He knelt beside the bed, one leg behind him. Poor Keiley shook all over. He's muscular, but thin like a swimmer. That skin should be yellow. He's like a human with yellowish skin, but not enough to look like an alien. My arms tingled from the grip I had on him. Already, red bruises showed on the left side of his neck where I pressed my head against it. Awful. Signs of my poison love. Another healer held him up. "Bedelia Priscilla Stone, Student Of Earth, I, Jos Keil, Diplomat-In-Aid Of Esta Faho, I love you! I recite this Petition of Marriage Without Courtship because I nae survive to court unless we marry now. O, Bedelia, I am sorry! Will you marry me?" His voice wheezed.
"Yes, Jos Keil, Diplomat Of Esta Faho, I love you and want to marry you!" My voice broke. Am I a fake? I didn't even die with him!
A voice said, "Names and occupations do not match."
Keiley shook all over, and Pas laid him on the bed. "Server, this couple cannot try again! I am their healer. Record their marriage on Elshar Zheiea."
"Ea. Marriage recorded in Esta Faho. Nitomahan wishes to see him!"
A holo formed on the bed. Pas sat me next to Keiley, who stared. I gripped his hand. He's dying, and I'm his killer! Nitomahan held twin fingers on Keiley's forehead. "My son, you are married. Nae these worries. I am happy for both of you, and I shall declare your festival. Healer, when can you send my children to us? Tom, are you unwell also?" His breaths wheezed in and out.
"Fa, Becky is very unwell! I need your help, to marry her!" Anguish in his voice—he thinks she's dying! I couldn't breathe!
"Come to us. Can a friend pilot for you?"
"Fa, I can pilot—o, Farley met his Ella, but they are nae here. We must wait."
Pas looked worried. "King Nitomahan, these men are all unwell! I wish them to rest. There will be a largeship with many tonight. We have DS pilots. I will have Pirad clone me again so one will travel with yours. I will also go, because I chose Rainbow Elshar Zheiea. Pirad gave me minds of many, including Ashapat."
I froze. A king! I waved a dress on, light green, not a bright color, but pretty. Keiley saw it and grabbed it on my thigh. His body quivered. Our family color. I can wear it, now!
Pas made him grab lower. I put my hand on his. Epilepsy! He had it before he got hurt? Zheien get it from head injuries. Healers new to Rainbow said Zheien who had 'shakings' were dying! His hand let go of my dress and grabbed my hand.
King Nitomahan stared at him. "Is Jos very unwell, Pas?"
"He has shakings. I cannot compensate for this excitement. His wife knows how to comfort him. His family color brings calm to him."
"Tom, are you unwell?"
Tom laughed. "Fa, I found my maiden! I am well!" Such a happy smile on him! Keiley can't smile. He's got that stare. Tears in his eyes. This shaking hurts! He always said he doesn't remember what happens when he shakes. Not remembering tortures him! He thinks he does bad things. I stroked his hair and it tangled around my fingers. Nitomahan startled and helped me by laying it straight, and even his hair clung to them.
Pas didn't smile at him. "Antomias, my son, lie beside Becky. She sleeps. I think you should, also." He's sweating, too. I saw yellow powder-stars on the white blanket. Diplomats can hide it.
Keiley can't with this going on. His skin's gray!
Another man in white robes nodded at him. "Well advice, Pas, my friend! I did nae expect to see you here! Who is in your chambers, on Ye~?"
YOU ARE READING
Bedelia's Dilemma
Science FictionAmbitious student Bedelia wants to succeed and Keiley shows her the love they shared, that he died in her arms, twice. He tells her this future can be changed as his people already moved to a new world, but Bedelia is terrified that they can't escap...
