Page 59 of Chosen By Swift

“I can’t take those.”

“You’ll hurt her feelings if you don’t.” Swift picked up the package and pressed it into Rampage’s hands. “Take it. Enjoy it.”

“Thank you. Tell Alys dinner was delicious, and I’m honored she offered me a place at her table.”

“I will.” Swift saw Rampage out and then finished his beer. After tossing the bottles into the recycling shaft, he turned off the lights and made his way to their bedroom. “Rampage wanted me to tell you that dinner was delicious, and he was honored to be invited.”

“That’s sweet of him.” Alys had changed into a nightgown and had her tablet propped up on her knees. Without looking up, she said, “I’m learning about gravity and how we are able to walk through the ship without floating.”

Taken aback, he asked, “You weren’t taught about gravity?”

“No.” Her gaze remained glued to her tablet. “I always had questions about things like this, but I wasn’t encouraged to ask them.”

Swift frowned. “That’s awful.”

“That’s life.” She raised her gaze tohim. “Will our daughters be allowed to learn these things?”

“Yes.” He began to undress to join her. “Our daughters will have the right to choose any path they desire. They aren’t required to participate in Grabs or mate. More women in my generation have gone to specialized schooling to be doctors and scientists or politicians.”

Alys gawked. “Our daughter could be a doctor?”

“Yes.”

“Could she fly like you?”

“No.” For the first time in his life, he realized what closing off certain fields to women really meant. He might have a daughter who inherited his love and skill for aeronautics, but she would be barred from learning to fly. “Flying and fighting are male-only tracks.”

“That doesn’t seem fair.”

“It’s not,” he agreed, already wondering what could be done to change that.

“I’m happy to be a mother and a wife, but I want my daughters to have more choices. I want them to fly if that’s their dream.”

“If we have a daughter who wants to fly, there are places where she can learn. The Colonies,” he clarified, peeling out of his clothing. “Flying isn’t closed to women there.”

“My brother wants to go there. He wants to go to school and do something more than just farm.”

“Is he as smart as you?”

“Smarter,” she said. “And he’s dedicated and hardworking.”

“I have no doubt.” Swift couldn’t imagine any of her siblings were anything less than industrious. “We could look into some of the programs that offer scholarships and subsidies for citizensof the planetswe colonize. If he qualifies, he would have guaranteed work post training and similar benefits to the ones I have.”

“That would be so helpful, Swift.” She beamed athim on theirbed, and his stomach churned at the knowledge that he would soon have to tell her about Shear.

“I’ll make inquiries tomorrow,” he promised before entering the bathroom.

When he came out a short while later, she had set aside her tablet and turned down the lights. She yawned as she slid lower under the covers. “Should I undress?”

“No.” He understood that was her way of asking whether he wanted to have sex. He did, of course, but she was obviously sleepy. There was plenty of time for carnal delights, and he was just as happy to hold her anyway. “Come here,” he said as he slid into bed beside her.

She moved over with a soft smile and let him draw her into his arms. She kissed his jaw and cheek before her lips found his mouth in a slow, sensual kiss. He stroked her face as he kissed her back, reveling in the gentle intimacy of cuddling with his mate.

With a drowsy smile, she burrowed her face against his neck. “I think our first dinner went well.”

“Very,” he agreed. “Lights off.”

The command given, the lights dimmed until they were completely dark. He pulled Alys a little closer and tugged the covers over her shoulders. He had noticed she slept better when she was completely cozy and warm.

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