Our children, their adorable little faces flitter through my head. What will they really look like?
With her great beauty, they’re bound to be the most precious, little things. The future is filled with mysteries. How many children will we have? How many males and how many females?
The people of our planet can only have two children. It’s the way our bodies are made. My older brother died when he was only a baby, so I’m an only child. However, I am looking forward to seeing how my wife and I will have children.
It’s been written in the contract she and I will sign that we will have all the children we are meant to. No contraception will be used. Our planet never had a need to develop it, and I refuse to allow her to bring any of that with her.
We do allow the Earthling settlers to use birth control methods, though. I wish they’d use it more often as their numbers are growing too rapidly.
The subject of children has me thinking of the wedding night which is less than twenty-four hours away. I wonder if she’s nervous. I wonder if she’s been schooled in the physical ways of coupling. Or maybe she’s innocent, and they expect her to be taught.
Some females have been given as gifts to other planets. Most assume it’s a ploy to overtake even more planets. I’m not positive on that yet.
I can see the leaders of Earth wanting to leave the women uneducated about the physical aspects of coupling. Each planet’s beings do things a little differently. If they were to train the women the way Earthlings couple or as they call it, having sexual intercourse, then most would have to retrain them anyway.
It doesn’t matter to me, either way. She and I will find our way through that, I have no doubt. Her curvy body and physical appearance already stir my groin, and that’s really all anyone needs to couple.
The planet grows larger in the window and the time is approaching. My nerves begin to stir also, but not in the way my father thinks. No, it’s excitement that has my stomach fluttering.
My future is about to begin, and I cannot wait for it!
Kataline
Jasmine fills the surrounding air. It’s an aroma that brings me peace, and so I’ve instructed to be piped into the large auditorium I’m being married in.
It seems people have come from around the globe to witness the first marriage ever between an Earthling and a Euthenian. Not only that, but I’m also the first genetically modified female to be married off. The first to be awarded.
The other females will be in attendance. Other than my sister, I’ve never seen anyone like us. It will be interesting to see how each of them reacts as they take a look at their future and fate, similar to mine.
Our leaders have had designers make my wedding dress. They came up in my opinion with a design that lacks much thought. I could’ve designed something more unique if I was to make it on my own.
Alas, it was not up to me. Every noteworthy designer, decorator, culinary artist, and entertainer has been utilized to show the Euthenian visitors how refined, cultured, talented, and clever we all are.
As their civilization is eons older than ours, they will most likely find it low-brained and dim-witted. And here I am at the Apex of all that, wearing a flowing white dress which makes me look like an ancient Greek Goddess.
By Earth standards, I look magnificent, but by the Euthenian standards, I highly doubt it. My black hair has been elaborately braided, studded with real sapphires and tiny white flowers.
My makeup has been done by yet another respected professional make-up artist. When I look at my reflection in the mirror, the Egyptian queen, Cleopatra comes to mind from some pictures I’ve seen in history books.
Deep black lines my eyes, making the blue in them pop. Red stains my rosebud lips and light pink, my cheeks. The door to my dressing room opens and in flounces my older sister, wearing a dress similar to mine, only in light blue instead of white.
“Kataline, you look gorgeous!” Mataline coos at me as she air-kisses near my cheek.
I reciprocate the intent of affection and smile. “You also look gorgeous, sister.”
Her long, blonde locks are piled high upon her head, small tendrils trickle from the mass and curl around her tanned face. Her skin is dark compared to mine. She is in all ways quite the opposite of me. This was what was intended, of course.
Mataline was made to marry the common man she gave her virginity to. “Dane is so pissed he’s been given the task of a common usher. Father and his cronies never cease to point out his humble beginnings,” she whines.
“I’m sorry about that. He is my brother-in-law and the father of my precious nieces and should be more than that in this wedding. Tell me, do the little darlings look completely adorable as my dainty flower girls?”
“Rowe and Cindy look amazing. They’ll be floating down the aisle tossing white, magnolia petals along the trail you’ll be walking down.” She clasps her hands and smiles. “Are you ready for this?”
“What choice do I have? Ready or not, this is happening. Tell me, have you seen Kerr?” My hands knot in my lap, and I spin around once in my chair.
“No, none of us will until the time comes and he takes his place at the end of the aisle, waiting for you.” Mataline giggles and throws her hands into the air. “It’s so romantic! Don’t you think, Sissy?”
A harsh laugh comes from deep in my chest. “Romance has no place in this, Sister. This is a marriage arranged to maintain peace between Euthenia and us. I am, but a pawn and I see nothing romantic in that.”
A decanter of golden liquid sits amongst small crystal glasses. Mataline takes two and fills them. Handing one to me, she says, “Kataline, you drink this and settle that temperament of yours which has been known to work against you from time to time.”
I sip, but her hand on the bottom of the glass makes me take in more, and I drink it until the last drop of sweet liquor flows down my throat. In moments the calming effects warm my skin, flushing it a bit, and my mind eases.
Her eyebrow quirks up into an arch. “Better, Sister?”
I nod and giggle a little. “Oh, Mataline! I’m about to be married and become a princess of an alien planet! I have no idea what the man looks like, and he is to be my husband and my ruler for the rest of my life! Quick, one more drink. My heart is pounding, and my feet are itching to run and get my body away from here.”
She fills my empty glass and hands it to me. “Try to think of this as an adventure, Sister. Remember when we were young and made up all types of adventures we took in the confines of our estate? This is the epic adventure, and this one is for real!” She spins around and laughs. “You’re about to go to another planet. Another word, Kataline! It’s amazing!”
The door flies open and in comes our father. “It’s time, my darling!”
My heart stops, and I toss the drink down my throat. He holds a small, leather-covered box and opens the top. A simple band made of obsidian based titanium in black is in the box. “Am I to give that to my new husband?”
He nods. “It’s been handcrafted by our top jeweler. The first of its kind. When you will be asked to place your ring on Kerr’s finger, this is what you’ll be putting on it. It’s very nice, don’t you agree?”
“It’s shiny and black. A simple ring. I suppose it’s nice. Do you think he’ll like it, Father? That’s what really matters.” I look the ring over and think it looks very masculine. I wonder if the man I’m about to marry is a masculine man.
He is royalty. He could be scrawny and small. Perhaps that’s why he isn’t marrying a woman of his own kind. A dainty, gold band might be better suited if the man is not quite masculine.
“It’s a thing of great beauty, he’s sure to love it. Add the fact it comes from you, and it’s a given.” My father touches my chin, making me look at him. “You look gorgeous, Kataline. Now let’s get your veil on and get you to him.” He turns to my sister. “Scoot! Get out there and follow those pretty little daughters of yours down the aisle. Then I’ll bring out your sister.”
/>
“Okay,” she says as she hurries out the door. With a quick look over her shoulder, she says, “I love you, Kataline. See you soon!”
My father pulls the handmade lace veil over my head, covering my face. It's sheer enough to make out a few of my more prominent features but demure enough to mute my face, keeping it a secret from my future husband until after we are married.
My father leads me down the long hallway and then to the top of the stairs. I must walk down a long flight of stairs and then a long aisle before I can get to the end and my husband to be.
I was given the contract Kerr wrote for us. I’m about to take the vows he has in it and sign the document that will bind me to him for the rest of my life. Even in the event of his death, I can never remarry. I am his until I am no longer able to breathe, until my heart takes its last beat, and my brain has its last thought. Only then am I to be released from the contract.
The music is nice as I stand at the top and watch my nieces float like angels just above the floor. They have their hover shoes on as they requested and I allowed them to wear. The dark blue carpet is clean in front of them and littered with white flower petals behind them. My sister trails after them.
I look around and see smiles on everyone’s faces. All the way at the very end, a man in a dark blue suit, a sash of purple running over one shoulder, he is not smiling. He wears a grim face. It makes me uneasy.
“Who is the man there, Father?” I whisper as I gesture to the man.
“That, my dear, is the king of Euthenia. Kerr’s father.”
“He looks anything but happy,” I say and find my heart faltering.
“It matters not if he’s happy or sad. Kerr is happy about this, I assure you.” My father takes my hand and places it in the crook of his arm. “Looks like your sister has made it to the end. It’s nearly our turn.”
And then the man I am about to marry enters the room. At the end of the aisle, he walks in from the side. A white, linen suit flows over a large, muscled body. He wears a purple sash, just like the one his father has on. Long, flowing blonde waves fall over his broad shoulders. My knees go weak.
Even from so far away as I am, I can see he’s gorgeous, and I can barely breathe. “Father, is that Kerr?”
“Yes, that’s your husband to be, sweetheart.”
My eyes rake over his perfect body and then his face as I try hard to see him better from this distance. As if he feels my eyes burning into him, he looks up at me and a smile covers his chiseled face.
He’s happy to see me!
“Father, I might faint. I might go weak in my legs. Please do not let me fall,” I say in a whisper as I don’t have enough breath to speak any louder.
“I will not let you fall. Are you ready, Kataline?”
I nod, and the music of the wedding march fills the auditorium as my father takes the first step of the journey that will take me to my future. Bits of manufactured snow begin to fall as I take the first step of the long staircase. On the left side of me are the Euthenians. On the right side, there are people from Earth.
Though similar in facial appearances, the Euthenian men are all muscled and quite gorgeous. I’ve yet to find an unattractive male, no matter their ages.
The women are rather plain, though. Most wear smiles on their faces, and none wears make-up. In my contract, it states I’m allowed to wear makeup and have my hair styled as I please.
Kerr must want to make changes in how the women are treated on his planet. That’s a good thing in my book.
I look back at my people and find them beaming at me. Though I personally only know a handful of them, I’m shocked by the strangers who seem so happy for me.
Then my eyes land on the other females like me. It’s obvious they’re different. They sit a little straighter than the normal women. They have them sitting in the outer seats, still separated though by each row.
Each one gives me a nod as I pass and reaches out and touches the hand with which I hold the bouquet of flowers. All have an inner glow that shines out, and all wear peaceful expressions on their vastly different but beautiful faces.
I count thirteen of them, all in every shape and color. All look to be around my age, early twenties, and it seems they made no more of us.
How I’d love to be able to talk to them. I get a buzz of emotion and energy as each one touches me. It’s as if we are all sisters, which I suppose may be true if even one set of DNA runs through us all. But that’s not a thing anyone has seen fit to let us know.
Finally, I reach the last stair and can walk along the carpet path to my betrothed. My heart starts to pound harder in my chest, and then a sudden release of white doves comes over my head, startling me.
My father tights his arm, steadying me and I continue on the path. He whispers, “Hold steady, darling. There is about to be two bursts of flaming fireworks go off just as we pass the area a few feet in front of us. Try not to get started again.”
I get ready for what is sure to be a loud noise and a lot of light, and even though I am ready, the booming noise has me fighting myself not to run down the aisle.
Sparks of light burst on either side of me and I close my eyes and let my father lead me on. After an eternity to get to where I’m going, I find my sister taking my bouquet. My father slips the box with the ring into my right hand and places my left hand into Kerr’s. He is the most amazing man I’ve ever laid eyes on, even from the ones in the books.
Blue-green eyes pierce as they look to me although my veil hides me from him. I take a deep breath and try not to pass out. Then the music stops, and the actual marriage ceremony begins.
Am I really ready for this?
Kerr
Though I’ve yet to see my bride completely as her lace veil hides her from me, my heart pounds with anticipation, and I have no doubt I will find her amazing to look at. Her hand is shaking as she places the black wedding band on my finger.
Electric sparks run through my hand at her touch. I place the ring I have for her on her slender finger, one that belonged to my great-great grandmother, and then I’m told I may kiss my bride as the contract has been read out loud and each of us has answered yes to everything and signed the document.
I steady myself to see her in the flesh. I’ve heard her voice and find it fascinating, soft and light, yet so much strength behind it. She has to be an amazing woman.
I ease up the lace veil and there, I find her. Her face holds so much beauty it makes my heart ache.
This woman is now my wife!
“Hello,” I say as I gaze at her.
“Hello,” she says. Her red lips are left parted just a little.
This is her very first kiss, from what I’ve been told. I’m a stranger to her, and I know this has to be frightening for the poor thing. I ease my hand to grasp the back of her neck.
Her deep blue eyes flash with panic for just an instant. I cannot breathe, I cannot think. Our lips touch, and I can vaguely hear cheers from the crowd. My head is going light, and her body is leaning into mine.
I wrap my arms around her and can’t seem to take my mouth away from hers. I gently push my tongue through her lips and find she tastes honey. Her hands run down my back, sending waves of heat through me.
Finally, the man who officiated the ceremony lays his hand on my shoulder as he clears his throat. Reluctantly I pull my mouth away from hers but still hold her tight in my arms.
I can feel her heart pounding against my chest as I look down at her. She looks into my eyes, and I see their blue has darkened to the color of a stormy sea.
The man’s voice makes us look at him as he places his other hand on her shoulder. “I introduce to you the prince and princess of the Euthenia Nebula.”
I run my hands down her arms, taking one hand in mine. I turn toward the crowd and look at her with a smile. As I hold up our clasped hands, the crowd goes insane with cheers.
The entire room darkens as the lights go out, and fireworks fill the night sky overhead as
the domed roof has been pushed back. It’s all surreal and gorgeous, but it’s her who fills my thoughts.
Can there really be love at first sight?
She has to be all the things I thought she was. Kind, nurturing, sweet.
I take her hand and bring it to my lips. Then I pull her to me, wrapping my arm around her waist. Leaning in, I whisper, “I am very pleased with you, Kataline.”
With a turn of her head, she smiles. “I have to admit I’m pleased with you as well.”
I emit a low growl. “I cannot wait to take you to our marital bed after the festivities.”
A blush pinks her cheeks even more, and her long, dark eyelashes flutter against them. “Words are escaping me, sir. And I’ll have you know that’s not an easy thing to do to me.” Her eyes meet mine. “Is this a sign of things to come? Are you prone to such indecency?”
“Not until you came along I wasn’t.” I run my hand down a bit and playfully smack her on the ass.
Her eyes go wide, and her hand covers her mouth. She hisses behind it, “Scoundrel!”
“I just might be one,” I say with a laugh.
Is it possible for her to affect me so quickly?
The fireworks end and some band starts playing a slow song. I take her in my arms and dance her up the aisle and to a private room I’ve been told to take her to so we can take a small break before we attend all the festivities planned for this auspicious occasion.
Once alone I can finally take her all in. I am so happy I took this award the Earthlings gave. Though happy is too shallow a word for how I’m feeling at this moment, on the first day of the rest of our lives.
Kataline
Though tired in body, I’m anything but in mind. Kerr is proving hard to resist. A foot taller than me and three times my width, he towers over me. His thick, blond hair is silky, and my hands keep running through it of their own accord.
Zuran: A Paranormal Sci-Fi Alien Romance: Albaterra Mates Book 6 Page 32