Page 7 of The Red Woman on Mars

“That’s Kenji’s gift. So simple, so profound. Please allow me to bestow another upon you.”

When Vivian was able to escape Ren reciting Martian poetry at her, she found herself in an equally tedious exchange with a man describing the distilling process for making Martian vodka. In detail.

Then, a Martian man and woman approached her, holding hands. Vivian hadn’t returned her headset to her eye and didn’t catch their names. “As you can see,” the man said with a half-smile. “I am already wed. Reverend Adair has assured us that the Intelligence welcomes triad marriages for Red Mothers.”

“I’ve heard that Earthers have particular views about monogamy.” The woman leaned forward with bright eyes. “But I can promise you, I don’t mind sharing. Triads are common here. Martian women have often had to share their husbands with Earther women if they want children. I want to raise the children who will break the Martian dependency on Earther mothers once and for all.”

Concealing her surprise, Vivian murmured, “I am open to all arrangements.”

Had she known this possibility? So eager for the opportunity to leave the camp, she hadn’t asked enough follow-up questions of the recruiter. Why hadn’t she taken the time to read more about Martian culture on the ship, instead of losing herself in Earther romance novels? Now that she was here, everything was happening bewilderingly fast. Vivian took a deep breath and tried to steady herself.

None of it matters, she told herself.As long as we’re safe.

She found herself alone at last and looked around for Delilah. Her sister was engaged in a lively conversation with Caspian, one hand holding her hat in place as her beaming face angled up to look at him. Unwillingly, Vivian’s eyes strayed again to Xavier, who had settled against a wall near the food.

Unable to resist her curiosity, Vivian walked toward the man. His lip curled, surveying the mingling crowd. As she made her way through the party, Caspian gave Delilah a bow and moved to stand at Xavier’s side. Vivian paused to linger at the food table, close enough to listen to their conversation.

“Come on, X,” Caspian said. “Your aunt will be arriving any moment. You know she’ll want to see you mingling, not standing about by yourself moping.”

Xavier snorted. “Aunt Constance is perfectly well aware that I detest this business. The only woman here whose company I enjoy is your sister, and she’s off-limits in my aunt’s little experiment, thank goodness.”

“Keep up, X. Ivey has put her hat in the ring as a potential spouse.”

“Is that right? She didn’t tell me.”

“I’m not surprised. You’re being terribly judgmental, even for you. Ivey is desperate to be a mother, for all she tries to hide it.” Caspian clapped a hand on Xavier’s shoulder. “But they’ve brought us thirty girls, enough for all of us if we take advantage of this head start Yarrow has given the Council. You know she isn’t shipping out more until she’s confirmed this first set has born us healthy, strong-boned babies.”

Xavier grunted. “I saw you enjoying Delilah Bowen’s company. A bit young, isn’t she?”

Vivian looked up, startled, as they spoke of her sister, unable to hide her eavesdropping.

“She’s the most beautiful girl I have ever beheld. And her sister is very pretty as well. Come with me. Let’s become acquainted with her elder sister, Vivian. If our children were cousins, you’d be family in truth.”

Xavier caught Vivian’s eye. To his friend, he said coldly, “You know perfectly well she is not enough to temptme. You’d betterreturn to Delilah. You’re wasting your time trying to change my mind.” He abandoned Caspian to return to the bar.

Vivian’s cheeks grew hot with anger and embarrassment. She pictured herself going up to Xavier at the bar and saying something devastatingly cutting and witty.

If only she could think of the right line.

The music ceased abruptly mid-song, and the murmur of voices hushed. The room’s full attention turned to an older Martian woman who had stepped inside the hall. She moved with a brisk elegance, aided by a carved wooden cane, shaking hands with the Martians and exchanging greetings. Vivian recognized her on sight.

Secretary Constance Yarrow, leader of Arcadia.

The person responsible for bringing Vivian to Mars.

“Thank you, my dear friends,” Constance called as she positioned herself to stand in the center of the banquet hall. Her dark wrinkled hands clutched her wooden cane. “And welcome to the Arcadia Dome, Red Mothers.” The Martians around her tapped two fingers on each hand together in a light clap. “By the grace of the Intelligence, we have, at long last, formulated a solution to our generational problem. The Intelligence has generously decreed a sixty-day window to allow all Red Mothers the opportunity to select a suitable spouse and prepare to bear the future of Mars. Gentleman, ladies, and gentlefolk, over the next sixty days, please show the Red Mothers the famous hospitality of the Founding Families. On Presentation Day, we will debut the matches before the Council and all of Mars and hold the largest wedding ceremony Mars has ever seen.”

Sixty days.Vivian’s head spun. No one had bothered to warn her that she would only have two Earth months to choose her husband and the father of her children. How could she make such a monumental decision in sixty days?

She would have to try.

For the next hour, she determinedly spoke to nearly every man in attendance. She swallowed her personality and spoke softly and demurely. She listened and made agreeable noises until she wanted to scream.

Finally, when she could stand it no longer, she escaped to the bar. “White wine, please,” she said, trying to sound as if she knew what she was about. The only alcohol she’d ever tasted was Carolina moonshine.

Vivian took a sip and gagged.

The Earther bartender smiled at her reaction. “Too sweet, I know. The Martians like to make ice wine with grapes flash-frozen in the natural atmosphere. What I wouldn’t give for a dry South African Pinot gris.”