Read Online My Fair Captain by J.L. Langley - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: J.L. Langley
Tags: gay romance
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politics have always been of major importance here, due to how we gained our freedom from our neighboring systems. And consequently, we are now the ruling planet in the Regelence system.
“Unfortunately, the IN only deals with interplanetary and intergalactic affairs. We had to ensure we had the brightest and strongest warriors to fight for our continued freedom inside our own system. Are you familiar with ancient Terran history and the Sacred Band of Thebes?”
Nate had learned all sorts of things in officer training, but he remembered that part of history well because of his own sexual orientation. “Legendary warriors of ancient Greece. The group was formed of lovers who fought together side by side.”
“Yes. The theory was lovers would fight better together than non-lovers because they would be less willing to disgrace themselves in battle.
It’s a bond even greater than that of family or tribe. Essentially our society was based on the same principal. Young men were kept pure and paired up at adolescence and enlisted together. The practice also served to align certain families. It worked very well and over the centuries we evolved into the male-dominated society we have today. Even though not all men are drafted now, nor are the majority subject to arranged matches, all lords are to remain pure until marriage.”
“I’m surprised. No one has a problem with this?”
Raleigh shrugged. “Like I said, it goes back to tradition. Even though we can now have the advanced technology to create offspring with both male partners DNA, it still goes back to what families once wished to align themselves with, political power. As a teen I hated it too, but it is custom and in all honesty, it has worked so far. We have one of the best
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My Fair Captain
militaries in the galaxy. And we have a much lower crime rate than most planets. Steven, myself, the kids, Parliament, we don’t even need security in our social circles. Don’t get me wrong, we have guards and we have castle security, but we walk freely amongst our people. Not all planets can boast of such. And I’m not saying it’s all due to that rule, but if you start changing things around… There is something to be said for allowing mature men to run the planet.”
It still seemed unfair to Nate, but at least he understood it better.
“Women are free game, but stay away from men under twenty-five?”
“Oh. You prefer women?” Steven asked.
“I do not.” Which was part of the problem, he was liable to find himself with a spouse if he wasn’t careful. That was just what he needed.
Cocking a brow, Steven grinned. “Do you have a consort?”
Nate shook his head. “No, I’ve been on the Lady Anna so long I haven’t had the time to look. It’s only me and my son.” Watching Steven’s eyes light up in a glee made Nate want to kick himself for admitting his sexuality. That look was one Nate knew well and one he’d never thought to see again.
“Do you dance?” Raleigh inquired without removing his hands from his consort’s shoulders.
Damn. Nate dipped his head.
The king’s smile brightened even more. The man was clearly scheming. “Then you will join us tonight. We are attending Duke-Consort Keithman’s ball this evening.”
Opening his mouth to protest and tell the royal couple he needed to question staff, in particular Jeffers, Nate found himself silenced by Steven standing. Nate jumped to his feet, showing his respect.
“Excellent. You will need to keep up the pretense of being only our guest anyway. We don’t want the staff wise to the fact you are investigating them. We will see you this evening, Nathaniel. Please take the time before the ball to rest. You will have all of the next day to investigate.” Steven walked to the door. “Jeffers, you may come back in
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J.L. Langley
and release the security measures on the room. And please open the door.” The door opened and Steven left, a spring in his step.
The man looked
“Unfortunately, the IN only deals with interplanetary and intergalactic affairs. We had to ensure we had the brightest and strongest warriors to fight for our continued freedom inside our own system. Are you familiar with ancient Terran history and the Sacred Band of Thebes?”
Nate had learned all sorts of things in officer training, but he remembered that part of history well because of his own sexual orientation. “Legendary warriors of ancient Greece. The group was formed of lovers who fought together side by side.”
“Yes. The theory was lovers would fight better together than non-lovers because they would be less willing to disgrace themselves in battle.
It’s a bond even greater than that of family or tribe. Essentially our society was based on the same principal. Young men were kept pure and paired up at adolescence and enlisted together. The practice also served to align certain families. It worked very well and over the centuries we evolved into the male-dominated society we have today. Even though not all men are drafted now, nor are the majority subject to arranged matches, all lords are to remain pure until marriage.”
“I’m surprised. No one has a problem with this?”
Raleigh shrugged. “Like I said, it goes back to tradition. Even though we can now have the advanced technology to create offspring with both male partners DNA, it still goes back to what families once wished to align themselves with, political power. As a teen I hated it too, but it is custom and in all honesty, it has worked so far. We have one of the best
-56-
My Fair Captain
militaries in the galaxy. And we have a much lower crime rate than most planets. Steven, myself, the kids, Parliament, we don’t even need security in our social circles. Don’t get me wrong, we have guards and we have castle security, but we walk freely amongst our people. Not all planets can boast of such. And I’m not saying it’s all due to that rule, but if you start changing things around… There is something to be said for allowing mature men to run the planet.”
It still seemed unfair to Nate, but at least he understood it better.
“Women are free game, but stay away from men under twenty-five?”
“Oh. You prefer women?” Steven asked.
“I do not.” Which was part of the problem, he was liable to find himself with a spouse if he wasn’t careful. That was just what he needed.
Cocking a brow, Steven grinned. “Do you have a consort?”
Nate shook his head. “No, I’ve been on the Lady Anna so long I haven’t had the time to look. It’s only me and my son.” Watching Steven’s eyes light up in a glee made Nate want to kick himself for admitting his sexuality. That look was one Nate knew well and one he’d never thought to see again.
“Do you dance?” Raleigh inquired without removing his hands from his consort’s shoulders.
Damn. Nate dipped his head.
The king’s smile brightened even more. The man was clearly scheming. “Then you will join us tonight. We are attending Duke-Consort Keithman’s ball this evening.”
Opening his mouth to protest and tell the royal couple he needed to question staff, in particular Jeffers, Nate found himself silenced by Steven standing. Nate jumped to his feet, showing his respect.
“Excellent. You will need to keep up the pretense of being only our guest anyway. We don’t want the staff wise to the fact you are investigating them. We will see you this evening, Nathaniel. Please take the time before the ball to rest. You will have all of the next day to investigate.” Steven walked to the door. “Jeffers, you may come back in
-57-
J.L. Langley
and release the security measures on the room. And please open the door.” The door opened and Steven left, a spring in his step.
The man looked
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