Read Captain Gareth's Mates for Free Online

grand potentate had sailed from the room with the councilor in his wake.
    “It would appear so,” Brennar replied.
    Izbal stood beside her father’s empty chair, her hands clasped together in distress. The three stared at each other for a long, uncomfortable moment.
    “Well?” Izbal finally asked. “Is it true? Do you already have a wife?”
    Gareth couldn’t bring himself to lie. “No,” he admitted. “I have no wife.”
    Izbal sighed in relief. “I apologize for my father’s behavior. Please believe me when I say this was his idea and not my own. Apparently one of his ministers saw us dancing on the common this afternoon, and he seized upon this strange notion that you should become my husband.”
    “I don’t blame you.” Gareth shook his head. “Surely you don’t want to marry me. You know nothing about me. You certainly don’t love me.”
    “True. We don’t know each other well enough yet. However, a woman in my position doesn’t marry for love. Her father would always choose her mate...my mate. And I must confess, you are the only man I have ever truly admired.”
    “Thank you. I’m flattered, really, but surely you can see that it’s impossible.”
    “For us to be together? Perhaps. But as far as fulfilling my father’s orders? I believe we can. And what he has proposed is, in fact, an order. Make no mistake. He spoke to you as he did because you are men, and you are his guests. With me, earlier, his words were somewhat different.”
    Brennar spoke up. “What would happen if the captain refused?”
    “My father would be most displeased. He would blame me.” She lowered her eyes, her blush returning. “Captain, I am well aware that your real life lies elsewhere. I have no wish to intrude, but I am accustomed to doing what I must for the good of my people. This may be the most important task I will ever undertake. I only ask you to consider my position before you refuse to do what my father has asked...or rather commanded.”
    “Well, I suppose I have little choice. I just think...” Red-faced, he floundered for words. Should he confess to her that he had no wife, but he did have a male lover, who was in the room with them? Would the truth matter?
    Once again, Brennar came to Gareth’s rescue. “May I consult with the captain privately for a moment?”
    “Of course. I must retire for the evening in any case. We can continue discussing this matter tomorrow morning.”
    When they were alone again, Gareth paced the room. “They’re pretty serious about this marriage stuff.”
    Brennar folded his arms and pretended to examine the chair. “Indeed, and you should know that rejecting Zimeon’s offer will bring terrible shame to Izbal. She might even be deemed unmarriageable or handed off to some acquaintance of her father whom she, and probably we, would find unsuitable.”
    “Of course I don’t want that to happen. You know how I feel about such barbarism. Any woman deserves better. Especially Izbal.”
    “Then I might also point out that marriage to you would considerably enhance her position in her father’s household. Clearly your status here is of an elevated nature—for the moment. As your wife, Izbal would share your celebrity and your prominence.”
    “Well, what about the Terran Council? Don’t you think we should run this by them? I mean, if they refuse to go along, no one could blame Izbal.”
    Brennar sighed. “If I had to predict their reaction, I would expect it to be positive or even celebratory. Let us not forget what brought us here in the first place—the promise of a continued energy supply. I daresay you would almost be performing a diplomatic function on their behalf.”
    “So I’m trapped any way you look at things.” Gareth scrubbed an agitated hand over his face. “On the bright side, I do like her...though not in the same way I like you. And I get the distinct feeling that you think I should go through with it.”
    “To be perfectly truthful, I can see