"That's bad enough."
"You'll be fascinating to his people," Evelyn continued. "You're what they might call petite."
"Petite?" Kiera echoed with a raised eyebrow. "I've never been called petite in my life! I'm of above average height by an inch and above average weight by ten pounds."
"The women there are grown bigger, too," Evelyn explained. "Like me."
"Omigod. So I'm going to a planet of models and body builders," Kiera said. "I'll be the rotund brunette no one wants to talk to!"
"Stop! Romas said you're being a five-year-old, and I agree! They like you Kiera," Evelyn said, and raised her chin toward the warriors near them. "The one who saved you from the cat asked Romas on the spot to marry you."
Kiera gave an unladylike snort. "I'm sure Romas told him he wouldn't want to deal with my fiery tongue. That's absurd, Evelyn."
"Well, they're different, hon," Evelyn said with some frustration. "I have the feeling we'll both stick out."
Kiera glanced at her, hearing the nervousness for the first time.
"Are you worried about … things?" she queried. "Other than being on a spaceship with aliens and super-tarantulas?"
"Yeah. The usual, I guess. Meeting his parents, them accepting me, fitting in with the new place, you know."
"You'll do great, Evelyn," Kiera said. "You're perfect, brilliant, and beautiful. Rum-ass thinks so, and so do I. There's no way they won't be bowled over by you."
"That's sweet, K-K," Evelyn answered.
"If not, we can steal a spaceship and go home," Kiera added under her breath.
Evelyn giggled. "Not if Romas hooks you up with one of his brothers." She grinned. "You'll get to meet them all when we land tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" Kiera echoed.
"Their traditions are a little different." Evelyn gave her a sidelong look. "You may not have much control over some things."
"I think I'm already experiencing that."
"Yeah … " Evelyn said, and hesitated before continuing. "You might not have a choice in what man decides … to like you or propose or something."
"What?"
"You know. Think of it as a tribal warrior society that's kinda backwards or antiquated in its customs."
"I'm not following."
"You're a guest of Romas right now, but if he decides to put you on the market, so to speak, pretty much anyone can … um … claim you as a … you know, a bride."