“I swear,” Deviant stated, loud and clear.
“I do too.” It was so sweet that he’d remembered, and that he never wanted to lose her, either. “Forever.”
Deviant squeezed her hands, his grin widening. “Forever,” he repeated.
Zorus reached inside the pocket of the gray outfit he wore and removed a box. “The rings.”
Deviant released Venice and accepted the box. He opened it and showed her two matching rings. “I hope you don’t mind. Some cyborgs get tattooed but I would never want to cause you any pain or mar your skin. I wanted to honor Earth traditions.”
She nodded, touched. “I’m so glad.” They were made out of some shiny, bright blue material that reminded her of Deviant’s eye color, just simple bands, but silver had been added to them to make a strange yet beautiful design.
“They are our names in the cyborg language.” Deviant took out each ring and his father accepted the box. “They were made from an ocean stone found here on Garden.” He cleared his throat. “You said you love my eyes, and they nearly match the color of them.”
“I love them.” And she loved him even more for being so thoughtful and wonderful.
Venice lifted her left hand and Deviant gently placed the ring on her finger. He handed her his and she did the same, pushing it onto his finger.
He clasped her hands again and looked at Zorus. “Seal the contract.”
“It is my official honor to declare―”
“Wait!” a female voice called out. “Halt this immediately!”
Venice twisted her head, stunned, as a lovely gray woman with black hair quickly approached. She wore a red dress with matching boots—and four cyborg men followed her.
“Damn it,” Mavo hissed and moved fast, crossing the bridge to intercept them. “Don’t do this, Bazelle. This is our son’s wedding.”
“Get out of my way!”
Venice almost winced at how strongly Deviant’s hold on her hands became. She instantly didn’t like his mother. She was a beautiful woman, but she was also trying to ruin their wedding.
Mavo didn’t budge, blocking them from stepping onto the bridge. “Leave now. You were not invited.”
Bazelle tried to sidestep around Mavo but he moved with her. She shoved at him. “I’m more than aware. I demand to speak to that Earther. Councilman Zorus, I believe this female has been given false information and is about to enter a contract she doesn’t understand.”
Venice turned fully toward her, barely managing to keep her mouth from falling open. Deviant’s mother made it sound as though she was trying to protect Venice from something—and she wasn’t buying that for a second. “I love your son. I am marrying him because I want to. There’s nothing false about how I feel.”
“What are you attempting to do, Bazelle?” Zorus didn’t sound happy. “You heard Venice. She wishes to enter a family unit with Deviant. Leave.”
“Don’t do this, Mother.” Deviant nearly snarled the word.
“Does she know that she could choose any other cyborg on this planet who has better standing? Earther!” Bazelle yelled. “Did Deviant inform you that you have the right to join with many males in a family unit? Ones with higher standing on Garden? Did he make you aware that his flaws have a high probability to be passed down to any offspring you may have with him, and other children will shun yours?”
Venice opened her mouth but Bazelle wasn’t done.
“I brought four single males with me. They are handsome, with stronger status in our society. They have no flaws. You wouldn’t be stuck with just one of them when you grow bored of their company. On Garden, you choose who you live with, and for how long. I believe my son hasn’t informed you of how our society works, and is purposely keeping you in the dark. Councilman Zorus, I demand we take this before the council so they may question that Earther about how much she knows before you seal their contract! She is completely unaware.”
Venice wiggled her hands and slipped them out of Deviant’s. He let her go, and she took a few steps closer to the tall cyborg woman. “Oh, I’m aware alright. You’re such an unfit mother! Wow. You’re not here on my behalf. You’re pissed because your son isn’t doing what you ordered him to do, and you’re being petty and vindictive. I may have been raised on Earth, but I also know what a bitch is. That would be you. I know I’m allowed more than one cyborg husband, but guess what? I only want Deviant. And don’t you dare call anything about Deviant flawed. Look in a mirror, lady. There’s something seriously wrong with you. Maybe when you were created they forgot to put a heart in your chest.”
Bazelle’s face darkened an ugly shade of gray. “My relationship with Deviant is none of your business!”
“Right back at you. You weren’t invited to our wedding. Now I totally understand why. Do you know what the saddest part is? Deviant rescued me from certain death, has shown me nothing but love and compassion, and you’re too stupid to see how amazing he is.”
The cyborg woman smirked. “So you admit it’s only gratitude that made you accept a contract with him.”
“Don’t twist my words. I feel gratitude, but I also love him. I am in love with him. I bet you’ve never known that emotion, have you? Deviant is funny and sweet, intelligent and loving. He sure didn’t inherit any of those traits from you. Get lost—and take your men with you. The only man I want is right behind me.”
She turned, staring up at Deviant. “Let’s ignore her.” She glanced at Zorus. “Can we get on with this?”
“No,” Bazelle shouted. “I’m protesting this contract!”
“Denied,” Zorus announced. “Leave, Bazelle. Otherwise, I’ll have charges brought against you for disturbing the peace.”
“You wouldn’t dare!”
Zorus snorted. “I would love to. Push me, Bazelle. I’ve never been a supporter of yours. I don’t like the way you look at my Charlie at social events, as if it’s an insult to have her amongst our company.”
“You admit this is personal then.” Bazelle took on a haughty tone. “Recuse yourself immediately and convene this matter before the council!”
“That’s not going to happen. You’re a known purist. It’s laughable that you’d use the excuse of coming to the aid of Deviant’s female. You gave your son orders and he defied you. Accept it. Do you never grow tired of playing these stupid manipulation games? I’m having none of it.”
Zorus turned his attention back to them. “As I was saying, it’s my official honor to declare that Deviant and Venice have joined in an unbreakable family unit of two.” He reached inside his shirt, pulling out a small pad. “Place your hand on this to seal the contract.”
There was a scuffle behind Venice, someone gasped, but she didn’t bother looking. Instead she put her hand on the pad. It flashed as it scanned her palm. Deviant moved her hand and placed his on the scanner.
Venice took that moment to glance back, a bit stunned to see that Bazelle was being held by Mavo. At first glance, it almost looked loving, his arm around her waist, his face bent next to hers as he whispered in her ear, and his other arm wrapped around her upper body.
Then she noticed Bazelle was off her feet by a few inches and she tried to kick Mavo in the shin. He shifted his leg, avoiding the blow. Her mouth opened but Mavo was faster, releasing her upper body and slapping his palm over her lips.
Venice stared up at Deviant, gauging his reaction to his parents. He peered over her head, a muscle in his jaw tensed, but then he smiled down at her.
“It’s done and recorded,” Zorus stated loudly. “You can let her go, Mavo.”
Venice watched as Mavo dropped the woman on her feet and gave her a gentle shove, backing away.
“You bastard!”
“I’ve been called worse by you.”
Bazelle took a wild swing at Mavo but he ducked, avoiding it, and backed up farther, snarling at her. “You attempt that again and I will hit you.”
His ex fumed and glared at the four men she’d brought with her. “Do som
ething!”
They turned around and walked down the path, leaving.
Bazelle glared at Mavo. “I’ll make you pay for this!”
“No, you won’t.” Zorus walked down the bridge. He gripped her arm, forcibly pulling her along the path with him. “You want to talk to the council? I am in communication with them right now. We’ll discuss your threats, the way you disturbed the ceremony, and attempted to stop a couple from joining into a family unit—which you don’t have the right to do as a female. Only males can challenge.”
She hissed something at him but they were too far away for Venice to hear.
Mavo turned, looking grim. “I’m sorry.”
Deviant put his arm around Venice from behind. “So am I.”
“That was a memorable wedding.” Venice took a deep breath and lifted her chin, twisting her head to look at him. “Do you know what counts the most?”
Deviant held her gaze. “What?”
“We’re married. And there’s one more Earth tradition I insist upon.”
“What’s that?”
She turned in his arms, reached up, and placed her hands on his shoulders. “You’re supposed to kiss the bride.”
He grinned. “I would love to.”
Venice went up on her tiptoes and closed her eyes, loving the feel of Deviant’s lips against hers. They were married, despite his mother trying to bust up their wedding. He was hers and she was his. That was all that mattered.
The kiss ended too quickly and she opened her eyes. It hurt her to see the sadness in his gaze.
“I apologize for her actions.”
“We knew she was going to try something, right? Guess what? She doesn’t scare me, Deviant. She wasn’t able to stop us from binding our lives together. I think I made it very clear to her that I don’t like her and I’m not stupid enough to fall for her crap.”
Amusement sparked in his bright blue eyes. “I saw and heard.”
“Sorry about that. She pissed me off. I can have a temper at times. But you did say to never be afraid to let it rip when I got angry.”
The way Venice worded things had Deviant chuckling. “Yes, I did. Never apologize for standing up for me. I appreciate everything you said to her.”
“I meant every word. I’m so lucky you’re mine.”
Deviant felt he was the fortunate one. “I feel the same. Let’s go home.”
She snuggled against him tighter. “I love the sound of that.”
“I have a few surprises for you tomorrow.”
“I can’t wait to find out what they are.”
He had talked to a few friends and made arrangements to take Venice to see all the Earth things stored on Garden. She could make their home more Earthlike and comforting. He also planned to take her on an extended tour of the agriculture area. She did seem to love flowers and plants.
“I just want you to be happy,” he stated honestly.
“I am.”
Chapter Fourteen
A few days later
Nerves had Venice pacing between the kitchen and living room, her gaze darting to the door. Deviant said he’d be home at six but was running a little late. She glanced at the clock, seeing it had only been five minutes, but she worried. His mother hadn’t tried anything else since their wedding but she knew that could change.
The door finally opened and she grinned, taking in her handsome husband. He wore light blue that day, the snug uniform showing off every glorious detail of his fit, muscular body. She figured she’d never stop appreciating the sight.
He closed the door and met her gaze from five feet away, where he’d paused. Something was behind his back and the grin on his face told her he’d brought her another surprise. He loved to give her gifts. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too.” She rushed at him but he stepped back, bumping the door. She froze. “What is it?”
His grin widened. “Close your eyes.”
“You’re spoiling me.” She did it though, squeezing her eyelids together. “Not that I’m complaining.”
“You deserve it. You’re the best wife a male could possibly have.”
He always knew the right thing to say, too. She heard him move around her and one of his arms encircled her waist, drawing her up against him. He leaned in a little, his warm breath fanning against her ear.
“I so enjoy coming home to you.”
“I hate it when you leave,” she admitted. “I missed you, even though you were only gone a few hours. How is your father?”
“He’s well. He leaves on the Star tonight. You could have come with me to say goodbye to him.”
“I thought you two might need some quality time together alone. How is he doing since the divorce?”
“Dissolution of contract,” he corrected, brushing a kiss on the shell of her ear. “He seems relieved. They weren’t happy.”
“Can I open my eyes now?”
His other arm brushed hers. “Yes.”
She did, staring at his closed fist in front of her. He opened his palm, revealing a data disk. “What’s on it?”
“I spoke to Flint. He happened to have a lot of Earth entertainment vids and gave me copies of his wife’s favorite ones. She highly recommended these for us. They are supposed to be romantic, with humor in them. I thought we could curl up together and watch them over the next few weeks that I’ve taken off.”
She stared up at him. “Are you sure you don’t want us to go on this mission with your dad? I know you normally travel together.”
“A freighter was reported abandoned three sectors out and they are going to investigate, then haul it to Garden if any parts of it can be salvaged. They’ve estimated it will take two weeks. It should be easy for them, and I’d much rather spend this time with just you. It’s our honeymoon.”
“You really have brushed up on Earth traditions, haven’t you?”
“Yes. We are going to relax, watch vids, and enjoy being together.”
She turned in his embrace, wrapping her arms around his neck. “It sounds perfect.”
“It does.”
“I think we’re overdressed. Dinner is almost ready. I cooked.”
He inhaled, smelling something good. “You didn’t have to.”
“I wanted to. Have you ever eaten in bed?”
“We ate meals seated on my bunk on the Varnish.”
She laughed. “Not the same. You’re in for a treat. Go get naked, set up a vid in there, and I’ll bring in our food in a few minutes. We’ll have dinner and entertainment. I just have to take it out and put it on plates.”
“That sounds like fun.”
She let him go and backed away. “It does. I’m going to feed you.”
“You spoil me.”
“Just wait until after we’ve finished eating and the vid ends. I have an ulterior motive. I’m going to make you work off that meal.” She winked. “I really missed you. I was thinking about new sex positions we haven’t tried yet.”
“I can’t wait.” He clenched the data disk and headed toward the bedroom, but then paused, turning around. “I have one more surprise for you.”
“What is it?”
“My father is going to pass a lot of satellites on his assignment.”
“I don’t know what that means?”
He approached her, stopping feet away. “He can send a message to Earth that won’t be traceable. We discussed it. I know it bothers you that your sister doesn’t know where you are, but I thought you could send her a message to let her know you’re happy.”
Tears welled in her eyes. “I’d love to do that, but it’s too dangerous. I mean, if EG ever figured out she helped me escape from—”
He placed a finger on her lips, silencing her. “My father and I discussed this at length. Your sister and her husband own a business making shuttle parts. You could send a coded message that only she would understand. Something along the lines that the parts you received have worked out extremely well and you are happy. That way, she woul
d know you’re alive and well.” He moved his finger off her mouth, cupping her cheek. “It would give you both peace.”
“I love you so much, Deviant. Thank you. I can think of something that would work.”
“I knew you could. I’ll transmit it to my father and he’ll send your message on once he finds a safe location to do so. I love you more than words can say, Venice. You saved me from a life of sorrow and loneliness. Thank you for coming into that room.”
“You saved me too.”
“We saved each other. You were so brave to approach me.”
“All I did was work up the nerve to seduce the sexiest man I’ve ever seen.”
“I will be eternally grateful.”
“Me too.”
He kissed her, a light brush of his lips over hers. “Get the food. I’ll set up the vid. I want to make love to you after we eat.”
She smiled.
He grinned back. Venice was the best thing that had ever happened to him. She made him happy…and he would spend the rest of his life making her happy, too.
Laurann Dohner, Loving Deviant
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