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vaguely heard Bron speaking to her before he left the tent. She sat on the
    bed, stunned, horrified, terrified. Her hand moved to cover her stomach. The pleasure
    of Bron‘s touch had been too much to resist. She couldn‘t stop herself. She‘d been
    possessed. It felt unlike anything she‘d ever experienced, and now the residual pain of
    their joining was an all too real reminder of her impending death.
    Mortality. It wasn‘t something she was supposed to face. That was why women
    from her planet—make that her exploded non-existent planet—used transmitters to
    exchange pleasure essences. She and Riona were the last of their kind. The only men in
    the universe who understood her biological clock were dead.
    ―And I‘m about to join them,‖ she whispered. Tears entered her eyes. ―I‘m
    dying.‖
    She glanced around when no one answered. Bron had left her and she
    desperately wanted him there to hold her, to somehow reassure her. Yes, he was a
    stranger, but he was the only thing she had. She thought of her sister, but Riona would
    provide little comfort. She might understand, but the woman would merely mock her
    or, worse, look at her with pity.
    The empty tent provided little solace. Crying harder, Aeron collapsed onto the
    bed. ―What have I done? What have I done?‖
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    Michelle M. Pillow

Chapter Five
    Bron kneeled in the dark temple, unmoving, arms outstretched, until dawn
    peeked through the narrow stone window. Even then, as his arms dropped from
    exhaustion, did he remain, until the sunlight traveled down the wall to hit upon his
    face. His mind replayed the events of the evening, of his failures, over and over again.
    His knees ached when he finally stood, but he ignored the discomfort. He
    wanted to go to Aeron, but first he needed to make an appearance at the preliminary
    showing before the king and queen. Many of the grooms did not make it to that part of
    the traditional ceremony. The elders tended to look the other way at the absences, but
    Bron was not about to allow another slip in propriety.
    The three suns were shining brightly on the red Qurilixian soil. The soft green
    sky began to replace the darkness. Knowing where the servants would keep the
    clothing, he made his way through the forest, over yellow fern groundcover and fallen
    colossal leaves. Small animals shifted the ferns from beneath. He sensed rather than saw
    them. A purple bird flew nearby. The supply tent looked like the others without a
    banner to signify a family line. No one questioned him as he entered, found his clothing
    and quickly slipped into it. He left the loincloth behind, as he would no longer need it.
    The loosely fitted, black pants and dark red tunic shirt, though nicely made, were more
    in line with what he wore every day. Gold embroidered trim decorated the shirt‘s
    edges. It was the first time he‘d worn the garment and it felt a bit tight around his
    shoulders. Before he left, he ordered a man to bring Aeron the gown he‘d ordered made
    eight years ago for a new wife. It matched his clothing.
    The brides were still sleeping. It was expected they would be absent this morning
    if the men had done their duty by them. The thought caused Bron to look down at his
    crystal. Luckily it still glowed. Had it stopped there would have been no hope for him.
    Seeing the councilmen gathered around his uncle, the king, he nodded and took
    his place in line. He wondered if they knew his shameful secret, if they could detect
    what he had done. Other new husbands stood proudly, waiting to be acknowledged.
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    His Highness The Duke
    Like most Draig ceremonies this one would be short. Bron did not see his brothers in
    attendance, nor three of the four princes. Prince Ualan grinned at him. Bron nodded
    once as he stood next to him.
    ―Many blessings, cousin,‖ Bron said.
    ―Many blessings,‖ Ualan answered. The man could barely contain his
    excitement. ―It is a fine morning, is it not? Though I see our younger brothers