Free One Thousand Brides by Solange Ayre Page A

married to the most beautiful Earth woman on the ship. Now, let us talk and get to know each other’s essences. Once you know me better, I’m sure you will be pleased to be my wife.”
    She tilted her head, considering his words. “Go ahead. Talk all you want.” She already knew that nothing could make her choose him rather than Delos.
    He smiled, entirely missing her sarcasm. “Not only beautiful but a female of sense.” He brought another stool close to hers.
    He told her of his family’s glorious heritage, the exploits of his explorer father, Gazeem, the beauty and wit of his mother, Alora, the fame and intelligence of his siblings. He spoke at length of his years at school, his training in governance, the prizes he’d won for his carefully reasoned papers. He talked about the wife he’d brought on board with him and how happy she’d been, married to a primus and a council member.
    Jan felt like she was on a bad date with a man who wouldn’t let her get a word in edgewise.
    At last he rose, saying he had something to show her. She took the opportunity to say, “Taddus? Wouldn’t you like to hear about my life on Earth?”
    Turning back quickly, he said, “Janis, you’re Terilian now. I believe the sooner you forget your old, primitive life, the better.” He opened a metal chest and lifted out a copper necklace. “I’d like you to wear this. Consider it the first of many gifts you will receive, as the wife of Primus Taddus.”
    “Perhaps you should wait until we’re married.” Panic shot through her as he lowered the heavy necklace over her hair.
    “No, I wish to see you wearing this lavish gift.” Taking her hands, he helped her to her feet. “It enhances your beauty, my dear.” Keeping hold of her hand with his left, he stroked her cheek with his right. “As my wife, you’ll enjoy the best quarters, the best food. You’ll be richly dressed at all times. You’ll never have to work.”
    “I might want to work,” Jan suggested.
    “But you won’t, my dear. Your days will be spent in leisure. All males will envy me—even the other primuses.”
    His hand moved down her neck, stroking, caressing. She shivered. Like Delos, he was touching her gently, trying to give her pleasure. But she felt no response.
    “Let me touch your breast,” he murmured.
    She hesitated. But after all, why not? If she had to marry him, she might as well see what he was like. “You may touch me,” she said.
    He rubbed his cheek against hers affectionately. Why did it mean so much more when Delos did it? His fingers went to her breasts, circling the nipples, attempting to stimulate her through the sheer fabric.
    Taddus’ hands were skillful but he might as well have been a doctor giving her a breast examination. She wasn’t interested.
    To stop him, she put her hands to his face. He turned his head, licking her palm. If Delos had done the same thing, she would have trembled with delight. When Taddus did it, she wanted to wipe her palm.
    “Taddus, I don’t want to marry you.”
    His smile was patronizing. “All females are nervous prior to the Spring Running, Janis. Once we’ve mated, you’ll be content—you’ll see.”
    “There are almost a thousand other Brides on the ship. Choose another. Choose someone who will be proud to be your wife.” She took a deep breath. “Let me have the husband I want.”
    “You only think you want Del. You’ll forget all about him after the Spring Running. Glorious beauty like yours must not be wasted on a mere secondus.” He patted her cheek. “A year from now, we’ll look back on this conversation and laugh.”
    “You’re not listening to me. Do you really want an unwilling wife?”
    “But you won’t be unwilling, sweet Janis. You’ll enjoy our many matings at the Spring Running.”
    She bit back bitter words. There was simply nothing she could say that he’d hear. “I’m leaving.”
    He glanced at the silently witnessing machine, then stood back to allow her