Jana whirled about the floor in an ivory gown designed and made by a beaming Andrea McKay. It was of beaded lace and delicate embroidery with a fitted bodice and Victorian-style neckline of soft and sheer mesh. It featured a keyhole back, full skirt, and semicathedral train that was draped over one arm for easy movement. Seeded pearls and small silk flowers were secured to her tawny hair, piled for the occasion in curls atop her head. Jana wished there was more to an alien wedding ceremony than agreeing to unite, signing a legal doc.u.ment, and having a bracelet snapped on her wrist. But she was in Maffei and must follow their customs and traditions. At least the reception helped make the event romantic and special.
Flowers gave off heady fragrances; music was dreamy; champagne flowed, and food was abundant. All the guests enjoyed themselves to the fullest.
As she danced with Kadim Tirol Trygue, the galactic ruler said, "You have made my beloved grandson the happiest and proudest man alive. Thank you, Jana, for coming into his life. I am glad you have forgiven us for the way in which you entered our world. I know times have been hard for you, but you have my sincere grat.i.tude forever. I do not believe any woman anywhere could have accomplished what you and Varian did. I am pleased and honored to have you as part of my family. I look forward," he leaned closer and whispered, "to having another little loved one soon."
Jana beamed with joy. "So do we, sir. I want to thank you for how generously you have accepted me and for having our wedding in your home today."
"There are two more marriages coming soon: Tristan"s to Martella and Nigel"s to your best friend. It seems love and romance are in the air. Perhaps it is a contagious infection even I can catch again one day. Perhaps I should search your world for the perfect woman as Varian and Nigel did."
They danced another time before an eager Varian claimed his radiant bride. "Every moment you are away from me is sheer torment, woman."
"We certainly can"t have my groom suffering. What can I do to help?"
"You"ve already done it, Jana, you love me and married me and you"re carrying my child. You"ve helped me obtain peace in the Tri-Galaxy. No man could be more blessed or fortunate than I am."
Jana gazed at the two items that exposed their bond to the world: a ring of gold on her left hand with caritrary stones that matched her eyes-as was Earth"s custom-and a gold bracelet encrusted with matching gems to symbolize that of Maffei"s. They were from two different and distant worlds but bound together by great love and respect. They had overcome every obstacle stubborn fate had placed in their path to obtain this blissful goal. True, they were perfect for each other. She sent him a mischievous smile and asked, "How about twice blessed, my love?"
He looked at the ivory-clad beauty in confusion. "What do you mean?"
Jana pretended to toy with the golden sunburst on his rich wine dress uniform. "When Tris did my examination yesterday to make certain all was well with me so my future husband wouldn"t worry about all the celebrating, he made a surprising discovery." She locked her merry gaze with his inquisitive one. "Being an extremely fertile s.p.a.ce pirate, you have deposited more than one seed in your adoring mate. We"re expecting twins, a boy and a girl. What do you think about naming them Galen and Amaya?"
"Twins ... A boy and a girl ... That"s wonderful news, Moonbeam," he responded in astonishment.
"I thought you"d feel that way, and carrying twins will give me a plausible excuse for getting so plump and so fast. We"ll still have to confine me to Altair at the end of my pregnancy so we can conceal the babies" birth dates. It will be more work and time involved but twice the fun. Right, my love?"
"It was certainly fun planting their seeds in you that night on Luz."
Jana stroked his strong jawline and savored his expression of pride. "You l.u.s.ty rake, whatever shall I do with you and two children at once?"
"Love us, Moonbeam, just love us."
"I do."
Nigel and Andrea danced by and sent the glowing couple smiles.
"I suggested a plan they can use so Andrea can see her parents and they can meet Nigel," Jana told her husband. "Once a year, they can visit the McKays under the cover story of being secret agents for our government, a perfect excuse for why Andrea can"t reveal where they live and why she can"t be reached by them. At least they can see she"s alive and well and happy. Nigel thinks it will work and, of course, Andrea is delighted."
"What a cunning woman I"ve captured. You never cease to amaze me, Jana Saar. It"s a perfect solution."
Tirol joined them for a short time. He was told about the twins and their chosen names, one for his deceased daughter, Varian"s mother, and the other for Varian"s father. The older man was thrilled by the news.
When the newlyweds were alone again, Jana whispered, "I can hardly wait to get home and have you all to myself. With babies on the way, my time alone with my husband is limited. I"ll have to take advantage of it."
"Altair will never be the same, never be better. I"m glad you turned Darkar over to the Supreme Council. Grandfather was surprised and delighted. They would have purchased it, Moonbeam; it was yours."
"We don"t need the money, and I wanted to break all ties to Trilabs and the past. I"m a Saar now and only want Saarian things around me."
As they enjoyed their last dance of the evening, Varian held Jana in his possessive embrace. All dark shadows had fled and he vowed he would never let her slip through his fingers again. Despite the people watching them, their lips met in a kiss that aroused their pa.s.sions. They experienced a joy and contentment which both had feared lost for eternity not long ago. Peace ruled their lives and hearts and reigned in the Tri-Galaxy. Tonight, the G.o.ds and fates smiled on Jana and Varian Saar. As the newlyweds gazed into each other"s eyes and smiled, time seemed to cease for the Earthling beauty and the alien starship commander as they were a.s.sailed by the intensity, magic, and power of a love which had reached beyond the planets and stars themselves to bind their destinies into one.
Varian repeated what he had told her on his ship months ago: "This is how it should be for us, Moonbeam, magic and rapture in each other"s arms. It will be like this forever; I promise."
Jana smiled and said, "I"ll hold you to that vow, my love."
Moondust Rapture.
As the sated G.o.ds gather to watch mortals below, The happy Fates laugh joyfully, for only they know:.
Two hearts joined by love, Aliens no more.
Light conquered darkness; fiery pa.s.sions soar.
Stardust has settled, Shadows have fled; Magic and Rapture now rule in their stead ...
The End, or is it only a beginning for new adventures ...
Author"s Note.
I hope you enjoyed this flight into fantasy with me in Stardust And Shadows and will also enjoy Book I in this science-fiction romance series: Moondust And Madness, to be reprinted by Pinnacle/Zebra Books in November "92 to see how it all began. It was exciting to travel beyond the Milky Way with Jana and Varian once more and you, my loyal readers, made it possible with your many requests; thank you.
PINNACLE"S Pa.s.sIONATE AUTHORPATRICIA MATTHEWS.
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Red-haired Hannah, sold into servitude as an innkeeper"s barmaiden, must survive the illicit pa.s.sions of many men, until love comes to free her questing heart.
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Innocent Rachel, orphaned after the Civil War, travels out West to start a new life, only to meet three bold men-two she couldn"t love and one she couldn"t trust.
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Proud Maggie must overcome the poverty and shame of her family"s bleak existence, encountering men of wealth, power, and greed until her impa.s.sioned dreams of love are answered.
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Lovely Belinda Lee follows her gold-seeking father to the Alaskan Yukon where danger and love are waiting in the wilderness.
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Sensuous Meredith boldly undertakes her father"s lifework to search for a fabled treasure in Mexico, where she must learn to distinguish between the sweet truth of love and the seduction of greed and l.u.s.t.
Available wherever paperbacks are sold, or order direct from the Publisher. Send cover price plus 50 per copy for mailing and handling to Pinnacle Books, Dept. 639, 475 Park Avenue South, New York, N.Y. 10016. Residents of New York and Tennessee must include sales tax. DO NOT SEND CASH. For a free Zebra/ Pinnacle catalog please write to the above address.
end.