“I don’t even have to sleep in the same bed as him?”
“That’s your choice, but it would be highly irregular for a husband and wife to sleep in the same room,” he said, shaking his head absently.
“Huh.” Jade faltered at that. This was such a huge departure from what she was used to. She could pick any of the hunks she’d just seen, have them lavish her with adoration for a few months, get her own clean room and bed to sleep in and then just walk away? “How do the men feel about doing all of this stuff?” Jade asked, knowing that if the roles were reversed, she’d be rebelling.
Zikas furrowed his brows at her question. “What do you mean?”
“I can’t imagine most men want to dote on some needy woman endlessly. Isn’t it a bit cruel to use them like that?”
Zikas still looked confused but smiled absently. “If a male is unable to be sexually interested in females, then he’s exempt from marriage unless he’d like to try and have a child. I can’t think of any other circumstances in which a male wouldn’t be happy about being chosen for a marriage.”
No matter how many times she went through it in her head, she couldn’t find any downsides. The men would happily take care of her, according to Zikas. She didn’t even have to have sex with them. She grinned inwardly. But I could. Only two weeks ago, had Jade gotten her birth control shot. That meant she had three months of protection.
Having a few fun months of sex with a gorgeous guy and then leaving? This could end up being a hell of a vacation. Just one possible catch. “Zikas, what happens in three months if I don’t want to be married anymore? Do I have to get married again to someone else because I’m human?” She studied his face, searching for any signs of deception.
“No. You can either live in The Pearl Temple with other single females and do what you please, or you can get married again. We only require that you meet with someone weekly so you can learn more about the workings of our world.”
“The Queen told me I could live somewhere else on the planet. Is that right?” Jade didn’t like the idea of bunking with a bunch of alien women for months at a time.
“You could, but I’d advise against it until you become more familiar with our people and our planet.”
She’d see about that. “And then in one year I can leave Clecania?”
Zikas looked disappointed as he said, “Yes, but as I said before, you cannot go back to Earth. Any space craft landing there or even being near there would be a breach of The Planetary Sanctuary Treaty I told you about.”
“Of course. I meant just leaving this planet.” So I can find some unscrupulous group to take me back, anyway. Jade’s mind rebelled against the idea that she’d never be going back to Earth. She would find a way. If there was a way to be taken from Earth, then it would be possible to return there.
Zikas nodded solemnly and inclined his head toward her.
She knew he was waiting for her decision. Would she be stubborn and be dragged every step of the way? Or was she about to make his life easier and do what he asked?
Jade reminded herself that if she didn’t choose a man, Zikas would pick for her.
An image of that tattooed warrior flashed in her mind. It wasn’t likely that Zikas would choose him for her. He probably would assume she’d be as scared of him as the other women were. If she wanted to go home with Mr. Sex-on-a-Stick, she’d have to pick him herself. “Okay, I’m in then.”
Zikas exhaled a breath of relief. He glanced behind him to Nedas, who was still glowering at her from near the exit. “If I can trust you not to run away again, I’ll send your guard away.”
Jade nodded quickly, relieved she’d no longer have to be watched by an angry linebacker.
“Wonderful! We’d better hurry,” Zikas exclaimed as he sped away, motioning for Jade to follow.
When they reached the door, he said something quietly to Nedas. The sour guard glared at her for a moment before nodding stiffly and stalking away.
Turning to Jade, he continued to speak quickly. “What happens now is you’ll pick three to five males you liked. I’ll give you their file, and that’ll tell you everything you need to know about their abilities.”
Zikas ushered Jade out of The Viewing room they’d been in and down a much more lavishly decorated hall she hadn’t noticed before.
Well, I had been a little angry, I guess, she thought as she now admired her surroundings. Deep magenta walls complemented the dark wood floors. Along the wall, golden lamps in the shape of large flying creatures were illuminated.
Something Zikas had said earlier finally registered. “Abilities? Am I marrying one of the X-Men?”
Zikas wasn’t paying her much attention when he answered, “Yes. What? No. I don’t know what that is. I can explain everything to you while you get ready.” The fact that Jade had finally relented and agreed to willingly go through with this marriage seemed to overjoy him.
“I can’t wait to see who you’ve chosen.” Zikas suddenly stopped to look at her. “I’d be more than happy to make some suggestions or give you a little background about the males. I’ve known most of them since they were children.”
“Uh. Okay, thanks. I’ll probably take you up on that.”
Zikas continued walking quickly down the hallway until he reached a tall, arched wooden door. He faced Jade and with a grin, he said, “Ready?”
Chapter 9
“Ready for what?”
“To choose the males, of course!” Zikas said as he guided her through the large door.
“I have to do that now?” Jade said, astonished.
Inside was a room similar to the room she’d just been in. The far wall was made entirely of
