Chapter 6
JUNE
His mate. His mate?
Zivren stood there, and in front of the chancellor, aka the president of the island and Lord Forchan, the most devious little cockroach in the entire fucking universe, said I’m his mate. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with that.
I mean, I’m grateful he did. Otherwise I’d be on a ship right now with my wrists and ankles cuffed to a narrow steel bench as I head to my death on Etirinu.
I just didn’t expect him to stick up for me to the point of lying to the governments of two planets.
He seems like a rule follower. More importantly, I assumed he hated me.
Well, maybe not hated, exactly, but at best, I figured he only sort of tolerated me.
Whenever I’m around, he avoids making eye contact and keeps the communication between us limited to grunts and nods.
In the kitchen yesterday, when my arm brushed his, he looked shocked and disgusted as if I burned him.
Clearly he trusts my ability to care for Akkal, or he wouldn’t have given me the job. But he acts like that’s my only redeeming quality and without it, I’m a viper ready to strike. I have no idea what I did to freak the man out so much, but I wish he’d tell me.
Do I smile at him too much? Is showing one’s teeth a sign of disrespect among his kind?
No, that can’t be it. Akkal smiles all the time.
I’ve tried to give him more personal space over the last week, since he’s so uncomfortable with my closeness.
Maybe that’s part of it. Do I smell bad? Do humans in general smell bad to him?
I’m even more puzzled now since he’s put himself in a precarious situation by claiming to be my mate.
I’m not sure if he’s breaking any of the island’s laws by lying.
Harboring a murderer might not have the same weight as it does on Earth, but there must be something in the island’s laws about fraudulent mating bonds, right?
I can’t see the chancellor being pleased about that.
Though she did seem to encourage this whole ruse, so who knows?
“Why did you do that?” I ask Zivren once the others leave.
The sun has risen, and the morning sky casts a pink glow over the beach.
A tall cup of fasuun sure would be nice right now.
It would give my hands something to do, other than fidget with the buttons of my linen shirt.
I’m going to have to sew them all back on by the end of this conversation.
He opens his mouth to speak, then closes it.
After scrubbing a hand down his face and kicking the sand as he walks in a wide yet perfect circle, he shrugs, and the words that leave his mouth melt me where I stand.
“Because you’ve given me a life I didn’t think I could have, and no matter what you’ve done, I couldn’t let them end yours. ”
My eyes sting with tears as I process that statement.
“Oh,” is all I can offer in return. I’m too stunned to say anything more, which is odd since I tend to babble when I’m nervous.
This isn’t nerves, though. Well, at the thought of being arrested and tried for the king’s murder?
Sure. It’s a whole trash bag full of nerves dancing around like electrified spaghetti.
But his reason for pushing this bizarre lie?
It’s more like a wave of warm bathwater covering my exposed skin a moment before goosebumps form.
“Okay,” I say with a sigh. “So what now?”
A few hours later, we get our answer, when Chancellor Uzellarin returns without Lord Forchan and his guards. She knocks on my door first, and without saying a word, takes my arm and leads me to Zivren’s house so we can debrief.
“I told Lord Forchan I was your witness on your Mating Day,” she says, pacing across the family room floor in front of us.
“He asked for the declarations you exchanged, your attire, and several other details only a witness could provide. I wrote it all down here.” She puts a piece of paper in front of us on the drink table.
“Study that. He’ll ask you for those same details during the test.”
“Right. The test,” Zivren says as Akkal launches himself onto his father’s back. “What else will be on it?”
“I can’t tell you precisely what’s on the test. If it comes out I did, the mating bond can be severed, and he has legal grounds to take Juniper back to Etirinu to be prosecuted.
Just know there’s a test to see how well you know each other and one regarding your physical trust. Do with that information what you will in order to prepare. ”
Zivren and I exchange a frustrated glance because, while it is helpful, it’s also not helpful enough to get us ready.
“Vatra,” Akkal groans, which means “Daddy” in the universal language. It’s clear he wants his father’s attention, but Zivren is far too focused on our new mate bond problem for that. “Come play sand castles with me.”
I help him out by tapping Akkal on the arm and gesturing for him to hop in my lap. “Come here, bud.”
He does without complaint.
“Juniper will also have to make this her residence, effective immediately,” the chancellor adds.
“What? Why? I like my house. I don’t want to move.” I turn to Zivren as the guilt hits. “Sorry. No offense. I like it here, I just also like having my own space. I’m forty-three.” I let out a strangled exhale. “I haven’t had that since before I was taken.”
“The guards are staying on the island until the test is finalized,” the chancellor explains in a scolding tone. “They’ll be able to observe you. If you aren’t sharing a residence, they’ll become suspicious.”
Zivren nods in acceptance. “I have a spare bed in my room.” He turns to me. “This can work.”
“So, a mated couple…what does that mean exactly? On Earth couples would get married, which meant they were legally recognized as partners for life, but divorce was common. Is it like that? Just a piece of paper saying we’re together until we aren’t?”
The chancellor shakes her head. “I believe it’s more serious than your Earth marriages. While there is a legal status granted to you stating you’re an official coupling in the eyes of the island, mated pairs don’t often separate. It’s quite rare.”
“What does that mean?” I ask, my voice shaking. “Once this is over and Zivren and I severe our mating, will I be ostracized from the community?”
“No,” Zivren replies, his tone adamant. “I won’t let that happen.”
“Nothing like that.” The chancellor is toying with the thick gold bracelet on her wrist. A nervous habit, I’d guess.
“A severed mating bond is something to mourn. There will be a collective sadness from those around you because of how rare it is. They will want to care for you and make sure you’re coping with the loss. ”
On the first planet I was sent to, couples were chosen by fate itself via a deep sense of yearning for a person which struck like a bolt of lightning once the yearner’s soul recognized their perfect match. It was instant and eternal.
I remember being envious of it when I witnessed it happening in front of me. The assurance that the person you were meant to spend the rest of your days with was right there. Right in front of you.
If only love could be that easy.
I raise my hand because something has been nagging me this entire time. When the chancellor acknowledges me, I ask, “Why did you lie for us? Why help us at all? What’s in it for you?”
The look she gives me says the answer should be obvious. I say nothing in response, because it isn’t.
“Well, I protect my residents,” the chancellor finally says.
My brow lifts. “Even accused murderers? You know nothing about me. How do you know I’m innocent?”
Something flashes across her face, an emotion or thought I can’t pinpoint, as she looks at Zivren for a beat too long.
“I have a good sense for people, and I don’t believe you to be capable of such a heinous crime.
Besides, the more refugees we have settle here, the more our businesses and community grow.
I want this island to be a hub of diverse creatures trying to build the lives they dreamt of having.
The lives they couldn’t have elsewhere. And allowing other governments to invade our land and abduct our people certainly doesn’t serve that vision, now does it? ”
The chancellor clasps her hands together, looking between us. “All you need to do is pretend to be a happily mated couple for three moon cycles, and then you can go your separate ways. The government of Etirinu will leave us alone, and you’ll remain free, Juniper.”
I’m still suspicious of her motives, but less so now. There’s clearly something the chancellor isn’t telling us, but beggars can’t be choosers, and ultimately I don’t care what it takes to stay here as long as that’s the end result.
I turn to look at Zivren. He seems so much more confident than I am that we can pull this off.
But why, when he’s seemed so irritated by me up to this point?
It doesn’t make sense. Though I can’t say I’m devastated about having to play the role of wifey to my hot neighbor who has saved my life twice now.
I purse my lips as I study him. He’s a hulking Adonis who fights fires and adores his kid.
I could do a hell of a lot worse. “Okay.” I nudge my shoulder against his.
“I’ll go pack my stuff. Hope you like snaking the shower drain every few weeks, a roommate with hot flashes, and big ‘ol granny panties being hang-dried out the window.”
His brow furrows. “I didn’t understand half of that.”
I chuckle as I reach the front door. “Guess it’ll be a fun surprise then.”