Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72065 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72065 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
But Aleena’s father and stepmother and her half sister, Faleesha would all be present. In her splendid new outfit, Aleena felt like a princess and she wanted to show them that she had made an excellent match despite the fact that they had initially forced her Joining with Bear upon her.
The ride to the ball was silent with Bear evidently lost in thought, though he held her hand and stroked her fingers absently with his thumb. His horns had been polished to a high shine and his bushy black hair was brushed neatly and held in place in a club at the back of his neck. His uniform buttons gleamed gold and his tall black boots were shiny and sleek. Aleena felt proud to be seen with him—she couldn’t wait to dance with her husband and let everyone see how handsome he was.
When the hovercoach drew up at the entrance of The Plaza—the huge arena where the largest affairs of state were held—Aleena’s eyes got wide. There were so many people here! All the diplomats and couriers and politicians and their wives were present, dressed in elegant luxury. And around the roped off areas, crowds of regular people were gathered, all there to gawk at the rich and powerful.
Aleena remembered coming to watch a similar event when she was much younger. Then she had been part of the common crowd. Now she was alighting from a luxury hovercoach on the arm of her famous and important Ambassador husband.
And to think, just last month mother and I were living in the shabbiest part of town, unsure of where our next meal would come from, she thought wonderingly. Her swift reversal of fortune nearly took her breath away.
She sent a silent prayer of gratitude to the Goddess of Mercy as Bear helped her out of the coach and she took his arm. All around her people were staring in wonder at her gorgeous outfit. She was glad she’d taken time to go get her hair done in a stylish up-do of swooping curls that drooped elegantly down from the crown of her head. Two little ringlets framed her face and she smiled brightly as she turned her face to the recording devices.
“Looks like everyone in the whole planet is here,” Bear growled softly as he put an arm around her and drew her protectively close to his side. “Come on, baby—let’s get inside.”
Inside, The Plaza had been decorated with greenery and fresh vines of c’lowthcant. The clusters of tiny, vivid red and orange flowers released a slightly spicy fragrance into the air that made Aleena’s nose tingle.
In the center of the huge area many couples were swirling around and around to the sound of the orchestra that was seated to the right playing their zitherhorns and frombolins. They were playing a lively tune that made Aleena’s foot tap to the music. She hoped she and Bear could dance soon.
“Ah, there you are,” a deep male voice said and she turned her attention from the dancing and saw another huge Kindred coming towards them. This must be Commander Sylvan, she thought. He had spiky, light blond hair and pale blue eyes and he was wearing a Kindred uniform, though his shirt was blue instead of red like Bear’s.
“Commander Sylvan! It’s good to see you again.”
Bear held out his arm and the other male took it, squeezing firmly as they clasped.
“And this must be your lovely bride?” Commander Sylvan asked, nodding at Aleena.
“Yes, this is Aleena.” There was pride in Bear’s voice as he slipped an arm around her waist and brought her forward.
Aleena smiled up at the big blond Kindred and gave him a ladylike nod as she held out her hand.
“I’m very pleased to meet you,” she said. “Bear has told me so many good things about you.”
“Thank you so much! That’s good to hear.” Commander Sylvan smiled at her. “Your husband is the best negotiator we Kindred have. I was proud to send him here but I’m even more proud of what he’s accomplished. Tonight we celebrate the successful conclusion of the peaceful and prosperous negotiations between our two peoples. We—”
“Well, well—hello there, big sister. Aren’t you looking different tonight?”
Aleena, who had been leaning forward to hear what Commander Sylvan was saying, felt like someone had dumped ice water down her spine. Turning, she saw that her younger half-sister, Faleesha, had come up to see them along with her stepmother, Grindelia.
Both women were dressed in their finest attire—but neither had outfits nearly as nice as Aleena’s. Still, having them here so near her husband’s superior when she was trying to make a good impression made her nervous.
“Hello, stepmother…Faleesha,” she said stiffly. “May I present to you Commander Sylvan of the Kindred Mother Ship. He is my husband’s superior officer,” she added, hoping they would take the hint and behave themselves in front of the important Kindred.