Page 133 of The Ruler
“We’ll always be proud and independent men, and we’ll never betray the sacrifices our forefathers made when they refused to be ruled by a female council only.” Khan smiled when the audience called out their support to that statement.
Holding up a hand to silence them, he gave a cocky smile. “Naturally I’ve offered to rule the entire world, but the council didn’t welcome that idea, so we’ll continue to search for a compromise that we can all agree to.” He looked on top of the world when he spread out his arms in a grand gesture. “I’m fully aware that most of you wish to break down the border and find a woman of your own to honor and protect, but I’m asking you to be patient and support the crucial test-projects that are now being started.
“And there is hope,” Khan said and lifted my hand to his lips for a kiss. “I’m proud to introduce you to Pearl Pilotti, who has been a member of the council in the Motherlands for seven years. Pearl is dedicated to creating the foundation for a union between our nations and has championed our cause in the council. This week she succeeded in getting a big breakthrough that will hopefully create ripple effects in years to come.” Khan smiled at me with pride before he shared the good news. “It’s no longer illegal to speak of us in the Motherlands and the first article written about us was printed three days ago.”
The audience broke into wild cheers and Khan let them shout, whistle, and stomp their feet, until he held up a hand to silence them again with a more serious expression on his face.
“As with all compromises, it is not just in the Motherlands that things are changing. We here in the Northlands will have to make changes too.
“As you all know, one of our most treasured customs is our wedding ceremony where a woman chooses her champion among the five winners who have proven their bravery and strength in fighting. Unfortunately, the women from the Motherlands don’t appreciate violence and they sadly don’t see the gesture in our fighting over them. Pearl has refused to let men die for her hand in marriage.”
Noises were heard from the audience and Khan grinned. “I know. I know. But we have to acknowledge that there are cultural differences and that if we want women to come and live here, we’ll need to meet them halfway. Once the women over there start hearing about how amazing we really are instead of being fed rumors and lies, they’re going to want to be with us.” Khan had to pause because of the loud roars from the audience. The amphitheater was boiling and the excited energy that pulsed at us from the men lifted my spirit and made it impossible not to grin widely.
Khan waited for them to calm down. “But I’m warning you my fellow Northlanders: women from the Motherlands have professions and strong opinions. They are smart and capable and we as men will have to adapt our views on women if we want to make them stay.
“You all remember Christina Sanders, the first female to visit us. It was because of her job that she came here, so don’t think for a minute it’s a bad thing.” Khan pointed to Boulder and Christina in the first row. “I’m proud of my good friend Boulder for protecting Christina, marrying her, and convincing her to stay. Hopefully the two of them will bless us all with many children over the years to come.”
The audience applauded and stomped their feet, shouting out Boulder’s name, and he elegantly stood up, turned to face them, and bowed, before he pulled Christina up on her toes and tipped her back in a kiss.
Khan had to wait for the crowd to settle down again before he could continue.
“I’m happy to tell you that Pearl Pilotti has accepted my proposal of marriage.” The pride on Khan’s face when he smiled at me made my knees weak. “And so, it will be up to me to make her want to stay, but I will need your help in showing her what honorable, strong men live here. If you do that, Pearl has promised to keep fighting with me for a future where men and women can live together and share power.”
More cheers and stomping made me squeeze Khan’s hand and grin at him.
“Listen to me, my fellow men,” Khan quieted the audience down. “Do me a favor and be especially nice and respectful to our three visitors from the Motherlands: Pearl’s friend Kya Janae, young Raven, and Pearl’s mother, Isobel Pilloti, who is also the chairman of the council in the Motherlands. Let them all go home with their eyes opened and their hearts calmed that Pearl will be treasured and safe with us, and let them say to their fellow Motlanders that they look forward to visiting us again.”
I was proud of Khan for remembering to say Motlanders instead of Momsies. Looking to the first row, I saw Raven under Archer’s arm. She was twisting her head back to see the audience that was going crazy behind her in their welcome to her, Kya, and my mother.
Kya was between Archer and Boulder, and she waved a hand to the audience with a smile. My mother looked a bit overwhelmed by the men’s enthusiasm and sat stiffly between Christina and Finn. I smiled at her and she eased up and smiled back.
“Pearl and I would like to share this historic day with you all and invite you to witness our union today.”
Magni stepped forward and for once he smiled.
Khan and I turned to each other holding hands while Magni asked. “Do you, Khan Aurelius, take Pearl Pilotti to be your wife?”
“I do,” Khan said, loud and clear, his chest heaving with pride.
“And do you, Pearl Pilotti, take Khan Aurelius to be your husband?”
“Yes, I do.” I nodded and returned Khan’s smile.
“Then I declare you man and wife,” Magni said seriously and nudged Khan with his elbow. “You can kiss her now.”
We didn’t go crazy since the cameras were rolling, but Khan hugged me tight and planted a solid kiss on my lips.
“Was that it?” I asked Magni.
“Yeah, what did you expect?” he asked.
I frowned slightly. “It was a lot shorter than I’ve seen in movies and read in books.”
Magni arched a brow. “That’s because I cut out the crappy part and jumped to the essentials.”
Khan patted his brother’s shoulder. “I like how you think.”
“But what about vows?” I asked, noticing the audience was getting out of their seats.
