AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No doubt it’s frightened and confused like our bride.”
“I wondered about that, too,” Sarus admitted. “She did not seem pleased to be here.”
“No, she did not. I think the ambassador should be queried more closely, for it seems as if the human government is not adequately informing the brides sent to us.”
“I suspect that, too.”
Horas nodded. “It’s good to know that your judgment aligns with mine. I will send a message to the crown informing his majesty of our suspicions.”
“What do you think will happen if we’re correct in that the brides are deceived into coming to Ahn'hudin?”
“Our society does not approve of trafficking, but we also know that other species and cultures have no such reservations. Perhaps humans see nothing dishonorable in the trade of their own kind.”
Sarus thought on that, realizing he’d never before concerned himself with the treaty between the human governments on Earth with his own home planet. He knew the humans greatly desired alien technology, far superior to their own, and that Earth had little of value to trade with Ahn'hudin, Uribern, or Kaan—except their fertile females.
He recalled the damning history of his people at the mercy of another, more powerful species. Those ancient masters had altered Ahn’hudi genetics to produce warrior slaves—all males—who were used as cannon fodder until they organized a rebellion and chased the remnants of the oppressor species across the galaxies and into hiding. In the millennia since, the Ahn'hudi had not managed to reverse the genetic manipulation, condemning them to little success in producing more female offspring.
He decided he needed to research the human species more fully, especially their history. What he learned about the backward planet’s dominant species appalled him.Barbaric!
A muffled thud brought him to his feet. He raced toward the sound and flung open the door to the bedchamber.
“Evangeline!”
She lay crumpled on the floor, groaning. With a muttered oath, Sarus rushed forth to pick her up and gently place her on the bed.
“What are you doing, female?”
“I–I–where am I?” she finally spluttered, blinking her eyes in confusion as Poppet hissed from the other side of the bed. “And who are you?”
“We are in a safe house. I am Sarus mek Orsai’To, commander of the Moriya Squadron and your mate.”
“Sorry, what?” She leaned away from him, blinking her eyes. “Whatareyou?”
“What do you remember?” he asked.
“I had an interview with … with … oh,shit!” Evangeline’s already pale complexion turned ashen as memory slammed back into mental focus. Her hand went to the bandaged wound in her side. She raised wide, frightened eyes to the alien male’s flat yellowish gaze. “What happened to the other brides?”
He reported the news: “Two of the bridal attendants were killed. Healer Jallisk claimed the human female, Elodie. One of the brides was captured by the Sivuul, the one called Louella Jackson.” He paused, then said, “They say preliminary investigations indicate that Ambassador Conquillen betrayed us to the Sivuul.”
“But … why?”
“Greed, I suppose.”
“I … I probably need to get back to the embassy.” She frowned, the idea giving her pain. “What about Marisol? Is she okay?”
“Marisol?”
“She wore the red dress,” Evangeline explained.
“Ah.” Sarus took a breath, then answered carefully, “She has been matched to the most worthy of her suitors.” He took another breath, then added, “You cannot return to the embassy. It was badly damaged in the invasion and has since been razed. The ambassador and her staff are in protective custody. The latest shipment of brides before the new treaty goes into effect have been moved and will be matched to the most worthy of their suitors.”
“And you’re the most worthy of my suitors?” she asked, eyes narrowing.
Sarus wanted to preen, but sensed doing so would only enrage the small female. “Horas and I are your dyad mates.”
“Dyad … two?” She inhaled, then screeched, eyes wide, “Two?”
Sensing he trod on fragile ground, Sarus nodded. “Colonel Horas mek Ul’Sinha and I are your dyad mates. It is a great honor to be paired with him.”
