“Surely is must be Zerlix, though,” Bobbi protested. “Who else would have any motive? Especially Komendant Vizlar?”
“Rep. Zerlix seemed to think it was because his father wouldn’t like the idea of you and Rep. Dragon hatching a brood together.” Keelah frowned. “No, that’s not right—what is it that mammalians call it? Oh yes—that he wouldn’t like you having a lot of babies.”
“Well, I don’t particularly want a bunch of babies either,” Bobbi said frankly. “But I’m kind of stuck in this situation and as far as I can see, Saurians don’t have any kind of birth control. And even if they did, I doubt it would work for me.”
Keelah’s eyes grew wide.
“Oh, Bobbi! How can you say you don’t want to bear Rep. Dragon’s sons, when he gave you such beautiful Claiming jewelry?”
“Because he’s not giving me a choice about it.” Bobbi sighed and ran a hand through her hair, being careful not to disarrange the golden dragon on her forehead. “Look, I won’t say I’m not fond of him—I’m maybe even falling a little bit in love with him,” she admitted to Keelah. “As sick and Stockholm Syndromy as that sounds. But the fact is, he kidnapped me and brought me here and then just decided he was going to marry me and I get no say in the matter.”
“But that’s the way it is for females,” Keelah objected. “We are taken by males for their pleasure.”
“Not where I was raised,” Bobbi said firmly. “In fact…” She hesitated, not sure if she should go on.
“In fact what?” Keelah asked, clearly curious.
“In fact, I believe the people who brought me to Avria Pentaura in the first place are going to be looking for me soon,” Bobbi said at last. “And if they come for me, I want you to come with me, Keelah. But you have to keep quiet about it, do you understand?”
“You’re thinking of leaving? Even though Rep. Dragon is so kind to you and wants to marry you?” The Saurian girl looked shocked.
“I can’t stay here, not even for Dragon,” Bobbi said simply. “If there’s any way to get away, I’m going to take it. And I’m just asking—do you want to come with me?”
“I don’t know…” Keelah still looked stunned at the idea of escape. “Mostly, I guess, I just want to go home,” she whispered at last.
“I’m sure that could be arranged,” Bobbi told her. “The Kindred of the Mother Ship believe that women are equal to men and should be able to make their own life choices. They would help you get home.” She sighed. “If they can find me, that is.”
“If they would help me get home, back to the Northern Continent, then yes—I would go with all my heart.” Keelah clasped her hands to her chest. “But Bobbi, it’s so dangerous! Rep. Dragon is going to be watching over you every minute now.”
“I know he will,” Bobbi said grimly. “And I have to be honest, I don’t know how this whole thing will play out. But I wanted to let you know there’s hope—not much, but some.” She reached up to touch the necklace of dark green bruises around her friend’s throat. “You won’t always have to live like this, Keelah. Not if I have anything to say about it.”
“Thank you, Bobbi. That’s so kind of you—you’re a true friend.” Keelah’s eyes filled with gratitude. “I promise you that your secret is safe with me. And if those people come for you, I’ll come with you.”
“Good.” Bobbi felt as though a weight had been lifted off her heart. She was glad she’d told Keelah about the Kindred of the Mother Ship—glad that she’d given her abused friend a little hope for the future.
She didn’t know how soon that hope was going to be torn brutally away.
52
“Are you sure you’re ready to go to the women’s room?” Dragon looked at her anxiously. “I don’t like being parted from you—not even for a single night.”
“I’ll be fine,” Bobbi assured him. “It’s the Saurian tradition for a bride not to see her husband for a day and a night before the wedding, right? And it’s already past midday so it won’t be that long.”
“Yes, but even one night is such a long time to be parted from you.” He stroked her hair, looking deeply into her eyes. “I love you, Bobbi. And I can’t help myself—I worry for your safety.”
Bobbi felt her heart melting despite herself. She had tried so hard not to fall for the big Kindred—had done her best to tell herself he was her kidnapper, not her fiancé. Yet now, on the eve of their wedding, she couldn’t say she was entirely unhappy. Dragon was a good man who loved her to distraction and it looked like they were going to be together the rest of their lives.