Page 9 of Chosen By Swift

“Well, darling, what do you mean?”

“You and Father were arranged.”

“Yes, that was the way things were done when we were young. Prime families preferred to keep the bloodlines pure. Our parents thought it was more likely we would be happy married to one of our own than some…” She didn’t finish what was likely to be an offensive thought. “They were right. Most of the time,” she added softly.

He watched as his mother ran a plump, freckled hand over her stark white hair. It was one of her nervous movements that he had learned tospot asa child. Usually when his father was mad about something…

“Do you want me to arrange a match for you? The services on Prime have reopened. I could—.”

“I’m running in the Grab tomorrow, Mama.”

“Oh.” Her surprise shifted to excitement and she grinned. “I’ve heard wonderful things about the brides from Calyx. Beautiful women with high fertility! Imagine!” She clapped her hands together with glee. “This time next year, I could be a grandmother.”

“Slow down, Mama,” he urged. “I have to catch a bride first and then convince her to stay after the trial period.”

“Of course, she’ll stay! Who wouldn’t stay with such a handsome man? And an officer with all the perks?”

“Mama, you know it’s more complicated than that.”

“And you know hownotto treat a mate,” she said, holding his gaze.

“I do.” Nothing more needed to be said on that account. He had seen enough as a child to know that his mate would never feel a single touch in anger or violence.

“Are they all lottery girls?” she asked with a bit of worry.

“I don’t know. Does it matter?”

His mother rolled her eyes. “Yes! It matters, Swift! Would you rather have a mate who had no choice in being Grabbed or one who decided to volunteer?”

“When you put it like that…”

“A willing bride is a much better start than one who comes kicking and screaming,” she advised.

Before he could ask for any more advice, the sixty second warning flashed in the upper right corner. Time limits were strictly enforced for family calls of a non-emergency nature. There was so much satellite traffic it was the only fair way to ensure everyone aboard the ship had a chance.

“You call me as soon as you can after the Grab,” his mother instructed.

“I will, Mama.”

“And you be sweet to that girl, Swift!”

“I will, Mama.”

“You show her patience and kindness. Remember she’s leaving everything she knows behind to come live on a ship in the sky.”

“I know, Mama.”

“And, Swift, you have a lifetime to experience all the wonders of a bond,” she said, her face going pink with discomfort. “Just because it’s your first night together, you don’t—.”

“Mama!” Not much could embarrass him these days, but hearing his mother’s advice on his sex life sure as hell did.

“I’m only saying!”

“I wish you wouldn’t!”

“Swift, be a good boy. Be the man your father never was,” she pleaded.

“Yes, ma’am.”

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