The Shell and the Star - Part 5

Welcome back to Part 5 of an "aquatic underwater sci-fi romance."

If you didn't catch the earlier parts of the story posted on Spacefreighters Lounge over the last several weeks--or if you just want a refresher--you can go here:  

The Shell and the Star

 

She is extraordinary!

Trey’s first impression of Jinn Amalla was unfiltered delight. 

His match. His counterpart. His doppelganger in the Talstar world. They were more akin to each other than either of them were to their own kind.

Now it suddenly made sense why his father had opted to extend his bid to the Talstar commander’s daughter, instead of that of his older sibling. It was expected in Perling society that a leader would see his successor and heir bonded first. But Tardem had no inclination to seek a mate and he certainly would never have agreed to such a match even without knowing Jinn Amalla’s secret. The two superiors’ trade-strengthening scheme would have all been for naught.

Tardem’s relief had been palpable when the unexpected announcement was made at a family gathering five short days ago, as most likely, was Trey’s shock.

Though it was an unorthodox strategy, to say the least, his father—and Jinn’s—had shown shrewdness in their plans.

Trey hadn’t expected the news that a bid would be extended on his behalf, though he was certainly of age. But learning his intended was the Perling commander’s daughter truly gave him pause. His first reservation was not for himself but for his garden. Would he be expected to abandon Veros and live on Talstar? His life there would be burdened with new responsibilities and new priorities in a world far from his own. His garden would perish!

And even if she agreed to live here on Veros, there may not be enough time to see to his projects. Unless he could convince his mate of the importance of what he was trying to accomplish.

But after his first words to his intended, Trey realized there was a very large barnacle in the pipework. Jinn Amalla really wasn’t like him at all. She was unaccepting of her differences, and even more than that, she seemed resentful of being offered up as mate bait. It was clear she wanted no part of this.

And no part of him.

Maybe it was for the best. But until she declined his formal bid and returned to her home, he had to at least extend the expected courtesies and make the appropriate gestures.

***

“May I offer you a tour of my father’s estate while we talk,” Trey suggested.

Jinn pondered his words. Should she? Now that she saw this travesty for what it was, wouldn’t it be better to reject the young Perling’s bid, return to her home and save them both the pain of an ill-fated match?

But then her gaze settled on Trey’s attentive, unassuming smile. The one that reached all the way to his intelligent, blue eyes. Despite his handicap, there was something about this alien male…

Well, she’d come all this way to the planet’s sea to meet him, it couldn’t hurt to stay for a short while longer, could it?

“I accept your invitation,” Jinn said, allowing herself to return a timid version of his smile.

“Excellent,” Trey said, a touch of surprise lighting his eyes. “There is much I’d like to show you.”

__________________________________________

Story Commentary

This week's portion gives readers a look from Trey's perspective for the first time, and maybe a clue that there is more to him than meets the eye. 

In the last commentary, I hinted that Trey has an extraordinary secret. Both his secret and Jinn's reluctance is giving him reservations about their future match.

But then Jinn, quite unexpectedly, accepts his invitation for a tour...  

See you next week for Part 6.