Free Icarus Unbound by Bernadette Gardner Page A

thirty years ago when the first hybrids were born and it's still a fear now. I'm not sure how to combat it."
    Lara felt worse now than she had before Odan arrived.
    While asking for a dissolution of her union with Jaran would solve the problem, it would also serve to permanently separate her from Icarian society. Walking away from her mate would mean accepting at least one condition of failure, and she loathed that prospect.
    "How am I supposed to prove myself?" She threw her hands in the air and ruffled her wings in frustration. "I've created three hybrid fruit trees and helped extend the southern growing season. I'm this close to finding a cure for kelp blight. What more can I do for Icarus, Odan? This is my home and these are my people. All I've ever wanted was to help this world."
    Odan squeezed her shoulder. "Lara, you are worth something to Icarus. Your contributions are valuable. Don't let the committee make you doubt your importance here."
    "Too late. I had no idea they thought so little of me."
    Odan cursed. "They don't. That's not the point. The point is, the next mating cycle will begin to produce offspring who could be closer to full Icarian than any of their parents.
    There's a belief that proper mate pairing will eventually breed all human traits back out of the population."
    "Why do I make such a difference? Why does it matter so much what I do? Jaran and I could have one child this cycle and possibly one in the next and then he'll become infertile 76

    Icarus Unbound
    by Bernadette Gardner
    again. The most we can contribute is two people to future generations that won't mate for thirty or forty years."
    "Like I said, it's mostly nonsense. Political nonsense. And the underlying worry that we will never be a genetically unique race again. But as Daralei said at the meeting, if they wish to uphold Icarian tradition, you can't be dismissed just because you're human. If you can prove your contribution to Icarian society, they have to accept you."
    Lara paced in a tight circle. "But how do I do that?
    Everything I've done since I earned my degree has been to help Icarus. I don't know what else I can accomplish before the mating cycle begins that will change anyone's mind."
    Odan sighed. "I don't know either, but give me some time.
    Maybe I can figure something out."
    Lara studied the handsome man before her. He resembled Namara who had been her own mother's dearest friend.
    "You'd help me?"
    "Of course."
    "Why? You have to know better than anyone that Jaran and I don't belong together. Do you know why he's doing this? What is he trying to prove?"
    Odan leveled his own golden gaze at Lara. In that moment, he resembled Jaran even though they were not related by blood. "Only he can tell you what he's trying to prove, Lara, but trust me when I tell you, Jaran has made the proper choice. His reasons are valid."
    Lara would have scoffed, but Odan's voice held such conviction. What did he know about Jaran's motives that he wasn't telling?
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    Icarus Unbound
    by Bernadette Gardner
    She crossed her arms over her chest and eyed him skeptically. "If I want to remain part of this world, I have to follow through with this. If you think you can help me—"
    "I'll do my best, for you and for Jaran."
    "All right. I believe you, but if it looks like things won't work out, I need you to do something for me."
    "What?"
    "Convince Jaran to dismiss me and pair me with someone else immediately before the committee does it for him.
    Otherwise I'll be an outcast for the rest of my life."
    Odan offered Lara his hand, a human gesture, but one she appreciated. She put her fingers into his palm, and he closed his other hand over hers. "I'll try, Lara, but my greater fear is that Jaran will step down as leader rather than give you up.
    As much as I believe you belong with him, I don't want to see that happen."
    "You don't really think he would give up his rule for me, do you?"
    "Like I said, only Jaran can tell you his reasons."
    "Well, I wish