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Ethram led them to the chamber, and Zalana gazed in stunned silence as she approached the
vision on the pallet.  She wore a pale blue caftan with moons and stars embroidered in
silver.  Tears filled Zalana’s eyes as she saw the matching sash she had embroidered for
her son’s mate so many centuries before tied to her wrist and tucked up by her chin.  Her
golden hair surrounded her with the rays of the suns, and pale, delicate skin stretched
across high cheekbones.

As Zulien approached her, one small hand reached out, searching.  Zulien clasped it
gently and brought it back to her side as he knelt, and Ethram whispered, “Your bond is
strong, Zulien.  Several times I have had to issue a wave of peace towards your little
mate, yet she continues to search for you.  Are you ready, warrior?”

“Yes, Ethram.  I have been waiting centuries for this moment.  I never dreamed it would
arrive.”

Ethram pulled Zalana back from the pallet where she stood almost in a trance as she gazed
at Miranda.  “Zalana,” he said gently, “this is your son’s time.  You will have a lifetime
with her.”

Zalana leaned down and brushed her fingers through her warrior son’s long dark hair.  “I
love you, Zulien, and I do not need a vision to know all will be well.”

“Thank you, mother.  I can feel the peace she emits also.”

Ethram brushed his fingers across Miranda’s forehead and she sighed and reached her other
hand over to Zulien’s comforting grasp.  Zulien smiled and began stroking her head as she
slowly awoke.

Ethram escorted the parents out of the chambers.  “I will, of course, be remaining here. 
I will have one of the guards inform the Magistrate of Battle when the joining has
ended.”

Zalana and Terena were hugging each other and crying.  Zibula glanced over at them, then
looked back at Ethram and rolled his eyes.

Ethram laughed quietly.  “Mothers.”  The women turned to him.  “I suggest you get busy. 
Planning ceremonies for a Celestial Ancient and her bonded friend will be quite a task.”

Zibula’s mind flashed on the uproar the house would be in while his mate panicked over
the preparations and said, “Thanks a lot.  I will be lucky to have another joining of my
own until this is over.”

Zalana and Terena were already discussing the location for the joint ceremonies, and
whether it was a breach of the Ancient’s protocol to even hold the ceremonies together.

Ethram chuckled, “I thought you wanted them to stop their tears.”

The parents returned to their shuttle and headed back home to begin the preparations for
the ceremonies.  In the inner worlds, the son’s mother always arranged the ceremonies.  It
was an honor given to welcome the new mate to her family, and Zalana and Terena were
petrified of failing.

Zulien continued to stroke Miranda’s forehead until she gasped a little and her eyes
began to open.  They were a crystal blue and watery, and as she focused, she looked up at
him with alarm.  “Wake slowly, Miranda.  You have been in deep sleep for a long time,” he
said softly.

Zulien was encouraged.  At least she had not screamed.  He thought of how he must look to
her.  He was large, even for a warrior, with dark hair that fell well below his shoulders
in a thick, wild mane.  His ebony eyes were completely the opposite of the light blue pair
gazing suspiciously at him, and he wondered if the people of her planet even had his
coloring.  The golden bronze skin was unique to the people of Shallistar, so he was sure
she would find that as unusual as he found her luminescence.  He hoped she would be as
pleased.

She had not released his hands as she continued to calmly stare at him, and then she
spoke in a soft voice, and said the last thing he expected to hear.  “I know you.”