Page 32 of Chosen By Swift

If she had, Alys suspected Swift would be incredibly pleased. He seemed to want a family, and if this was how they would make one, she was happy to stay right here, trapped under his sweaty, heavy body for the rest of her life.

“Alys,” he murmured and kissed her so tenderly it brought tears to her eyes. She cupped his face and kissed him right back, hoping he could feel how happy she was right now. Nothing about their union was normal or ordinary, but maybe—just maybe—it was going to work out fine.

Chapter Eight

Trying not to hover, Swift leaned back against the counter in the kitchen and watched Alys prepare their first meal together as mates. He had taken advantage of the hot meal service offered by the ship’s mess for newly mated couples. For the first three days of their union, fully cooked meals would be delivered to their door three times a day.

Alys seemed to appreciate the delivery, but she made a face as she looked through the mostly empty cabinets and cupboards. “I wish I’d been able to bring my hope chest.”

“What’s a hope chest?” He let his gaze linger on the lush curves outlined by the simple wrap dress. It was one of many clothing items included in the Grab box that every new female received upon boarding the ship. Although she had been scandalized by the short length, she nevertheless seemed comfortable wearing it within the privacy of their home.

“It’s a chest that you fill with linens, dishes and other housewares for your marital home,” she explained before finally settling on the two plain white plates he owned. “Mine has silverware, crockery, a quilt and some baby things in it as well.”

He could tell it was very important to her. “I can arrange to have it picked up and brought to theValiant.”

She grimaced. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Why not?”

“Well,” she said carefully as she began to set the table, “I ran away from home in the middle of the night. My father isn’t likely to welcome me back ever again, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he burns the chest and everything in it out of pure spite.”

“Why did you run, Alys?”

Her back was toward him as she unboxed their meal. He suspected it was easier for her to tell him what was likely to be a painful story if she couldn’t see him. Eventually, she said, “My father sold me to a neighbor.”

Whatever he had been expecting, that wasn’t it. “Sold you?”

“Instead of taking a dowry from my father, Wendel offered to pay my father for me. My younger sister was married yesterday, and my father decided it was time for me to go as well. The money Wendel offered for me would have given my parents enough to pay for a mother’s helper and more farm hands.”

“Is this Wendel guy a bad person?”

“He’s old enough to be my grandfather.” She carried the small trays of steaming hot food to the table and arranged them in the middle. “He’s cruel. He beats his workers, and he’s raped servant girls.”

“And your father sold you to him? To a monster like that?” Swift couldn’t understand why any parent would make that choice.

“I don’t think my father considers him to be a monster. To him, a man is allowed to run his home as he sees fit.”

“Even if that man chooses to abuse his workers or children?”

She nodded. “A man is the head of the household. He leads his family.”

Swift thought of his own father and admitted, “My father was not a good man.”

“I don’t think many of them are.” Alys carried the last trays to the table. “At least, that’s been my experience.” She turned back to the cabinets to retrieve glasses. “Although, I have to say Zadie’s father isn’t like mine or yours. Heis sucha gentle father. I don’t think he’s ever disciplined Zadie or her brothers with a strap or switch.”

Swift took the two glasses from her. “Water? Or something else?”

“Water, please.”

“If Zadie’s father is so nice,why does sherun off and volunteer to be Grabbed?”

“She has two nephews who need medical care. Her oldest brother had twins recently, and they’ve got twisted feet. She was told that they would get free and ongoing medical care if she entered the Grab so she did. She’s the youngest in her family, and all of her brothers are married so it won’t hurt their family if she leaves.”

“By hurt, you mean losing an able-bodied worker?” He carried their glasses to the table and took a seat.

“Yes.” She sat across from him. “Daughters run the home while sons work the fields. Zadie has four sisters-in-law to share that burden.”

“And what about your family?” he asked carefully. “Who helps now that you’re gone?”

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