194

194

Jeiel Vernier was late arriving at the Zehemerata homestead. A military problem at an outpost on his home planet, Azor, had taken priority over returning to Ulstra to deliver the special parcel he held for Kaanig Altair, for this particular occasion. He had no wish to disappoint his closest friend or disobey a direct order, so he sacrificed his personal time to journey back to Ulstra. Thank the Mighty Source that the Valtorian ga"lif facilitated travel throughout all dimensions of their galaxy.

He quietly entered the Zehemerata farmhouse, although no one seemed to notice him because of the noise, hustle, and bustle of the festivities going on. The gaiety and incessant chattering instantly made him sorry he had missed being there on time because joy and laughter filled the rafters of the house and made him realize all the more the emptiness of his own personal life. For several sclair, he merely stood in the doorway, listening and observing all that was happening.

"And this…" he overheard Jim Tompkins saying, "…is what we do with mistletoe on our home planet…"

Curious, Jeiel sneaked a peak around the corner of the room, still unnoticed due to the crowd of people with their backs to him. Jim was holding up over his daughter"s head a small branch of green leaves with small red berries on it, something he had fashioned to resemble one like that of Zarak. Watching curiously, Jeiel smiled broadly when Jim bent close to kiss his daughter"s cheek, amid the cries of delight from the others present. Jeiel then watched as the mistletoe was passed around so anyone else interested could experiment with it. More laughter was forthcoming as Jeiel stepped back.

Aware that Jenny Tompkins had gotten up from her chair and was now moving in his direction, Jeiel decided to make his presence there known. As the mistletoe came closer to where he was positioned, he reached out and snatched it away at the exact moment Jenny Tompkins came around the corner. His abrupt action caused a stir of surprise, especially when he blocked Jenny"s path and deftly raised the sprout above her head.

Gasping with surprise at both his presence and with what she anticipated he was about to do, Jenny looked upwards at the branch dangling over her head. As the handsome cambra shocked everyone by grabbing her with his free hand to pull her against him, Jenny gave a soft moan of yearning as his lips covered her open mouth. The kiss was brief, but electrifying, and she was left trembling with her feelings for the man and because he had kissed her so blatantly in front of everyone else. Setting her away from him, Jeiel made no apologies. He only looked at her with those gorgeous, deep-chocolate eyes of his.

"Merry Christmas," he murmured in a husky voice, studying her reaction to his kiss, a slight glimmer in his eyes of something more than humor.

Jenny raised a hand to her lips with uncertainty. "M-Merry Christmas, Cambra Vernier," she returned, only to hurry off to the bake room in embarrassment.

Amused by her reaction, Jeiel turned to the crowd and handed the mistletoe to another eager hand. He glanced over to find Kaanig Altair viewing him with mild displeasure.

"My apologies, Ziros," Jeiel began. "I couldn"t resist."

"Outside, Jeiel." "Aye, Ziros."

"Did you bring it?" Dammen asked as soon as they were a discreet distance from the house.

"I have it," Jeiel said, pulling forth a small, red velvet-like case. "It took almost a menta to find the right one, then three solarities to size it up and secure the fitting." He pulled forth a pen-like lighting unit as he opened the case to reveal its precious contents.

"It"s exquisite," Dammen breathed with great admiration as he took the light and flicked it over the case.

"She"ll love it," Jeiel said.

"Yes. What female wouldn"t, Zarconian or otherwise."

"Perhaps we should start this custom in our own galaxy, Majesty."

"Not a bad idea, Jeiel. I"ll consider it."

"Uh, about that kiss, Ziros. I guess I did overdo it a bit."

Dammen returned the light, pocketed the small case, and grinned at the cambra. "She needed it,

Jeiel. Don"t lose heart now."

"It"s too late for that," Jeiel admitted sheepishly. At his tone, Dammen gave him an understanding look and patted him on the back.

"Let"s go back inside. Just remember to appear properly reprimanded, all right."

"Yes, Ziros," Jeiel grinned. "I am quite ashamed of myself for my improper behavior, especially in front of the children."

"Now you"re overdoing it."

Jeiel snorted noncommittally, smirking.

"You may have missed today"s festivities, Jeiel, but you"ll be here to witness what I"m about to do. And this one"s going to take a lot of courage."

Jeiel nodded as he followed his Kaanig inside to watch him humble himself before an entire population.

Their return caused all heads to turn in their direction. Casina, sitting nearest the warmth of the fire and surrounded by mounds of gifts and torn wrappings, was sipping warm fruit juice and listening to her brother. Jimmy was sitting by the fireplace, holding Arian on his lap. He was sharing his adventures since they had last seen one another. However, at the return of Dammen and Jeiel, everyone ceased their chatter and watched as Kaanig Altair strode into the large family room and carefully knelt down on one knee before his mate.

Jeiel remained in the doorway to watch the mighty Altair make history, only to suddenly be startled when Jenny Tompkins reemerged from the bake room to stand beside him. She gave him a hesitant smile as she considered her next move while he just stood looking at her in surprise, with arms crossed. Then shyly, daringly she put her hands about his huge bicep and deftly slipped beneath it, to rest her cheek against him in an affectionate manner. A peek up at his shocked look, yet lack of resistance as he uncrossed his arms, then brought her arms boldly about his waist. She sensed his shock, which emboldened her to snuggle up even closer to him. Smiling, aware now that she shared his feelings, Jeiel tightened his arm about her as his free hand came up to squeeze her arm. Content, the pair made no comment as they observed the scene unfolding.

"Dammen, what is it?" Casina asked, fearing the worst and hastily sitting up in her chair. She immediately set aside her drink to join hands with his, thinking he had some dreadful news to share.

"Casina," Dammen began, giving great consideration to his words. "You know how much I love you, how much I want to spend the rest of my life with you." He paused then continued, "If you had to do it all over again, would you?"

"Would I what?"

"Would you…? That is, Casina, would you…join with me…all over again? Of your own free will?" As he proposed, he drew forth the small case Jeiel had brought him and revealed to her the most exquisite ring Casina had ever seen. One consisting of seven different-colored, sparkling gemstones common only to Valtor.

Gasping with pleasure, tears sprang forth from her eyes as she recalled one of the deepest desires of her heart, to have a beautiful proposal and wedding ring.

"I want everyone, in both our worlds, to know that you belong to me, Casina, and to no one else."

As Dammen took the ring and slid it onto her finger, as Jenny had shown him, Casina leapt into his arms. "So, does this mean yes?" he chortled.

"Yes, oh, yes, Uri!" she cried happily, tears flowing down her cheeks. "Of course! Oh, Uri," she continued, hugging him tightly as she whispered into his ear, "you"re all I"ll ever want for

Christmas, or any other day. It will always be you. I"ll follow you to the ends of the universe and back again, if that"s what it takes to keep you. I would gladly go through everything I"ve suffered all over again if I knew you would always be mine."

"I pray that never happens," Dammen replied with a wide smile. Then, as the mighty Altair captured her lips with amazing tenderness, every Valtorian in the room at that moment knew that not even a supernova would ever be able to tear them…or their empire…apart.

Valtor was secure for yet another season.

God"s will be done.