Page 6 of Varro's Human Bride
She peered up at Varro in astonishment as he placed her suitcase in a storage compartment underneath the craft. If Varro was using a hover transport, that must mean he was a member of the ruling class. Not to mention, very wealthy. Nova had told her a bit about the differences between the lower classes and the ruling class on Tarrkua. The ruling class was small but powerful and they usually lived in large, lavish compounds with their entire families.
The lower classes, on the other hand, lived in much smaller houses—though Nova claimed even the smallest houses in the capital city were larger than most of the homes in New Leesburg back on Earth. Also, the lower classes were forbidden from holding most positions in government. Nova had alluded to there being some tension between the ruling class and the lower classes, and Julie sincerely hoped this would not make it more difficult for her to seek out her sister.
Varro held onto Julie’s hand and assisted her as she stepped up into the hover transport. The sleek vehicle was humming slightly and the comfortable interior reminded her of the inside of old-fashioned cars she had seen in a history museum in her dome-city. She sat back in the wide seat and her heart raced as Varro slid in beside her, even though there were two other wide seats in the back, each appearing to be built for three or four Tarrkuan-sized individuals. Since the craft could seat so many people, she found herself wondering just how large Varro’s family was.
Would they all live in the same house? Or did Varro have his own house on his family’s compound? She wanted to ask these questions but hesitated, worried that he might take her questioning the wrong way. She didn’t want him to think she was disappointed over their living arrangements before she’d even seen them.
Above all else, you must make him love you.
Would uncertainty sweep through her during every little interaction she had with Varro? She hoped not, but she didn’t see how she could push her worries away. She needed to watch her words and deeds. Careful. She must always be careful. And perfect. There was no room for mistakes. Her pulse skittered as her anxiety mounted higher and higher.
The door of the hover transport closed and Varro said something to the driver in his native tongue, but he spoke so quickly that she had no hope of making it out. This didn’t help her nervousness and she hoped Varro was truly patient with her as she better learned his language. Oh, how she wished she’d had more time to prepare for this journey.
The driver turned the transport around and guided it through the dispersing crowds until finally reaching a clear street, at which point he accelerated.
Varro touched her hair, lacing his fingers through her locks. Then he moved closer and wrapped an arm around her. “You’re shaking, sweet human.” Thankfully, he spoke in English.
She gulped hard and tried to think of a good response, but she came up empty. Yes, it was true. She was trembling. She couldn’t help it. This was her first day of her brand-new life. A life that technically wasn’t supposed to be hers.
“Caylee,” he said. “You needn’t be afraid of me. At least not unless you’ve been disobedient.” Though a slight smile grazed his lips, a somewhat stern look entered his dark eyes.
“Forgive me. I hope my shaking does not offend you. I must confess I am nervous. This is my first day on your planet. It’s a bit overwhelming. Not in a bad way, of course, but it is so much different from Earth. It’s so strange to be in a wide-open place outside of a dome-city.”
“Are you sure that’s the reason for your shaking? Or are you perhaps nervous about what’s going to happen when we get home?” A primal gleam entered his dark depths, causing her trembling to worsen and her heart to skip a beat. He released his hold on her hair and reached for her hands, lacing his fingers through hers. She glanced down at her lap. His one hand was larger than both her hands put together.Hewas large. All of him. He had to be at least seven and a half feet tall. During the marriage blessing, she had noticed that he’d stood taller than almost all the males in the room.
“Varro, I—”
“No, not Varro. You will address me asXerr.” He tightened his hold on her fingers. “Do you know whatXerrmeans?”
“Master,” she breathed, barely above a whisper. “It means master.” For a reason she couldn’t fathom, a deep ache built between her thighs. She fought the urge to squirm in her seat, not wanting him to notice her embarrassing discomfort. Why was she reacting this way? Her heart beat faster and a flush swept up her neck to envelop her entire face.
“That is correct,” Varro said. “Did your Tarrkuan teacher back on Earth tell you about the nature of marriage on my planet?”
“Yes, of course,” she blurted. “I know that your society is a patriarchy. Male Tarrkuans own their female mates. I know I must obey you in all things.” Most of this she had learned while aboard theZenallia, but he didn’t need to know that. Beth had informed her that many Tarrkuans expected their wives to call themXerr. But even knowing it was a possibility hadn’t prepared her for the reality of the formal address. She wondered if it indicated Varro would be especially strict. A tingle raced across her bottom at the thought.
He released her fingers and brought his hand to her chin, tilting her face up and forcing her to stare directly into his dark, otherworldly gaze. “I know your way of life on Earth was different. I know on your planet, males and females were equals in your society.”
She didn’t know what to say to that, so she simply looked into his eyes, searching his depths for any hint of cruelness. She prayed he didn’t possess a temper and that he wasn’t prone to violence. Large as he was, she would not stand a chance against him. Fear sliced through her and she tried to repress a shiver.
“You must always remember that you’re not on Earth anymore, Caylee. On my planet, females are expected to obey their husbands and disobedience is met with firm consequences. But I want you to know that while I might discipline you from time to time, I will never be overly harsh with you. And I will always, always take care of you and protect you, for doing so is my sacred duty as your husband.”
“I-I understand. Thank you,Xerr.” She couldn’t believe she was thanking him for promising not to be overly harsh when he punished her, but she honestly appreciated his promise to always take care of her and protect her. She only hoped she never did anything to incur his wrath. “Please, will you tell me exactly what rules I’m expected to follow? I would hate to displease you.” She inhaled a shaky breath and awaited his answer.
Still keeping hold of her chin, he ran his thumb across her lips, a feather light touch. “Our house is located inside my family’s compound. You are allowed to leave our house, unless I’ve told you otherwise, and venture anywhere within the walls of the compound, but for now, you are not allowed to leave the compoundwithoutme. In time, I may allow you to leave in the company of one of my brothers or sisters-in-law.”
“I understand,” she forced out, even as her heart sank. How would she find Nova if she wasn’t allowed to leave the compound by herself?
“You must always treat me with respect, just as I will always treat you with respect. You must also be honest with me. Lying is one of the worst offenses you could commit and will not be tolerated under any circumstances.”
Her stomach dropped. “Yes,Xerr. Is-is there anything else?”
“If I tell you to do something, ornotto do something, you must obey without question.”
Without question? She didn’t like the sound of that. Nevertheless, she uttered, “Of course,Xerr,” in as sweet a tone as she could muster. The glimmer of warmth in his dark gaze showed her agreement pleased him.
“Your safety and health are also very important to me. You will never do anything to endanger yourself, though I cannot imagine what sort of danger you could possibly get yourself into while inside the compound. We have a high-tech security system, as well as guards stationed around the perimeter at all times.”
“I promise I’ll never do anything like that.” Nerves spread through her, making her feel jittery. If she snuck off to find Nova, she would be breaking pretty much all of his rules in one fell swoop. She hoped she was able to figure out another way to reach her sister. One that involved less breaking of his rules. She was so close to Nova, and yet so far away. She tried to swallow her frustration and impatience. For now, she needed to focus on pleasing her new husband. Her entire future hinged on whether or not she could please Varro.
