Page 40 of The Pregnancy Pact

“Here you are,” I said. “An official contract between us. You give me a child, I give you all that you asked for.”

She accepted it, her blue eyes meeting mine briefly. Just as quickly, her gaze dropped to the glowing screen. Edging away, I seated myself at my desk, watching her read.

It took her longer than it might have for an Asterion. After all, she was not native to our language. I also judged, by the way her face knitted in concentration, that she was focusing fiercely on each word, each phrase, ensuring I’d not attempted to throw in any tricks or surprises.

I hadn’t.

I was well aware that I was equally as bound to this unpleasant situation as she was. In truth, I needed her more than she needed me. She was my wife, which meant I bore the responsibility to keep her fed and clothed and housed, no matter what. She bore no true responsibility towards me. She had no reason to give me a child, an heir, unless she chose to. After all, I would never force her, and she knew that. Thus, the disadvantage was mine. I’d tried to be fair in our terms, offering her what she wanted in return for what I needed. I suppose I must have done a credible job, for she finally looked up, nodding.

“It seems alright,” she announced. “I read it twice. I didn’t find any loopholes. I also appreciate that you didn’t add in anything about me having to sleep with you whenever you wanted.”

“I decided there was no need,” I replied smugly. “I know, once you’ve tasted my abilities, you will be coming to me as often as I wish.”

She raised her brows. A smile twitched at her lips. “I gotta hand it to you,” she said, “you’re not short on self-confidence.”

“Why would I be? I know my abilities.”

“Well, I hope they lie in other things too, and aren’t merely sexual,” she replied, with a roll of her eyes.

I narrowed my gaze at her. “I am a skilled diplomat. I am a skilled leader. Why would you doubt me?”

“I don’t, necessarily. It was sarcasm. Oh, never mind. Here.” She rose and walked towards me, proffering the screenpad. “I’ll sign it when we have a mecha to witness. I don’t want anything going south here.”

“We are not going south,” I responded, accepting the pad. How could she not know that? “We are headed directly east.”

Again, she rolled her eyes. “This language barrier might take some getting used to. It’s just a human expression. Honestly, I don’t even know where it came from, but it means I don’t want anything to go wrong.”

“Nothing will go wrong,” I assured her. “We will be married until you are ready to dissolve the union. You will give me a child. After we separate, we will work out an arrangement for the child to visit you. I will maintain you in comfort for the remainder of your days. It all sounds very suitable, yes?”

Something crossed her features. I found it difficult to define. I thought, however, there was sadness. Longing.

“Didn’t you ever wish life would quit throwing you crap bombs and you could be in a normal happy, healthy marriage with somebody you loved more than life itself?” she whispered. “I’ve seen those kinds of marriages. Haven’t you? Wouldn’t you give almost anything to have that for yourself?”

The questions stirred up memories of my son and his human companion. They shared such a love, a love I’d tried my best to crush and destroy. Inside, I squirmed with guilt. Outwardly, I retained my composure.

“The universe guides all of our lives,” I responded. “Some are blessed with the gift of a true mate. Others will never have that pleasure. It is all a matter of chance.”

“Maybe.” Although she shrugged in acquiescence, her expression remained sad. Weary, even. “I’ve heard of the Asterion idea of mates. Sort of like soul mates on Earth. I know it’s not possible for us, but that doesn’t mean we can’t wish for better than what we’ve got. I wonder if you and I would be better people if we’d been loved better. If, having been loved properly, we’d know how to love properly.”

I confess, the last thing I’d imagined was a conversation of such vulnerability. Such naked truths. Uncomfortable, I edged a step away.

“We can only manage the path the universe lays out before us,” I replied. “We are not mates. We do not love each other. That is the honest truth. Therefore, we do the best we can. We create a pact to keep us both honest, we live this part of our lives, then we move on to the next.”

“And maybe we’ll get lucky when we’re old and find our mates then?” she asked, a little glumly. “That’s discouraging.”

“Or we never find them at all. Which is far more likely.”

She laughed harshly. “You’re a real ball of sunshine.”

I had to contemplate her words.

“If you mean I will fake happiness and joy in order to ease others’ sensibilities, then, no, I will not. You asked for honesty. I am being honest. The odds of us having fated mates or finding them are not high.”

“Gee, sounds like we have a lot to anticipate,” she said dryly. “Can’t wait to spend the next however many years with you.”

Chapter 24

Lorelai

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