Possessive Alien Mate(Savage Martians #2) - Sue Mercury Page 0,40

eventually she gave up and decided it was easier to go along with Alissina’s picks. They rented a hovering cart that followed them through the stores, a marvel of technology that left Tyra repeatedly amazed. It never bumped into anything and stayed about five feet behind them. She noticed several other shoppers being followed by the floating carts too.

The market area was colorful and filled with a mix of Marttiaxoxalian males and human females, as well as the occasional Marttiaxoxalian female. The males typically wore black or gray, and the females wore bright clothing, usually long elegant gowns made of layers of sheer fabric.

As Alissina guided Tyra into a bakery for a quick treat, someone called out their names from across the shop. They both turned to see Princess Esmay seated at a table with another human female.

“It’s good to see you both!” Princess Esmay called out. “Please, won’t you join us?”

“We’ll be right there!” Alissina replied, then she turned to Tyra. “I take it you’ve met the human princess?”

“Oh yes. Rem has taken me to the palace twice now. She’s made me feel very welcome. I do not recognize the woman she’s sitting with though.”

“Neither do I,” Alissina said, “but I love making new friends. Come, let’s put in our order and take a seat.”

As they stood in line, Tyra noticed Chexxa and Frinik seated at a table nearby. Both males smiled and waved at her, though Alissina didn’t notice them, as she was too busy studying the baked goods in the large glass display case. Not wanting to be rude, Tyra smiled at them very briefly as she returned their wave, then she joined Rem’s mother in looking into the display case as she tried to decide what she wanted.

They both ordered fruit pies and tea, then ventured over to the princess’ table. Introductions were made and Tyra learned the other human female’s name was Kenzie and she’d been on Mars for two months now, having come here from Zone 26, which was the area on Earth formally known as Italy.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Tyra said, smiling warmly at Kenzie. “Does your mate work at the palace?”

Kenzie nodded. “Yes, he’s one of King Vaath’s new advisors, though he’s currently on Earth helping with some new political appointments. Apparently, King Vaath is getting ready to appoint new governors for every zone on Earth.” She flushed and looked from side to side, as if worried someone might overhear them.

Princess Esmay waved a hand in a dismissive manner. “Oh, it doesn’t matter if anyone finds out about it, Kenzie. The new governors will be announced in several days.”

“Wow, new governors for every zone? That’s… shocking. Has something happened?”

“Well, as you probably know, many of the governors have raised taxes so high in their respective zones that it is impossible for most human families to make ends meet. This is one reason so many women have left Earth recently to come here—because by becoming a Martian’s mate, their family’s debts are forgiven and they receive that one-time payment of ten thousand galactic credits,” Princess Esmay said, tucking an errant strand of blonde hair behind her ear. “That’s certainly what brought me here.”

“Me too,” Kenzie said.

Tyra drew in a deep breath and prayed none of the women asked why she’d come to Mars. She’d been a bit nervous Alissina would ask her about her time on Earth and why she’d wished to leave and become a mail order bride to a Martian, but luckily, she hadn’t broached the subject.

Thankfully, a server arrived with Tyra and Alissina’s order, briefly interrupting their conversation. The four women sat in silence for about a minute, sipping tea and eating pie, until Princess Esmay cleared her throat and picked up where they’d left off.

“After King Vaath came to power, he started taking steps to help mend relations between Earth and Mars. In addition to installing new governors who are not corrupt like their former counterparts—all of whom were installed by King Vaath’s banished father—my mate intends to take a look at the mail order bride program. I believe he will soon start allowing Marttiaxoxalian males to create personals that women on Earth will answer, rather than the current system that sees desperate women fleeing Earth for one reason or another, only to be randomly matched with a Marttiaxoxalian male.”

Tyra’s mouth nearly dropped open as she listened to the princess talking about all the changes that would soon happen. It reminded her of the list she’d made that