Jasmine fills the surrounding air. It’s an aroma that brings me peace, and so I’ve instructed to be piped into the large auditorium I’m being married in.

It seems people have come from around the globe to witness the first marriage ever between an Earthling and a Euthenian. Not only that, but I’m also the first genetically modified female to be married off. The first to be awarded.

The other females will be in attendance. Other than my sister, I’ve never seen anyone like us. It will be interesting to see how each of them reacts as they take a look at their future and fate, similar to mine.

Our leaders have had designers make my wedding dress. They came up in my opinion with a design that lacks much thought. I could’ve designed something more unique if I was to make it on my own.

Alas, it was not up to me. Every noteworthy designer, decorator, culinary artist, and entertainer has been utilized to show the Euthenian visitors how refined, cultured, talented, and clever we all are.

As their civilization is eons older than ours, they will most likely find it low-brained and dim-witted. And here I am at the Apex of all that, wearing a flowing white dress which makes me look like an ancient Greek Goddess.

By Earth standards, I look magnificent, but by the Euthenian standards, I highly doubt it. My black hair has been elaborately braided, studded with real sapphires and tiny white flowers.

My makeup has been done by yet another respected professional make-up artist. When I look at my reflection in the mirror, the Egyptian queen, Cleopatra comes to mind from some pictures I’ve seen in history books.

Deep black lines my eyes, making the blue in them pop. Red stains my rosebud lips and light pink, my cheeks. The door to my dressing room opens and in flounces my older sister, wearing a dress similar to mine, only in light blue instead of white.

“Kataline, you look gorgeous!” Mataline coos at me as she air-kisses near my cheek.

I reciprocate the intent of affection and smile. “You also look gorgeous, sister.”

Her long, blonde locks are piled high upon her head, small tendrils trickle from the mass and curl around her tanned face. Her skin is dark compared to mine. She is in all ways quite the opposite of me. This was what was intended, of course.

Mataline was made to marry the common man she gave her virginity to. “Dane is so pissed he’s been given the task of a common usher. Father and his cronies never cease to point out his humble beginnings,” she whines.

“I’m sorry about that. He is my brother-in-law and the father of my precious nieces and should be more than that in this wedding. Tell me, do the little darlings look completely adorable as my dainty flower girls?”

“Rowe and Cindy look amazing. They’ll be floating down the aisle tossing white, magnolia petals along the trail you’ll be walking down.” She clasps her hands and smiles. “Are you ready for this?”

“What choice do I have? Ready or not, this is happening. Tell me, have you seen Kerr?” My hands knot in my lap, and I spin around once in my chair.

“No, none of us will until the time comes and he takes his place at the end of the aisle, waiting for you.” Mataline giggles and throws her hands into the air. “It’s so romantic! Don’t you think, Sissy?”

A harsh laugh comes from deep in my chest. “Romance has no place in this, Sister. This is a marriage arranged to maintain peace between Euthenia and us. I am, but a pawn and I see nothing romantic in that.”

A decanter of golden liquid sits amongst small crystal glasses. Mataline takes two and fills them. Handing one to me, she says, “Kataline, you drink this and settle that temperament of yours which has been known to work against you from time to time.”

I sip, but her hand on the bottom of the glass makes me take in more, and I drink it until the last drop of sweet liquor flows down my throat. In moments the calming effects warm my skin, flushing it a bit, and my mind eases.

Her eyebrow quirks up into an arch. “Better, Sister?”

I nod and giggle a little. “Oh, Mataline! I’m about to be married and become a princess of an alien planet! I have no idea what the man looks like, and he is to be my husband and my ruler for the rest of my life! Quick, one more drink. My heart is pounding, and my feet are itching to run and get my body away from here.”

She fills my empty glass and hands it to me. “Try to think of this as an adventure, Sister. Remember when we were young and made up all types of adventures we took in the confines of our estate? This is the epic adventure, and this one is for real!” She spins around and laughs. “You’re about to go to another planet. Another word, Kataline! It’s amazing!”

The door flies open and in comes our father. “It’s time, my darling!”

My heart stops, and I toss the drink down my throat. He holds a small, leather-covered box and opens the top. A simple band made of obsidian based titanium in black is in the box. “Am I to give that to my new husband?”

He nods. “It’s been handcrafted by our top jeweler. The first of its kind. When you will be asked to place your ring on Kerr’s finger, this is what you’ll be putting on it. It’s very nice, don’t you agree?”

“It’s shiny and black. A simple ring. I suppose it’s nice. Do you think he’ll like it, Father? That’s what really matters.” I look the ring over and think it looks very masculine. I wonder if the man I’m about to marry is a masculine man.

He is royalty. He could be scrawny and small. Perhaps that’s why he isn’t marrying a woman of his own kind. A dainty, gold band might be better suited if the man is not quite masculine.

“It’s a thing of great beauty, he’s sure to love it. Add the fact it comes from you, and it’s a given.” My father touches my chin, making me look at him. “You look gorgeous, Kataline. Now let’s get your veil on and get you to him.” He turns to my sister. “Scoot! Get out there and follow those pretty little daughters of yours down the aisle. Then I’ll bring out your sister.”

“Okay,” she says as she hurries out the door. With a quick look over her shoulder, she says, “I love you, Kataline. See you soon!”

My father pulls the handmade lace veil over my head, covering my face. It's sheer enough to make out a few of my more prominent features but demure enough to mute my face, keeping it a secret from my future husband until after we are married.

My father leads me down the long hallway and then to the top of the stairs. I must walk down a long flight of stairs and then a long aisle before I can get to the end and my husband to be.

I was given the contract Kerr wrote for us. I’m about to take the vows he has in it and sign the document that will bind me to him for the rest of my life. Even in the event of his death, I can never remarry. I am his until I am no longer able to breathe, until my heart takes its last beat, and my brain has its last thought. Only then am I to be released from the contract.

The music is nice as I stand at the top and watch my nieces float like angels just above the floor. They have their hover shoes on as they requested and I allowed them to wear. The dark blue carpet is clean in front of them and littered with white flower petals behind them. My sister trails after them.

I look around and see smiles on everyone’s faces. All the way at the very end, a man in a dark blue suit, a sash of purple running over one shoulder, he is not smiling. He wears a grim face. It makes me uneasy.

“Who is the man there, Father?” I whisper as I gesture to the man.

“That, my dear, is the king of Euthenia. Kerr’s father.”

“He looks anything but happy,” I say and find my heart faltering.

“It matters not if he’s happy or sad. Kerr is happy about this, I assure you.” My father takes my hand and places it in the crook of his arm. “Looks like your sister has made it to the end. It’s nearly our turn.”

And then the man I am about to marry enters the room. At the end of the aisle, he walks in from the side. A white, linen suit flows over a large, muscled body. He wears a purple sash, just like the one his father has on. Long, flowing blonde waves fall over his broad shoulders. My knees go weak.

Even from so far away as I am, I can see he’s gorgeous, and I can barely breathe. “Father, is that Kerr?”

“Yes, that’s your husband to be, sweetheart.”

My eyes rake over his perfect body and then his face as I try hard to see him better from this distance. As if he feels my eyes burning into him, he looks up at me and a smile covers his chiseled face.

He’s happy to see me!

“Father, I might faint. I might go weak in my legs. Please do not let me fall,” I say in a whisper as I don’t have enough breath to speak any louder.

“I will not let you fall. Are you ready, Kataline?”

I nod, and the music of the wedding march fills the auditorium as my father takes the first step of the journey that will take me to my future. Bits of manufactured snow begin to fall as I take the first step of the long staircase. On the left side of me are the Euthenians. On the right side, there are people from Earth.

Though similar in facial appearances, the Euthenian men are all muscled and quite gorgeous. I’ve yet to find an unattractive male, no matter their ages.

The women are rather plain, though. Most wear smiles on their faces, and none wears make-up. In my contract, it states I’m allowed to wear makeup and have my hair styled as I please.

Kerr must want to make changes in how the women are treated on his planet. That’s a good thing in my book.

I look back at my people and find them beaming at me. Though I personally only know a handful of them, I’m shocked by the strangers who seem so happy for me.

Then my eyes land on the other females like me. It’s obvious they’re different. They sit a little straighter than the normal women. They have them sitting in the outer seats, still separated though by each row.

Each one gives me a nod as I pass and reaches out and touches the hand with which I hold the bouquet of flowers. All have an inner glow that shines out, and all wear peaceful expressions on their vastly different but beautiful faces.

I count thirteen of them, all in every shape and color. All look to be around my age, early twenties, and it seems they made no more of us.

How I’d love to be able to talk to them. I get a buzz of emotion and energy as each one touches me. It’s as if we are all sisters, which I suppose may be true if even one set of DNA runs through us all. But that’s not a thing anyone has seen fit to let us know.

Finally, I reach the last stair and can walk along the carpet path to my betrothed. My heart starts to pound harder in my chest, and then a sudden release of white doves comes over my head, startling me.

My father tights his arm, steadying me and I continue on the path. He whispers, “Hold steady, darling. There is about to be two bursts of flaming fireworks go off just as we pass the area a few feet in front of us. Try not to get started again.”

I get ready for what is sure to be a loud noise and a lot of light, and even though I am ready, the booming noise has me fighting myself not to run down the aisle.

Sparks of light burst on either side of me and I close my eyes and let my father lead me on. After an eternity to get to where I’m going, I find my sister taking my bouquet. My father slips the box with the ring into my right hand and places my left hand into Kerr’s. He is the most amazing man I’ve ever laid eyes on, even from the ones in the books.

Blue-green eyes pierce as they look to me although my veil hides me from him. I take a deep breath and try not to pass out. Then the music stops, and the actual marriage ceremony begins.

Am I really ready for this?