“Yes. Oh, Raz,yes!” Released from the deep freeze in her bones, she leaped for him.
With a laugh, he caught her—as she knew he would—and managed somehow to slide the ring onto her finger in the same motion. He swung her around, and even though they weren’t wearing the anti-grav dancing boots, she felt him lifting her toward the heavens.
When his mouth descended on hers, hungry and demanding and wild, shewrapped her arms around his neck and held him fast while the very blood in her veins zoomed as if rocket-boosted.
Forever was a very long time—she understood that better than ever now that she owned and managed a space station on the edge of a singularity. But the risk to her heart was worth it for him.
“I love you,” she whispered against his mouth when the claiming kiss eased.
Slowly, helet her slide down his body to her own two feet. But he didn’t let her go. Instead, he framed her face with his big hands and leaned down for another kiss, gentler this time but no less intense. “As I love you,” he answered in a low voice that she knew was an oath he’d never break.
As he took her hand and whirled her back into his embrace, one of the moons of Azthronos peeked into the ballroomfrom above. The luminous gold light caught in the ring and flared between them in an everlasting fire. And Rayna knew, whatever challenges might arise from loving an arrogant alien duke, she’d always have her rock—not the Eye of Zalar but Raz himself. And he’d have her.
“Are you ready for what happens next, Your Grace?” She smiled up at him.
His answering smile was charmingly crooked. “Do weeven know what that is?” He tucked a wayward lock of hair behind her ear.
She tilted her cheek into his cradling palm. “I imagine the Octiron crew will return to cover the real engagement,” she teased. At his groan, she poked him again. “And your mother will gloat that you have control of the space station now.”
“I only wanted you,” he said in a commanding voice.
“And you have me.” She tightenedher grip around his waist. “As I have you.”
“We’re in this together.” The soft note of wonderment in his voice nearly broke her heart. In all the universe, could there be a being more perfect for her?
She canted up to her tiptoes to feather her lips over his. “Together,” she wished whispered. “That’s a promise.”
