Aetherbound by E.K. Johnston

Author:E.K. Johnston [Johnston, E.K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Published: 2021-05-25T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

• • •

The handfasting ceremony was short. Pendt hadn’t met the person who did it, but they had a moment to chat before everything started.

“I’m a friend of Catrin Brannick, name of Dulcie Channing,” the woman said. “I helped teach Fisher and Ned operations when they were little, and then after, well, after Ned and Catrin were gone. I guess I am sort of the foreman.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Pendt said. “I’m learning that family here means something different than it meant where I come from, and I’m glad that the boys had you when their parents were taken.”

The crowd had grown quite large by then, and so Ned decided it was best to get things started.

Ned and Pendt held hands while Dulcie wrapped a long white ribbon around them. She spoke of commitment and cooperation, of work and play, of good times and poor ones. At the end of her speech, she asked both of them if they were ready.

“I am,” Ned said.

“I am,” Pendt repeated.

“Then before these witnesses, I declare you partners,” Dulcie said. “May you bring one another peace.”

Peace. Freedom. Fruit juice. Pendt couldn’t help smiling up at Ned, and he smiled back at her. The onlookers cheered. They didn’t know all the details, but they knew that the Brannick was working to secure their future, and they were pleased about it. Pendt looked at Fisher, who nodded at her. He wasn’t the type to show emotions freely, but she knew that he was glad, and that he welcomed her.

The crowd dispersed as people came forward to shout congratulations at them, and finally, only a few stragglers were left. Ned thanked them and then pointedly led Pendt and Fisher into Dulcie’s office, where they would take care of the marriage documents. Fisher quickly filled Dulcie in on what was going on, and the woman didn’t seem entirely surprised.

“You messaged me saying your brother needed a wedding to a girl off a merchant ship,” Dulcie pointed out. “I was aware that things might be a little bit . . . sensitive.”

“You’re okay with it?” Pendt asked.

“No,” Dulcie said. “I am not okay with any of this. You’re all too young. My friend is being held hostage. I know very well what Ned will do the moment there’s a viable heir on the station. None of that is okay. But it’s what we have to work with, and you’re being smart enough to sort everything out as you go, so I can’t really complain about it.”

“I was kind of hoping you’d be happy for me,” Ned said quietly.

“I am, darling boy,” Dulcie said. She ruffled his hair. “I’m happy for you and I’m very proud of the way you’re going about this. But that doesn’t make it any less complicated.

“Now,” she said, pulling up her screen, “let’s finish sorting all of this out.”

Dulcie had no additional suggestions for either of the contracts and commended them for thinking to include the second one. Everything was signed and sealed away in short order.

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