“This is right but…but there's one thing we must do before we continue.” He stood up, just to keep his distance.
From the stunned look on her face and threatening tears, Patha obviously did not understand. She thought he was rejecting her. It showed in her eyes and how she pulled her hands away from him, hiding them behind her back as if she worried she might spark. Lar chastised himself for how awkwardly he had cut her off.
“Yes, we will continue,” he promised. “I want you in the worst way, but we must be married first. Do you remember me explaining marriage?”
“Rashel and Yeolani? They're married but…”
“It's a ceremony that …that makes what we were about to do more permanent. We must make that symbolic commitment before we make an actual physical one…like we were about to do here. And
