Bismarck, very early in the morning on my twenty-first birthday, as the auction was set to take place that night. I was so relieved when my application to become a mail order bride was accepted. A short while later, I found myself on a bus, headed for Fargo, where the spaceship was waiting to take me and the other brides to Mars.”
He pulled back slightly and then rested his forehead against hers. “Why did you not tell me about this sooner?” he asked, though his tone wasn’t accusatory. He asked the question in the gentlest voice she’d ever heard him use.
“Because I was ashamed, and afraid. My own uncle cared for me so little that he thought nothing of auctioning off my virginity to the highest bidder. I-I worried if you found out, that you might think there was something wrong with me, if my own flesh and blood cared so little about me.”
“I do not think there is anything wrong with you, my Tyra. You are my sweet mate and I intend to cherish you forever. I am only sorry that such a tragic circumstance led you to me.”
He kissed her then, a soft brush of his lips to her forehead. She loved when he kissed her like that, it truly made her feel cherished.
“Don’t forget that he is locked up now. He will never hurt you again. I will never let anyone harm you in such a way. I swear it on the Gods. You will be safe on Mars. I vow to protect you always. Always.”
She blinked back tears. “I-I know I am safe with you, Rem.”
“Thank you for telling me the full truth of why you left your home planet. I am touched that you have confided such a painful secret in me.” He swallowed hard and studied the golden flecks in her eyes. “Please know that I aim to spend the rest of my life building happier memories with you, my sweet mate.”
She smiled as his words filled her with warmth. “I like the sound of that. I came to Mars hoping for a fresh start. I spent years planning my escape, in secret, of course, dreaming of the day I would finally arrive on this beautiful planet and meet my mate. I used to even dream that I would fall in love with my mate.” She sighed and placed a hand upon Rem’s chest, right over his heart.
Rem held her as the sun rose in a splash of orange brilliance through the trees. The sound of nighttime insects faded, to be replaced with the singing of birds. She basked in the safety of his embrace and snuggled deeper in his arms. He caressed her back and sometimes whispered to her in his native tongue, his voice a soothing rumble at her ear.
“This is your new home, Tyra,” he eventually said, breaking the silence. “A place where you are wanted, a place where you are loved.”
Indeed, the sun was shining on a brand-new day, she mused as she peered up at Rem, admiring the way the sunlight glinted off his massive horns. She repressed a yawn, fatigue starting to overtake her. She’d been up all night, worried sick over her relationship with Rem and whether or not he was out committing murder.
But he’d shown mercy to a male who’d wronged him. And then he’d returned to her and helped mend her broken heart, speaking his truths and listening to hers with an open mind.
“Sleep, sweet Tyra,” he murmured into her ear. “Sleep while I hold you.”
She closed her eyes and drifted off, a deep sense of contentment sweeping over her, for she was securely ensconced in her mate’s loving embrace.
Chapter 27
“I love you and I vow to trust you from now on,” Rem whispered in Tyra’s ear. She was fast asleep, but it seemed his constant whisperings weren’t disturbing her. Her breathing continued, steady and deep, and a sense of peace spread through him while he watched her sleeping.
Thank the Gods she had forgiven him. Thank the Gods they were getting a second chance. He promised himself he would not ruin it.
When he thought of Bethamma now, he didn’t feel the flash of hurt he normally experienced. Instead, he felt a calm acceptance take root, a wisdom that told him there was nothing he could’ve done to change the female’s mind or to save her life. He hadn’t known what the Xieandans were planning until it was too late.
He pressed a kiss to Tyra’s head