Pretty Human by Dixon Ruby

Author:Dixon, Ruby
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-06-21T16:00:00+00:00

5

VARRIK

Mates. Marriage.

Of course. The answer is a simple one…and woefully complex with its ramifications.

I want my sweet Milly. I’ve wanted her from the first moment I saw her, and it’s turned into the most pleasant, delicious ache of need as the days have passed. I love her spirit, her vibrant personality, how she says outrageous things to try to get me to smile. I love her fearlessness and how she wants to protect my reputation.

Get rid of her? I’d sooner rid myself of this entire planet and its simpering nobility.

Marriage is the answer. Most of my people don’t have official ceremonies anymore—matings are simply sanctioned on a few legal documents. The older families like mine sometimes have extended parties and festivities to celebrate a union, but we no longer call it “marriage.”

The other noble houses will shun me if I mate a human. I’ll be a pariah, no longer welcomed in polite circles here on Homeworld. My political connections will die and take down anyone associated with me.

The thought makes me smile.

How long has it been since I’ve enjoyed this life? How long since I’ve looked at any sort of party or meeting with anything but apathy? Milly has brought joy into my world, and if she needs marriage to feel safe with me, then marriage is what she will get.

It will mean leaving Homeworld behind. It will mean leaving society and galas and these endless robe changes behind. It will mean self-imposed exile on one of my many remote estates, and my family name will be whispered with scorn.

It will mean Milly in my arms every night. Milly’s smiles over breakfast. Milly’s hot mouth on mine, spurning all sanitary laws.

The choice is obvious.

I’m barely down the hall before Aldar is rushing to meet me. “My lord?” he asks, a question in his gaze. “You are not dressed for the party. Your hair. Your boots—”

“Find me a priest of the old gods,” I say to him. “This estate has one, do they not?” Most of the oldest families still retain a chapel on site, but like many things, they are for lip service more than devotion.

“I…of course. Is there a problem?”

“No. Bring him to my quarters immediately.”

Aldar opens his mouth to argue, and I glare at him. He snaps it shut without a word of protest, nods and bows, and then races off.

I turn around to go back to my rooms, and once there, shut the door behind me. Milly’s still on the bed, her red hair disheveled and wild around her face. Her mouth is bright pink and slightly swollen from kissing, and it makes me want to go and claim her all over again.

I smile.

Her eyes widen in shock. “Varrik? What are you smiling about? What’s wrong?”

“Aldar has gone to get a priest,” I say, heading toward the closet of gowns I’ve had made for her over the last several weeks. Most of them are emblazoned with my house symbol and her status, and I don’t know if I want her wearing something that declares her property in that way.

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