Free One Thousand Brides by Solange Ayre

days passed while the committees worked. The food committee came up with a menu and then interacted with the computer to find Terilian equivalents. The vows committee squabbled endlessly about the wording. The music committee faced problems too, as everyone had different ideas as to what was suitable and no one seemed to know all the words to the Chicken Dance.
    Arguments about liquor raged until they discovered the Terilians didn’t drink. Instead they filled little bags with a fragrant herb and inhaled. Jan requested that niphela be brought to the Great Hall. Many women doubted that it would affect them but it turned out they’d become sufficiently Terilian to get a pleasant buzz from the herb. Half a day was wasted in experimenting with the substance.
    Everything they requested had to be overseen by Delos but that wasn’t a problem. Approvals came through so quickly that Jan suspected he hadn’t even listened to them—wherever he was keeping himself. He hadn’t been near her in several days. She wondered what he was doing and why he hadn’t tried to see her.
    One afternoon, Jan was enjoying a hot-chocolate-like beverage and small, meat-filled rolls with the rest of the Brides when a rolling messenger entered the Great Hall. The tiny machine stopped at the doorway. “Janis Stone, you are summoned,” it announced.
    She followed it out into the corridor, hoping the summons had come from Delos. “Where are we going?” she asked.
    “To Primus Taddus’ cabin.”

Chapter Seven
     
    Jan’s apprehension grew as she paced after the messenger. Delos had said everyone had sworn not to have intercourse until the Spring Running. Did that include the primuses? Or would Taddus try to force himself on her?
    Rape is impossible in our culture. Delos had said that too. But her growing fear made his earlier statement difficult to believe.
    Taddus was standing impatiently in the doorway of his cabin as she approached. He smiled when he saw her. His yellow eyes seemed to search every inch of her body, lingering on her breasts and her pelvis.
    “Janis, please come in. I thought we should have a talk before the Spring Running.”
    She hesitated. “On Earth, women don’t enter the homes of men they don’t know.”
    “The messenger shall stay, if you like.” He bent and addressed the machine. “Bear witness that I will do nothing to the human woman without her consent.”
    “Witness function activated.” The machine rolled into a corner and extended a blinking glass lens.
    Jan entered his cabin. It was three times the size of hers, with heavy, wooden furniture that was permanently affixed to the deck. One entire wall showed changing pictures, like the corridors. Jan assumed they were scenes from Teril.
    “Please—be seated,” Taddus said, bringing out a stool for her.
    Jan sat, arranging her tunic over her knees. She was very conscious of the sheer material she wore.
    He stared at her nipples. “Your soft breasts entice me, Janice. Perhaps you’ll let me lick and suck them.”
    She tossed her hair. “I came here to talk. That’s all.”
    He turned and paced toward the bed. “You’ve been spending much of your time with Secondus Delos.”
    “Delos and I have become good friends,” Jan answered.
    “Not surprising. Everyone likes Del. He’s considered quite brilliant in his field, you know.”
    “I didn’t know. He doesn’t speak of himself much.”
    “The cream of Teril was chosen for this colonization venture. The best Teril had to offer.” Coming closer, he put his hand on her shoulder. She inhaled, trying to decide what she thought of his scent. “So I understand your liking for the young doctor. But primuses have first choice and I have chosen you as my Bride.”
    Perhaps this was her chance. “You may have chosen me but I haven’t chosen you.”
    He laughed indulgently. “But you will, my dear. When I come for you at the Spring Running, you’ll be happy to mate with me. And I will be proud to be