Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 87050 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87050 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Sala’s gentle hand on my arm steadied me as we made our way through the crowd. Alpha’s imposing presence again cleared a path before us, the sea of refugees and officials parting instinctively before his regal bearing. Gamma fell into step beside me, making me acutely aware of his closeness. The occasional brush of his arm against mine in the press of the crowd sent jolts of electricity through my body.
We approached a large circular desk in the center of the vast room, the hub of frantic activity, with harried-looking officials bent over glowing screens and stacks of data pads. Holograms flickered above the workstations, displaying an endless wealth of information whose nature I could hardly guess.
Alpha stepped forward, his deep voice cutting through the din. “I am Captain Alpha of the Magisterian starfleet,” he announced, his tone brimming with authority. “I require immediate assistance for this young woman seeking asylum.”
The effect was instantaneous. Heads snapped up, eyes widening as they took in Alpha’s impressive form. A flurry of whispers rippled through the assembled workers, and I caught snatches of awed murmurs.
“The hero of the Vionian campaign…”
“…single-handedly turned the tide of the war…”
“…they say he can bend space itself…”
A tall, thin man with salt-and-pepper hair hurried over, his crisp uniform marking him as a senior official. He bowed deeply to Alpha, his voice filled with deference. “Captain Alpha, it is an honor. I am Magistrate Thorne. How may we be of service?”
Alpha gestured to me, his large blue hand gentle on my shoulder. “This is Tessara. She was rescued from a Vionian warship and seeks asylum on Prosperia.”
I felt my cheeks burn as all eyes turned to me. The weight of their gazes made me want to shrink into myself, to disappear entirely. But Sala’s reassuring presence at my side and Gamma’s steady gaze gave me strength. I straightened my spine, lifting my chin as I’d seen Sala do.
Magistrate Thorne’s eyes softened as he looked at me, a mix of compassion and curiosity in his gaze. “Of course,” he said gently. “We’ll begin the process immediately. Please, come with me.”
He led us to a quieter alcove off to the side, where a holographic interface sprang to life at his touch. I watched in fascination as he manipulated the glowing symbols, my file taking shape before my eyes.
“Now then,” Thorne said, his fingers dancing over the keys. “You wish to apply for female citizenship, I take it?”
CHAPTER 15
Tessara
“Female?” I asked, feeling my forehead knit in confusion.
Sala helped me. “Prosperian women have a different set of rights from Prosperian men,” she murmured.
I swallowed hard, trying to fit the idea into everything else I’d seen and heard of Prosperia. I nodded. “Yes, sir,” I answered.
A small smile played across the magistrate’s lips.
“She’s respectful, at least,” he said. “That’s always a good sign. Very well.”
Magistrate Thorne’s fingers flew over the interface.
“Before we can proceed further with your application, there is one crucial step we must complete.” He paused, his eyes meeting mine with a mix of compassion and clinical detachment. “You will need to undergo a thorough medical examination to assess your fitness for Prosperian female citizenship.”
The magistrate looked at Alpha and Gamma, clearly in accordance with his cultural understanding of them as my guardians. “In a spirit of full disclosure,” he continued, “the examination of a girl of Tessara’s age necessarily involves a rather… intimate protocol to ascertain her fitness for marital duties.”
I felt my cheeks flush hot at his words, a wave of embarrassment washing over me. The idea of an examination that concerned marital duties made my stomach clench with anxiety. Yet beneath that fear, I felt a flicker of something else—a shameful excitement that made me want to curl up and hide.
Captain Alpha answered the magistrate in a serious tone.
“As her guardian under Magisterian law, I leave it to Tessara to decide. Tessara, do you understand what’s being asked? Do you consent? I imagine the examination will involve some embarrassment for you.”
“I… I understand,” I managed to stammer, my voice barely above a whisper. “I will submit to the examination.”
Gamma stepped forward then, his presence both reassuring and overwhelmingly masculine. “Magistrate,” he said, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine, “would it be possible for the medical exam to take place at the Magisterian Embassy? I believe Tessara would be more comfortable in that environment.”
Magistrate Thorne considered for a moment, his eyes darting between Gamma and myself. “That would be highly irregular,” he mused. “However, given the unique circumstances and the endorsement of both yourself and Captain Alpha, I believe we can make an exception.”
Relief flooded through me at his words, though it was quickly replaced by a new kind of nervousness. The thought of being examined at the embassy, with Gamma and Alpha nearby, brought a fresh wave of confusing emotions.