Entered in the Alien Bride Lottery by Margo Collins (best large ebook reader TXT) 📗

I waved my hand to move through the channels focused on the arena below until I came to the interview section, then split the screen between the actual interviews and an image of the bride contestants in line for their turn.

My Natalie stood at the end of the line, arms crossed and a fierce expression on her face.

She’s more beautiful than an Anderovian Nebula.

Zont glanced at me. “Decided on that one, I see.”

“She’s mine.” I spoke simply, but I knew it to be the absolute truth.

“I’m not sure she’s aware of that yet.” Zont’s tone was mild, but I could hear the laughter bubbling up under his voice.

“It doesn’t matter if she knows it yet or not. By the end of the Bride Games, I will make sure she knows it.”

“Hmm.”

I glanced over at my companion, but he was studiously examining some of the other brides in line. I decided to let his skeptical noise pass without comment. “See anyone you like?”

He shrugged. “They’re all lovely. But no, there isn’t yet one who’s caught my eye.”

A moment of sympathy flashed through me. It must be difficult for him to be choosing a bride without knowing for certain which one he wanted.

The line inched forward as the next bride moved up to be interviewed. I tapped my foot impatiently, then realized I was echoing my Natalie’s impatience as she stood waiting her turn.

Without warning, my screen went blank for a moment. When it came back on, it showed Vos Klavoii standing in front of an image of an Earther cityscape. “Warriors and women,” he began, “Earthers and Khanavai, we have an exciting new development in this year’s Bride Games. Apparently, one of our contestants has run. That’s right—for the first time in all the years we’ve been holding the lottery, a bride has, as the Earthers sometimes say, gone on the lam.”

A gasp went up at the announcement and the brides on the arena floor began chattering among themselves.

“A runner?” Zont looked thoughtful. “How did she manage that?”

On the screen, Vos continued talking as the screen behind him changed to show a pretty Earther with long blonde hair, dark green eyes, and an engaging smile. “Amelia Rivers is now a wanted fugitive on Earth. She’s originally from Dallas, Texas, but was most recently seen in Las Vegas, Nevada.” He pitched his voice a little lower. “For those Khanavai watching, that’s in the United States, a country in what the Earthers call the North American continent.”

Get on with it. I want to see Natalie’s interview.

I tried to contain my impatience as Vos continued talking, outlining several other facts about the runaway bride.

“Las Vegas,” Zont said slowly. “Isn’t that the pleasure city?”

Who cared? It was almost Natalie’s turn to be interviewed.

I sighed in relief when Vos finally stopped talking and the screen went back to its previous view.

And then my Natalie stepped up to the interview space.

Chapter Seven

Natalie

My mind was still reeling from the information that a bride had run when I stepped up in front of the giant green-screen background.

“And now let’s give Lottery Bride winner Natalie Ferguson a warm Khanavai welcome!” Vos Klavoii’s cheerful voice followed by the canned recording of a bunch of male voices roaring almost cut through the strange mental haze I found myself in. I gave a distracted nod to the host.

“So tell us, Natalie,” he continued, “what are you thinking right now as you join the Bride Games?”

I answered without thinking. “I’m wishing I had thought to run.”

My response shocked Vos into an unusual-for-him silence. He spluttered for a second before finally saying, “But becoming a Khanavai warrior’s bride is an honor.”

“For other women, maybe,” I shot back. “But I liked my life back home. I want to finish my college degree, get a job, and then maybe find someone to settle down with. Maybe. I’m not sure I want to get married at all.” The longer I spoke, the quieter the arena got.

Shit. I probably shouldn’t be saying all this. But I needed to get it out.

“What about your planet’s treaty with the Khanavai? Their agreement to protect Earth?” Vos’s voice dropped, became more intimate. I knew it was a calculated move, an example of showmanship designed to lure me into his confidence, but I found myself leaning toward him, anyway. “What about the warriors who are willing to give their lives to keep you safe? Don’t they deserve some reward?”

At his last line, I jerked away from him again. “I’m not some prize to be given away on a whim.”

Vos laughed aloud, turning back to face the camera. “You heard it from her, warriors and women. Natalie Ferguson is no prize.”

I glared at him for a moment, then simply walked off the small set. Anger flared through me at him, at the situation, at all Khanavai in general. When I saw Drindl and Plofnid waiting for me, I scowled at them both. Drindl began fluttering and singing out instructions in her bell tones, but I ignored her and kept walking toward the nearest elevator tube.

I was almost there when something drew my attention to the stands, a prickling on the back of my neck telling me someone’s eyes were on me. There, in the seats, sat the blue alien who’d kissed me. He watched me intently, his intense gaze holding mine for a long second until I managed to break the connection.

What the hell was his deal, anyway?

That’s when my two handlers caught up with me.

“We’re headed to the makeover stage now,” Plofnid told me, reaching up to take my hand and pull me toward the transportation tube.

“Who is that?” I asked, jerking my chin toward the stands. “The blue one.”

“Oh,” Drindl sighed. “That’s Cav Adredoni. One of the grooms. He’s a Lieutenant in the Earth Defense Force. One of this season’s most eligible bachelors.”

Drindl wrapped one arm around my shoulder. “It’ll be okay,” she said, her high voice consoling. “You’ll be able to overcome any negative