Page 41 of Her Alien Delegate
"Not that long ago, all of that would have made me ignore not knowing you. You tried to anticipate my every need, and you seem really devoted."
My ormete didn't glow or move from their dead weight in my hands. This was a rejection. She reached her hand out, but it wasn't for me.
With a commanding presence, she said with resolution, "I'm going to Necias Prime. I made a promise to Evie to look for loopholes in my contract because she didn't want me to dealwith the termination clauses like she did, and because I wanted to stay with Roe-el. You know what I found, Commander?" Her focus was on her mate, eyes full of love.
"Necias's tribal laws supersede any contract while on Necias Prime, or any Necias operated ship where more than seventy percent of the crew are beholden to tribal law," Commander Roe-el finished for her. "As my mate, she is welcomed as a necia warrior and given all rights under tribal law."
She nodded at him, and I let my ormete drop to my shoulder while I stood to dust off my robes.
"Exactly," she chirped with excitement.
I smiled at them both and nodded my understanding, but a stubbornness took over that couldn't allow me to let my mate go.
"And you've consummated this bond, I assume?"
"Well, I was expecting to do that right now," Violet said while motioning to the obvious tribal mating gown. "Evie told me this is what mates wear when they are claimed. Do you like it?" She gushed at the Commander, who I could clearly see wasn't paying much attention to me any longer.
"I would have you if you were wearing Horve's great vines from the Forest of Thorns, but yes, you are a vision."
I cleared my throat to get back to my point. "I see there will be no changing your mind about the necia warrior, Violet. I will amend our contract to include the Commander, if it pleases you."
"What?" Violet replied in bafflement.
I repeated myself, but that did not seem to help, so I explained, "UnGor are not mated to a single commissioner, and there is no rule against multiple delegates." I winked at her, trying to win her over with what clearly was a more playful nature than I remembered. It was awkward for me to put on the charm, but I would do so for her.
"It is unusual for necia to pair with an unGor, but I can see he gives you happiness. I will do my best to accept him in our home. I had hoped to introduce you to a few of my brothers in delegation as options to acquaint yourself with more, but that can wait. If you would do me the honor of giving me your first born, I can accept Commander Roe-el as a brother in our delegation."
"Commissioner," Commander Roe-el stated firmly and with a tone that spoke of a coming duel, if I should refuse what he would say next, "a necia warrior does not share a mate." He paused and continued, "It is a common misconception to outside species, since we do what we must for our survival before we give our mating seed. Contrary to popular opinions, we only share the view, not the mate. We enjoy others knowing the beauty of our bond and the honor of our prowess at bringing happiness to our mates."
It was clear that he was exaggerating his politeness to get under my nerves and rub it in my wounds that unlike an unGor, he didn't need any assistance in keeping a mate happy by sharing a bond. I would not rise to the bait.
"Commander?" I added a note of curiosity to his title before dropping what my mother would call a political trap into his lap. "What happens to Violet when you return to your job?" If our past connection would not sway her, perhaps logic would. "You are a commander, are you not? You have duties to attend to that aren't simply escorting exchanges to their new homes, correct? Do you plan to stay on Necias Prime? Give up your honored position? Duel for leadership in your tribe? Or do you plan on continuing to command a vessel, dragging Violet around the galaxy?"
His mouth dropped open. He mocked my culture and customs in mating, but a delegation provided support for when one of us had to leave her for the good of the planet. The look of shock onViolet's face was enough to tell me that she, too, did not think of her future clearly enough. Though that was unlike her.
Surely, she had thought about it, and this was more the realization that her Commander was not giving up his career for her, and with me, that wouldn't be an issue.
After what was a rather lengthy pause that made the air heavy around us, Roe-el spoke. "I would follow where my mate goes. If she chooses to stay on Necias Prime, that is where I will find my place."
"And if she chooses to come to AsunGor?" I pressed the issue.
"She isn't," he snapped as she pulled her hand from his grip. I shook my head at the display.
I needed some space to think about things, and clearly, so did Violet.
"We have a few more days yet, before we reach Necias Prime. My vessel will follow, and I shall stay aboard the Mav Hel-le for the time being." I bowed to take my leave, exhausted from what was a meeting that did not go as my dreams had hoped for.
"Violet," I said while at the door. It opened for me, and I said my last remarks, "Consider that Commander Roe-el is a decorated warrior and has been assigned to missions classified so high, not even someone with my reach knows what he's up to when he isn't escorting beautiful women to their homes. He may wish to stay where you are, but he may end up dragging you where he needs to be or leaving you behind."
"Lies!" he barked as the door closed and reopened for me as I stood still.
"The unGor know that there is only so much one can accomplish on their own, and we accept brothers to assist where we cannot reach by ourselves. You will do well to recognize that what I'm offering both Violet and you, Commander Roe-el, is not an insult to your bond. When I accept a brother into myhome, I seek to assist their happiness as much as my delegate's. Whatever that might look like for you."
I turned around to face him, and it was Violet who stood before me with her hand outstretched. There was a brightness about her, so I wasn't surprised at the way my ormete warmed suddenly.
"I only just accepted that I want this big brute over here, and I—"
She was interrupted by the door opening behind me again.
