Page 2 of Zylonn's Human Bride
“I’d like that,” Nova said, her throat burning again. “Thanks, Julie.” She smiled and prayed she managed to hold it together for the rest of the night. Even though it would no doubt be difficult, she couldn’t bear to spend her last hours on Earth alone.
Once the house was in order, Nova hugged her parents goodnight, squeezing them so tight her arms hurt.
Her father made a humorous choking sound until she finally let go, making her laugh. He leaned down to kiss her forehead and for the first time in her life, Nova thought she saw tears shining in her normally stoic father’s eyes. “Everything will be okay, little slugger,” he said.
She laughed again. “You haven’t called me that in years.”
“Just promise you won’t punch your new husband in the face the way you knocked that neighbor boy down for pulling your hair all those years ago,” her father said. Though his tone was humorous, she detected a warning look in his gaze. Tarkkuan males were not as easygoing as most human males. Unlike Earth, Tarkkua was a strictly male-dominated society. Many of the freedoms Nova took for granted here would require permission on her new planet.
“I promise,” she finally said, trying to repress a shudder. Tarkkuan males were huge. She wouldn’t dare try to hit one, especially not her husband. “I also promise I’ll try to contact you, even if my new husband doesn’t own a video comm.” Most Tarkkuan males didn’t have one in their household, from what she’d heard, but perhaps she could ask her husband to arrange for her to use a wealthier Tarkkuan’s interstellar communicator.
“That’s my girl. You ladies have fun tonight,” her father said with a glance at both Nova and her sister. “But no jumping on the bed and no pillow fights! I mean it!”
Nova and Julie both laughed and headed upstairs.
She would miss her father’s good humor, as well as her mother’s patient wisdom and kindness. She couldn’t have asked for better parents. Though she’d felt unlucky for much of her life for having been randomly selected to become a Tarkkuan bride once she reached her twentieth year, Nova felt like the luckiest girl in the world whenever she thought about her family.
No matter what happened on Planet Tarkkua, at least she would always have her memories.
Chapter 2
Zylonn disembarked the transport ship with the other surviving asteroid miners and looked around. The lush greenery of Tarkkua instantly soothed his darkened spirits. After spending over two thousand days in space, he was glad to be home. He hoisted his backpack higher and walked down the ramp from the landing platform that led into Ashorr, the capital city of Tarkkua.
Thousands of people lined the streets, all of them outside to welcome the miners home. Mining the Feshinga Asteroid Belt was dangerous work, but all able-bodied Tarkkuan males were expected to make the sacrifice in order to help their planet thrive. Zylonn had done his duty and now he would soon be rewarded with a human female to take as his bride.
He wouldn’t have to wait long, either.
The pilot of the transport ship had informed the returning miners that their human brides would be arriving in ten days.
Only ten days.
Zylonn’s blood heated as he imagined his petite female. He had no idea what his bride would look like, but most women from Earth were tiny—compared to Tarkkuans, at least—and very pleasing to the eye. But no matter what she looked like, Zylonn would accept and care for the bride he was given. As soon as possible, he would get her with child and they would start a family. His heart warmed unexpectedly at the thought.
As he neared a Tarkkuan-human couple standing on the street, he noticed the male was glaring at his female. The woman had a defiant gleam in her eye as she returned her mate’s hard glare. While he had no idea what they were fighting about, clearly the male did not discipline his female on a regular basis, else she would not be defying him in public and making such a scene. Zylonn noted he wasn’t the only one watching their tense interaction. He observed them for several seconds more, wondering just how obedient his own chosen bride would be. Some human females were headstrong, while others were almost as meek as Tarkkuan females.
As he finally passed the couple, the male grabbed his human bride by the arm and led her away. Zylonn resolved that he would not abide any disrespect from his own female, especially in public. He would insure he had a study leather strap hanging on the wall in their bedroom to deter his mate from breaking any of his rules or planet-wide laws instated by the ruling class. Even if his bride did not wish to come to Tarkkua, Zylonn would expect her absolute obedience. The slightest amount of defiance would be swiftly punished, for both the sake of their marriage and for her own safety—he would not risk her breaking any laws and drawing the ire of the ruling class.
Zylonn had no intention of mistreating his female, however, and he resolved to show her kindness and affection too. He didn’t even know her name yet and already his arms ached with the need to hold her. It was a completely odd sensation, one he’d never experienced before.
He only hoped the darkness that had often hovered over him during his bleak years mining the asteroid belt didn’t prevent him from embarking on a meaningful relationship with his mate.
Would he truly be able to treat her with kindness?
His thoughts on his future bride, he finished the long trek to his home on the edge of the city, grateful to be home after what felt like an eternity spent in space. Two thousand and forty cold days, to be exact. Thank the Gods, not only had he survived, but he hadn’t endured any grievous injuries either. Several of the miners in his unit had lost arms and legs during the dangerous mining operations. Many had died as well, and he said a quick prayer for their departed souls as he entered his house.
He strode into the vestibule and tossed his backpack to the floor. Walking from room to room, he was satisfied that everything was as he’d left it—not that he’d expected to find anything missing. Tarkkuans respected one another’s property and instances of thievery were rare. The comm imbedded in his wrist buzzed and flashed with an incoming message, and he lifted his arm slightly and a holographic display appeared in the air. The message listed the arrival details of the Tarkkuan spaceship that was bringing this year’s supply of Earth brides to the capital city. His heart pounded faster. The message also revealed the name of his human bride-to-be.
Nova.
He said the name aloud and a great warmth filled him. Anticipation hummed through him and he hoped the next ten days passed swiftly. Upon closer inspection, he also noticed an image of Nova’s dome-city crest of New Leesburg. He committed the image to memory, then closed the message and traipsed upstairs, heading for his bedroom. Once inside, he opened all the large windows, allowing in much needed fresh air. It had taken some time to walk through the city and evening was now approaching, which meant the temperature was finally cooling down. Days on Tarkkua were sometimes quite hot, but the nights were soothingly cool.
He couldn’t help but wonder if Nova would like his planet. Surely it had to be better than the climate-controlled dome-city to which she was accustomed. He couldn’t imagine growing up in an enclosed space, never able to leave and go exploring on the planet.
At the thought of an enclosed space, he shuddered and tried not to think of the asteroid mining operation. Living on a crowded mining ship for years had left him greatly appreciative of large, open spaces. He reminded himself that his time as a miner was finally over. Now he could move on to the second stage of his life, claim his mate, start a family, and contribute to the welfare of his people by working in a defense laboratory on the other side of the city.
He’d recently accepted a position working on a planetary defense system. Tomorrow was his first day on the job and he hoped it proved a challenge so as to distract him from constantly thinking of Nova. Perhaps his new job would help the next ten days pass quickly. He could only hope.
He wondered more and more about her as the evening progressed, unable to chase thoughts of this human female called Nova from his mind. He kept trying to conjure images of what she might look like and became frustrated because he didn’t even know her hair or eye color. Tarkkuan-human matches were randomly paired and detailed information was never exchanged. Though she would be told his name, she would have no idea what he looked like either. Still, he kept thinking about her and trying to guess whether she had brown eyes or blue eyes, golden hair or dark locks.
