Page 13 of His Brazen Bride

“Have you lost your mind, sister? We know nothing of her species, nor her planet, nor even galaxy. For all we know this could be one big ruse to infiltrate and invade us.”

“Ryz, come on. There is zero evidence to suggest she’s involved in anything underhanded. She’s a victim here.”

I shake my head in disbelief. “Why would you suggest such a thing?”

“If we have a public ceremony, you’ll get Ydris and our allies to rally behind you. Support you. It would demonstrate our strength to those seeking to attack us,” Xi says, clasping her hands together. “Especially if they know I divined the marriage.”

I run a hand over my face. “But…marrying an unknown species?”

Zadren chimes in. “That could be beneficial. Public opinion will be solely based on what they see of her in the here and now. No preconceptions.”

“New blood,” Xi continues, warming to her subject. “It’s the perfect time for something fresh and innovative.”

I rub my jaw. “This is absolute madness. Even if I went along with this insanity, the woman is not fond of me. Why would she ever agree to marry me?”

Xi grabs hold of my arm. “She’s been ripped from her home planet, never knowing there was life outside it. Give her a moment. She’s trying to process everything around her. How could she have known we weren’t trying to harm her? She’s in pure survival mode.”

I don’t know what to think anymore.

“And as for agreeing to such a match…” Xi looks up at me. “She’s desperate. Once she has some time to think, she’ll come to realize that she needs you. She’s all alone and you’re the only one she knows that can give her the resources to find her friends.”

“Xi, I cannot help her right now,” I say. “Ydris needs us. I need to be ready in case...”

“The Outside Forces make a move, yes, yes,” Zadren finishes.

Xi nods. “Exactly. But you can make her a deal. As soon as the wedding ceremony is over, things will calm down again. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to make good on your promise to your people. Besides, we need to find out who’s behind these human exchanges. It’s our duty as seekers of justice.”

“It could also help us find more allies. Imagine opening up an entirely new part of the universe, Commander,” Zadren adds, his eyes blazing.

I want to tell Xi this is outrageous. But she’s always had our father’s cleverness. And Ydris cannot stand by and let others wreak havoc on lesser beings or bully planets into submission. We have principles and a moral code to uphold. If only the timing wasn’t so horrible.

“I can’t believe I’m even considering this,” I say.

Xi claps her hands and bounces up and down. “Does this mean you will ask her to be your bride?”

I look out into the vast sky and take a deep breath.

“Yes, I’ll do it. For the good people of Ydris, and for those suffering at the hands of cruel masters.”

Zadren pounds his chest with his fist. “I am behind you all the way.”

I smile. “Of course you are. Now, how do I convince her to accept?” I ask.

“Don’t worry, I can help with that,” Xi says, grinning. “Now go clean yourself up. This isn’t going to be easy, and it will help if you were presentable.”

What is she talking about? I look fine. Besides, how does she know what human women find pleasing? Gwen didn’t exactly seemrepulsedby me earlier. Just angry.So much anger.

“I wish you luck, Commander,” Zadren says, as we turn to go.

“I’ll need every bit of it,” I reply.

Quorr help me.

* * *

Standing outside Gwen’s room in some of my finest robes, my gut churns.

I feel like I’m about to be put in a cage with a wild animal. I’ve been face to face with a fully grown Gardyuk before and hadn’t felt nerves like this. Maybe because I’m beginning to believe my sister when she says Gwen and I…

---