Cyborg Celebration (Interstellar Brides: The Colony #11)

Epilogue

Rowan

The air in the central garden of the biodome shimmered with the warm glow of lights wrapped around the towering Christmas tree. Its branches, adorned with ornaments and tinsel, sparkled against the red-tinged sky outside. The sweet scent of caramel and baked treats drifted from a nearby table. I breathed in deeply, as a swell of gratitude filled my chest, spreading warmth to the tips of my fingers. I had taken a risk coming to The Colony, leaving everything behind on Earth, and yet here I was, surrounded by love and a family I hadn’t dared to hope for.

Laughter rang out. The joyous sound of children tearing open their presents echoed through the air, the entire space alive with energy and warmth. I watched as Rezzer, the gigantic Atlan Warlord, crouched down in a Santa suit, the fabric straining at his broad shoulders as he handed out gifts to the little ones. His mate, Caroline, stood beside him, her eyes full of affection and heat as she watched him try to keep the fake beard from falling off. Who would have thought an Atlan warrior would play Santa for a bunch of human and alien children?

Judging by the look on Caroline’s face, Santa was going to have a very good night.

The governor clapped a hand on Rezzer’s broad back. Everyone had gathered around, sharing in the festivities. A hand slid into mine, rough and calloused, yet so achingly familiar, warm against the coolness of the night. I looked up to see Marz, his golden eyes soft as he gazed down at me, a slight smile curving his lips.

“Having fun?” he murmured, his voice low and rumbling, sending a shiver through me as if his words had physically brushed against my skin.

“I am now.”

He pulled me close, wrapping an arm around my waist. I leaned into the solid warmth of his body. His heat seeped through the layers of my burgundy Christmas dress. The steady rise and fall of his chest against my shoulder created a soothing rhythm that would never grow old. For a moment, it was just the two of us. Then, from the corner of my eye, I saw Vance approaching, his usual swagger tempered by the tenderness in his gaze as it landed on me. His boots crunched softly on the path, the sound barely audible over the music and chatter.

“Please do not ever ask me to wear the red suit,” Vance teased, his tone playful as he lifted his hand to brush a stray lock of hair from my face. His touch was feather-light, leaving a trail of warmth on my skin.

“I wouldn’t dare,” I whispered, reaching out to take his hand as well. The warmth of his skin met mine, and just like that, I was complete. Our mating collars formed a circuit. Love flowed effortlessly between us, pure and true. Sometimes gentle, other times nearly savage with lust. Since they’d claimed me, all of our emotions had settled into a potent mix I was fully, shamelessly addicted to.

As the last of the children tore into their gifts, Marz turned to me, his expression shifting to something softer, more serious. I could feel his fingers trembling slightly as they brushed against my palm, a rare sign of nerves from a warrior who faced danger without flinching. “It is the human tradition to give gifts, is it not?”

“Yes.”

“We have something for you,” he said, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver through me. My mates had just finished giving me multiple orgasms. I didn’t need anything else.

Still, anticipation had me holding my breath as everyone around us quieted, their attention shifting our way. Marz held out a small, intricately carved box. I held the box in the palm of one hand, the wood warm and smooth against my fingertips. He opened it to reveal a glistening stone about the size of my thumbnail. The stone pulsed with a faint inner light, as though it were alive.

“This is an Echo Stone,” Vance whispered over my shoulder. “It records emotions… how one feels in a specific moment. We both used it to capture the way we feel about you.”

Marz lifted the stone to the front of my neck and my mating collar shifted, changed shape so the stone became part of it. “We will teach you how to use it. But for now, you will always know exactly how we feel about you.” As the stone settled against my skin, the pulse of their captured emotions emanated from the stone and was shared with me through my mating collar. The sensation was electric, sending a wave of love and desire outward from where it rested against my throat.

One touch and no matter where they were, I could feel like… this.

I loved them both. So fucking much. With every cell in my body. Every thought. All of me. I was theirs.

“I have something for both of you, too.” I took a breath to steady myself, the air cool as it filled my lungs. I pulled a wrapped bundle from behind a small bush and presented it to my mates. “I had to use your alien version of Google to find it. It’s a Heartvine, from the planet Xerima.”

The plant’s bioluminescent tendrils glowed a beautiful coral as I carefully revealed the delicate vine, its light casting faint, wavering shadows on the ground.

“The vine grows stronger when true mates are together… and it blooms whenever they’re close.” My cheeks warmed with happiness as I saw the surprise in both their expressions. Wait until I showed them the images of Heartvines bigger than our bed, entwined and blooming around lovers as they…

Marz’s hand tightened around mine. Vance’s gaze softened, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Together, we draped the young vine over our joined hands, its glowing tendrils winding around our wrists, binding us together in a radiant, living symbol of our shared love. As the vine settled into place, its delicate blooms began to open, their petals shimmering with a light that seemed to mirror the emotions filling my heart. The faint scent of sweet nectar wafted up from the flowers, as if even the plant celebrated our match.

“I love you both, so much.” My voice cracked with the intensity of my emotions. “I never could have imagined this life. You’ve both given me a home, a family, and a love I thought was impossible.” I blinked back the tears that blurred my vision, the lights of the tree above us turning to sparkling constellations in the haze. “I know, without a doubt, that I will love you both—forever.”

Marz drew me close again, his lips brushing against my forehead as he whispered, “You are my life. I will love and care for you, always.” His breath was warm, and the rumble of his voice vibrated against my skin, grounding me in the reality of this moment.

“I love you,” Vance added, his hand resting on my cheek, his thumb tracing a tender line across my skin, a touch that spoke of promises kept. “Through storms and starlight. Forever.”