His to Take Read Online Free PDF

I’ve been with him. I laugh, I even cry sometimes. And that’s good. I feel things. Those artificial hormones we took on Earth—they turned us into nothing more than cyborgs. Calm, yes. Rational? Definitely. And barely alive. I don’t want to go back to Earth. To that. But being here, feeling alone and unloved so much of the time… It hurts. I don’t know how much longer I can bear it.”
    Her voice trailed off.
    “May I offer some advice?”
    Selena nodded and Talia went on. “When I first came here, I depended on Kylar’s sister Astrid to give me advice. She was wonderful. So open, so caring. But she was young. If I learned one thing in my training in the diplomatic corps, it’s that some knowledge comes only with age. That’s why so many cultures revere the wisdom of their old women. You know our sister planet Iridia was settled by the Anasazi Indians. They migrated from Earth long ago, even before the Vikings came here to Gadolinium. Their warriors are known for being strong and fierce. But they follow an ancient custom. When tensions rise and conflict breaks out between their tribe and another, the council convenes. They debate going to war, with every brave having his say. Then they vote. If every man agrees that war is the only answer, they do one more thing before rushing into battle.”
    “What’s that?”
    “They go to the oldest woman in the tribe, the one they all call mother, and lay their case out before her. If she agrees with their decision, they declare war. But if she doesn’t, no matter how hot their blood boils in seeking vengeance, they are not allowed to solve their conflict by fighting. They must reconvene the council and find another way to settle their differences.”
    Talia laughed. “I’m sorry. I’ve slipped into my ‘lecturer’ mode. Along with the rest of my duties, Kylar asked me to teach a class on interplanetary relations to our young ones. It’s become one of my favorite things to do here. Challenging their minds, opening them to new ideas from new worlds. Guiding them in learning how to choose which to embrace and which to shun.
    “I’m taking a long time to get to my point. My advice to you is—go to someone else for advice. Someone wise. I’ve only been here a short while longer than you have. I’m still learning Gadolinean ways. There’s one person I’d trust to give me counsel if I had a decision as big as the one you’re facing.”
    “Who is that?”
    “Ingrid. Kylar’s old nanny. And I do mean old. She actually served as King Sigrun’s nanny, if you can imagine that. She raised him, and then Kylar and Haldor as well, after Queen Astra died. She’s here in the palace, still divides her time between the nursery and her healing practice. She’s been around a long time… and she knows your man better than anyone.
    “You know, I have an idea.” Talia sounded excited. “You need something to do while you’re here. Why don’t you help Ingrid with her medical practice? You’re certainly well qualified. You know more about healing the human body than anyone on this planet. You could get to know her, maybe even trust her enough to confide in her. I really think you’d find her perspective helpful.”
    “I know how to operate machines that heal. But you don’t have any modern technology here. I’m not sure I’d be of any use.” Selena sounded doubtful.
    “Well, then, maybe you’d learn something new yourself,” Talia replied, her tone less gentle and more matter-of-fact. “Besides, as you said, you don’t have anything better to do.”
    Selena sighed. “You’re right. I might as well be useful, instead of sitting here feeling sorry for myself.”
    Later that day, Selena found her way to a small suite of rooms behind the enormous kitchen at the rear of the palace. It had a private entrance through the walled garden, now blanketed with snow.
    She clutched the fur-lined cloak Haldor had given her tighter around her with one hand and rapped at