His throat worked as he swallowed hard. Nodded. “If you’ll have me.”
“I am totally in love with you, Addan.” I reached for his hand, my smile widening. “I’ll have you. Always.”
In any room. Any position. Day. Night. One touch and I melted. He was mine, but I was his, too. Body and soul. This resonance business was fucking incredible. For the first time since I’d fallen into that soothing blue water at the processing center, I was actually glad I was an alien.
The room erupted into murmurs of confusion and surprise. Good ones, this time. I didn’t care. My enemies were defeated, my throne was secure, and for the first time, my future felt like it was mine. Mine and Addan’s.
Addan stared at me, his dark eyes wide with something between disbelief and awe. Slowly, a smile curved his lips, soft at first, then growing into something that made my chest tighten.
“Are you sure about this?” he asked, his voice low. “I’ll never be able to let you go.”
“I’m sure,” I said, squeezing his hand. “It’s you. It’s been you since the moment we met.”
Commander Zeus cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the room. “By royal decree of Princess Paige, General Addan Natosi is her Resonant and will be King Consort upon her ascension. The Coalition officially recognizes this union.” He inclined his head, his expression warmer now. “It would be our honor to witness it.”
Addan took a deep breath, his gaze steady as it locked onto mine. “You’re claiming me, Paige. Don’t think for a moment I won’t claim you back.”
I smiled. “I’m counting on it.”
The murmurs grew louder as I stepped forward, still holding Addan’s hand. The nobles began to murmur, their shock changing to relief.
The officiant, who had been cowering near the dais, rose uncertainly to his feet. He glanced between us, clearly unsure of what to do.
“It’s all right,” I addressed him with a calm authority I hadn’t realized I possessed. “The ceremony will proceed. Perhaps not as planned, but as needed. I will obviously not be marrying Prince Martainn.” I turned to Addan, the only man I wanted by my side. “I claim General Addan Natosi as my Resonant.”
A collective gasp rippled through the room, followed by silence so thick it felt like the entire palace was holding its breath.
Addan stepped closer, his hand tightening on mine. “I accept your claim.”
The room erupted in cheers. That was more like it. More the vibe I wanted at my wedding. No, not wedding. Bonding Ceremony. Better than a wedding. Weddings ended in divorces. This was primal. Biological. Magical. Better than anything I ever thought I would have.
To have found it so randomly, so quickly, was scary. And amazing.
To think. If I hadn’t been a Trus-T-Kleen cleaner, I’d never have been here.
I reached up, brushing my fingers against his cheek. “I love you.”
He nodded, his jaw tightening as he fought to keep his emotions in check. “I love you.” Then, with the same quiet confidence I’d come to love, he turned to the officiant. “Proceed with the bonding ceremony.”
The man fumbled with his ceremonial book, his hands shaking slightly as he adjusted his robes and turned the pages looking for the correct rite, the right words. This wasn’t a wedding, this was a bonding, the claiming of a Resonant. The two ceremonies represented very different things.
This was real. Forever.
He cleared his throat, his voice quivering as he began. “Under the laws of Insuri, and by the will of the crown…”
The rest of the room melted away. It was just Addan and me now, standing together at the center of it all. His dark eyes locked onto mine, filled with emotions that made my heart ache. In the good way this time.
When it was time to exchange vows, I spoke first, my voice steady and sure, repeating the words I was prompted by the officiant. “I claim you as my Resonant, Addan Natosi. My Resonant. My protector. My love.”
His throat worked as he swallowed, his voice rough with emotion as he replied. “And I claim you, Princess Edelene Merrienne Peigi. Paige. My Resonant. My queen. My heart.”
The officiant continued, his voice growing steadier as he reached the ceremony’s conclusion. “By the power vested in me by the people of Insuri, I now pronounce you bonded for life. May your union bring strength and prosperity to the planet.”
The room remained silent, stunned. But when Addan leaned down, his lips brushing mine, the applause began—hesitant at first, then building into a roaring tide of approval as Addan’s kiss consumed me.
I barely heard the noise. All I could feel was him.
26
