"You've read everything?" Zahra had dozed off before finishing the first file, and there'd been close to one hundred separate files.
"Give me time." Holly beamed as she held up a finger, seeming full of the confidence Zahra lacked.
"You must love this chance to be the first to study a new species." Zahra presumed as she eyed the overly cheery woman.
"Over the moon." Holly agreed with an eager nod. "And I'll be staying with you on the planet until your year is up."
"Glad to hear I won't be there alone." Hopefully Holly could keep her from accidentally breaking any laws or unintentionally insulting anyone. It would be horrible if she ended up in jail or worse. There were some alien cultures that punished the simplest offense with death.
A couple of human men stepped forward and grabbed her bags, hauling them onto the ship.
"Time to go meet my husband." Zahra still couldn’t believe it. She was about to be a wife. About to have a husband. She couldn’t run away and hide now. She had to be brave, bravefor all the men and women who were ready to lose their life on the front lines to keep their families safe.
"Don't be too scared. I'll be by your side the whole time." Holly winked. "It was part of the contract. Your husband and no other Khuuz’eth is allowed to deny me from being by your side."
Zahra wasn't normally clingy, but she enjoyed the sound of having someone nearby. But she also figured there'd be times Holly might want to see or experience something unique to the alien culture, which would leave Zahra with some alone time.
"Of course, not on the wedding night." Holly chuckled with a shake of her head. “That will be between the two of you. And only between you two.”
Zahra froze in her steps. Wedding night. Duh. A marriage would include at least sleeping next to him if not actually sleeping with him.
"Which reminds me." Holly continued on cheerily missing the dumb struck look on Zahra's face. "They had a stipulation in there that you wouldn't be allowed on any birth control. Are you on any?"
"Oh, no. Not right now." Zahra said as she continued to think about having sex with Khaazai. From the few moments she’d spent in his presence, he’d been massive. How exactly would a night… sex happen. She shook her head. Maybe he didn’t intend to consummate the marriage. A worry for a later time. For now, she needed to gain humanity another ally.
"Good, saves a visit to the medical office." Holly checked something off on her tablet that she carried. "Hmm, what else should we discuss?"
"How long until we arrive?" Zahra prompted. How much time did she have to compose herself?
"Ten hours. They've been kind enough to provide us with one of their shuttles, which has a faster engine."
"Oh." Zahra glanced around as they entered the dark interior. "That was nice of them."
"I think your husband is eager."
"Khaazai." Zahra uttered his name, almost unable to get it out as her nerves washed over her.
"You know him?" Holly turned and cocked her head as she continued to lead the way.
"I wouldn't say I know him, but we've briefly met."
"Sounds like there might be a story there." Holly winked over her shoulder at Zahra.
"Again, not much. Saved his life in a battle with the Sri’thaens when he and his men came to our aide."
"I could see how a warrior race like his might fancy a female who shows fighting skills."
"Warrior race?"
Holly nodded. "Their Emperor is determined by strength. He keeps the position for as long as possible... until he ages too much and someone younger and stronger overpowers him. Though from what I’ve read there have been a few Emperors who have held power even on their death bed because the people loved them so much.”
"But normally the Emperor is overthrown by being killed?" Zahra grimaced. What kind of world was she about to drop into?
"Not necessarily." Holly shrugged a shoulder, seeming way too chill about this discussion. "The last Emperor was spared when he forfeited the fight to the current Emperor."
"Sounds like the justice system will be different to human ones."
Holly snorted. "You have no idea. Their justice seems to be resolved by what we might deem more barbaric means."
