Page 95 of Phoenix's Fire

"And not always one man and one woman," Meri said, showing she'd accepted that much.

Jeera reached over for Brielle's hand. "Exactly. That's why we're a couple, Meri. Saveah had one man. Lessa has many, along with some women, but never marriage."

"Shit," Lessa grumbled in Vestrian. "How do you explain to her that I'm not even dating them?"

"I'm not sure she's made it that far," I said.

Which made Lessa flash me a smile. "But you have?"

"What?" Meri asked, proving she didn't understand any of that.

"Lessa likes to kiss and have sex with people," I said, "but she isn't married to them. She doesn't even want to be intended for them, or a prospect, or even have them as suitors."

"Close enough," Lessa assured me with a smile.

I let out a tense breath, because this wasnoteasy. Trying not to offend anyone while doing my best to explain the cultural differences and switching languages? I was sure I was messing up somewhere, but at least Saveah and Lessa seemed to be following along, even if their English wasn't good enough to speak it.

"And the man with the reddish beard?" Jeera said. "Irrik? He is our boyfriend." She gestured to herself and Brielle.

"But why?" Meri asked.

Jeera just smiled at her. "Because I like Brielle and want to be with her. I alsolike Irrik and want to be with him. We keep hoping he will have a baby with a Reaper woman - since he lives with them - but he refuses to date anyone but us."

"Dating is like betrothal," I hurried to explain, "but without marriage at the end. It's when two people decide they like each other."

"A relationship," Naomi clarified. "That's what we call it, because marriage isn't the goal for everyone, Meri. Not all people here believe in God. Some, like my family, do. Others do not."

"I do not," Lessa said in pretty good English, pointing at herself.

"And there are people who believe in other gods," Naomi went on.

But while she talked, Lessa passed the fabric to Meri, then stood and gestured for Saveah to take the chair. Since my sister was holding Taris, that was nice of her. But then Lessa confused me even more. Touching my arm lightly, she guided me to a smaller sofa with only two spaces, and encouraged me to sit beside her.

Shifting to Vestrian, she said softly, "Hey, I'm sorry I was..." She paused to make a little noise, clearly picking her words. "I wasn't nice to you when we met."

"You thought I was trying to take your man," I said, showing I understood. "Zasen is just my friend."

"No, he's not." She gave me a long look, making me realize her eyes were the same blonde shade as the rest of her. "Ayla, he likes you. Kanik likes you. Hell, even Rymar probably does, but he's less likely to settle down."

"We're just friends," I promised. "I don't want to get married."

She gave me a disappointed look. "And yet you were just telling Meri that marriage isn't required?"

"Well... But..." I sputtered.

Which made her laugh gently. "All I'm saying is that it's okay," she assured me. "I mean, Rymar was right. Zasen and I aren't meant to be a thing. So, you know, if something happens between the two of you, I just wanted to make sure you know it's okay."

"But I wouldn't!" I breathed.

She smiled at me gently. "You should. Or with Kanik, or Rymar, or anyone else. Ayla, you deserve to control your own life, and I don't get the impression you want to be alone. I could be wrong. Shit, I'm usually wrong, but for the last couple of days, I was thinking about what you said."

"Which part?" I asked.

"About how women take care of each other - or should. Up here, that isn't always true, but you said it with such conviction, and it makes me think that maybe you Mole women have the right of it. Talking to Meri before you got here? I can't even understand everything she says, but I can see she's nervous. I can hear how meek she is, but looking at you, I have to wonder if she was made to be like that."

"We all were," I admitted. "From the time we move into the girls' wing - which is anywhere from six to ten years old - we're punished if we are too loud, too brazen, or not submissive enough. Every day, we go to sermon to learn our place,and that our duty is to be righteous and fruitful. If we try to be anything else, we're punished."

"With the back of a hand," Jeera said, proving she was listening in. "Just ask her about punishment, Less."

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