Epilogue
Taken: Year Six
Kane’s heart thumped hard. His breathing was fast and shallow.
What if she changed her mind?
He nervously wrung his hands together.
A low chuckle came from his right. “Are you getting cold feet?” JB asked.
Kane shook his head. “No, but I’m starting to wonder if she is.”
“Don’t worry, she’ll be here. She’s probably doing some girly last-minute thing.”
God, he hoped so.
The rustling in the back of the room made him snap to attention. Low whispers filled the grand ballroom. Everyone’s heads craned toward the entrance. He watched and waited.
Sa’Mya.
Her hair was twisted in a braid. The light from the chandelier hit the diamond crown she wore, sending a million sparkling lights dancing off the walls. Her floor-length gown had swirling designs made out of blue diamonds. Her wrists were fastened loosely in front of her with a piece of lace.
His gaze finally met hers. She smiled lightly as she walked slowly through the crowd of females, stopping to let each one of them whisper in her ears. She had explained earlier that they would give her words of love, encouragement and well-wishes. Following behind her was a very pregnant Eva. Eva had undergone an enlightenment ceremony and now had two intricate designs of varitizars tattooed across her torso, neck and eye.
“Come on, come on, come on,” Kane mumbled as the time slowly ticked by, and she still hadn’t made it halfway through the crowd.
“Relax, you’re making me nervous and I’m not the one getting married.”
“Why does this have to take so long? Does she have to stop at every freaking lady here? Shit, this is going to take all night.”
JB chuckled again. “Exactly how long has it been?”
“Two months. Too freaking long.”
Sa’Mya hadn’t come to their bed since then. Her reason had been that she wanted their love to be pure for their bonding ceremony. Whatever. He was going to explode right here in front of all these nice ladies. Then what would she say?
Finally, she reached him. They stood face-to-face. As previously instructed, he untied her wrists in silence. He held her hand in his. JB tied the lace tightly around Kane’s and Sa’Mya’s wrists, joining them together.
After the gongs rang, the historian who stood in front of them listed the names of all the Laconian royal bonds, starting from the very first couple. His and Sa’Mya’s name were read, meaning they were now added to the list.
The crowd erupted and cheered behind him as he pulled Sa’Mya into his arms and kissed her.
“I was getting worried,” Kane whispered. “I thought you changed your mind.”
Sa’Mya pulled away from him. “Changed my mind? My child will be born to royal parents. I’ll not have her mocked for having a commoner father.” She leaned in to plant another soft kiss on his lips. “Besides, it took too long to get you to agree.”
He rubbed her extended abdomen. His baby girl kicked underneath his hand. His heart lurched. His baby.
She had been right. It had taken him too long to do right by her. Every time he thought he was ready, an overwhelming sense of anxiety settled in him.
What if she died? He couldn’t take another loss.
It had taken her pregnancy to finally make him change his mind. On Laconia, in order to be legally recognized as the father, he had to bond with Sa’Mya. Even though he was a member of the Galactic Council now, he was still a commoner. But no matter the circumstance, it was finally done, he was King of Laconia, ruling at Sa’Mya’s side. They were finally a family.
“I’m sorry for taking so long to come to my senses.”
“I’m happy that you finally did.” She nodded toward Eva, who talked to JB. “If you hadn’t, Eva was going to kick your ass for me.”
And Sa’Mya’s best friend would’ve been more than happy to do it.
He pulled her close to him again and swung her around.
“I love you, Sa’Mya Epps.”
“And I love you, Captain.”
A bloodcurdling scream erupted behind them. “Damn it all to hell. Why does this always happen while I’m on this planet?” Everyone turned to watch Eva, who clutched her abdomen. “I’m going into labor. Taio!”