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announcement.”
    From the corner of her eye, she could see Maksuan smile and she walked into the crowd, head high and half naked. If this was the way Niiko wanted her to meet his people, this is the way she would do it.
    She met mayors, councillors and the occasional prefect. There were three physicians attending and those ladies met her with a sense of relief.
    Dr. Aksai Natrio smiled at her and bowed. “We are grateful to have a female Avatar for Niiko once again. A married woman will have an insight into the needs of women that the male Avatars have lacked.”
    “I understand. That is a common problem with the male Avatars. They mean well, but since most of them are chosen before they have wed, they are lacking a little vital information on the inner workings of the women that they are in charge of.”
    Aksai shook her head. “The Avatar has not been allowed any input into the state of women on Niiko. We believe this is why the Planet determined to have him find a mate the moment that they returned from their planetary summit.”
    Silari looked over at Maksuan and caught his gaze with her smile. “So, there was a recent turning point.”
    “Indeed. Apparently, the Planet immediately engaged in an intensive search to find a mate perfect for the Avatar and finally, you arrived.”
    “So, you didn’t think that the other women would make a good choice?” Her lips were twitching as she watched Ydella move among the councillors, smiling and chatting.
    “They have not had to face anything near what you and the Avatar have faced. It is having pain thrust upon you and coming out on the other side that my people respect. Pain is wisdom or so they have begun to believe since Maksuan took over as Avatar. His calm and rejection of entanglements of the flesh have gained him much respect in the eyes of his people. Choosing a woman such as you matches him with an equal, not a woman who must be raised up to be at his level.”
    Seeing the man brave enough to wear a golden toga to a cocktail party just to make her feel better about herself, she smiled. “I still have a way to go, but I have a very good example to follow.”

Chapter Seven
    Ydella and Linorial cornered her after the guests had left. “Silari, we have a question to put to you.”
    The women’s quarters were completely empty except for their small cluster.
    “Sure, what do you want?”
    “Can we stay?” Linorial’s voice was quieter than that of her companion, but it resonated in the empty common area.
    “What? Why?”
    Ydella sighed. “I don’t want to go home. I have always dreamed of a life somewhere far from the world of my birth. This is my only chance.”
    It seemed a reasonable request, so she asked the other woman. “And you, Linorial?”
    “I was engaged to a man I did not want and he was upset at having to let me go. He threatened me and my family, but they took me from home anyway and sent me here. I cannot be sure, but he seemed the violent sort. I don’t want to chance returning to that situation if he has not yet found another target.” Linorial had ice-blonde hair and brilliant blue eyes. She was truly lovely but had a brittleness about her.
    “I will consult with Niiko after he has begun moving in. I do not see any problem with you remaining here for a few days until we know.”
    “I thought you could make the decision on your own now that you are his chosen.” Ydella scowled.
    “Would you like to make a decision that could be overridden the moment a planet jumped into your consciousness? No. Wait and I will see about getting his agreement. I am pretty sure that I can use some assistants, but I will see what happens.”
    Linorial gave her a quiet smile. “Thank you for agreeing to try. It gives me hope for a brighter future.”
    “Don’t thank me. I have no idea what the future here will bring.” Silari tried to remain cheerful, but she was reeling with the events of the evening.
    Ydella smiled, “It will bring what you wish it