"WHEREAS the wellbeing of all Promethidae and Pyrrhaei on Aquarius depends upon the sorcerous undertakings of our most blessed of Promethidae, the Lightbearers; and
"WHEREAS falling birth rates and rising birth defects plague the Promethidae race and decrease our Lightbearer population.
"THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY DECREED that all Promethidae must wed prior to their eighteenth year; and
"IT IS FURTHER DECREED that all Promethidae who wish to undertake the sacred duty of matrimony early may wed upon their sixteenth year; and
"IT IS FURTHER DECREED that marriage shall be strictly between two Promethidae of any genders capable of producing a child together; and
"IT IS FURTHER DECREED that couples shall only be permitted to wed if approved as a suitable conjugal match; and
"IT IS FURTHER DECREED that no Promethidae child may be conceived out of wedlock; and
"IT IS FURTHER DECREED that failure to comply with these royal orders shall result in fines, conscription to work camps, or imprisonment; and
"IT IS FINALLY DECREED that we, Rex Decus Astralis, hereby establish an Office of Eugenics to assist with finding and approving suitable conjugal matches and ensuring compliance with our royal orders."
—from the Office of the Rex,
64th day of the season of Sprouting,
860th year after the Restoration
YOU ARE READING
Garden of Light: Beneath Devouring Eyes #1
FantasyAn abandoned boy, a grieving prince, and a reclusive sorcerer find themselves caught in a web of peril and mystery... Domi, a young thief abandoned on the street at birth, just wants to save his dying foster mother. But first, he must survive the m...
