Page 104 of The Protector
“Which is?”
“What would happen if women came here and the population grew, with more females being born?”
Christina shrugged. “They wouldn’t be so desperate?”
“No, I’m talking about the threat to us. To the Motherlands.”
“You think women would be a bad influence on the Nmen?”
“No, you’re getting it wrong. Today we have a peace treaty and we hold a powerful position because we’re supplying them with enough boys to sustain their numbers.”
“Right.”
“Christina, it’s not our choice to isolate them up here, but surely you understand that we can’t let them grow in numbers. It would be a catastrophe if they were to attack us.”
“Because we don’t know how to fight?”
Pearl shook her head. “We can defend ourselves perfectly well, but we’re pacifists and we don’t want to kill to protect ourselves. Being forced to do that would be horrible.”
“Yes.” Christina nodded. “But you said the council would like nothing more than for the Nmen to join us.”
Pearl sighed heavily again. “I did say that, but maybe it’s just wishful thinking. Enlightenment takes time and Khan is…” She shook her head.
“Khan is what?”
“A genius,” Khan said dryly and gave me a “What?” expression when I shushed him again.
“I’m trying to make him see things our way, but he’s a stubborn soul and very limited in his thinking,” Pearl said thoughtfully.
Khan snorted and arched a brow. “Limited in my thinking – ha, look who’s talking, I can’t tell you how annoying that woman is.”
I kept my eyes on the image of the two women.
“All right,” Christina said. “I’ll leave the books here then. Maybeyoucan categorize them,” she suggested. “Unless of course you worry that it will affect you and make you vulnerable to one of the men here.”
Pearl laughed. “Not likely. The only one who is slightly attractive is Boulder, and only because he doesn’t hide behind a huge beard.”
That made me square my chest and grin silently when Khan shot me a scowl.
“It’s funny,” Christina said. “I can remember how intimidating I found all the men when I arrived here, but my time with Boulder…” She trailed off.
“Yes?” Pearl asked.
“It has changed me,” Christina breathed. “I feel safe with him, and as annoying and primitive as he can be, he can be funny and sweet too.”
Magni tousled my hair. “Such a sweet boy,” he teased.
“I think you’re right, my dear,” Pearl said solemnly. “It’s not safe for you to stay. You’re becoming too attached to him.”
Christina nodded. “I know. Can you imagine me and Boulder being arealcouple? It’s ridiculous, right?” A fake laugh escaped her, but Pearl didn’t laugh. “I would have to give up my entire life,” Christina said, and her words made me heave up my chest in a deep intake of air.
“It’s not like I could take him home to visit my friends and family. They would think I’d lost my mind and would be scared of him for sure.”
“They would!” Pearl confirmed.
Christina looked down. “So it’s best if I just go.”
The way Pearl pulled Christina in for a hug and held her close made me jealous. I wanted to do that. To hold Christina and to tell her that she should stay.
