“My deepest apologies,” says the greener alien, bowing his head. “This must be a lot for you in one day.”
The other one tips his chin down as well. “I’m sorry for losing my temper.”
“Ahem.” Gazargo gives each of them one last glare before approaching me. “The Arshurians are… a territorial species. And can sometimes be aggressive toward rivals.”
Rivals? What’s going on here?
“Pardon me…” I pause, uncertain. “I came here for one alien husband. I think you have me confused with someone else.”
Gazargo arches a brow, then glances down at a clipboard in his hand. “You are Fiona Knox, are you not?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Then you’re in the right place.” He crosses his arms. “A tiny, erm, mistake was made, though.”
I glance between the two aliens. I think he’s definitely right.
“What mistake?”
“Well, you were supposed to get one Arshurian. Instead, um…” Gazargo hesitates. “There are two.”
No way. Surely that can’t be.
My voice is small as I ask, “How did that happen?”
“I don’t know.” Gazargo crosses his arms. “But now they are both here, so it’s up to you to decide which one will be your husband.”
I stare at him, aghast. “What? I have to pick?”
“Please choose me,” says the first alien. “We are destined to be together. We are fated mates.”
“What is that?” I squeak. “A fated mate?”
Gazargo clears his throat, drawing my attention back to him.
“Arshurians have a special mate bond. It is, well, an imprint. They believe it’s fated by the gods.”
I peer at each of the two aliens, who are still growling at one another.
“That can’t be right. Me? We just met a second ago.”
“I know it was only a moment,” says the teal alien, taking a step toward me. “But I promise, you are meant to be mine. I could smell your lovely scent on the air, and I know that you are the answer to my heart’s wishes.”
“But…” I chew my lip. “I don’t know either of you.”
“Well, that is where the trial marriage comes in,” Gazargo pipes up. “You can take both of them home with you and decide later which one you’d like to keep.” There’s a glint in his eye. “I’m sure they’ll both work hard to earn your affection.”
The two aliens nod in unison.
“I will treasure you above all else,” says the older one. “I promise that I will be yours until the end.”
The younger one does the same. “I will care for all your needs. I will offer you my whole heart.”
Now they’re staring at me with those impenetrable yellow eyes, and the hopeless romantic in me? She’s tentatively raising her head, wondering if this might be just what I was looking for.
They both want me. They’re each laying claim to me.
And so what if I want to be claimed?
