Page 120 of The Seducer
“I still don’t understand how it’s possible,” Willow said again and I smiled a little because the girl wasn’t going to let Finn ignore her this time. “People in our countries are as different as two breeds of dogs,” Willow said pragmatically. “Nmen father the Nboys and Motlander men father the Motlander children. It’s always been that way.” Willow pointed to Solo, who towered next to her with his six feet two. “That’s why Nboys are tall and strong, while our boys are pretty and gentle.”
“You’re right,” I confirmed. “That’s how it’s always been, but comparing us to a breed of dogs is maybe a bit harsh.”
“Why?” Willow asked. “Humans have produced specific traits in dogs for centuries; it’s the same with Nmen and Motlanders. We’ve been moving in different directions for hundreds of years now, so how did Finn father a Motlander child?”
I chose the truth. “Maybe the selective breeding, as you call it, has been part of the problem. We were just discussing the same thing with Pearl and Khan, and the truth is that in the Motherlands we now have a desperate situation where we need men who can procreate. That’s why some children are now being fathered by Nmen.”
“Was I fathered by an Nman?” Raven asked. “I’m not exactly tall for my age, but I’m strong.”
“It’s possible,” I admitted and faced eight other children who also wanted to know if they had been fathered by Nmen.
“We don’t know, and it’s really only by chance that Finn and Tristan found out.”
“That reminds me,” Finn looked at Mila. “Magni wants me to run a test on you. He wants to know if he’s your biological father.”
Mila lit up. “Is he?”
“No, honey,” I said with a quick smile. “It’s almost impossible. I think Magni got carried away with Finn being Tristan’s dad and all. I can almost guarantee you that he’s not your father.”
“But hecouldbe?” she said in a hopeful voice.
“Yes, theoretically.”
Mila and the other children were debating whether or not it was best to be the child of an Nman or a Motlander.
“Solo,” Archer barked at one point and frowned at the large boy.
“What? I didn’t do anything,” Solomon defended himself.
“Tone it down, will you?” Archer told him.
Solo looked annoyed but he didn’t challenge Archer and my curiosity made me whisper to Kya. “What was that about?”
“It’s Willow and Solo,” Kya whispered back. “Look at them. They’re like two magnets and it’s gotten them in trouble before. He’ll take her hand when he shouldn’t and if we don’t keep an eye on them, they’ll sneak off to be alone. The only time Solo behaves is when Magni is around.”
I looked at Willow and Solomon again, and asked the obvious question. “What’s wrong with them holding hands?”
“Don’t even get me started,” Kya whispered back. “Archer and I have been pretty large-minded about it, and everyone here knows that Solo and Willow see themselves as a couple. The Nmen have all these silly rules and I worry for her. In six months Solo will be leaving and Willow will never see him again.”
I angled my head. “You shouldn’t be so certain. Finn and Tristan found each other, and that was against all odds too. If Willow and Solo are meant to be together, their paths will cross again.”
“How many times do I have to explain it?” Hunter was raising his voice in frustration as the argument continued among the children. “Of course Willow was fathered by an Nman,” he said “We’re twins and obviously have the same parents.”
Some of the other children weren’t so sure about it, and no matter how emphatic he was, they wouldn’t listen and it enraged Hunter, who hissed, “You’re not listening to me.”
Shelly walked by and placed a hand on his shoulder, “Stop arguing about it, Hunter.”
“But I’m right,” he pointed out and just received a sympathetic smile from Shelly.
“I know, but their minds are made up, so there’s no need to confuse them with facts.”
A different argument between Raven and Nero caught my attention when Raven complained with a pout, “That’s rude, Nero.”
“I’m just being honest,” Nero said with an attitude. “I don’t like Motlanders and I don’t likeyou.”
“But my dad is an Nman,” Raven defended herself.
“Boulderadoptedyou, that’s not the same as fathering you.”
