Taming The Queen Of Beasts

If you like music, try "Hold Me Now" by Red. It's what I was listening to when I wrote these scenes!

*****

<strong>GAR</strong>

Gar's stomach trilled. His palms were beginning to sweat, but when his father directed him to face Rika and take her hands, he did so quickly, eager to have her in whatever form her human vows would take.

She squeezed his hands, then looked up at him, her eyes shining, and his chest twisted with the overwhelming rush of loving her.

"Gar, for the purpose of the witnesses, tell Rika what you will vow to her."

Gar took a deep breath, his shoulders rising and falling visibly. He squeezed and released on Rika's hands, afraid he was going to crush her little fingers. But his tension drove him forward. He needed her. He needed her to understand!

"Rika," he said, his voice gruff with emotion, "The first night… the very first night, something in me didn't want to leave you. And every moment I've spent in your company since has only convinced me further. I didn't need the healers to confirm it. Your heart called to mine. And it's been… it's been overwhelming to have you come to me and accept that." He cleared his throat. "I want you to be certain—utterly certain—that you never need to fear me. I give myself to you. My hands will only close for your service, or your protection. I will only ever embrace you to warm you, to hold you, to share love. I will never touch you in anger. And I'll… I'll never want anyone else," he said, his voice deep and resonant with the sheer truth of it. "If you have a need, you tell me and if it's in my power, I'll fill it. For the rest of my life… you're my true mate. I don't—and won't—ever want anyone else."

Rika bit her lip again, the tears beginning to roll down her cheeks. But she smiled and squeezed his hands.

*****

<strong>RIKA</strong>

Her heart raced. Her hands were shaking, but she kept squeezing Gar's because it made her feel solid even when her body wanted to fall apart.

"Rika? What would you vow to Gar?"

"I love you," she blurted, the words erupting from her as if they'd been waiting for their chance. Gar squeezed her hands and she closed her eyes to breathe for a moment. When she opened them again, his were alight with love and everything inside her rushed out. "I love you, Gar. This is impossible, but it's true. And I trust you. I will keep trusting you," she said, her voice shaking. "I want you to challenge me. I want to hear all the ways that you're wise where I'm not. I want to see you fight to… to protect the innocent. I want to see your strength, because it's beautiful. I want to share the rest of my life with you, here in Anima. I want to be a part of your—your pride. And I want you to know that no matter where you are, or what happens, I'm yours. I'll never give myself to anyone else. I'll never want to. You're my mate. Forever."

The words felt lame and inadequate. Unbelievable. But they were true. She was so deseperate for him to see that they were true. She didn't know how it had happened, but she was in love with him. And she wasn't scared.

He had to believe her. He had to!

*****

<strong>GAR</strong>

Gar barely heard the sniffs from his mother, or the whispered joys of his sister and brother. He couldn't really take anything in. Didn't want anything in that moment as much as he wanted to hold Rika. To kiss her. To just be alone with her and be close. He could feel something shifting in his heart, in his blood. A fizzing, sparkling light that wanted to reach for her. But something held it back. He prayed not for long.

She had to be his.

"You two are just… beautiful," his father said with a wink at Rika. "This is where we get to the traditional part. So stand, both of you, and give your vows."

Then his father cleared his throat one more time before he intoned, "Gar, do you take Rika as your True Mate. Your True Heart's Call? She is the one the Creator made for you. Do you pledge yourself to her? Vow to remain faithful? Do you promise as her Male to stay loyal to her whether she is rich or poor, well or ill, as long as you both live?"

Gar's breath rushed out of him. "I do," he murmured, holding her gaze.

Rika's eyes began to well. He leaned in earnestly. "I do, Rika. Whatever it takes. I'm here. Always."

She nodded, squeezing his hands and fighting the tears, blowing out her breath and breathing in through her nose. But she never looked away.

"And do you, Rika, accept Gar as your True Mate? Your True Heart's call? His is the one the Creator made for you. Do you pledge yourself to him? Vow to remain faithful? Do you promise as his Female to stay loyal to him whether he is rich or poor, well or ill, as long as you both live?"

"I do," she said without hesitation, her tears spilling over.

Gar's heart somersaulted and he wanted to pull her in, to comfort her, but she was smiling. "I do, Gar. I do."

"Then as former King of this Realm, and a servant of the land, it is my absolute pride and pleasure to say that by the Creator's hand, you are now True Mates." His father's voice was deep and warm. Behind them, his mother cleared her throat, and his father looked down at his paper. Then he smiled. "I now pronounce you, husband and wife. Gar, you may kiss your bride."

Gar blinked then looked at Rika. "Is that okay?" he asked, hushed, not wanting to admit how desperate he was to do it.

But to his eternal joy, instead of answering, Rika threw her arms around his neck and pulled him down into a kiss. She framed his face with her hands and pulled his mouth down to hers, whispering, "Always, Gar. It's always okay." And then her lips were on his, and Gar's breath rushed out of him.

He wrapped his arms around her back, lifted her off her feet, and pulled her up in his chest.

His mother murmured, "Alpha male bullshit at it's best," but her voice was light and warm, despite her tears.

But Gar didn't even acknowledge her because Rika was laughing into his kiss and it was the most wonderful sound he'd ever heard.