“What does that mean?” I ask, my voice shaking. “Once this is over and Zivren and I severe our mating, will I be ostracized from the community?”
“No,” Zivren replies, his tone adamant. “I won’t let that happen.”
“Nothing like that.” The chancellor is toying with the thick gold bracelet on her wrist. A nervous habit, I’d guess. “A severed mating bond is something to mourn. There will be a collective sadness from those around you because of how rare it is. They will want to care for you and make sure you’re coping with the loss.”
On the first planet I was sent to, couples were chosen by fate itself via a deep sense of yearning for a person which struck like abolt of lightning once the yearner’s soul recognized their perfect match. It was instant and eternal.
I remember being envious of it when I witnessed it happening in front of me. The assurance that the person you were meant to spend the rest of your days with wasright there.Right in front of you.
If only love could be that easy.
I raise my hand because something has been nagging me this entire time. When the chancellor acknowledges me, I ask, “Why did you lie for us? Why help us at all? What’s in it for you?”
The look she gives me says the answer should be obvious. I say nothing in response, because it isn’t.
“Well, I protect my residents,” the chancellor finally says.
My brow lifts. “Even accused murderers? You know nothing about me. How do you know I’m innocent?”
Something flashes across her face, an emotion or thought I can’t pinpoint, as she looks at Zivren for a beat too long. “I have a good sense for people, and I don’t believe you to be capable of such a heinous crime. Besides, the more refugees we have settle here, the more our businesses and community grow. I want this island to be a hub of diverse creatures trying to build the lives they dreamt of having. The lives they couldn’t have elsewhere. And allowing other governments to invade our land and abduct our people certainly doesn’t serve that vision, now does it?”
The chancellor clasps her hands together, looking between us. “All you need to do is pretend to be a happily mated couple for three moon cycles, and then you can go your separate ways. The government of Etirinu will leave us alone, and you’ll remain free, Juniper.”
I’m still suspicious of her motives, but less so now. There’s clearly something the chancellor isn’t telling us, but beggars can’t be choosers, and ultimately I don’t care what it takes to stay here as long as that’s the end result.
I turn to look at Zivren. He seems so much more confident than I am that we can pull this off. But why, when he’s seemed so irritated by me up to this point? It doesn’t make sense. Though I can’t say I’m devastated about having to play the role of wifey to my hot neighbor who has saved my life twice now.
I purse my lips as I study him. He’s a hulking Adonis who fights fires and adores his kid. I could do a hell of a lot worse. “Okay.” I nudge my shoulder against his. “I’ll go pack my stuff. Hope you like snaking the shower drain every few weeks, a roommate with hot flashes, and big ‘ol granny panties being hang-dried out the window.”
His brow furrows. “I didn’t understand half of that.”
I chuckle as I reach the front door. “Guess it’ll be a fun surprise then.”
Chapter 7
ZIVREN
June is asleep on the bed one level down from mine. She referred to it is a “trundle” when I pulled the cushion out from beneath my bed and covered it with linens and a blanket. I listen to her deep inhales and whistling exhales, hoping they will soon lull me into my own slumber.
When she returned with her belongings, I assisted her with finding room in my closet, in the drawers that come out of the wall, and space in the washroom for her little boxes and bottles. My home has much less space than it did this morning, but I don’t mind. Then we spent the afternoon in the family room, June on the floor with Akkal and his toys, and me on the couch, flipping through stations on thegoubil, trying to find music to match the mood. I couldn’t find any labeled, “Songs for when your fake mate moves in,” so I put on Akkal’s favorite and let my mind wander.
While June was busy packing at her house, I told Akkal she was going to stay with us for a spell. I said it’ll be easier to have his nanny here all the time, and sometimes she and I may appear to be close like family. We may hold hands and embrace. I needed him to understand, especially if we run intothe orange idiots, our behavior may look different. He seemed fine with the explanation, and his only question was whether June would be making our meals now or if I would continue to do so. Apparently he prefers my cooking, and while my chest did puff with pride at his compliment, I made him promise to never repeat it to June.
We ate dinner––which I made––in long bouts of silence, which is standard for me and Akkal, but June seemed uncomfortable with it, occasionally trying to fill the quiet with stories from her time back on Earth. I didn’t mind. I like listening to her voice. It’s low and smooth, and her laugh is the opposite––high pitched and loud like the honking mating call of theyuukabinibird.
A loud crack cuts through the quiet in the room, followed by a yelp and a, “Are you fucking kidding me?”
I get onto my knees and crawl to the edge of the bed as June is rolling off the edge of the trundle. “What happened?”
She rubs her lower back. “The bed broke.”
I haul the cushion off the frame and examine the frame closely, and yes, it’s cracked vertically, right down the middle. “This was the bed I bought when Akkal was a baby,” I quietly admit. “I have a vague recollection of it being advertised as a bed for babies and toddlers.”
June fit on the trundle perfectly. Looking at it, you wouldn’t know there was a weight or age limit to the frame, given that it’s just a narrower version of my bed. There’s no denying it now, though.
“Apologies, June. I…forgot.”
“It’s fine.” She gets up, still rubbing her back, and grabs her pillow off the floor. “I’ll sleep on the couch.”
