Page 16 of Eclipse Bound
"You’re glowing," Rowan whispered, eyes wide.
The alien finally noticed her. "I see you have located your woman with the compatible biorhythms." He circled Rowan, studying her with unnerving intensity. "She seems adequate."
"Solar," Eclipse warned. "We discussed proper Earth protocols."
"Yes, yes. Don't call humans inadequate to their faces. I remember. I said she is adequate." Solar waved dismissively, causing the lights to flicker again. "But we have more pressing issues. Lunar is displaying signs of possible mate fixation on a loud female, and if he follows his instincts, he may?—"
"He wouldn't harm her," Eclipse interrupted.
"Of course not," Solar looked offended. "But he might be attempting communication, which would be far worse. You know how he gets. All shadows and cryptic statements. Humans find it unsettling. I have seen references in their horror movies. They will try to exercise him."
"Exercise?" Rowan looked between them, her skepticism evaporating with each passing second. "I think you mean exorcise."
"Yes." The golden shimmer of Solar's skin couldn't be makeup, and the way the electronics responded to his presence defied explanation.
"You really are aliens," she said faintly.
Solar turned to her with a brilliant smile that was literally so dazzling that she had to shield her eyes. "Of course we are. Did Eclipse not explain properly? Galaxy Alien Mail Order Brides sent us to your primitive planet to find mates and prevent an interplanetary war. Though why anyone would want to mate with a species that can't even regulate their own bioelectricity is beyond me. No offense."
"Solar," Eclipse said sharply. "Find Lunar. Now. Before he causes a diplomatic incident."
Solar gave a mock salute and started to leave.
“Wait,” Rowan demanded. “You can’t keep walking around the retreat like that. I have a suite put aside for you. It’s private.”
“Find him and then find the suite. Stay out of sight,” Eclipse said.
Solar left with spark trails that faded before touching the floor.
Alone again with Eclipse, Rowan found herself at a loss for words. The evidence of her eyes contradicted everything she thought she knew about reality. And if that wouldn’t have been enough, the lingering feeling inside her body was.
"Are you alright?" Eclipse asked, his voice gentler than before.
"I don't know," she answered. "I think I'm having an existential crisis."
"That is a common response to first contact scenarios," he said. "Your cognitive framework is adapting to new information."
"That's one way to put it." Rowan ran a hand through her hair, dislodging her neat ponytail. "So let me get this straight. You three are from a planet called..."
"Zorveya."
"Right. And you're here because your planet is divided between light and shadow people who hate each other, and somehow finding human wives will fix that?"
Eclipse winced slightly. "That is an oversimplification, but essentially correct. Solar represents the Solarus Zone, Lunar the Lunaris Zone, and I am from the Twilight Belt. We were chosen as representatives for a diplomatic experiment."
"To prove that if three very different aliens can peacefully exist on Earth and find love, your warring factions might be able to coexist?" Rowan summarized.
"Yes," Eclipse looked impressed. "You understand quickly. I had feared it would be more difficult for the human mind to reason."
"And this Galaxy Alien Mail Order Brides?"
Eclipse sighed. "Yes. They abandoned us. They are the only corporation with the necessary permits for this type of cultural exchange. Their competence is questionable."
Rowan laughed despite herself. "That's putting it mildly if they crashed you into Pete's crystal shop."
Eclipse's expression softened at her laugh, and for a moment, Rowan felt a connection growing between them.
The moment was broken by screams from the hallway, followed by the sound of breaking glass.
