Christina
When Boulder emerged from the bathroom completely clean-shaven, I gaped at him. It was like seeing a different man. He arched a brow at me and crossed his arms across his wide naked chest. “I can’t believe I did this. I look like an adolescent boy.”
“No,” I breathed. “You don’t.”
He touched his face. “At least it’ll grow out again.”
Flustered by his good looks, I held out the shirt I’d picked out for him. “I like this one,” I said.
Boulder moved closer and took it from me. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Nothing,” I said too quickly and without looking at him.
“You don’t like it either?” he concluded with disappointment in his tone.
“No, I do like it,” I corrected him. “You look…” I cleared my throat, “…handsome.”
“Christina?” Boulder lifted my face and looked into my eyes. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, of course, I’m just hungry.”
“Oh, okay.”
I was quiet when we walked downstairs, a new realization growing in me that I was still trying to deny. I can’t have feelings for him. That would be ridiculous. The man is an Nman. A brute who brings out the worst in me. Since arriving in the Northlands I had read forbidden books, used improper communication, and engaged in fighting with him. It really was disturbing how easily I had been corrupted by his bad influence.
There was no need for us to escort Pearl, as she was already in the dining room.
“You’re late,” Khan exclaimed with irritation when Boulder and I walked in.
“Yeah, sorry about that. I lost a bet,” Khan explained.
Magni, Erika, Finn, Pearl, and Khan were already seated at the table. They all looked up to study the change in Boulder’s appearance. Finn broke into a deep belly laugh, Magni shook his head, and Khan scrunched up his face.
“What the fuck, Boulder?” Khan finally said.
“It suits you,” Pearl complimented him with a smile and looked at Erika. “Don’t you think a clean shave looks nice on a man?”
Erika looked thoughtful. “A summer shave is all right, I suppose. But personally, I’ve always preferred a man with a beard.”
“Hmm,” Pearl tilted her head. “A few of our men have beards too, but they trim them in beautiful designs.”
“Momma’s boys.” Finn covered his comment with a cough but both Pearl and I heard him.
“Our men are not boys, Mr. MacCumhail,” Pearl corrected him. “Many are highly enlightened, with great intellect and emotional range.”
Magni gave her a look of disgust. “Are you trying to pick a fight?”
“Certainly not. I’m just pointing out that true masculinity is not measured in the size of muscles or the length of beard.”
“You’re right,” Magni leaned over the table with a fake smile. “It’s measured in his size of cock.”
Pearl paled while Finn roared in laughter. “I wish!”
“Must you be so crude?” Erika reprimanded her son.
Magni snorted and opened his mouth to speak but Khan cut him off.
“I’m curious, Councilwoman Pearl. What does masculinity mean to you?”
She put down her cutlery and took a minute before she answered. “This may surprise you but gender plays only a small part in our society. We put much more emphasis on personality and charisma.”
“Is that why you women aren’t attracted to your men anymore?” Boulder asked. “Because there’s no difference between men and women?”
Pearl tilted her head. “What makes you think men and women aren’t attracted to each other anymore?”
Boulder shrugged. “Christina told me.”
“I have to disagree,” Pearl said softly. “We have many couples living together and our men are wonderful, thoughtful, caring, and emotionally intelligent beings that are fully capable of attracting partners if desired.”
“Great!” Magni squeezed the knife in his hand tightly. “My wife is without protection and now you tell me that your Momsiboys are a threat to her?”
“Your wife is safe in the Motherlands. No one will harm her, but obviously…” She trailed off.
“What?” Magni said aggressively.
Pearl looked down. “Nothing.”
“What?” Magni raised his voice and slammed his hand with the knife down the table.
“Calm the fuck down,” Khan told his brother.
Pearl sighed and lifted her face, giving Magni a look of great empathy. “It must be difficult for you. I’m sorry if I made it worse.”
“Just finish your fucking sentence,” Magni demanded, low and threatening.
“If you insist,” she said. “Laura is safe and no one will harm her, but obviously, there’s the possibility of her falling in love with someone. It can be a rush to be treated with kindness and respect if you’re not used to it.”
That set off Magni, who jumped up, knocking his chair back. “Are you saying that I didn’t treat my wife with kindness and respect? I fucking fought for her and protected her until that little bitch over there filled her with fairytales about the Motherlands.” He pointed a finger at me, and that made Boulder get up from his chair roaring at Magni.
“Apologize!”
“No!” Magni roared back. “Laura would still be here if not for that bitch of yours.”
Boulder was at Magni’s throat before he had finished the sentence. “Nobody talks about my wife that way,” he said in a low and menacing growl. “Apologize or you and I are going outside to settle this like men.”
“Go die in a fire,” Magni spat back at Boulder.
“Calm the fuck down, both of you!” Khan shouted, hammering his fist upon the table.
Pearl’s eyes were huge and she was holding her hands to her chest. Over the last two weeks, I had been conditioned to these sorts of outbursts, but she had never experienced anything like the vile talk, the testosterone filling the room, and the hateful glances between Boulder and Magni.
I met her gaze, trying to signal that it would be all right.
“Finn.” Khan snapped his finger. “I think my brother needs a night out to blow off some steam.”
“Any place in particular?” Finn asked and was already pushing his chair back.
“Whatever he wants. Booze, fights, sex-bots.”
Magni pushed past Boulder and muttered, low and hostile. “Enjoy your wife while you have her.”
“Is that a threat?” Boulder growled.
“Just a friendly reminder that she’s going home soon,” Magni hissed low and stomped out of the room while Finn snatched the steak from the plate before him, took a big bite, and followed.
An awkward silence filled the room before Boulder raised Magni’s chair from the floor and returned to his own seat.
Khan followed suit. “I apologize for my brother’s loss of temper. As you can see, he is not taking Laura’s disappearance well,”
“Has he talked with anyone about his anger issues?” Pearl asked with a troubled look.
“Anger issues?” Khan asked in annoyance. “What are you talking about?”
Pearl blinked in confusion. “He’s full of rage. Surely inner peace would be much more pleasant for him and the people around him.”
“Inner peace?” Khan leaned back. “Who the hell can be peaceful if their spouse disappears?”
“I can understand he’s upset, but to express that level of anger…” Pearl trailed off.
“He’s got every right to be angry. His wife disobeyed him and now he can’t keep her safe,” Boulder interjected.
“But to call Christina a…” Pearl cleared her throat. “I’m not even going to say a word that awful.”
Khan raised his voice. “Then don’t! But don’t judge my brother either. When you're in the red zone there isn't always enough oxygen for rational thought.”
“Which is why anger doesn’t serve him well.” Pearl challenged. “He should get some help to communicate his emotions better. That way we could have a civil dinner without shouting and fighting.”
Khan gave her a hard glare. “Maybe you’re the one who needs help.”
“Excuse me?” she said.
“Magni communicated his emotions perfectly clearly,” Khan argued. “I don’t think anyone else at this table has any doubt that he was pissed, angry, and frustrated.”
Pearl closed her mouth and didn’t respond to that. She and I were the only ones not eating steak. Instead we addressed ourselves to our salad, potatoes, and bread – in silence.