Page 11 of Alien Burn

Janae stood farther back. She was looking past the women toward something near the edge of the platform.

A bird, Sereya realized when the camera shifted. A small running creature with a quick, busy stride. Janae watched it and smiled.

Then a male walked into view, and Sereya forgot the bird.

She had known the Kantenans were large. Everyone knew that. There had been diagrams, with comparative measurements that made some of the women laugh and others ask rather pointed questions.

The diagrams had not adequately explained what it would feel like to have one walking toward you.

His horns curved out from his head, branching above a face set in earnest concentration. He was speaking. Khalzin, the scientist. The male whose work had brought them all here.

Sereya listened to the promise of honor and care and tried to imagine believing it from someone she had just met.

On the screen, Roemary smiled at him.

He kept walking.

Sereya's stomach tightened. Roemary shifted, preparing to speak, but his attention had already moved to Janae.

The bay grew quiet.

He had gone past all those waiting faces to the woman at the back who hadn't quite realized he was coming for her. Janae looked up. Sereya couldn't hear what they said at first, but she saw him bend toward her.

Then his voice carried through the speakers.

“I pick you, if you will take me.”

Janae nodded.

“Way to go, Janae!”

Adryel's delighted shout made Sereya smile before she could help herself. Someone beside her began clapping. She nearly joined in. Her hands lifted before she remembered herself.

Roemary was on the screen too.

Her expression stopped Sereya's hands halfway together.

Of course she was angry. She had spent the voyage being certain of this moment, and Khalzin hadn't even lingered in front of her. Tomorrow, Sereya would hear every detail of the insult. Tonight too, probably.

But Janae was smiling.

For once, Sereya wished Roemary would simply let her.

The argument on the platform grew loud enough to hear. Roemary accused Graecey of rigging the selection. Graecey caught her arm, and Roemary turned her anger on the Kantenans.

Khalzin's reply reached Sereya clearly.

“Your ego and conceit ruin your opportunities. You speak to my mate like that again, and I will see you punished for your disrespect.”

“You cannot! My father⁠—”

“Your father can do nothing on this world. As soon as you stepped onto this land, your laws no longer apply, and mine do. You have no basis for your objections.”

Graecey steered Roemary out of the group.

Sereya knew how much strength that apparently gentle guidance required. She had done it herself, often enough.

But she was on the ship now. Roemary couldn't look over her shoulder and find her waiting.