Free Edgar Aeternum, Book 1: Tales of Aeternal Love by Jay Belle Isle

Those
Thraxian men who manage to survive skulk around like human
homosexuals did in the 1940s on Earth. Or, if they're smart, they
leave Thraxus. That is a shame of another sort, unless their chosen
career happens to be offworld transport. And some humans used to
think that all male flight attendants were gay; they'd shit if they
knew about Thraxian spacers.
    It's a totally repressive, fucked-up
culture, in my book. But, the world doesn't live by my book and
it's not my place to be judge of all. I'll leave that to those on
Genesis. And the Thraxians themselves, of course. It's good that
Anice is bisexual, though. While they'll kill a dude for it,
Thraxian men just love watching two women get off on each other.
The wife's consent is irrelevant, depending on the husband. Anice,
child, what have you got yourself into?
    Don't get me wrong; there are a million
things right about Thraxus. Art, science, music, literature,
medicine… all of it a thousand times more advanced than the next
closest comparison. It just amazes me that they never got over the
misogynist bit. It's not even a religious thing. Thraxians laughed
at the concept of god before humans ever walked erect. It's a
deeply-held philosophical deal.
    I've tried more than a few times to
understand it, but I've known too many kick-ass women to buy into
it. It's kinda like how people used to train elephants: Put a chain
on the baby's ankle so damn heavy the poor little shit can barely
move and by the time it's an adult – capable of squashing your
sorry ass – a lightweight rope is all it takes to restrain it. The
elephant could snap the rope in a heartbeat, but it doesn't believe
it can; so it never does. Thraxian men are in for a world of hurt
if Thraxian women ever figure it out! Serves 'em right, too.
    "I know!" Jace said, exasperated. His
outburst brought Edgar out of his surprised reverie. "I have no
idea what the hell she was thinking. Do you know what her life is
going to be like, Edgar?" The pain in Jace's voice showed his deep
concern for Anice's well-being rather than anti-Thraxian
prejudice.
    "Yes, actually, I do," Edgar said, shaking
his head. "Are you certain this is her choice and that she's not
being coerced? I know love can make us all stupid sometimes, but
Thraxian men are known for being good lovers and persuasive
debaters."
    "No, I'm sure it's all free will," Jace
answered. "Not that Anice couldn't be persuaded, but she told me
how they met and fell in love. He's here studying, ahem,
'primitive' art; they met at a gallery showing two months ago. They
left after the show and spent the night at an all-night cafe,
drinking coffee and talking art. She said they only just slept
together two weeks ago; 'It's a meeting of the minds, hermano , not the loins,' she tells me."
    Edgar worked hard to stifle a laugh at Jace's
spot-on impression of Anice; he even nailed the haughty tone. Jace
caught the look in Edgar's eyes though, and burst out laughing
himself. Surprised, Edgar joined him and the two laughed like
fools, stopping only to thank the waitress as she delivered their
drinks.
    " Gracias, amigo , I needed that," said
Jace, wiping tears from his eyes. "Ahhh... I can always count on
you for a good ear and a strong shoulder." Jace took a sip of the
cocktail, eyes widening, "And strong drinks! What did you do, have
her dump half the bottle in?"
    Edgar chuckled, "You sat right there when I
ordered you a double! You looked like you could use it."
    "True that, but a little warning next time,
eh?" Jace's smile and wink told Edgar his friend was only
joking.
    "Well, as hard as it might be, Jace, if she's
really in love..." Edgar left the sentence hanging.
    "I know, I know," Jace said. "It is hard,
though. Yeah, she can be a royal pain in the ass, but she's still
my sister. I asked her what she knew about Thraxian culture and she
rattled off some things even I didn't know. Like, for instance, did
you know Thraxian men sometimes insist on their wives having sex
with