by Regine Abel
Two weeks ago, I would have vehemently argued against the color. At least for me since Khel no longer displayed any signs of the Taint. By Xelixian law, he would be classified as Prime. As for me, gorging on Amalia’s oxytocin since our mating, left my face Taint-free and my skin a flawless shade of light dusky grey. The only remaining traces of Taint were a smattering of dark splotches on my chest. By Xelixian standards, I was a Norm.
That still boggled my mind. I was the same male I’d always been. But my world had completely changed. Hiding my body and face when I left the estate wasn’t required anymore. I could wear lighter shades of grey, instead of black under the stifling suns. I could aspire to any position in any company with good working conditions. Prominent venues, clubs, restaurants and shops would all welcome me with respect now. It was so wrong…
We finished dressing and I gave myself one last look in the mirror. The outfit Amalia chose was flattering and elegant in an understated way. Feeling exposed and naked, I itched to wear a hood or veil. With a sigh, I turned to find Amalia and Khel staring at me; her with open desire, him with admiration. My face colored.
“You’re so beautiful, Lhor. Those bitches who thought you unworthy are going to eat their hearts out.” Amalia looked at me with an air of ownership and pride. “They can watch and drool all they want, but all that sexiness is mine.”
“Stop embarrassing your poor mate, my heart,” Khel said, coming to my rescue. I didn’t know how to handle compliments – but I loved the attention.
“But it’s so much fun!” she grinned, her eyes gleaming. “Come on, my mates! Time to make you officially mine.”
* * *
We reached the Fastening Hall in record time. Ghan, Sohr, and Yhan accompanied us for added security. It was Amalia’s first time in such a public setting since her heritage had made headlines. We knew there would be a lot of gawkers with Amalia and Khel becoming superstars. However, the swarm that greeted us exceeded even our wildest expectations. All eyes were on Amalia and Khel. But I drew my fair share of attention due to the possessive arms she looped through Khel’s arm and my own.
The Confirmation Ceremony took place two hours before the Fastening Selection. Aspiring males arrived at that time to register and hand in their banners. With a great deal of sympathy, I watched two dozen males, most of them Tainted, walk toward the Aspirants’ Hall.
One of them noticed us and paused, stopping those behind him as well. They followed his gaze and their collective eyes widened. The first male looked at Amalia with a mixture of awe, longing, and hope. He saluted Khel with respect and his actions were soon imitated by the rest.
He and I both started when Amalia approached the males and saluted them in the Veredian tradition. The crowd around us fell silent, drinking in the scene.
“I wish you the best of luck this day, good Sehrs,” she said in a husky voice. “I see you and you’re all beautiful. Whatever happens today, know that every one of you is worthy and deserves to be chosen. May the Goddess shine a kind light upon you.”
She had no idea what an impact her words would have. She thought to give hope to a few males, but she was putting a soothing balm on a far deeper wound. The Tainted loved her before, now they would revere her. To be addressed with such kindness and respect publicly, to be seen and deemed worthy by a Pearl was unheard of. This would be broadcasted throughout Xelix Prime. I couldn’t have orchestrated this better if I planned it. The males were choked with emotion when they reciprocated the salute. Amalia looped her arms once more with ours and we headed for the central altar. The loud buzzing of conversation followed us.
We were about to step onto the altar when Fihn stepped in front of us, staring at me. “My apologies, Sehr,” he said to me firmly but kindly. “Only mated couples are allowed here at this time. Witnesses go upstairs to the balcony. Aspirants to the Hall on the left.”
“Which is exactly why he’s coming with me.” Amalia showed him my ringed hand.
“But…” He looked at Khel in shock.
Fihn’s eye flicked to Khel’s hand noticing his own ring. He ogled Amalia for a moment before regaining his countenance. He shook his head slowly at her, a disbelieving smile blossoming on his lips.
“You never do things by the rules, do you?”
She shook her head, grinning.
He had no idea how accurate that assessment was. With a slight bow, he waved us along before greeting the other couples. The conversations in the Witnesses stands grew louder when they saw the three of us standing on the altar. All eyes were on us, many directed to me. My whole life, I had wished to be seen. Right now, I’d give anything not to be.
“It’s okay, Lhor,” Khel said, sensing my distress. “Don’t let them faze you. You’re right where you belong.”
Goddess, how I loved that male. We should have been born identical twins. I was about to respond when Magister Zhef marched in our direction, frowning. Fihn intercepted him seconds later and spoke quickly in his ears. He no doubt updated him on Amalia claiming me as Second Mate. Zhef’s eyes widened and locked on each of our hands as if seeking confirmation from our mating rings.
Taking a deep breath, Magister Zhef resumed his advance toward us. Fihn watched him with a worried expression. Zhef stopped before us, greeting Amalia and Khel, but blatantly ignored me. I gritted my teeth at the sting of rejection.
“Seha Praghan, Sehr Praghan, Advisor Fihn informs me that you wish to add another male to your bond.”
“That’s correct.” Amalia grabbed my hand. “Lhor is my Second Mate.”
Still ignoring me, he said, “It’s your prerogative to handle your mating as you see fit. However, the Confirmation Ceremony is between a female and her chosen. No one else. The second male can go to the Record Keeper in the back office to register your binding once the ceremony is concluded.”
The bitter bile of humiliation hit me in the gut again. I mentally prepared for the walk of shame off stage. Until this moment, I hadn’t realized how badly I wanted to be publicly claimed.
“I don’t think so, Magister Zhef,” Amalia retorted, taking a step toward him. “Lhor isn’t a shameful secret to be recorded in some back office. He’s my Second Mate, chosen freely and proudly. I’ll claim him here for the whole world to know he’s mine and I’m his. Unless you wish to break the law?”
I don’t know who was more stunned, Zhef, Khel or myself. I just knew I couldn’t love her more than I did at this moment, whatever the outcome.
“The law says second matings do not require a ceremony.” I hated his superior tone.
Amalia narrowed her eyes. “Article 2:14 of the Mating Law states that a First and Second Mate can be chosen during the same Fastening Selection. You all forgot to mention that during our introduction to the Fastening. This is highly questionable and prosecutable,” Amalia said to Zhef’s utter dismay. “Article 2:17 states that during the Confirmation Ceremony, if a female wishes to formalize her mating with both males, she can do so during the ceremony. Which I’m doing. Are you challenging that law, Magister Zhef?”
He stared at Amalia speechless. No wonder she’d been so dedicated to learning the law over the past weeks. I should’ve known all this but Tainted males didn’t bother with Family Law; it usually never applied to us. She had him in a bind, and he knew it.
“It… It simply isn’t done in Capital District,” he said as a last resort.
“Well, as of today, it will be,” Amalia said. “Unless you would like to explain to the throng of media out there why you’re denying a female her legal right to confirm her mating with her chosen?”
He made a choked sound before casting a desperate glance toward Prime Whil Dervhen, the jerk who riled up Khel after the Selection. Interesting that he should seek his support in this matter. I filed that information for later.
“Very well.” Zhef stormed away to his position to begin the Ceremony.
“My mate…” Khel whispered, “you’re amazing!”
“Better believe it!” s
he said smugly. “No one gets to fuck with my family ever again.”
She squeezed my hand as the Ceremony began. It went by in a blur, as insipid as the Fastening Ceremony had been. I was too elated to care. The roar from the stands when Amalia claimed me as her Second Mate was deafening. I couldn’t tell if it was in approval or outrage. Either way, I didn’t give a shit. I, Lhor Kirnhan, was publicly claimed before all of Xelix Prime by the most amazing female in the world.
After the ceremony, not wanting to attend the small reception, we tried to make a discreet exit. A swarm of people and reporters, cameras in tow, awaited us on the steps of the Hall. This needed to be handled carefully. Ghan, Sohr and Yhan were close by, scanning the crowd for trouble. We needed to get this done and get out quickly. It wasn’t safe. Questions were thrown at us from every side, but one caught Amalia’s attention.
“Seha Praghan, Nikha Drubhen from the Xelix Express,” the reporter shouted over the rowdy crowd. “How did you get the Magister to allow you a Second Mate?”
“It wasn’t the Magister’s place to allow or disallow anything.” Amalia lifted her chin. “The Xelixian Book of Law clearly states that every female is entitled to a second mate and that she’s allowed to record it during the Confirmation Ceremony. I merely exercised my legal rights.”
“The Book of Law says that?” Nikha raised a dubious eyebrow.
“Family Law, articles 1:94 to 2:33. You should find it revealing,” Amalia said with a smirk. “The question shouldn’t be why I availed myself of those rights, but rather why the majority of Xelixians seem unaware of their rights… Except those in the Xelhon District that is.”
Until this moment, I never realized a female quoting articles of law could be such a turn on. It was a good thing my pants were loose enough to hide how hard I was for my mate right now.
The reporter listened for a second to a personal com from the receiver in her ears before looking in shocked wonder at Amalia.
“I just received confirmation from my colleague that the law indeed allows it.” She looked stunned. “So you’ve claimed the most powerful…” her eyes roamed over Khel, “…and most beautiful…” her eyes slowly undressed me, “…that Xelix Prime has to offer. You could have shared.”
“Yes. My mates are magnificent, aren’t they?” Amalia said. Nikha answered with a voracious nod. “And yet, they could’ve been yours or any other female’s had you given them the time of day. They were heavily Tainted during the Selection. I was the only female who bothered looking at the males past the Norms. All these years, they were ignored as unworthy. But I saw the amazing males beneath the Taint. I hate that they suffered years of rejection, but I’m grateful it meant I got to claim them. Ask yourselves, how many other such treasures were discarded?”
Before Amalia, I would have welcomed any female who accepted me. Now, I thanked the Goddess for those painful years and their culmination in the greatest of gifts.
“Things are not that simple,” Nikha said defensively.
“Things are only as complicated as we make them.” Amalia eyed the crowd. “I just saw two dozen males enter the Aspirants’ Hall. In a few minutes, their Selection will begin. Most of them display advanced Taint. They all deserve to be chosen but will likely be ignored. I pray the females will at least take the time to look at them and see the male behind the Taint.”
Nikha turned to face Khel. “General, could this second mating weaken your Council position? It has happened with the Xelhon Counselor.”
Khel seemed pleased by the question. “Actually, I’m relinquishing my Council seat.” Shocked murmurs rose from the crowd. “I’m a warrior, not a politician. When Lhor became Amalia’s Second Mate, he also became my Consort. As per the Book of Law, a Consort can take over the Council duties of a seat holder.”
“Is it true there are more Blood Houses on Xelix Prime?” she exclaimed, loving the juicy scoops she was getting live on the national network.
“If there are more, we will find them,” Khel said with a curt nod.
“Councilor Kirnhan, how do you feel about this appointment?” Nikha asked. “What are your first plans of action?”
“I’m honored to take on this responsibility on Khel’s behalf.” My voice was as confident as I felt. This was my element. “Politics and law have always been a passion of mine. As a Tainted male who’s been at both extremes of the spectrum, there are a number of topics dear to my heart that I will fight for in chambers. Namely minimum wages, working conditions and social rights.”
A light blinked in a window across the street, distracting me. Khel saw it at the same time. On instinct, we both threw ourselves over Amalia, taking her down, and sheltered her with our bodies. Fearful screams and shouts resounded around us as people stampeded away. I heard the sizzling sound of an ion blast. The pain I expected didn’t come, nor did I feel any from Khel. Confused I looked up.
Standing on each side of us, a Tuurean male and female held a particle shield before us. The male fired his blaster at the window. Amidst the fleeing crowd, two males dropped their hooded cloaks, revealing a pair of Guldan assassins. They marched towards us. After a quick glance at her partner, the female Tuurean dropped her half of the shield and pulled out her celesium sword. The male extended the shield to compensate.
Down the stairs, Ghan battled three other Guldans, while Sohr and Yhan headed for their own set of Guldans not far from the Tuurean male.
“Stay with her!” Khel shouted to me. He drew his own sword to assist Ghan.
The female Tuurean stopped the first of the two approaching Guldans in the most spectacular fashion. Whipping her head, the tip of her armored braid extended to wrap around the male’s throat. Yanking her head back, she pulled him toward her sword, impaling him. The Guldan only realized what happened when he saw the sword protruding through his chest. She dumped him without another glance, facing his incoming ally.
They battled with swords in a graceful ballet. The Guldan male was good but the Tuurean female was breathtaking. In desperation, the male tried to latch onto her braid. Razor sharp spears protruded from its armor, shredding his hand to pieces, severing at least a couple of his fingers. They flopped to the ground. He let go with an agonized cry and the spears receded. She knocked him to the ground with a kick in the back of the head. Grabbing her blaster, she shot him once. I thought she killed him, but the shallow rise and fall of his chest confirmed he still breathed.
Paralyzed.
Of course, they’d want one alive to interrogate. A third Guldan marched towards her and they locked swords. He was skilled and challenged the Tuurean female. Looking toward me, she shouted, “Behind you!” She tried to run to us but her opponent wouldn’t relent. Instinctively, I drew my sword and turned in time to see a Guldan charging me. I blocked his descending sword, pushing Amalia behind me. I didn’t fight non-virtual opponents often, but the male was no match for me. He soon found my sword piercing his throat. His two other friends were a different story.
They raised odd-looking blasters and aimed them at the Tuureans. My first thought was what a stupid move to make. Everyone knew the bio-nanites in the Tuurean armor deflected or absorbed pretty much any type of blaster shot. Then they fired. I blinked through the blinding glow. The sound of nearby swords clashing was replaced by the sizzling sound of what looked like an electric net, immobilizing each Tuurean. Their celesium armor shifted, sharp blades protruding in an attempt to sever the threads of the net, but the net seemed to shift with them.
Gharah’s blood!
This was not good.
The Guldan battling the female Tuurean towered over her restrained body. He raised his sword.
“No!” Amalia shouted, running towards the female.
My heart stopped. “Amalia, no!”
I wanted to run after her, but the Guldans who had shot the nets were swinging their swords at me. Dodging and deflecting my attackers, I tried to keep an eye on Amalia.
The Guldan swiped down his sword, intending to beh
ead the female Tuurean. The blade bounced off her armor, leaving her unharmed. His angry roar died in his throat when Amalia picked up the Tuurean female’s sword and swung at him. He barely managed to block her attack, before retaliating in kind. Swift as the wind, Amalia dodged and swung at him again. She drew blood. Enraged, he came at her in a frenzy. I hoped she wouldn’t try to parry; he was too strong. Thank the Goddess, she didn’t, and waited for him to charge her again. Amalia used his momentum to get behind him and slashed his hamstrings with the sword. He fell to his knees, shouting. A quick movement of her hand turned his cries into gurgling sounds, blood pouring from the claw marks in his neck.
Amalia leaned forward and hissed into his face before he fell over, dead.
Gharah’s teeth! Don’t mess with a Veredian in her season!
Searing pain on my left arm reminded me I was involved in a battle of my own. I cringed at the cut, but fortunately, it seemed shallow. With a few moves, I managed to disarm one of my attackers and kicked his sword out of range. From the corner of my eye, I saw Amalia touch the net restraining the Tuurean female. It stopped shifting, allowing the sharp blades from the celesium armor to sever the strands. The strands snapped with a hiss, releasing an acrid smell of ozone as they fell around the Tuurean female, freeing her.
The disarmed Guldan went to grab the Tuurean male’s sword. As soon as he held it, vicious spikes protruded from the pommel, severing his hand above the wrist. It hit the ground with a meaty thud and the clanking of metal. The Guldan collapsed with a shrill shriek, holding his bleeding stump to his chest. His screams were silenced by the Tuurean female’s blaster. My remaining opponent stared in horror at his crippled acolyte. Taking advantage, I slammed the pommel of my sword against the back of his head.