“Okay, everyone,” he yells. “Follow me. Start from the left leg or a similar appendage. One-two-three, kick! Don’t be afraid to move those hips! Let’s go!”
The energy among the crowd is high, especially for those who decide to join us. But even the few who chose to watch from the sidelines offer raucous encouragement. River’s ebullience and general vivacity as he teaches us all the Earthling dance is utterly contagious. Everyone’s laughing and moving to the beat as our flash conga line keeps moving in a big loop through the ballroom. It’s so popular that the organizers play the song on repeat a couple of times, and we all give ourselves over to the simple joy of dancing together as a group.
By the time we finally stop, everyone’s sweaty and smiling from ear to ear. Many people come to talk excitedly with River and thank him for showing them this new dance. My sweet husband is glowing brighter than a supernova and my hearts swell in my chest, overcome yet again by how truly special he is—and how much I adore him with every fiber of my being.
The heartstone love amulet in the wrist cuff I’m wearing seems to hum with energy, warming against my skin for a moment. Maybe it can sense what I’m feeling right now.
Amid a crowd of his eager fans, River’s eyes manage to find mine, and what I see in them reflects my own emotions. It’s breathtaking.
As if sensing my mood, River extricates himself from his fans and returns to my side.
“Did you like my surprise? I know it wasn’t as epic as all of yours, but don’t worry, I’ll be paying you back for those on our first anniversary, just you wait! I?—”
I can’t hold back any longer.
I sweep him into my arms and kiss him like there’s no tomorrow. Like we’re the last two souls in the universe. Like I might die right this moment if I don’t kiss him within an inch of his life.
The whistles and cheers all around us vaguely register, but I pay them no mind. All I care about right here and right now is River.
Before we met, I never considered myself a passionate man. But River ignited a fire inside me that hasn’t gone out since. If anything, it burns brighter with each passing day.
He’s my husband. My life partner.
My one true love in this whole wide universe.
And I’m so damn lucky he’s mine.
EPILOGUE
Starblade was shocked to realize that Vardox was right. They were making love—and it was so much more intense than any of the times before.
Right now, it wasn’t only Starblade’s body that was connected to Vardox, it was also his heart.
He was overwhelmed by the symphony of sensations coursing throughout his body and deep in his soul. For so long he’d fought his attraction to Vardox, but perhaps the tentacled troublemaker who’d turned his universe upside down had been right. At this moment, he could believe that they were in fact predestined mates.
The orgasm building in Starblade already seemed bigger and more powerful than any he’d ever experienced. When Vardox’s cock slammed into him at just the right angle and one tentacle milked his cock with tenacity, Starblade tipped over the edge into white hot bliss.
Starblade wasn’t sure if he passed out or simply lost time, but he finally came back to his senses and realized that Vardoxhad also reached his climax and now lay beside him, cradling Starblade in his arms and several of his tentacles.
Frustrated tears welled in Starblade’s eyes, and he reached up to grab firm hold of Vardox’s face. “Now that you’ve made me love you, you better never leave me, you bastard,” he growled.
Vardox damn near purred with happiness. “Darling, as I told you before, I love you and no other. Thus it shall be until the day I die. Masnoks mate for life, and I staked my claim on you long ago. I was willing to wait as long as it took. Now that I finally have you, I’ll fulfill my duties as your mate for the rest of our lives.”
Starblade harrumphed a little but was secretly pleased by Vardox’s words. “Good. Now hold me tighter.”
“With pleasure, my dear captain.”
—The Tentacular Tales of Captain Starblade,Ch. 171
River
“I can’t believeit’s almost over,” I whine.
Kai runs a hand through my hair. “We had a wonderful time though, didn’t we?”
“Yeah,” I grumble, “but the time flew by too fast. It’s not fair.”
“Isn’t that always the case when it comes to vacation?” Kai asks with an amused quirk of his lips.
