“An empty world where the miscreants of our tribe are banished. Those who commit violent crimes or treason or whom the Queen deems a danger.”
“I’m guessing it’s a one-way trip.”
“Yes.”
“I guess you’d better be good. I’d hate to see you get tossed to the naughty planet.”
Gam puts both arms on the table and leans slightly over them. “You would be sad if I left?”
His fingers run over the back of my left hand. Tingles explode on the surface of my skin. My mouth goes dry, and I completely forget what we’re talking about.
“Uh. What?”
“Assassin Krunch,” he says quietly. “I believe you care what happens to me.”
“Fern.” I meet his eyes. “My name is Fern.”
“Fe-rrrn. Mmmm.”
Scoffing, I pull my hand away and return my attention to my food. “I don’t care, necessarily. Humans don’t like to see innocent people hurt or condemned.”
“That is a confusing statement coming from an assassin.”
“See? This is what I mean. You’ve all condemned me for being something that I’m not.”
Throwing up my hands, I lean back in my seat and notice a small group of women has entered. They’re standing in line, plates in hand, staring at me. Each is dressed in beautiful robes trimmed in gold, their corded hair piled high on their heads.
“The King’s wives.”
“He has six wives?”
“Nine. Three have just given birth.”
He says this with a touch of envy, but I curl my lip. “Humans don’t do the multiple wives thing.”
“A man’s first wife does not decide how many other wives he may have?”
I laugh. “Right. No. Human men usually acquire side chicks and then get their private parts cut off while they’re sleeping by the only wife.”
Gam grins like I’m a crazy person. “I do not understand you. Talarion tribes are ruled by females. The King is simply an assistant to the Queen, who is recovering from birth.” He motions to the women. “Each of these females was chosen by the Queen and her husband is allowed privilege to them at her discretion.”
This catches my attention. A female ruled society? The King intimidated me. I might have felt differently had I known his wife controlled how much action he got with his side chicks. Gam looks at me curiously.
“It is different on Earth?”
“Oh, yes. We are a patriarchal society. Men run the show, often to our detriment but that’s a story for a different day.”
“Do not misunderstand. Our female leaders can create much ruin and dismay. Maneshha rules a tribe of dissenters who broke from us when our King banned portal travel and raiding. Our union was intended to bring peace and encourage her tribe to come back home.”
“She can’t open portals to use for raiding without your help, right?”
“Correct.”
“Were you afraid, if you married her, that she would force you to open portals and break the treaty anyway?”
“She knows that I am unable to open portals. My larger concern was that she intended to become pregnant with my child and use his powers to manipulate portals in the future.”
I drop my fork. “There are so many things wrong with what you just said. Your child will have the portal abilities?”
