Page 15 of The Ruler
Boulder and Christina came in late after we’d already started dinner and to everyone’s surprise, Boulder was cleanly shaven. The men mocked him, but I thought he looked great and complimented him.
And that’s when the topic of masculinity came up.
“I’m curious, Councilwoman Pearl. What does masculinity mean to you?” Khan asked me.
I put down my cutlery and took a minute before I answered. “This may surprise you but gender plays only a small part in our society. We put much more emphasis on personality and charisma.”
Boulder laughed. “Is that why you women aren’t attracted to your men anymore? Because there’s no difference between men and women?”
I shook my head. “What makes you think men and women aren’t attracted to each other anymore?”
“Christina told me.”
“I have to disagree,” I said softly. “We have many couples living together and our men are wonderful, thoughtful, caring, and emotionally intelligent beings that are fully capable of attracting partners if desired.”
“Great!” Magni sneered and squeezed the knife in his hand tightly. “My wife is without protection and now you tell me that your Momsiboys are a threat to her?”
“Your wife will be safe in the Motherlands. No one will harm her, but obviously…” I trailed off and regretted bringing it up.
“What?” Magni said aggressively.
I looked down. “Nothing.”
“What?” Magni raised his voice and slammed his hand with the knife down on the table.
“Calm the fuck down,” Khan told his brother.
I sighed and lifted my face, giving Magni a look of great empathy. “It must be difficult for you. I’m sorry if I made it worse.”
“Just finish your fucking sentence,” Magni demanded, low and threatening.
“If you insist,” I said. “Laura is safe and no one will harm her, but obviously, there’s the possibility of her falling in love with someone. It can be a rush to be treated with kindness and respect if you’re not used to it.”
That set off Magni, who jumped up, knocking his chair back. “Are you saying that I didn’t treat my wife with kindness and respect? I fucking fought for her and protected her until that little bitch over there filled her with fairytales about the Motherlands.” He pointed a finger at Christina, and that made Boulder leap up from his chair roaring at Magni.
Holding my hands to my hammering chest, I watched in horror as vile words outside my vocabulary were shouted and threats were made.
In the Motherlands, a display of rage like that would have called for months of meditation and rebalancing in a secure place of reflection.
“Calm thefuckdown, both of you!” Khan shouted, hammering his fist down upon the table.
Christina looked calmer than I felt, and I zoned out for a moment when Khan ordered his friend Finn to take Magni out to blow off some steam.
“He should get some help to communicate his emotions better,” I said after they had both left. “That way we could have a civil dinner without shouting and fighting.”
Khan gave me a hard glare. “Maybe you’re the one who needs help.”
“Excuse me?” I widened my eyes in confusion.
“Magni communicated his emotions perfectly clearly. I don’t think anyone else at this table has any doubt that he was pissed, angry, and frustrated,” Khan argued.
I kept silent after that, ruminating how incredibly far apart we were in culture and how raising these men to an acceptable level of social interaction would take the patience of a saint.
Well, since no saints are here, I’ll just have to do my best.
CHAPTER 5
First Night Together
