Page 11 of The Bride Auction

“I want to tell you,” Renick said.

“Then tell me.”

“Have you ever lost someone close to you?” he asked.

I blinked, my thoughts immediately on David. “I have.”

“And did this person mean everything to you?”

I bit my lip, unsure how to answer. “Well, he meant a lot. At the time, he was my world.”

Renick’s lips curled back in semi snarl. “Is that why you joined the GBA to run away from him?”

“No, no. David was my husband, but he passed away in an accident.”

“You have a husband?” He glanced at the floor. “Arik told me the GBA wouldn’t allow anyone to participate who was married.”

“They won’t,” Arik piped up.

“I’m not married anymore,” I clarified. “He’s dead.”

“I’m sorry,” Renick said, instantly contrite. Inspecting his features, I made the snap decision he felt genuine remorse. “I’ve lost people too,” he said.

Arik chugged his mug of corul and put it down on the table a little harsher than I believe he intended. “Listen, since Renick’s not sharing, I’ll give you the down and dirty version. Renick’s father was killed. It’s now up to him to assume his father’s position in the council. In order to do so, he needs a bride because his father is, was, a politician and that’s how things are done on Tenap. Renick didn’t want any political enemies to know he was using the GBA.”

I sat back. “I see.” Out of all the thoughts turning through my head that was not what I expected to hear. A huge part of me heaved a sigh of relief Renick didn’t have another wife, or long lost love that consumed his mind. “So what am I supposed to do,” I asked. “I don’t know anything at all about politics, my own home planets or Galactic politics.”

Renick smiled. “Neither do I.” He glanced at his uniform. “As you can see, I chose the military route instead of politics.”

I grinned. “Not that you mention it, it’s obvious. You chose this life knowing that you would have to assume your father’s position?”

His skin flushed a deeper purple. “I did. I was also naive. I felt like my father would live forever.”

I pressed my lips together and nodded. I didn’t want to say anything because he was beginning to open up to me. The more I talked with Renick, the more I liked him. I had a sense he was a good man.

“If you’re willing to, we can learn together.” He placed his hand palm side up on the table. I rested mine in his.

“Sounds like a plan to me. I’ve always been a fast learner. Where do I get a crash course in politics?”

Renick grimaced and Arik burst out laughing. “My mother.”

“What’s so bad about learning from your mother?”

“She is a force to be reckoned with, but she is our best option and she’s been in politics since she married my father. I’m sure she will help you understand your new role and she’ll be by my side helping me.”

Once Airk reined in his laughter, he stood, stretched and gave an exaggerated yawn. “Well, I’ll get us started heading back to Tenap, then I’ll put us on autopilot for some sleep. We’ll be there in one rotation. Plus,” he yawned again, “I’m getting tired. I think it’s almost time for bed.” He licked his lips and winked in Renick’s direction.

Renick made an obscene hand gesture at his friend’s face and I couldn’t stop laughing. “He’s not really so crude.”

“Somehow, I don’t believe that,” I chuckled.

“Are you tired? Do you wish to change?” he asked. “I'll show you to my quarters. I’m sorry, they’re the smallest ones on the ship. When I first heard the news about my father, I didn’t intend to take a bride. Arik reminded me of my duties.”

“So I’m a duty now,” I teased, holding his gaze steady. I placed the mug in the small galley sink and searched for how to turn it on.

“I’ll take care of that,” he said. “My mother would tan my hide if I didn’t take care of my bride properly.”

“Smart woman.” I waited until Renick had cleaned all three mugs. I enjoyed listening to him hum songs I’d never heard while he cleaned. I watched as his fingers slid in and out of the soap bubble covered mug, while his thumb rubbed across the outside of the brim. Butterflies floated low in my belly. I’d never felt this turned on watching anyone clean anything before, let alone dishes. Dishes were not supposed to be that attractive.

---