Page 9 of His Human Rebel

“It is nonsensical, but we use this irrational fear to our advantage in battle.”

She rolls her eyes. “Good thing they put a universal translator in me before I left New Earth. At least they did that, so I’ve been able to talk to everyone.”

I nod and quietly continue driving through the verdant green countryside, with a smile on my face, imagining what it must’ve been like when Stella arrived in our transporter station and met the staff.

“Is there anything you think I need to know right away about the Hyrrokin?” she asks. “Anything that you think will help me to acclimate quicker?”

I think for a second. “Do you understand that we also flash flame?”

“What do you mean? You can create fire?”

“Yes, we breathe fire.”

“Fire can come out of your mouth?”

“I will show you,” I say then, while I’m driving, I open my mouth and burst out a tiny flash flame.

She gasps with surprise. “How often do you do that?”

I shrug. “Almost every day there seems to be a reason. Maybe if I laugh too much a burst of flame escapes. Or if I want to get one of the beasts to move quicker, I might burst out a tiny flame. I might char my food before I eat or use it to start a fire. Also, we will use it against each other playfully, or in real battle.”

“Even the Hyrrokin children can flash flame?”

“Yes, they must learn early how to safely control their flame. At first, they puff smoke, but they are proud the moment they grow into their ability to flame.”

“Wow.”

“The good news is that half-Hyrrokin and half-human offspring are born with the ability to flash flame, so they are not entirely defenseless.”

She swallows and looks at me. “And now all I can think about is how you purchased me, thinking you were getting someone to start a long-term relationship with and most importantly to start a family. You thought with me you’d get a half Hyrrokin, half human child.”

“Yes,” I agree. “That’s what I eventually want.”

“You purchased me because you wanted this to be real. But the more I think about this, the more I feel bad that you got someone who wasn’t what you wanted. First, I’m not an actual mail order bride, I was instead forced into this. And to make matters worse, you wanted a mate that you could have children with and then I show up instead, already pregnant with another man’s baby. A human baby who will never flash flame. I feel bad that I’m not here in the normal way. And I keep saying that I’m only thinking about this and might leave at the end of the month, another indication I’m not a real mail order bride. And…” She turns and looks at me with an earnest gaze. “I’m not saying this because I want to get away from you. I promise I really like spending time with you and I think…I think you’re handsome and a nice man. A woman would be lucky to have you. I’m saying this because I really am concerned that you got a bad deal. I think in order to fix this so you are not stuck with a situation that’s all wrong for you, we should stop the vehicle right now, turn around and go back. You can return me and get your money back and do this all over again and get a different bride who doesn’t have the baggage I’ve brought. And I can go back to New Earth and move in with my mom. You can get back on the mail order bride site and purchase a different bride who hopefully will be a better fit.”

I quietly think about her generous offer as I continue to drive towards my ranch.

She remains quiet too.

Finally, I grunt and take a deep breath and then respond, “Thank you for your offer but I have decided that you are mine. My body likes your scent and the scent trail of the offspring you carry. When I said that you are mine, that you were both mine, I didn’t say that lightly. I made my decision already on the platform when I first saw you. And you warned me then about your personality and about the offspring that you carry. You’ve already done your due diligence and let me know how this is problematic. I still want you despite that. Again, I appreciate your offer and that you are thinking of me, but in reality your warning and offer to be returned just confirms for me that I made the correct decision.”

She throws her hands up. “Well, later it cannot be said that I did not try to warn you about what you’re getting yourself into.”

“You did.”

“You still want to try and make a life with me, even though we’ve barely met? I was fired from my teaching job because the entire community hated me after an accident that happened at my last protest at city hall. I’m not a real mail-order bride but instead was sent here under duress. And, worst of all, I’m arriving pregnant with a fully human baby that isn’t yours but you’re willing to raise as if it were yours?”

“Yup.”

She laughs. “Amazing.” Stella then visibly changes. Her shoulders soften. A wide smile brightens her face. My female leans back comfortably into her seat and places a hand over her lower stomach.

And I listen quietly as she regales me with interesting stories of her life and work for the last three years on New Earth, in what sounds like a disorganized multigod religious zealot community. They had strange laws that sound highly archaic and she lived amongst humans who obviously did not understand her value.

She was wasted there.

I glance over at her beautiful, animated features. Stella is small and does not have horns, fangs or claws, nor can she flash flame, which is sad. But I believe that once I earn her love, she is the type who would fight to the death for me and for our children. She would be ferocious in her love for us.

I smile and keep driving.

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