Eternity Row by S. L. Viehl

beats up Ilona, and that’s it, right? No one starts interior decorating with anyone’s entrails?”
    “That is all, unless Ilona prevails.”
    That wasn’t going to happen in a million, zillion years, but I gulped down the rest of my tea anyway. “If she does, what?”
    “Darea must embrace the stars.”
    “You’re kidding.” I watched his face, hoping to see one of those rare smiles. No smile. “Jesus. You’re not kidding.”
    “I must take Marel now, then report for duty. I know you will do what you can for Ilona.” He reached across the table and took my hand in his. “I missed you last night. Do not work late again today, beloved.”
    In spite of my current worries, I felt the jolt I never got used to hit me as his fingers entwined briefly with mine. “I’ll try not to.”
    As a precaution, Squilyp sent a couple of nurses with me to monitor the challenge. Half the crew had already crowded into the largest environome on the ship on level fourteen, where Darea was already warming up. I pushed my way through the mob of big blue giants to enter the warrior’s quad.
    “Darea, got a minute?”
    Salo’s bondmate stopped stretching and stood up, towering over me. Her hands were in tight fists. “I will not be persuaded to alter my path, Healer.”
    “Take it easy. I’m not the one messing with your marriage, remember?” I glanced at the other side of the quad. Still empty. Maybe Ilona would have a bright moment and not show up. “My concern is about what happens if you don’t win.”
    Darea flexed her hands, cracking knuckles as the crowd parted and Ilona hesitantly walked in. “I will prevail.”
    “Is that what you told Fasala this morning?”
    My friend got mad. “You do not understand our customs. Salo Chose me, and I him. Allowing another to come between us would sully our bond forever.” She turned a little, looking up at the galley where her bond-mate sat. “Bonds are sacred things, Healer. They cannot be made lightly, or taken for granted. Interference in such creates rifts between Chosen, and must not be tolerated.”
    I thought it was a bit much, even for the loyalty-loving Jorenians, to expect no one to flirt with their spouses. Then I saw Qonja headed my way, and decided to try another approach, fast. “You have to know how much Salo loves you.”
    She tilted her head. “What does luhuvs mean?”
    I forgot, “love” didn’t translate into Jorenian. “Honors. I meant he honors you. He certainly doesn’t want anything to do with Ilona.”
    “It is not only about Salo. My feelings are of equal importance. What is mine is to be kept mine, and sullied by no other.” She stretched her long arms over her head. “How would you feel if that Terran female acted improperly toward Duncan?”
    Since I’d gotten into a fistfight with Ilona over pretty much the same thing, all I could say was, “Point taken.”
    Giving up on persuading the enraged Jorenian spouse to see reason, and determined to avoid the Boy Shrink, I went over to parley with the offender. “Call it off, Ilona. Tell her you’re sorry and you’ll never do it again. Throw in some begging for mercy while you’re at it.”
    The Terran girl stripped off her tunic. “I am not afraid of her.”
    I hauled her over to a corner and made her face me. “Look, I know we have our differences, but this is serious . If Darea wins, she will pound you into the deck.”
    “She will not win.”
    I tightened my grip. “And if that happens, she has to commit ritual suicide.”
    Ilona didn’t blink. “Then Salo will be in need of a new woman, will he not?”
    Reminding myself that the little snot had endured a deprived existence on Terra, I clenched my teeth. “What happened to your beloved Dhreen?”
    Her confident expression clouded. “You heard him. I am nothing to him but a weight around his neck. If he survives his injuries, he will not care for me anymore.” She tucked her arms around her waist. “He has discarded