"Except?" I asked.
"Except aboutoursecrets," he admitted. "I didn't think those things mattered in the long term."
"And I don't want to know," Sylis assured me. "What I do know is that Ayla Ross has become terrifying. She fights as well as a man, keeps a beast at her side that's as big as me, and the Wyvern listens when she orders him around. She can also use their words. Language? I don't even know, but the gibberish they speak? She says it back."
"Oh." I didn't know that part. "Sadly, I can't just name a woman for you to court, though. I don't know anyone here well enough to know her mind. It's been Tobias and me ever since Meri left."
"Is there anyone who might appreciate the protection of a husband?" Tobias asked.
"What?" I gasped. "No!"
"Callah, they have to get married anyway," he reminded me. "What Sylis is offering? It's to let her live like she has been. Yes, they will share a space, but the nursery could be made into another room. Getting a bed is harder, but I'm sure there's a way they can make it work even if they are strangers."
"Oh," I said, realizing he had a point.
"And saying I punished my wife doesn't mean I did," Sylis added. "I don't want to hit a woman. Not one who's done nothing to me, and a mistake? No one learns that way. I didn't!"
"Me either," Tobias said. "But it's easier to hurt others than to help. That's the problem down here."
"It really is," I agreed. "And I know a few widows who are worried about their short grieving period. We were promised time to ourselves once we're pregnant, and again when we're widowed.Ifwe are. It's the hope women hold on to, but the closer to twenty we get, we start to realize it's all a lie. Men can still demand consummation. They can still use the rod!"
"I'm not even twenty-three," he reminded me. "Callah, I'm not sure a widow would take my proposal seriously. They say women look for a man who's earned privileges, but I haven't yet."
"You're a squad leader," Tobias countered.
"And women don't know about that!"
"Yes," I told him, "we do. Squad leaders are more likely to die. Well, new hunters are the most likely, but we know how many squad leaders never make it back, and that's why it's appealing."
"Oh," Tobias said.
I nodded. "We know that old men are weaker than young ones - or big ones." And I looked over Tobias pointedly. "Trust me, I was worried about it."
"He's huge," Sylis said, nodding to show he understood.
"Not like I had a choice," Tobias mumbled.
"But you're kind," I assured him. "And you're my friend. If Sylis can befriend a girl, I might find someone to accept his courtship, but it sounds like he needs a woman who's willing to help."
"One you can trust," Sylis hurried to add. "Tobias trusts you, and I trust him, so if you trust her..."
"I know a widow who is set to be married soon. I know many wives who want to see things change, but not many widows. Ms. Lawton will never marry again, since she's barren now. Theremight be a few of the girls who are over eighteen - or near it - but I can't guarantee she'll be a beauty, skilled in her duties, or anything else."
"I don't care," Sylis promised. "I want the woman you can trust. My wife will hear too much. She'll be in my space, which means our secrets will be overheard. So, you decide who I need to wed. You pick her, Callah. Make sure she's okay with it, then tell me who I need to court, and I will play the part out there the same way Tobias did with you."
So I leaned back, crossing my legs at the ankles out of habit and lifted my chin. "Okay, Mr. Underhill. You say that, but do you understand what it would really mean?"
"No," he admitted. "But the way we do things now isn't working."
"Why?" Tobias asked. "What are you thinking, Callah?"
"We women want a sisterhood. Weneeda way to protect each other, and that might mean causing problems, acting up, and risking the wrath of every other man in this compound. You, as a husband to such a woman, what would you do?"
"Wait," Sylis begged, looking from me to Tobias and then back. "What do you mean about a sisterhood?"
"Growing up," I explained, "Ayla always said that you men were helpless without us women. I thought she was right, but knew it would never happen, but after those weddings?" I shook my head. "No longer is breaking a commandment punished by banishment, gentlemen. Now? We will be stoned. That means our deaths, and I can only imagine our husbands will not escape unscathed. You didn't control us. You didn't punish us enough. I don't know what excuse they'll use, but it will come back on you. So is marriage really the better option?"
"Yes," Sylis hissed. "Yes, because if we can get that door code, then we can stop all of it before anyone else dies!" And he stopped hard, glancing to Tobias again. "Like me."
