursues the Happily Ever After that so rarely occurs in nature. It is an admirable thing and something that we should all strive for. To find one that we truly like, as well as love.