Hernando whistled. "And to think, Earthers say we're not a very advanced civilization apart from the Portal technology. I can't wait to brag about this at the U.N."
Olivia cringed. "Maybe not. Look over at Colonel North and his people. The vacant stares, the dropped jaws... The word 'shell-shocked' comes to mind. This has all been too much for them."
"You're right. Perhaps it's better if we do keep this to ourselves." Hernando swept Olivia into his arms and kissed her. We need to build bridges between our worlds—not burn them.
Chapter Sixteen
"Why is it every time I return to Earth I feel like I'm leaving home?"
Hernando smiled at Olivia as they walked the familiar route from the council chambers to the Portal. "I feel like I'm coming home every time I'm with you. Home is wherever you are, my beloved. Earth, BloodDark, the other side of the galaxy..."
"Let's not move so far away. My parents will flip out enough when we tell them we’ve already had our 'bonding ceremony.'" Olivia sighed. "My mother always pictured a big church wedding for her only child."
"There's no reason why we can't do both. I understand many Earth couples have more than one bonding ceremony to please their respective families. My parents were very pleased."
She giggled. "They were. I've never seen anyone dance with such energy as your dad did at the reception afterwards. Your folks are the sweetest people in the universe. I'm happy it made them happy."
"Does it make you happy?" he asked. "I know I couldn't be happier."
Olivia squeezed Hernando's hand. "I'm very happy. So, what about your professional life? Are you happy to be a married ambassador? Your single days are over. The Earth tabloids and talk shows will be buzzing about it for months."
"Oh, dear. I forgot about the media on Earth. I'm sure they won't let me forget about them." Hernando shook his head. "As ambassador, I'm happy you are now a citizen of BloodDark. You're officially one of us. This will prevent anyone from questioning your loyalty ever again. You can legally represent our government before any Earth court as well someday."
Olivia snorted. "Yeah—if I make it all the way through law school, but I'm well on my way, what with interning for the BloodDark embassy this term. You'd better give me a passing grade."
Hernando winked. "You'd better do your best so I can."
Upon entering the pavilion which housed the Portal, Olivia sensed something was different. "Where is everyone?" she asked.
"Surprise!"
They spun around and discovered their friends had organized a farewell party for them.
"It's traditional for a new-bonded couple to have a send-off party when they move to their new home," Kate explained, giving them both a hug. "Mahvet and I are going to live at Clan Alpha House for now, but if and when we decide to move to Earth for a time, we expect you to come back and throw a gala for us."
"Of course we will." Olivia smiled and hugged her back. "You're going to love working with Valori and the professor. All the history you guys can record and index... I just know you'll make no end of new discoveries."
Kate laughed. "No doubt we will."
Drinks and light refreshments were brought out from their hidden places and passed about by the Portal staff. Olivia enjoyed seeing many of her old Resistance cell colleagues again, but one in particular made her smile.
"Get a load of Annara and the corporal in the corner," Hernando said under his breath, pointing at the couple standing shoulder to shoulder. "He surprised me by electing to stay on BloodDark. Is another bonding ceremony in the works there?"
"Could be. She's very noncommittal, but then Annara doesn't like to admit when she's been conquered by anything—including love."
From out of the blue, Olivia found herself and Hernando squeezed in an all-encompassing bear hug. "Congratulations, you two," Caveman told them for the hundredth time in a week. "Did I ever tell you how proud I was to officiate your ceremony?"
"A few dozen times." Hernando laughed and elbowed his friend for release. "We were proud to have been bonded by someone of your high status. We've not done too badly for a couple of lowly servants, have we, Charles of the Cave Clan?"
Caveman Charlie winked. "Not bad at all."
The party began to break up after an hour, as the Portal technicians wanted to keep the schedule between Earth and BloodDark on track as much as possible.
Olivia waved good-bye and blew kisses to her BloodDark family, sniffing back tears.
"Don’t be sad," Hernando soothed her. "We will return regularly to perform our work duties and to see our friends and loved ones here."
"I know, and I know Valori will be coming to Earth soon along with the colonel to let the U. N. know the score about the... whatever it was. I just wanted to say good-bye to her before we left."
He raised an eyebrow. "Have you called to her?"
Olivia nodded. "I tried reaching her mentally just before we left council chambers, but I didn't hear anything. I suppose she's occupied dealing with Drucinda and all the other priests and priestesses. The Ancestor left them a lot of instructions, she told me. They need to catch up on their homework."
He put an arm around her shoulders and led her toward the Portal staging area. "It's understandable she's too busy to answer." He stopped. "Did you remember to take your travel medication?"
"Duh, I forgot." Olivia turned and returned to the control desk to ask for the small pill to keep her stomach and her body together when she rematerialized on Earth.
Standing in front of the desk holding a pill bottle was Valori.
"I'm so glad I got to see you one last time before we left for Earth!" Olivia ran into Valori's outstretched arms and hugged her with all her strength.
"You know I wouldn't miss seeing you off, my dear child. It's good luck to
