Alien's Bride Book One Read Free Page B

nudged me.   We walked to the front of his desk and sat in the two “floating” chairs facing him.   The door slid closed behind us.
    “You’re much lovelier than what was described to me,” Elentinus said.   “I’m very pleased.”
    Hor-Denay cleared his throat.   “I haven’t educated her on our customs yet.   She was too overwhelmed with just the preamble.”
    Elentinus gave me a piercing look.   “Of course.   It must seem like a nightmare to you, my dear.”
    I nodded.   Oh please let his compassion be for real.   I really needed the kindness he was showing me right now.  
    “I hope you’ll come to understand that we are not monsters.   What we’re doing is a matter of survival.   It’s unfortunate that things must happen as they do.”
    “You know,” I said (and then immediately wished I’d kept my mouth shut).   “There are probably plenty of human women who’d marry you willingly.”
    Elentinus smiled and made kind of a laugh through his nostrils.   “That’s a…generous compliment.”   He looked at Hor-Denay.   “I presume you haven’t told her about our regrettable past.”
    “She doesn’t know our reputation.   I need to make some time to educate her, but I’m still working on the summaries you need for the next council session.”
    Elentinus nodded and then sighed.   “My dear, the druids allowed me to collect you at a tremendously busy time.   The new young druid in the holiest seat thought a replacement wife would relieve some of my stress.   He didn’t consider how difficult the transition would be for you.”
    I wanted to ask what had happened to that other wife, but just pursed my lips.
    “She’s fine.”   He smiled softly.   “She was unhappy and ran away.   I chose not to search for her.”
    “Oh.”
    “I can already see that you’re a much better match for me than she was.”  
    He smiled again.   I managed to force a nervous smile in return.
    “You should eat dinner now, master.”   Hor-Denay got up from his seat.   “We’re going to be tied up in that conference call until late.”
    Elentinus looked at me.   “I imagine you’re getting hungry now, also.”  
    I couldn’t have been less hungry, but I was curious about what the food would be.
    “Send a Domestic in with my dinner,” Elentinus said to Hor-Denay.   “And bring her to the kitchen so she can select something.”
    Hor-Denay grabbed my arm to draw me up from the chair.   I didn’t want to leave.   Elentinus’ kindness was reassuring.   That was just what I needed right now.
    “We’re not eating together?”
    Elentinus smiled broadly enough to show teeth this time.   “How adorable.   Was that a custom in your time?”
    I became confused.   “For a…husband and wife to eat together?   Yes.   It was.”
    “We’re not yet married, my dear.”
    Now I was really confused.   I thought Hor-Denay had clearly established that fact as part of the game.
    Elentinus stood.   He touched my shoulder lightly to walk me to the door.   His face was even more striking up close.
    “We aren’t married until the tenth degree.   Hor , make our dining together the second degree.”
    “Yes, master.”
    Elentinus took my hand.   He flashed his charming smile.   “I’ll make much more time for you tomorrow, my dear.”
    Hor-Denay, who I now referred to as Whore in my mind, ushered me out.   The second the door slid closed behind us, Whore hissed at me.
    “I told you not to ask him any questions!”
    I was incredulous.   “I thought I behaved just fine.”
    Whore started walking ahead of me.   He was dusting off his outfit all of a sudden.   “Yes.   All things considered, you did fine.   But don’t get complacent.”
    I kept up with him.   “What are those ‘degrees’ he was talking about?”
    “Psh.   The ‘Degrees of Intimacy.’   It’s something the new high druid made up to help acclimate abducted brides.   Your meeting just now was the first