“I know we could break the scent-bond with drugs,” she continued. “It might not be fun, but you won't die. I did some research and found out that the Hoquin do something similar to scent-bonding. They have a whole medical protocol for when partners can’t or won’t be together any longer. Your life isn’t dependent on me. You can go home if you want to.”
“But he doesn’t want to,” Jossulum said.
“He’s wanted to settle at home on Ineeko almost from the first,” Teshor pointed out. “I don’t think he wants to go back to how he was living before. We all knew you guys didn’t plan on getting married; we were messing with you. Except I think Myrum took it all seriously.”
They did? That was news to Myrum. They’d all seemed so sincere. He felt a little disappointed.
“What?” Amina said, her voice louder than necessary. “I can’t believe you guys did that!”
Ah, he felt better knowing Amina hadn’t known either. It wasn’t malicious if they were doing it to her also.
“I agreed to go along with it, but I always thought you guys should be together,” Desur said, his voice full of longing. “The connection was obvious after Myrum’s meltdown on the ship.”
“Don’t remind me about that,” Helmen grumbled.
“If Myrum can’t speak on his behalf, I have something I want to say,” Restic declared. This was an interesting development. She was one of the shyer Ossisos. What could she want to say?
“Go ahead,” Amina said in a gentle tone. He could picture her giving the Ossiso an encouraging look.
“We were talking about our families at dinner last night,” Restic said. “His family has all stopped interacting with him because he doesn’t have a prestigious career any longer. They called him pathetic and broken.”
“Why didn’t I hear that?” Amina asked, her voice shifting so he knew she was looking down at him. “I remember you talking about your sibling, but not that.”
“You were waiting for the second round of jefs to finish in the reconsitutor,” Desur said. “I meant to tell you what he said, but I forgot. Sorry.”
“I don’t think he wants to be a Talin Empire citizen any more than you want to be a pet,” Helmen said. “Besides, who would want to belong to a civilization that saw a change in career as shameful? I’m sorry, Myrum, but your species has some strange ideas.”
He couldn't agree more.
There was another silence. Myrum hated that he couldn’t see her face, but he was determined to do this the proper Ugarian way.
Her loose, bulky jacket rustled as she crouched over him, parting her knees to keep from knocking him in the head.
“You really want to be with me,” she whispered, stroking a hand over his head. “This isn’t because you feel obligated or because you're grateful. You really want me for me.”
Yes, that was it exactly! Had she heard his earlier thoughts?
“Myrum, I find you worthy of marriage, and I accept you,” she said, running her hand down his face so she could cup his chin. He let her lift his head so their eyes could meet. Then she addedsomething extra to the traditional line. “Thank you for accepting me.”
Chapter 32
A month later
Amina
The moment they passed into Ilgorian territory, everyone on the ship relaxed. They hadn’t seen a single other ship while traveling through Ossiso space, but everyone had been a little worried.
Unsurprisingly, the Ossisos were the most effusive in their relief. The change in them was startling. They talked, laughed, and stopped slinking from spot to spot. Well, mostly. Restic and Jul still struggled, but Amina was sure they’d become more confident over time.
Right now, they were all gathered in command, chatting about what they wanted to see at the Ugarian station they were about to visit.
They hadn’t originally planned to stop here, but they’d gotten a message from Holian demanding to meet. Helmen agreed but named the place. Sifor Station was on a major trade pathand hosted many species but was still far enough in Ilgorian Federation territory to be safe from kidnapping or coercion.
Amina could understand. They were all protective of Myrum and didn’t want him pressured or forced to go back to his old life.
They’d already filed the marriage paperwork on the way here and would be able to check on their marriage status at this station. The moment it was finalized they'd adopt Gis and the rest of the Ossisos. No matter how many times she explained that it didn’t matter who adopted them, they all insisted it had to be her.
It was probably for the best. They’d be settling in her community on Ineeko, and she’d be there to support them as they figured out their new lives.
