Page 3 of Kranow (Brides of the Mylos #4)
She ’ d bathed, styled her hair, and put on the nicest clothes she had from her limited selection. She ’ d carefully applied her makeup and rehearsed her apology. Now she stood at the dinner table, gripping the back of her chair as she stood behind it. Maya and Torval were watching her intently, looking puzzled as to why she wasn ’ t sitting down while the meal cooled upon the table.
“ So, ” she said nervously, addressing them both. “ I ’ ve done a lot of thinking on things and been dealing with stuff at therapy and all, ” she began. Shit. That isn ’ t what I wanted to say. “ I mean, that is …” She trailed off, looking down at her hands before taking a deep breath. “ I ’ ve done a lot of things I deeply regret. I could have handled things a lot better when I found out Maya had applied for the Bride Scholarship, and I certainly had plenty of chances to fix things and didn ’ t. I just let all that anger boil up inside until it exploded and I took it out on the wrong people. I hurt a lot of people, including Maya, and I ’ m ashamed of what I ’ ve done and how I ’ ve acted. ” Tears fell onto her hands. “ There ’ s no way I can undo what I did, but I hope you can forgive me. I ’ m trying to think of a way to apologize to everyone, you guys, and Melissa and Junrig, the Bride Fleet, everybody, and try to make amends. I ’ m not sure what I can do, but I think I ’ d like to do something benefit the Bride Fleet, somehow. ”
Maya rose from her seat and came around the table. Marley found herself engulfed in a tight hug. The two sisters held onto each other, crying. “ I forgive you. I should have talked to you about it first, not just come out of nowhere with it. I should have had Mama and Daddy go get you and drag you to the wedding. You cut yourself off, but we let you do it. And as for the Human Right stuff, well, I ’ m sure if you apologize and let them know you want to give some kind of restitution, something can be found, right, Torval? ”
Torval nodded solemnly. Marley sobbed harder, this time in relief. She hadn ’ t been rejected and a path forward was opening to her. Now I know what they mean by cleansing tears.
****
Gundar eyed the missive once more. It looks like we made the right choice. The written apology was short but sincere. A copy had also gone to Melissa and Junrig, he saw. The Council were urging them to respond favorably, hoping that acceptance and understanding would help mend things further. He frowned at the final paragraph from the Council.
It is the wish of the Council that she comes to request matching so that we may alert her and her mate to their compatibility. Upon a successful conclusion to their mating, it is desired that her mate be reassigned to your ship and for herself to take up the post as teacher. As an experienced educator with relevant experience, she would be a valuable asset. She would be of service to the Fleet and provide a boon to the families she sought to hurt, serving a dual purpose. Should this situation come to pass, it is also the recommendation of this Council that the human public be made aware of her apology, her mating, and her desire to be of service to the families of the Fleet.
He growled. He was willing to accept her apology, but put her in charge of young without supervision, to guide them? That was not going to happen. She would need to be supervised. A second teacher, perhaps, as well as the classroom AI. Xeranos and the techs will need to modify it to monitor her closely and interface it as needed with security. IF she registers as a bride, that is. We already know she has a match. He pinched the bridge of his nose. What else could they add to my plate?
Moments later he had his answer to that question. A human Bride had approached him after hearing about Steve and Hathor. She ’ d made an application to run a matching service for Mylos who preferred males. She had made an interesting proposition, and it seemed that the Council was giving her the go ahead. Gundar groaned inwardly. This meant hours of negotiation with various ambassadors from the various countries on Earth, an addendum to be signed and ratified to their treaty, and resources to be allocated.
Still, it is a good thing. More children in happy families and becoming Mylos, adding to our diversity. He thought of his own bride. One day, we too will have a young. He decided to ignore the fact the woman who had orchestrated hate against the Mylos and their Brides might one day teach his young. That time was not now and he knew Melissa might never apply to be a Bride.