Khegon let out a scoff. “Not that they would need to know, but I am pretty sure she will be the only human female around. Our peopleknowshe is Filbur’s partner. And even if they did not, they would just ask.”
“Are you saying you did not prepare a ring for Tamara?”
My brother and the scientist stared each other down. I had not been aware of thisringsituation.
I leaned closer to Tamara, slowly so as to not spook her. “What are these rings for?”
Surprisingly, she did not jump this time, only looked up at me with wide eyes. “I—It’s just silly jewelry. It doesn’t mean anything.”
Hm. Did it not? Why was the old man pushing about it if it meant nothing?
“Doyouwant a ring?” I asked her.
Her jaw dropped. She tried pulling her hands before realizing they were placed in mine and settling. “I—I don’t know?”
Her face heated up again. More lies. “You do not know if you want a ring or not?”
“It’s expected, I—”
She let out a frustrated sigh.
“I do not care about what is expected,” I said, keeping my tone soft and low enough that it was just for her. “I care about whatyouwant. Do you want a ring?”
“I—” And that was it. She finallythoughtabout it instead of giving the answer she thought was expected of her. It took her a minute, in which no one spoke, before she said, “I don’t think so.”
Maxwell’s frown deepened. “Why not?”
“They’re meaningless. It’s just a symbol, something people use to assert control over each other.” Truth. A knot tightened my stomach. “I do not care about a ring as having one will not guarantee that I’ll live a safe and happy life with the man who gave it.”
My blood froze in my veins.
It all made sense now. Whether it washeror someone else, my bride had witnessed some terrible things. Not all males were good—same as not allfemaleswere kind.
Someone had hurt her. So I made sure she understood how serious I was when I said, “Then no rings. I shall only gift youthings you want to receive.Dothings you want me to do. You shall be safe and happy, and the only violence you might ever witness will be the one directed to the people threatening your safety and happiness.”
Everyone remained silent.
Such an oath was not uncommon for our people. Our partners were sacred and any decent person would give their life to protect their loved ones.
“Well, you basically repeated what I needed you to say, so I’ll move over to Tamara directly.”
Fear had completely left her face. She gazed at me curiously, like I was an enigma and she was not sure how to solve it. Her hands had finally stopped shaking in mine. Her skin was back to being the beautiful glowing brown that it had been when I first saw her—and evenbrighter.
She was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. I would be lying if I said I had not found Ghauro’s bride attractive, but she was nothing compared to the goddess standing before me. Tomypartner. Mybride.
When she promised to always be by my side whether I was sick or healthy, to not take another partner unless we decided to part ways, and to care for me unconditionally, I had to refrain myself, waiting impatiently for the ceremony to be over.
I wanted to head back to our tent and slide my fingers in her intricate hair while she filled her stomach with food.
I wanted to make her feel safe—and, to be fair, make her feelgood.
We had babies to make after all…
“Well, that’s it. Filbur, you can kiss your bride.”
Tamara looked up at me, blinking softly.
Kiss?Theykissedin public?
