Seeding Eden

I’ve never laid eyes on a man, not even in pictures. Eden is a woman’s world...a world no man has ever stepped foot on. But then the Khetar arrive. They’re big alien men, in a big alien ship, with big alien d—let’s just say it’s a big problem, especially because High Command assigns me to operate the airlock for a diplomatic mission. I make first contact with their king, their scion: Thuliak. One look into those burning teal eyes is all it takes. He’s the first and last man I ever need to see. A woman from Eden may never touch a man.

One of them claimed me in the airlock. The other kidnapped me. Now I belong to both of them. Well, I will belong to both of them, but Khetar custom says that the Second gets to have his turn alone with me first. That means I’m going to be alone with Tschenkar. At least until I get pregnant. But Tschenkar makes me nervous. I’ve never done anything alone with him, and now he’s going to get me all to himself each and every night. For our “honeymoon,” Tschenkar and I were supposed to land together in the city. Instead, we crash-land in Eden’s frozen wilderness.

They want to make a “triumvirate” with me. I ask what it does. They smirk. One whispers: “It makes babies.” If you’re from Eden and see a man, it doesn’t always taint you right away. As long as your mind doesn’t think dirty thoughts too quickly, and as long as you don’t like what you see too much, you’re probably safe. At least you’d have time to look away.