Destined by Viola Grace

groove cut into the stone, and she placed her arm in it, inner side of her wrist up. Drehl put his arm in the groove, wrist down, and he gripped her forearm tight. This was going to hurt.
    “As they have declared their urge to be joined, so we shall witness their bodies becoming one.” The official lifted the dagger and speared through their joined wrists.
    The agony of the piercing was enough to buckle her knees, but she bit her lip as the official removed the dagger to take their blood for the registry.
    Their blood mingled in the groove, and to Rhoda’s surprise, it changed direction and returned to her body a moment before her wound sealed.
    His arm closed up as well, and he lifted her hand from the groove, showing their healed arms to the gathered group.
    Polite applause and smiles rippled through those assembled, and Drehl took her in his arms and kissed her wildly.
    She was clinging to his embroidered vest when he finally parted their lips. She smiled and pulled sharply on his clothing, bringing his mouth to hers again with her tongue slipping along his lips and thrusting inside to taste him.
    A laugh rippled through the crowd, and she continued until his hands were crushing her against him. When his erection was prodding against her belly, she relaxed her grip and smoothed his vest as she released him.
    His lips were dark grey and his eyes were fiery and intense. “That was rather immature.”
    She grinned. “I beg to differ.” She slowly shifted her belly against him, rubbing his erection. “It feels mature to me.”
    Drehl sighed. “We now have a very long day of celebrations. Teasing can go both ways, Rhoda.”
    She widened her eyes as his hand slid between her gown and her spine, cupping her bottom with a light pat. The jewelled briefs were no barrier to the heat of his hand.
    She swallowed. “Truce?”
    He grinned and whispered in her ear. “Why call a truce when I am winning?”
    The crowd surged around them, and they were ushered inside where tables and chairs had been set out in a loose formation. Some of the guests grabbed instruments and others hit the dance floor while the food was brought out and set in a buffet.
    Rhoda looked around, and she smiled. “Who are all of these people?”
    “Friends of my family, mainly. A few new members of government. The new head of immigration, for example. Not all aliens can marry within the Genarans, but you are a delightful example of how strangers to Yacaro can be contributing members of our society.”
    Jemyalli ran up to Rhoda and froze as Drehl stared at her. “Um…congratulations, Rhoda.”
    Rhoda let go of Drehl’s hand and hugged Jem. “Thanks. It isn’t how I thought it would be, but it is kinda nice not to be worried about being booted off the planet.”
    Jemyalli cast a look at Kebril. “I am not sure, but would you do my portrait?”
    Rhoda frowned. “As soon as I work out a studio. Apparently, the officers trashed my old studio. I am just glad that I had completed so many of my works and sent them out.”
    Rhoda agreed to call her in nine days, and when she returned to Drehl’s side, it was an endless round of introductions until she had met everyone who had come to witness their happy day.
     
     
     
     

Chapter Ten
     
     
    When the guests were gone, the moons were up and the only people left were Under, Hawk and Drehl, Rhoda followed her new husband back to the room she had woken in, and he locked the door behind them.
    With deliberation, he turned off his call button. “Under and Hawk agreed to leave us alone unless it was absolutely necessary for Charm to be with them.”
    Drehl unlaced his vest with slow movements, and he approached her. “It seems that the image you painted has come to pass. I recognize not only your clothing but my own.”
    She smiled and took a few steps toward him. “Yes, but you had the foreknowledge of this gown.”
    “Of course I did. I ordered it the first day we met. I was shocked to see it in the