9. Chapter 9 #3
“I’ll begin with some biology,” I said. “Our females need to scent bond or they can’t get pregnant. That wasn’t an issue before we started expanding our empire beyond our planet. Scent-bonded partners can’t be separated for very long or they start developing a disease known as Ending.”
“Scientifically it’s called Collapse Scent Disease,” Slorium added. “Ending is the colloquial term for it.”
I sounded a rumble of agreement. “Yes, Healer Slorium is correct. Regardless of the term, the result was the same. Early space travel and expansion were difficult when couples couldn’t be separated for long periods without suffering and potentially dying.
At first, our species attempted to have couples serve together, but it was rare that a pair would have complementary jobs, so often a ship would be half full of individuals who couldn’t fulfill any tasks. ”
“Scent bonding sounds so romantic, but I can see where that’d be a problem,” Mika agreed.
“It was an excellent adaptation for our distant ancestors,” Slorium said. “As with many species, our technology outpaced our evolution quickly. It became a dangerous burden rather than useful.”
“It wasn’t until we developed artificial wombs that our species truly started expanding,” Mazorium continued.
“At first our people didn’t trust it, but thousands of years ago, Monarch Revelon and his queen started the trend of using artificial wombs.
They also created the first cresh. Within their lifetime, most Talins followed their example.
It was so obviously an excellent system, and by the time his daughter came to the throne, it started to become law. ”
“Wait, are you telling me that it’s illegal for you guys to fall in love?”
“What’s falling in love?” Slorium asked.
“It’s an emotion humans feel when they pair bond,” I explained, remembering the term from the literature I’d read. “It’s powerful but can be fleeting. Sometimes pair bonds last a lifetime and sometimes only a few solars.”
“Interesting,” Slorium said, then addressed Mika. “Scent bonding isn’t like falling in love. It’s a biological bond that’s irrevocable.”
“How do you guys scent bond?” Mika asked. “Do you lick each other or something?”
That made everyone who could hear her rumble with amusement.
I pointed to my cheeks. “We have scent glands here that produce bonding oil. We would rub it on each other and become addicted to each other’s scent.”
“Sweet ginger candy!” Mika exclaimed.
“Is that something you want?” I asked, surprised she was bored with our conversation.
“No. It’s what you smell like to me,” Mika explained with a little chuckle. “You always smell like the ginger candy my aunt used to make. It must be your bonding oil.”
I stared at her face intently, looking for an expression of distaste. “Is it a scent you like?”
“Yes,” she said. “It’s a familiar and comforting smell.”
Her words made me want to sound a rattle of triumph. While I stood there feeling pleased, Slorium leaned in close to Mika and gave the human her cheek.
“What do I smell like?”
Mika sniffed a few times, then reared back. “Um, you smell a little like lavender-scented soap. I’m sorry, but you don’t smell as good as Mazorium.”
Slorium sounded a quizzical rumble as she straightened up. “Interesting. I need to make a note of this.”
“So if you guys don’t scent bond or raise your own kids, why bother getting married?” Mika asked.
“Marriage contracts allow individuals and families to combine wealth and create new business partnerships,” I explained.
She was quiet for a moment, biting her lip.
I was sure it meant there was a question she wanted to ask but was holding back.
“Voice your question, Mika. Your inquiries won’t be met with ill will. ”
“Are you married? Do you have children in a cresh?” she asked.
“Not yet,” I answered, thinking about my parents urging me to find a match. My sister had already entered into a marriage contract and had children in a cresh. I had put it off, mostly because my chosen career kept me so far away from other Talins most of the time.
When Mika didn’t say anything, it occurred to me she might be scared that a wife would draw my attention away from her.
“I don’t have any intentions of marrying soon,” I assured her. She relaxed a little, telling me my guess had been correct.
Her gaze dropped down to where one of the healers was wiggling their fingers over Nadia’s face to get her to shift her gaze while another one stared into her eyes with an ocular scanner.
“I couldn't imagine letting someone else raise my baby girl,” she whispered, gently grasping one of Nadia’s chubby little feet.
While I wouldn’t ever consider breaking the law to raise my child, I could easily picture the joy of being part of Nadia’s upbringing.
“Don’t ever fear,” I murmured, gently taking Nadia’s other foot in my hand. “You’ll never be separated from Nadia, and I’ll always be at your side to help raise her.”
I was rewarded for my words when Mika looked up at me and took my free hand with hers. “I think I’m starting to appreciate that.”
“That pleases me deeply,” I murmured, falling into Mika’s eyes. She was an absolutely stunning human and I was beyond blessed by the ancestors.