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Authors: Tracy St. John
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permission to do so at a younger age.”
She blinked at him, as if surprised. Her stern expression eased just a touch. In a softer tone than she’d used before, Katherine told him, “I want to see them. I want to see my little ones.”
Simdow hesitated. He wasn’t sure he should allow it.
Katherine stepped closer to him. All the coldness in her face fled, and her big blue eyes beseeched him. The look on her face threatened to unhinge his knees. No one had ever given him such a pleading, heartbreaking look.
He was shocked anew when her tiny hands wrapped around his. She was touching him. She stood close enough for him to feel her warmth. To smell the sweet, clean scent of her. Simdow stared, his mind washed clean of everything but the lovely face peering up at him.
Her voice implored him, filling his ears with entreaty. “I need to see them, First Officer. I need to know my girls are all right. Please. They are like my own children to me.” Her voice caught on the next statement she uttered. “I’ll submit to whatever you want, but let me see my girls.”
Simdow’s chest throbbed at her desperate concern. Her devotion to the younglings was as obvious as if he’d felt it himself. He wondered, if he settled her nerves over the welfare of the little ones would she look upon him and his clan with less dislike? Would letting her see the girls show how he placed her in the highest of regard?
It was an opportunity he didn’t dare pass up. “We will take you to visit the young ones.”
Katherine’s eyes closed with relief. Her hands tightened on his for a moment before releasing their tender grip. “Thank you.”
Before he could respond, she turned back to the other women who waited and watched in silent fear. She told them, “I am going with these men to visit the younger aspirants. Be brave, all of you. Remember, no matter what happens, you are in the care of God. Keep praying that he sees fit to deliver us all.”
There were murmurs of tearful support. Simdow saw how the women looked to Katherine, the hope she put on their faces. He suddenly felt terrible for their fates. He knew the clans on his ship were made up of good men. For the rest of the women not claimed by them, only those clans passing rigorous standards back on Kalquor would be allowed to claim them. Still, it had to be frightening for these women to be made mates to men they didn’t know. Simdow sent a silent plea to the ancestors that the clans receiving these women would be patient and kind.
After a few encouraging words, Katherine gave Simdow her attention once more. “All right. I am ready to go with you to see the children.”
Simdow nodded. He cupped her elbow in his palm, not knowing if she would allow him such familiarity. When Katherine didn’t pull away, he nearly sighed in relief. Vadef walked on the other side of her, and Miv followed close behind them. They left the room with the greatest hope a clan could imagine; in the company of a potential Matara.
Simdow watched the beautiful Earther move at his side with poise and grace despite the terror she no doubt felt. While all women were special, he had no doubt this was the best of them all. A woman others looked to. A woman who put others ahead of her own welfare. Who faced the unknown without hesitation.
Simdow suddenly worried he might not be Dramok enough for such a female. How could he hope to win the heart of one such as her? His mind scrambled for a way to impress this woman with the ultimate kindness of his intentions.
Chapter 4
The men took Katherine to the chapel. The building was like all the rest on the colony, a simple box-like white structure but for the steeple at the top. Inside, it wasn’t quite as utilitarian as the other convent buildings with its stained-glass illuminated inserts that mimicked windows. The soothing scent of incense, burned at
She blinked at him, as if surprised. Her stern expression eased just a touch. In a softer tone than she’d used before, Katherine told him, “I want to see them. I want to see my little ones.”
Simdow hesitated. He wasn’t sure he should allow it.
Katherine stepped closer to him. All the coldness in her face fled, and her big blue eyes beseeched him. The look on her face threatened to unhinge his knees. No one had ever given him such a pleading, heartbreaking look.
He was shocked anew when her tiny hands wrapped around his. She was touching him. She stood close enough for him to feel her warmth. To smell the sweet, clean scent of her. Simdow stared, his mind washed clean of everything but the lovely face peering up at him.
Her voice implored him, filling his ears with entreaty. “I need to see them, First Officer. I need to know my girls are all right. Please. They are like my own children to me.” Her voice caught on the next statement she uttered. “I’ll submit to whatever you want, but let me see my girls.”
Simdow’s chest throbbed at her desperate concern. Her devotion to the younglings was as obvious as if he’d felt it himself. He wondered, if he settled her nerves over the welfare of the little ones would she look upon him and his clan with less dislike? Would letting her see the girls show how he placed her in the highest of regard?
It was an opportunity he didn’t dare pass up. “We will take you to visit the young ones.”
Katherine’s eyes closed with relief. Her hands tightened on his for a moment before releasing their tender grip. “Thank you.”
Before he could respond, she turned back to the other women who waited and watched in silent fear. She told them, “I am going with these men to visit the younger aspirants. Be brave, all of you. Remember, no matter what happens, you are in the care of God. Keep praying that he sees fit to deliver us all.”
There were murmurs of tearful support. Simdow saw how the women looked to Katherine, the hope she put on their faces. He suddenly felt terrible for their fates. He knew the clans on his ship were made up of good men. For the rest of the women not claimed by them, only those clans passing rigorous standards back on Kalquor would be allowed to claim them. Still, it had to be frightening for these women to be made mates to men they didn’t know. Simdow sent a silent plea to the ancestors that the clans receiving these women would be patient and kind.
After a few encouraging words, Katherine gave Simdow her attention once more. “All right. I am ready to go with you to see the children.”
Simdow nodded. He cupped her elbow in his palm, not knowing if she would allow him such familiarity. When Katherine didn’t pull away, he nearly sighed in relief. Vadef walked on the other side of her, and Miv followed close behind them. They left the room with the greatest hope a clan could imagine; in the company of a potential Matara.
Simdow watched the beautiful Earther move at his side with poise and grace despite the terror she no doubt felt. While all women were special, he had no doubt this was the best of them all. A woman others looked to. A woman who put others ahead of her own welfare. Who faced the unknown without hesitation.
Simdow suddenly worried he might not be Dramok enough for such a female. How could he hope to win the heart of one such as her? His mind scrambled for a way to impress this woman with the ultimate kindness of his intentions.
Chapter 4
The men took Katherine to the chapel. The building was like all the rest on the colony, a simple box-like white structure but for the steeple at the top. Inside, it wasn’t quite as utilitarian as the other convent buildings with its stained-glass illuminated inserts that mimicked windows. The soothing scent of incense, burned at
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