"How long does he know her?" A dignified Elshar stood there. Lots of pins on his sash, but none of the gaudy ones I saw on most Elshars. We walked past him. The sunny yellow ship opened to dark red sky with few stars. Other people got on riding animals, but they stopped to watch. Past him, I saw Bedelia with that other fella, Jos Keil, and Elsie.
"My people, you know my bae. Please, we must continue here!"
Most people raised their twin fingers and swayed.
We left the ship and the sky was deep red. It kind of unnerved me, not to see many stars as in Atlanta, but five moons, one that traced a path through the other four. Buildings like glowing gems in bright colors sat in yellow sand. Beautiful flowers grew in it. We went to a sky blue building that came to a dull point.
Tom reached for my hand and Galar held our hands together. "Becky, what is your fullname?"
"Becky Kimberly Edwards."
"And, your occupation?"
I flinched. "Student." I'd changed majors from Computer Science to Art, and Daddy said I'd never get a job.
"Becky Kimberly Edwards, Student Of Earth, I, Antomias, First Prince Of Esta Faho, I love you with all the love in me! I invite you to hold the hands of Esta Faho in the strength of our family as my wife. In this Petition Of Marriage Without Courtship, by the Ancient Protocols of Zhea~ and Esta Faho, and also Rahn Estar, Becky, will you agree?" I felt his mind flinch, as if his petition wasn't pretty enough, or correct enough, but I tried to tell him with my emotion. His deep voice thrilled me! I loved that mindpicture, the two of us holding 400 people's hands. Even if one of 'em's that rude Elshar.
"Yes, I, Becky Kimberly Edwards, Student Of Earth, love you, Antomias, First Prince Of Esta Faho!" I wanted to say something poetic, but I just felt like sleeping!
Fa kept our hands together. "I wish to declare my children's Wedding Festival of Nine Days! Please, my people, enjoy it!" His voice broke as he lifted Tom.
Pas carried me at a run towards the sky blue building that is our palace. People's emotion rumbled on me like a personal earthquake! They're unhappy! I wanted to cry, but I felt too sick. Wanted to look around me at the bright flowers, but—
"Becky! Congratulations!" Elsie sounded out of breath.
"Maiden, let me carry—"
"You aren't coming to that other building? But they said everybody had to go there!"
"C'mon, Elsie. I guess royalty has different rules. Keiley has to go this way." Who's he? Oh, the fella who came with Tom to get me. They're getting married now? Tom can see it, with his telepathy. But he stopped. My head hurts.
There were a gazillion halls in this building! They ran a long way then there was a tapestry with Tom and I, smiling, in front of it. Large doors had animal heads holding giant rings as tall as I am, in a beautiful sky blue building with seven sides.
They put us in the same leiwege, a bendable mattress with seven sides and the moment Tom's arms were around me, everyone left!
And I got sick. Things didn't get messy, but Tom cried and Pas came back in. Sang. I fell asleep.
"Nae, I shall nae betray my kingdom! O!" Tom sat up. I held his hand. "Becky, sleep longer—"
"Dear bae! Are dreams terrible?"
"Becky, feel you unwell?" Pas had his hands on my head.
"Help Tom!" I sobbed. "Did anything get on him?"
YOU ARE READING
Becky's Gift
Science FictionSickly college student Becky dreams of a handsome prince to take her away, but her college dream just died and she's sick with COVID. SETI brings a prince to her door so she, with her family, travels to a new world and her husband's small colony, bu...
