Page 78 of Married to the All Hallows' Eve Alien

"Yes, it was very sad. He traveled home for her funeral, and he and his father spent a few weeks looking for the particular man who ended her life, but they couldn't find him."

"And that's their justice system?"

"It's complicated."

"That's what Sem said."

"It's what they believe is best," Caroline says in a way that I recognize that she isn't going to go into any more detail about it. "I know it's difficult to believe, but most Alliance men would never hurt a woman, but some men have been so hard done by the matriarchal system and the women in their lives that they can't see reason anymore. I think having human pets was a way for some of them to feel that they had some power over women, even if they were human women. When keeping human pets became outlawed, those former pets weren't granted Alliance citizenship, just the status of indefinite leave to remain in the Empire. And those laws were made by Alliance women. It was a step too far for some men."

"So it's men that kept human women as pets that were killing Alliance women?" I ask, trying to make sense of all of this.

"Not all of them, only a small percentage, but the new law about not giving former human pets citizenship added to their cause. These men called themselves followers of the god of war. I'm sorry I'm muddling some of this up; it’s a long history, but the gist of it is the woman who stabbed you was probably kept by a member of the god of war's followers and wasn't treated well. And that’s why she did what she did. Most human women kept as pets wanted to stay with their Alliance men. From my own personal experience, we've seen many pass through here on the base and marry their former masters willingly."

"Stockholm syndrome?"

"I don't think so," Caroline says. "I think many Alliance men developed real relationships with human women and the human women with them. Just like in every relationship, it varies how the individuals treat one another. But from what I’ve seen, most of the relationships were based on mutual love and respect.”

"What makes you think that?" I ask, suspicious of her narrative.

"Because when the laws changed, most Alliance men spent all their money to get their human women back to Earth where they thought they would be safe. But then those same human women are constantly passing through this base to be with their now husbands and would rather live in the Empire without citizenship than live without them on Earth. Our doctor checks every woman to make sure she's in her right mind before making such a decision, and he definitely checks for Stockholm syndrome."

I consider this. Am I any different? "He didn't check me."

"He doesn't have to. It's obvious you love Sem, and he loves you. The only issue is that you didn't know he wasn't from Earth."

"What if I walk away from all of this right now?"

"We would change a year’s worth of memories. Everything you know about Sem would be gone. We’d place you in a new city, maybe even a new country."

"I wouldn't remember him at all?"

"Nothing. But here’s the kicker no one likes to hear, your physical body would still remember. You’d instinctually feel something wasn’t quite right but never know why."

"How is that fair?"

"It's not," she says frankly. "But life isn't fair, as you well know. You have a good thing going with Sem and the chance to live a much more exciting life than you might have on Earth. Not to mention, you can still visit Earth and maintain a life there. Yes, the alien thing is a little shocking at first, and the pet thing, but once you get a translator, you can look all of this up for yourself. I certainly did. I wanted to make sure I wasn't marrying into some crazy masochistic culture."

"How did I end up in this bizarre situation?"

"It's as simple as this: Sem didn't want to lose you."

"Do you think he would have ever told me he was an alien had this not happened?"

"Only he can answer that," she says. "In some ways, you know him better than I do now."

"I thought you were his mother on social media."

Caroline laughs. "Sometimes I feel like a mother to all these officers. You know they're used to having a woman in charge, and I answer a lot of questions about human women, but overall, they are nice, humble men."

"So, I have you to thank for a lot," I remark.

"I won't take too much credit. Sem is a good man. He's the perfect leader, articulate, and tough as nails. He's earned his place here in the Alliance Force when many other officers failed and returned to the Empire. This is a prestigious but difficult post. Sem even learned English because he wanted to understand humans better, and I wouldn't be here talking to you like this if I didn't think he was worth the effort to help in this situation. Don't rush yourself, though. If you're not ready to get married, then don't do it."

"But then I'll be in limbo and can't visit Earth or anything. Not to mention the punishment from this High Priestess."

"Don't worry about the punishment. It'll just be more lashes, and you'll survive it. I’ve never heard of anyone dying from a High Priestess’ punishment."

"Lashes?" I repeat and bring my knees up to my chest to hold them close.

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