After declaring Melchior as my mate, he decided that we need to have a mating ceremony. I'm not really the type to want to stand up in front everyone, have their eyes on me while I celebrate something so personal, but I'm willing to do it for him. And maybe there is something nice about the formality of it. The commitment of a public celebration. Then when Padraig and Maeve and Fallon and Arawn suggest we do a tri-ceremony all together, I breathe a sigh of relief. That's more people to take some of that attention, which is more than fine with me.

On top of that, when Visidion and Rosalind get wind of our plans, they're fully on board.

"A large celebration, a reason to be happy, to dress up and blow off steam—it's a good idea," Rosalind says, looking at each of us in turn. “Something positive to offset all the negative.”

I can see that.

"And we can invite people from all the territories—the Tribe, the city, and the mining settlement," Visidion adds.

"That's an excellent idea," Rosalind agrees, smiling up at him where he stands beside her chair. "It will be a good way to build relationships. Formal agreements are great, but they can't take the place of personal links."

He nods, looking at Melchior.

"I like the message this sends. That we will continue to live our lives, that the invaders will not take that from us. That we won't give them that power over us."

It's a sobering yet accurate picture of what's going on, and it makes me feel even better about the ceremony. The meeting doesn't last much longer after that, our piece said.

The communal meal that night has a celebratory air in and of itself, the news of another mating—another three matings—lifting everyone's spirits. I don't mind the congratulations I receive, not when everyone needs something good to focus on.

For once, I even decide to put off tinkering with the invader ship for the night, happy to spend the night with by mate by my side. Walking together into the future, entering that next phase of life.

I tighten my grip on Melchior's hand and he looks down to meet my eyes with a smile as we walk through the tables filled with people enjoying their food.

Melchior has my heart, fully and completely. And for once, I'm not afraid. I don't want to retreat into my shielded solitude. I trust him. I trust myself.

This entire experience, this relationship, has helped me reclaim that small piece of myself that I nearly lost because I was so afraid of being vulnerable. So ready to suppress any part of me that might lead to any kind of unfamiliar territory, any place that I do not have guaranteed control over.

As we get food and take a couple of empty seats, I revel in the normality of it all. I didn't realize how much I would enjoy the little things about being part of a couple. Like always having someone by my side when I want him...it's nice.

Melchior's hand stays in my own as he starts to eat. I look down at our clasped hands, feeling misty-eyed about everything. I never thought I would ever be this sappy person. But with Melchior...I really am. I can't help it.

"Is something wrong?"

I look up at his concerned murmur, meeting those gorgeous eyes. Eyes that I'm going to see looking back at me every morning from here on out. And isn't that just great?

"No," I reassure him, leaning into him to kiss his cheek. Any reservations I had about being public about our relationship seem silly now. I'm not that frightened, insecure person anymore. "I love you."

The concern melts away into a look that I know I will always treasure.

"I love you too," he says, raising my hand and kissing the back of it.

I sigh, completely content as I lean into his side.

Love was there all along.

I just had to be brave enough to reach for it.