The Space Colonel's Woman (Dragonus Chronicles Book 1) (26 page)

They lay panting in their afterglow.  Julia kissed the top of his head.  The only part of him she could reach.  His cheek rested on the curve of her breast, stubble offering sparks of heat on sensitive flesh as he listened to her racing heart.

“Can’t wait to make you my wife.” He whispered as if the sound of his voice would shatter the moment.

“I can’t wait to be your wife.”  Julia whispered back.

She still had trouble believing that this man had chosen her, wanted her, and loved her. 

Mark sighed and relaxed, his body growing heavier as he fell into sleep.

Chapter 20

With a pounding heart and a stomach full of nervous butterflies Julia studied her reflection in the full-length mirror in Anora’s quarters.  It was more a gown than a dress.  The strapless bodice flowed seamlessly into a floor-length skirt of white satin.  She’d never been one of those girls who desired a dress of meringue-whipped confection.  The center-back panels of the corset, skirt, and train were Air Force blue; their edges embroidered with white filigree.  Her fingers traced over the hidden M in the embroidery over her heart, feeling it beat faster as she whispered her lover’s name.

Anora, Ange, and Valentina had toiled for hours over her natural makeup and coiffure.  Tiny pinpricks of light hid in the bourbon waves, only revealing themselves when she turned in the artificial light.  The iridescents in her engagement ring competing for acknowledgement with each flutter of nervous fingers, as they stroked the silver angel wing pendant resting in the hollow of her throat.  Mark’s gift to her, suspended from a blue velvet choker.

Julia gave her reflection a soft smile. 

She was ready.

“Colonel Holden will be speechless when his eyes fall upon you.” Anora praised as she stepped from the bathroom.

“I hope not.” Julia laughed, higher than her usual gurgle of bubbly sound. “There’s a few words he’s supposed to say.”

The door hissed open, permitting entrance to Ange and Valentina.  As long as it was Air Force blue, Julia hadn’t minded what her friends chose to wear.  She was more interested in them being comfortable.  A decision proved correct by Valentina’s mini dress with strapless corset and chiffon skirt that suited her flibbertigibbet personality.  Her pixie-cut adorned with a single baby-pink rose tucked behind her right ear.  Ange was also showing some leg through the side split of her Chinese embroidered silk dress with Nehru collar.  She wore her rose as a wrist corsage and her hair in an elegant bun secured by two silver chopsticks.

“Oh, Ange.” Julia turned in a swish of satin and held her friend’s arms wide. “Hayden’s not going to be able to keep his hands off you.”

“Really?” Ange blushed, cheeks suffusing with color beneath her makeup. “Does he even know I exist?”

“Trust me. He knows.” Julia tapped the side of her nose and winked. “Insider Intel.”

“Do not worry, Ange.  I am certain that you will enjoy a very pleasant evening.” Anora confirmed with a small smile, the four women laughing in unison.

No Earthbound designer had created Anora’s gown.  Her soft leather waistcoat laced up the back, and a silk-like fabric had been used to create the soft folds over her breasts, medieval flowing sleeves, and the handkerchief hemline of her knee-length skirt.  A single pink rose was sewn to the blue velvet choker encircling her slender neck.

“Right, Miss Swift, do you have your something new, old, borrowed, and blue?” Valentina asked as she handed Julia her bouquet of pink roses; their stems wrapped with Air Force blue satin ribbon and held in place by a diamante pin.

“My dress covers the new and blue.” Julia started to fidget, shifting from foot to foot, her dress rustling with the movement. “And I’m wearing the signet ring I got for my fifteenth birthday.”

“She must have something borrowed.” Anora said, a frown creasing between her finely manicured brows. “I am told it is tradition on either Earth, without it something referred to as bad luck is sure to follow.”

Julia whimpered only to be shushed by Valentina’s consoling hand on her shoulder.

“Anora, despite what you think, reciting Wikipedia facts isn’t actually helping.”

“Of course, Lenti.  I apologize.” Anora moved forward and took Julia’s hands in hers, squeezing tight.

“I have a pair of silver wings.” Ange offered before panic could take a firmer hold on the room at large. “My brother’s.”

She ducked out the door and was back before Julia had thought to exhale, a miniature set of pilot’s wings in hand.

Julia reached a hand out, hardly daring to touch the precious memento. “Thank you, Ange.  I’ll keep them safe for you.”

“I know you will.” Ange pinned the wings to the ribbon under the head of Julia’s bouquet, then handed the flowers back to her.

“Right.” Valentina clapped her hands. “Are you ready?  You look ready.”

Julia inhaled a shaky breath and nodded.  Anora tapped her earpiece, radioed Colonel Archer and paused for the reply. “We are on our way.”

They walked their way through the deserted corridors of Phoenix’s secondary tower that housed the female staff’s quarters and out into the warm afternoon light.  Julia paused, her face tilted up to the painted sky of soft gold and watercolor-pink, while her friends laid out her train for the procession.  She was marrying the military commander of an alien city designed like a silver and white tiara, on an alien world, in a galaxy of an alternate reality.  It all seemed too fantastical to be real, and yet, here she was; following her new friends, one of which was a queen, down a white paved avenue, lined on either side by sweet-smelling plants and flowers.

Julia thought of the moment when she would see him; thought of the look she’d see in his eyes as she walked towards him, thought of him standing beside her for the rest of their lives.  Anora came to a graceful halt as they reached the eight steps that would lead Julia down into the Atrium garden; the place where Julia had first photographed her new home.  Creamy candles in their glass hurricane lamps edged the steps and the half walls of the circular garden.  It was so perfect and Julia pinched the underside of her wrist just to check; the lingering sting making her smile.

“He waits for you.” Anora whispered, ending Julia’s daydream with a squeeze to her forearm.

Julia straightened her shoulders and grinned.  Anora smiled back and turned to follow Ange and Valentina down the stairs.

Mark stood eight steps and ten meters away, beneath an arch of alien marble decorated with emerald vines and native flowers she had no name for.  His dress uniform a perfect fit across his wide shoulders.  Polished silver eagles glinting in the candlelight drew her gaze to the vulnerable stretch of neck and the wild chaos of soft black hair above.  She smiled, knowing despite all effort he made, it would not be tamed. 

Hayden stood between Mark and Stephen, wearing a coat of blue leather that dusted the ground; flowing hair tinted rose gold, its charms catching the candlelight.  His gaze was full of longing as he followed Ange’s progress.  Julia spared a thought to hope they would be as happy as she and Mark were, would continue to be.

When Ange reached the front of the aisle and shifted left to make room for Valentina and Anora, Hayden turned his gaze to Julia, approval flaring in his eyes.  He gripped Mark’s shoulder, leaning close and whispered, too quiet for her to hear.  Mark nodded, and Julia’s smile stretched wider.

The opening strains of
Finley Quaye’s Dice
drifted from the iPod and speakers hidden somewhere in the shrubbery.  Goosebumps rose over her skin and she shivered; mind running through the lyrics.  Her husband-to-be had chosen well.

Julia lifted her skirt to reveal a profusion of tulle petticoat and a laced knee boot of Air Force blue leather.  Mark turned as she took her first step and their eyes met.

Everything, and everyone, faded into nothingness.

There was only him.

He was tall, strong, handsome, and brave…and he was hers.  Eyes of whiskey fire, burned hot with emotion as he watched her walk towards him.  She took the arm he offered as she reached his side and slid her hand into the crook of his elbow.  He covered it with his, squeezing in reassurance. 

They took the final two steps to Colonel Archer together.

“You look amazing!” He whispered, husky and breathless, and she gasped at the desire so easy to read in his eyes.

“Looking pretty fantastic yourself, Handsome.” He tilted his head to the side and gazed up at her from under an arched brow, answering her with a saucy wink. “Gotta love a man in uniform.”

Hayden discretely cleared his throat, drawing them back to the reason everyone was gathered in the beautiful outdoor piazza.  Sarah looked at them like they were naughty children visiting the principal’s office.

“Are we ready?”

Mark eyed Julia; brow quirked in silent question.  Julia felt a grin of happiness break across her face as she nodded.

“Friends, we are here today, to celebrate Mark and Julia’s love for each other, and to bear witness to their commitment to that love.”

Sarah turned to Mark, prompting him with a nod.

“Julia Swift, I am so lucky to have found you and I promise to do what I can every day to make you feel my admiration and love.” Mark declared, his gaze never leaving Julia’s as he squeezed their joined hands

Sarah nudged Julia when she didn’t take up her cue and she chuckled, freeing a hand to dash at rebel tears. “Wow, you sure know how to sweep a girl off her feet, don’t you, Colonel?”

She could hear the titter of amusement ripple through their audience but all Julia could see was the man before her, color high over his cheekbones as he waited with his heart in his throat.

“Mark Holden, I honor the commitment we make today and I promise to do everything I can so you always know you are loved by me.”

She was grinning hard, she knew it.  But so was Mark, the tension gone from his shoulders with her vow.  The exquisite blend of love and lust, determination and desire, swimming in his eyes made Julia’s knees go weak.  But when she clutched at Mark’s hands, afraid she’d fall; he squeezed back, his thumb grazing the side of hers in warm reassurance.  They had each other now.

“May I have the rings please?” Sarah asked, looking toward Hayden who was paying closer attention to the contours of Ange’s face, than the ceremony in front of him.

He jumped when Stephen elbowed him and Mark smirked as Hayden placed a tungsten band etched with electric-blue shards around its middle, and the second of Julia’s rings on Sarah’s service booklet.

Mark slid Julia’s ring onto her finger with shaky hands.  The two rings joining into one wide band with a soft click that echoed in her heart as Mark brushed his fingers across her palm.  Julia relished the feel of his heated skin as she placed Mark’s ring on his finger.  As it nestled against his knuckle, he squeezed his hand around hers; a wicked grin spreading over his handsome face and crinkling the corners of his eyes.  Mark gave his eyebrows a piratical waggle and there was no hope for it, Julia laughed aloud for all to hear; tears of happiness welling in her eyes.

Sarah cleared her throat to settle the communal laughter before continuing. “Now, by the power vested in me as Commander in Chief of Phoenix City, in the galaxy of Dragonus.  I now pronounce you, husband and wife, wife and husband.  Colonel Holden, you may kiss your bride.”

Mark yanked Julia into his arms before Sarah had finished speaking.  One hand around her waist, the other cradling the base of her head; long fingers tangling in styled curls as he plundered her mouth with his.

Hayden’s wolf whistles squealed above the cheers of the gathered witnesses.

Julia pulled on Mark’s epaulettes to keep him against her when he made to lean back.  She kissed him with everything she had, determined the first kiss of their married life would be one neither of them would ever forget. 

“Wow!” Mark panted when they came up for air at last.

“Wow, yourself, Colonel.” Julia gasped.  Candlelight was not the only fire in his eyes.

It was then that Mark remembered the hundred or so people watching and cheering.  He offered them a bashful wave and hid his face in her hair. “For a while there I forgot we weren’t alone.”

“We will be later.  Let’s enjoy our party first.” Julia ran her hand through the soft strands at the nape of his neck. “I want to show off my new husband.”

“I love you, Mrs Holden.” He murmured quick and heated before he turned her to receive everyone’s well wishes.

Julia slipped her hand into his warm palm and entwined their fingers.  “I love you too, Colonel Holden.”

Hayden squeezed Mark in a bear hug then thumped him on the back, before clasping Julia’s hands and stroking the backs with his thumbs.  When he pulled her into his chest for a hug almost as tight as the one he’d given Mark, he whispered in her ear, so quick she thought she’d imagined it. “He loves you more than you know.  Be well.”

With a last squeeze he was gone; leaving Julia stunned and touched by his words.  Mark was lucky to have a friend like Hayden.  She only hoped her new husband knew just how fortunate he was.

~*~

The evening was a whirlwind of smiling faces, hugs, laughter, photographs, speeches, and dancing.  Mark led her with strength and grace around the dancefloor in the middle of the decorated ballroom.  His palm warm on the small of her back and his gaze never leaving hers.  In the silence before the next song began, Julia begged him to feed her.  She hadn’t wanted to eat before the ceremony, but she was starving now; and not a little overwhelmed by it all.  They ate Zefeiran fire-pit lamb, the traditional union feast of Anora’s people, and drank iced champagne with slices of black forest gateau for dessert.

“Are you happy?” Julia asked in a rare moment of quiet privacy as they leaned against a wall.