Tasha accepts her fate and marries her Romulan captor. Now her new life really begins, but how will she adapt?

I do not own anything Star Trek.

Yesterday's Tasha part 9

Rejan regarded the young woman with whom he had bedded. She was exactly what he had hoped for in a mate. Now he would make her his wife, legally, and hopefully, over any objections of the High Command.

He called on Suralin, and gave her a message. She would be in charge of relaying to Tasha what would be expected from her in the Romulan wedding ritual. She would also see to it that Tasha had the proper clothing for the ceremony. It was a brief ritual, but as a personage of some importance, Rejan would be inviting several high ranking people to witness it. It would also give Tasha some status that, as a th'ann or prisoner, she would not have had.

Suralin went about getting what she needed for Tasha, and began to tell her what was expected of her as Rejan's wife. "As the General's mate, you will have equal status. It is therefore important that you say or do nothing to shame him. Your life here on Romulus can be a good one, if you do what is expected of you, and respect our ways."

"Thank you for your assistance, Suralin," Tasha said dismissively. She wished the ceremony was over. She had no desire to stand in front of a lot of high level Romulans who probably wouldn't trust her to begin with. She fingered the fine fabric of what was to be her wedding gown. It shone through with a myriad of rainbow colors, yet in cut and design, was very simple.

Rejan entered Tasha's room, for now that they had had sexual relations, her privacy was no longer an issue. Husbands and wives hid nothing from each other, so closely tied were they.

He saw her examining the gown he had purchased for her. "You will be beautiful in it," he said.

She lowered her head. "I just want it done and over with." She let him place his hands on her shoulders as he reassured her.

"It won't be long, Tasha. Once done, your place on Romulus will be secure."

***********************

Later that week, on the morning of the wedding, Tasha awoke, alone, as Rejan had explained that from the night of their first mating, he would lie with her no more until the marriage night. Suralin entered the room with a light breakfast, and helped Tasha dress. The young girl talked excitedly about the ceremony and reception after. As a member of Rejan's household, she would be attending as well. Tasha went to her drawer and pulled out something. Turning to Suralin, she held out her hand. " I would like you to have this. It's all I have left from my old life. I suppose you shouldn't show it off since it would probably be taken away." In her hand, Tasha held her communicator pin. She had hidden it before her Star Fleet uniform had been taken from her. Suralin took the pin, turning it over. "It won't work, since there are no ships within distance," Tasha said, smiling. "But it'll make a nice souvenir."

"Thank you. I will keep it safe, I promise." She left for her own room to prepare for the wedding.

Tasha looked at herself in the mirror. She looked nothing like a Star Fleet officer. Her hair was longer, she had makeup on and the dress was something she would never have worn on the Enterprise. Inside she felt the same, but outside....

Suralin came in and told Tasha that it was time. They walked out together, slowly. Suralin had shown her how to wear the veil that obscured her human features. She hoped that it would spare Tasha any stares from the wedding guests.

When Tasha took her place beside Rejan, she looked only at him, and no one else. She had to admit to herself that he was a handsome figure, dressed in his formal uniform. She smiled at him, while waiting for the next step in the ceremony.

The person in charge of the ritual words, priest or whatever he was, began speaking words Tasha didn't understand. When it had appeared that he was finished, Rejan pulled aside the veil that covered her head, letting it hang down her back. There were a few audible gasps from the guests, which he ignored. He leaned forward and kissed Tasha. It was as if the Romulan general was making a point, a gesture of warning, to everyone in the room. He was marrying a human, raising her status in their society, and placing her under his aegis.

Marrying prisoners was a known and acceptable thing amongst the Romulans. But Rejan was letting everyone know that Tasha was no ordinary prisoner. He took her hand and walked her past the whispering group into the grand hall where the reception had been prepared. For the rich, holding weddings and receptions was easier when held in their own home. Everyone followed the couple, where Rejan introduced his new wife. Those who wanted to stay on his good side offered their congratulations. Rejan made a mental note of the others.

As he stood next to Tasha, he whispered indulgently, "You're beautiful."

She tried to put on a brave face, saying, "I feel like half the people here would prefer me dead."

"Perhaps," Rejan replied, "but the other half would prefer ME dead."

Tasha actually laughed at the remark. She was glad he didn't fear these people. Doing her best to summon her courage, she walked beside Rejan amongst the wedding guests. She'd never been in a room full of Romulans before. In Star Fleet, there had been other species, but Romulans were known xenophobics. Tasha didn't see any other species in the entire room. Was she the only human around? It frightened her a little.

Rejan sensed Tasha's trepidation, so he tightened his grip on her arm. He signaled some unseen person, and music started.

It was strangely alien to Tasha, but soothing also. She watched as food was set on tables, and the guests took plates, sampling the varied dishes. Rejan must have spent quite a bit of money, she thought.

"Do you wish to eat anything, Tasha? I'll get you something."

His extremely solicitous behavior confused her, but things could have been worse. And Suralin was right. If she respected their ways, and did nothing to shame her new husband, she might one day achieve a certain level power of her own. And since family was all-important on Romulus, children would be a necessity as well. She felt her face flush at the thought. Children were something she'd never considered as an officer in Star Fleet.

"Tasha?" Rejan looked at her with concern.

"I'm fine. I was just thinking about what looks good." She went to the buffet table and tried a few scoops of different items.

Rejan was satisfied that Tasha was accepting her new position. He was beginning to feel that he could trust her, but only to a point. He wasn't quite ready to place all his trust in her, yet.

*********************

After the party had ended, and all the guests had left, Rejan ordered the house servitors to leave the cleaning for tomorrow. He wanted everyone to enjoy the reception, and they had. Let them work tomorrow after a good night sleep. The food, or what was left of it, had been put away, and everyone went to their quarters. Rejan saw earlier, that Tasha's things were moved to his room. She would be with him now.

The house had finally quieted, and Rejan found Tasha walking in the garden. Taking her into his arms, he kissed her on the neck. He felt her shiver from his touch, and this pleased him. It had been too long since he had bedded her. But she seemed tired, and he didn't want her rejection of his attentions to her. He led her to their room, and helped her undress. Together, they lay in the large bed, Tasha wrapped in his warm arms. She wasn't sure what to say, but seeing that he wasn't going to force himself on her, she looked up at him. "Thank you."

"For?" he questioned.

"Everything. I owe you my life, and the lives of my crew. You've given me your protection and status. I'll do my best to make it work, Rejan."

"Dielhun," he corrected.

Tasha smiled. "Is it ok if I call you Diel? If not Rejan. It will be easier. And I want to continue my language lessons with Suralin."

"Of course," he said. "Your improvement has been remarkable. I would want you to continue. Sleep now. Tomorrow night, I don't intend to let you off that easily." He gave her one last kiss, making sure that she understood his meaning.

Tasha felt suffused by a sudden warmth. Maybe life here wouldn't be so bad.