3 III

I felt myself go pale and red. Was he seriously asking what a kiss was? I had very little information of his people but he had a Galaxy about mine. Kissing wasn't even just a human thing. If I had a Kira at my side as was the custom, he or she would be lashing her tail in warning. Yet another birthright denied me.

Gintya looked at me with a bit of sadness now but answered Aleksi question, "A kiss is a human custom that is very nuanced. It can be used as a greeting or acknowledgement of another being. In this case it refers to the mate. Humans only kiss eachother on the lips if they are mates."

"Family units," I amended. Gintya looks at me confused. "Kissing with lips on lips is reserved for family units or those we hold extreme trust for. During a kiss it beings our faces close enough together that most humans can pick up subtle things. As most human pheromones are produced first in out saliva and then our sweat. Even then it's less present in our sweat.

What I'm trying to say is kissing was started as an Evolutionary thing so we can gather information on those close to us without offending them." Gintya looks at me with wide eyes before pulling out what looks to be a communicator but not one I was familiar with. Even the other human seems to be looking at me differently. I had done research into a lot of stupid shit. Mainly the stuff my family hadn't seen fit to include me in.

After I had learned the reason I picked up on a few things I don't think most people did. When people started fighting it typically started with yelling. More often than not the louder they got the closer.

"Forgive me," Aleksi said. I turned back to him. His eyes looked at me differently now. Those vertical pupils were wider now. Did they act like a cat's? "I am afraid I do not know much about human customs."

"To be fair most of them are completely unnecessary here. They only hold meaning or significance if there were a colony of humans near by."

"Even so I will promise to do better at learning your ways. If you would allow me I will honor your tradition to kiss the bride."

"You do not have to," I said. I was already forced to be without the other dozen. What was missing one more?

"I will honor your traditions whenever able Ava. You are my Mate," he said. That possessive tone made me want to challenge him but it was expected. Women belonged to their husband and life mate, for however long they were together. I gave a small nod and stepped closer to him. He was either gonna have to bend down to my level or lift me like a child. I did not relish the thought of either. I did my best to raise myself up. I lifted onto my toes and fully straightened. The heels of my boots lifted from the ground.

As I suspected it was nowhere near enough. His hands went to my waist and I readied myself for the lift. Only he didn't lift me, he bent. It was a oddly graceful motion I wouldn't have expected for one so large. I feared briefly that his claws would shred my favorite corset and then his lips met mine.

His people may not have kissed but holy hell they had the equipment for it. While they had lips I had noticed a small bit of scaling on them. I had expected them to be rough and abrasive. To my delight they were smooth and soft. For a first timer he wasn't bad. Not that I had much practice myself mind you. The sound of clapping made me jerk in his grasp. He lifted his head and looked towards to two men as I did. Gintya looked thrilled. Pete wore a smile but his eyes betrayed him.

We placed our hands on the holopad next to our respective signature boxes. "Congratulations, Aleksi, Avabelle!" The man's fake enthusiasts was starting to annoy me. He handed the holocard back to Gintya after retrieving it from its slot in the alter. Pete quickly ran from the room. No doubt he was trying to get the hell off the planet as fast as he could.

"I'll go get this filed with registration. I'll be right back," Gintya said. I nodded and silence fell. I looked towards Aleksi. He was watching me.

"What? Do I have something on my face?" I asked.

"No," he said, "Gintya said you were stronger than you look. I am simply wondering how."

I snorted, "Not likely when compared to you. I do well among humans but as I was denied much of the training afforded to my siblings... I doubt I'm strong enough to be of any note among your people."

"Because you are female?" He seemed confused by the prospect.

"No because I was the youngest. I was considered the family mistake. As such my family did not see fit to give me the benefits the others received."

"You survived that is what matters," he said looking at me. I felt myself smile at him in actual happiness.

"I definitely did."

"How was your trip?"

"Best three days of my life. Everything was extremely well planned." There had even been a few beds for Kira. Someone my age should have at least a mate pair. "I must admit I'm eager to see your village and meet your people."

"They are your people as well now." He looked towards my bag that Gintya had carried. "Is that all you brought?"

"I packed light for the trip. Gintya said the rest would be delivered to the village in 24 to 72 hours. This bag is just the essentials."

"Good, that will make the travel back to Manako faster."

"How are you traveling back?" Gintya asked.

"Well take my Jivko back," Aleksi said.

"Is that so?" Gintya asked.

"It's waiting for us out front."

"You may want to change into riding habit before you leave, Ava," Gintya said. He handed each of us a holocard. "These are your copies of your wedding registration."

"Is there a place I can change?" I asked the two of them.

"This way," Gintya said with a gesture. "As discussed you two will have to do a bonding ceremony today once you've arrived back at the village. After eight months I will call to see if you both would like to continue your marriage or go your separate ways. Within the next week you need to consummate your union." He turned to face us after stopping by a door, "You can change in here. I wish you all the best. And the Agency will be sending a wedding gift for you that will arrive with your things."