“You don’t owe the galactic community any more of your personal time today,” I say.
“Let’s leave now, then,” she counters.
“In five minutes,” I promise her, “we have to pay our respects to a few people who helped make all of this happen.”
I see Eve freeze as Zira and Marcus approach to offer genuine congratulations.
I bend down and say to Eve privately, “That’s Zira, please remember…”
She cuts me off. “I know who that is. Your father watches the news religiously.”
Zirareaches us and greets only Eve. “My Lady Sovereign Eve Eden, Judging by your husbands’ faces, I would guess they weren’t able to fully convince you our marriage was in name only. I’m not surprised. You’re not stupid. But take my word for it, it was in name only. Even holding hands with these men was a struggle.”
Eve surprises me by bowing, which is the appropriate thing to do. “Matriarch Zira, I thank you for the sacrifice. For giving them up so I could?—"
"I gave up nothing. What we had was strategy, not love. Though I'll admit, sharing a bed with Rafe and Lorian for one night of unconsummated marriage was its own form of torture. These men sleep as if they’re planning a hostile takeover—all tension and talking in their sleep. That was the only sacrifice."
I flush slightly, but Eve actually smiles. "I guess I enjoy it. Like a lullaby."
"And that’s love," Zira says. “I look forward to working with you in the future. And I will reassure those who question a human woman holding so much power in the galaxy is not a liability.”
Eve seems momentarily confused by this, but Zira politely makes her exit with genuine congratulations.
Next Ambassador Tiro makes a brief appearance, his Lyran features unreadable. "An interesting precedent you've set. Not everyone in the IGC is pleased."
"The IGC can—" Lorian begins.
"Will adapt," I interrupt. "They’ll obey in public and punish in private. That’s how this galaxy survives moral progress.”
“Spoken like a true Reima Two man, Rafe,” he says giving me a compliment. Then he studies Eve with those large cat eyes. "You've started something magnificent for humanity, My Lady Sovereign Eve.” Tiro bows ceremoniously. “I am authorized to speak for the Kingdom of Lyra when I say we wholeheartedly approve and wish you the best in your new life."
"Thank you, Ambassador,” Eve says warmly. “I will do my best.”
"Indeed.” And then he pulls a small human paper book from his pocket and hands it to Eve. “This is a wedding gift from a friend. She says, you’ll understand.”
“I can’t believe—” she begins flipping through the pages.
“Good fortune to you all,” the Ambassador says and walks away.
I look at the fragile book. “What’s that?”
“It’s one of my favorite books from childhood.”
“What’s it about?”
“An orphan who finds a home.”
“It’s fitting,” Lorian comments. “Since you have found your home with us.”
I hold out my hand for the book. “You’re not allowed to have any Earth entertainment.”
She reluctantly hands the book over, but before she lets go, I put my other hand on top of hers and squeeze, hoping she knows I will give this back to her later in private.
Then finally, we can leave. The crowd parts as we make our way to the private exit. Eve walks between us, head high despite everything. I am so proud of her. But I can feel her exhaustion in the way she leans slightly into Lorian.
The moment we're in our private rooms, she collapses against the wall and says, "I'm going to be sick."
Lorian already has a container ready. He holds her hair while she retches, the stress overwhelming her. I rub her back, feeling the delicate vertebrae through the thin dress, the way her whole body shudders with each heave. Even now, some primal part of me responds to touching her, to finally having the right. She’s finally our wife and ours to care for.
