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“Then why do you think other Ahn’hudi males would treat their mates any differently?” he countered.
“Don’t they? They can’tallbe so devoted and generous.”
He set down the two-tined fork used for spearing chunks of meat and stifled a sigh, because they’d already discussed the topic and he thought it settled. “No, not every male is honorable; however, we Ahn’hudin punish males who mistreat their mates. If a male is seen treating his mate poorly, any male may then challenge him. Since we are desperate for females, few males are willing to risk being challenged.”
“But what about those males who aren’tseenabusing their mates?”
“If a female complains of abuse, the situation will be thoroughly investigated. If it is discovered she speaks truly, then the male will be executed and the female given to a better male who will be grateful to accept her as his mate. If she speaks falsely, then she is returned to her mate for appropriate punishment.”
Louella grunted. “It still doesn’t seem fair.” She paused to think, then asked, “If an abused female doesn’t want to be given to a particular male, is she forced?”
Yas’kihn shook his head in disappointment and clenched his fists. “You really do think the worst of us. A female always has the right of refusal. We honor our mothers and those who would be mothers.” He rose from his chair and held her gaze, tail lashing in controlled anger. In a solemn voice, he said, “I never thought to say this to my own mate, much less to one as courageous and resourceful as you, but you disappoint me with your determination to think the worst of our people.”
Louella’s jaw dropped as he walked away and left her alone in their private dining room. Her jaw worked, but no sound came out. Tears welled and trickled down her cheeks.I didn’t mean it.Finally, sound erupted from her lips, harsh sobs of regret.
Rising from the table, she ran to their bedroom and threw herself on the bed and wept, wrapping her arms around herself and the growing bulge of her belly. For the first time since Yas’kihn had claimed her, he did not join her for the night. She cried herself to sleep and slept poorly. She missed his solid presence and his embrace. The enormous bed felt all too lonely and cold without him. She hadn’t realized how much she loved his presence—or how much I love him—until he removed himself.
The next morning, she rose, went through her usual morning ablutions, and dressed.I’ll need a new wardrobe soon; everything’s getting too tight.Entering the dining room, the domestic robots had laid a sumptuous breakfast. She grabbed the Ahn’hudi version of a muffin and nibbled at it, leaving more crumbs on the table than what ended up in her belly. She drank the hot coffee the palace steward had acquired from Earth, but it churned like acid in her belly when she thought that Yas’kihn had been the one to ensure that she had her favorite morning beverage every day. She looked down at her dress and sighed again. He had indulged her preferences for clothing, despite his assertion that such modesty reflected poorly on his ability to ensure her safety and protect her virtue.
“I owe him an apology,” she whispered.
Since he did not show up for breakfast, she decided to head to the imperial audience room which she called the throne room. Jarvis met her at the door.
“Lady Louella, you are not permitted to leave the royal family’s quarters,” the robot said as it blocked her way.
“I am the empress consort,” she objected.
“By order of the emperor, you may not leave the apartment.”
“He can’t do that!” she protested. “I won’t be a prisoner!”
Nonetheless, Jarvis did not budge. She turned on her heel and headed for another door leading to the palace courtyard. It was locked. She tugged on it. It remained closed. She pounded her fist against the dark, finely grained, polished stone and bellowed, “Jax!”
Silence answered her. With a huff, she flounced to her favorite sitting room where a video monitor hung on a wall. She punched in the remembered pattern to dial out. The screen flickered and Evangeline appeared, wearing a protective garment over her gown.
“What’s up, Louella?” she asked as she removed a pair of dirty gloves.
Seeing the other woman’s friendly face, Louella burst into tears, unable to speak.
Evangeline’s expression turned concerned. “Oh, honey, what’s wrong? How can I help?”
In fits and starts, Louella managed to tell her what had happened, ending with, “And now he won’t let me leave the apartment!”
“Can you blame him?” Evangeline asked, raising her eyebrows.
“He’s keeping me prisoner!”
“He’s confining you until both of you are calm,” Evangeline said. She sighed. “I had my issues with Ahn’hudi culture when I first came here. Honestly, I still have a few issues with it, but I have to be honest. No culture is perfect. I think Ahn’hudin’s culture is a lot better than many. And, really, can you complain about how Yas’kihn has treated you?”
Sniffling, Louella shook her head and admitted, “No, he’s … he’s beenwonderful… until now.”
“Try to see things from his point of view,” Evangeline suggested. “You’ve insulted him and his entire culture.”
“Don’t tell me you agree with him!”
Evangeline shook her head. “I’m not taking sides in this argument. The thing is, you volunteered to come to Ahn’hudin and get married. It appears you had expectations based on assumptions, and you keep expecting this entire culture to change to suit what you want.”
“Youaretaking sides!”
