Starcrossed - Bianca D'Arc Page 0,94
rose in ecstasy. She started to babble, repeating herself as climax hit, but Tigh held her throughout, even as he shouted his own release.
As they came down from the heights of passion together, he held her tight, kissing her face, her hair, her lips. “I love you, now and always, empress of my heart,” he whispered, and suddenly, the empire didn’t matter. The war didn’t matter. Nothing else mattered to her in this moment other than knowing she had Tigh’s love.
*
A few months later, when the babies finally appeared, the birth of a male heir was met with joy that spread throughout the jit’suku empire. The fact that the second twin was a girl brought a special kind of hope to every planet of the empire and the human galaxy, as well.
While it was true that twins ran in both families, twins of mixed genders was a truly special event. It was the first such birth since Gruber’s virus had been unleashed on the universe. Since then, human females had been able to have mostly male offspring with the Sons of Amber. Jit’suku males had been out of luck with almost all their females gone, but the scientists had claimed female children would be the result of breeding with human women.
The fact that Tigh and Ginny had one of each had given hope to both races and proven that the two races could, in time, become one, ending the war forever. It would take a few generations and lots of work and understanding on both sides, but it could be done.
As Tigh and Ginny presented their twin miracles to the court on Solaris Prime, and the news bots that would stream the images of their tiny little faces all over the universe, their love was clear to all who saw the happy family. There was real affection between emperor and empress. Ginny had endeared herself to the jit’suku people and the many young orphans that had the run of the palace.
Ginny was grateful to the Goddess who had shown such an interest in her and acted so directly, and unexpectedly, in her life. Some of her friends had already found the same happiness she had, and for that, she was also thankful. It was good to see her crew and family doing so well in this new environment. Even her mother and aunt had suitors, which made Ginny want to giggle as much as her young cousin did.
She was grateful for it all. For peace. For a promising future. For the growing acceptance of her presence, and for the two small miracles cooing in her arms. But most of all, she was thankful to have captured Tigh’s heart…and, no matter what, she knew, she would never give it back. The stars would fade, and the universe go dark before she would stop loving this man who had given her a life she never expected but was coming to love more with each passing day.
Ginny had been truly blessed. As the people looked for the first time at their new prince and princess, Ginny sent a little prayer up to the Goddess in thanks for all that had happened. They’d been through tough times. They’d lost so many dear friends and family members. They’d been through hell and had come out on the other side.
She didn’t deserve to be this happy, but she was thankful to have had this second chance. This chance to heal the rift between two warring peoples. This chance to love and be loved.
And as Tigh revealed the names they had chosen for their newborn babies, a cheer went up in the great hall. They had decided to name their babies for two of their ancestors. Their boy would be called Tren, after the jit’suku emperor who had brought about the longest period of peace between their people to date. This Tren, they hoped, would oversee the peace that would last forever. Their daughter, they decided to name Magdelana, after Ginny’s ancestor, the galactic superstar and spy called simply, Diva, who had been such a daring and famous woman in her own time. Both babies were given Starbridge as a middle name, so as never to forget their human heritage.
As the High Priest pronounced a public blessing over the babies, their parents stood over them. Tigh had his arm around her shoulders, and he leaned down to place a kiss on her cheek, much to the approval of those watching. What they didn’t hear were the words he spoke near her ear that would live in her heart for all time.
“I love you more than I can say.”
She looked up at him, her heart in her eyes as their people looked on. It was clear to all who saw the way they looked at each other that love was possible between human and jit’suku. Love and marriage and children were not to be denied those who would take the chance for happiness embodied by these two.
In the years to come, many would remember this day and that look. The look of love that gave hope to the universe.
*
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A complete list of all of my books, separated by series, follows. You can also check out my website at WWW.BIANCADARC.COM. Or you can sign up for my newsletter to be alerted when new books are released.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bianca D’Arc has run a laboratory, climbed the corporate ladder in the shark-infested streets of lower Manhattan, studied and taught martial arts, and earned the right to put a whole bunch of letters after her name, but she’s always enjoyed writing more than any of her other pursuits. She grew up and still lives on Long Island, where she keeps busy with an extensive garden, several aquariums full of very demanding fish, and writing her favorite genres of paranormal, fantasy and sci-fi romance.
Bianca loves to hear from readers and can be reached through Twitter (@BiancaDArc), Facebook (BiancaDArcAuthor) or through the various links on her website.
OTHER BOOKS BY BIANCA D’ARC
Paranormal Romance
Brotherhood of Blood
One & Only
Rare Vintage
Phantom Desires
Sweeter Than Wine
Forever Valentine
Wolf Hills*
Wolf Quest
Tales of the Were
Lords of the Were
Inferno
Tales of the Were ~ The Others
Rocky
Slade
Tales of the Were ~ Redstone Clan
The Purrfect Stranger
Grif
Red
Magnus
Bobcat
Matt
Tales of the Were ~ String of Fate
Cat’s Cradle
King’s Throne
Jacob’s Ladder
Her Warriors
Tales of the Were ~ Grizzly Cove
All About the Bear
Mating Dance
Night Shift
Alpha Bear
Saving Grace
Bearliest Catch
The Bear’s Healing Touch
The Luck of the Shifters
Badass Bear
Loaded for Bear
Crossroads: Bounty Hunter Bear
Crossroads: Storm Bear
Crossroads: Bear Meets Girl
Spirit Bear
Lion in Waiting
Crossroads: Black Magic Bear
Wolf Tracks
Tales of the Were ~ Were-Fey Trilogy
Lone Wolf
Snow Magic
Midnight Kiss
Tales of the Were ~ Lick of Fire Trilogy
Phoenix Rising
Phoenix and the Wolf
Phoenix and the Dragon
Tales of the Were ~ Howls Romance
The Jaguar Tycoon
The Jaguar Bodyguard
The Jaguar’s Secret Baby
Tales of the Were ~ Big Wolf
A Touch of Class
Perfect
Tales of the Were ~ Gemini Project
Tag Team
Doubling Down
Deuces Wild
Tales of the Were ~ Gifts of the Ancients
Warrior’s Heart
Future Past
A Friend in Need
Guardians of the Dark
Simon Says
Once Bitten
Smoke on the Water
Night Shade
Shadow Play
Epic Fantasy Erotic Romance
Dragon Knights ~ Daughters of the Dragon
Maiden Flight*
Border Lair
The Ice Dragon**
Prince of Spies***
Dragon Knights ~ The Novellas
The Dragon Healer
Master at Arms
Wings of Change
Dragon Knights ~ Sons of Draconia
FireDrake
Dragon Storm
Keeper of the Flame
Hidden Dragons
The Sea Captain’s Daughter Trilogy
Sea Dragon
Dragon Fire
Dragon Mates
The Captain’s Dragon
Science Fiction Romance
StarLords
Hidden Talent
Talent For Trouble
Shy Talent
Jit’Suku Chronicles ~ In the Stars
The Cyborg Next Door
Heart of the Machine
Jit’Suku Chronicles ~ Arcana
King of Swords
King of Cups
King of Clubs
King of Stars
End of the Line
Diva
Jit’Suku Chronicles ~ Sons of Amber
Angel in the Badlands
Master of Her Heart
Starcrossed
Futuristic Erotic Romance
Resonance Mates
Hara’s Legacy**
Davin’s Quest
Jaci’s Experiment
Grady’s Awakening
Harry’s Sacrifice
Contemporary Romance
Irish Lullaby
Bells Will Be Ringing
Wild Irish Rose
* RT Book Reviews Awards Nominee
** EPPIE Award Winner
*** CAPA Award Winner