She watched him go, finding it much easier to breathe once he was gone.
While the cleaning continued, there was much teasing, all of which Alel ignored.
Chapter 31
There is Always a Choice
Alel stared out at the people. Her time was up. Today, she would announce her choice. She had never seen so many people. Behind her, Melliah, Sinda, Lim, Tiah and Charlotte waited patiently.
The children were there as well, apprehensive, but excited. She had asked them to be as silent as they could and to only watch. Dys had brought his favorite dog with him.
For safety, an army of machines had accompanied them. The birds, the footman, and many other robots, all prepared to defend her new family at a single word. B33 stood to the side, calmly awaiting her signal.
Alel had been told many of the women and children of the White Streets had been forbidden to come, but even here, they were defying all they had ever known, for they far outnumbered the men.
She recognized most of the faces lined up, some arrogant in their surety of her choice. Sir Hans was there, and the man Sir Tenny who had told her he would consider her terms. Sir Vyeck and Sir Lesin were in the line as well. But she did not see Javon.
It was difficult to trust the birds to watch for a possible attack. Her nerves fluttered and she felt sick, her eyes constantly scanning the crowd looking for the barrel of a gun, or someone who stood out as not belonging.
In the last few days, she had read the Relic book again. She had asked the women at her side dozens of questions. Change was happening, and had already begun before she herself had started it. Charlotte had proved to be an avenue of great value, as Javon had thought. She had successfully managed to save dozens of children, and told Alel about a place outside of both the White and Black streets where she had commissioned a home for them. So far, her secret had been kept, but she worried her attempts would not be enough.
More change would not be fast. There was still so much Alel needed to learn and so many perspectives and hearts battling for their views to be heard.
For now, for the children to be safe and hopefully happy, she needed to be a part of something they could call their own. Sir Jax’s abandoned home was not it.
She hoped they were ready. All of them had prepared. Carefully, and with much discussion.
Javon’s idea had been for the placement of the women who had come to her, after her choice was publicly made. Somehow, the deed to Sir Jax’s property had been transferred into a sanctuary, with a board to oversee the running of it. His name was on it, as well as hers and all of the women standing beside her.
However he had done it, it was a miracle. Sir Jax himself had signed the paper, giving up all rights. While Alel and the children would go home with Javon, the others would make their home on the sanctuary to supervise the process of making it an accessible haven and begin to lead the lives they wanted, not controlled by another.
That had been the plan. Before Alel had looked out on the crowd and realized the man she meant to choose was not choosing her.
It hurt. She could not give into the crushing sting of rejection. She would have to make her statement without him. He had handed her all she needed to do so. She did not need him to have a home of her own. Not with the deed safely locked away. Alel almost lifted a hand to find the necklace hanging beneath her shirt to press the eyes. She had denied the attraction long enough. Her heart sought with her eyes and told her the truth. She wanted what he had offered.
He had said he would marry her but his failure to make an appearance during one of the most crucial moments of her life was statement enough. The weight of what she was about to do pressed in, harder now because the main figure of her day was missing.
Did she choose him still? Was he publicly telling her he refused to take part any longer in her scheme? Had it all been a lie? Euro still resided with Javon. She had been sent updates every day of his progress. Would he keep Euro and stop bothering if he was finished with her? Did she have enough power to take her child back?
Behind her were women and children depending on her to follow through with her plan. B33 was rolling forward. She had asked him to preside over the ceremony and he had humbly accepted. The pocket watch in his hand was an item he had chosen just for today. Black and white; a symbolic merging of the two streets, with her presence and intentions meant to change the life of both.
She wasn’t ready, Alel thought.
The crowd’s constant thrum of muted conversation quieted. Eyes fixed on B33, and on her. The line of men at the front represented those who had decided her terms were agreeable. She liked none of them. She wanted none of them. She did not believe they meant to allow her to be an equal partner, nor aid in the freedoms of women and children.
Euro, of course, had been recovered from the man who was not standing with them. It had given him the advantage. Alel was afraid of what statement that made, as all knew Javon had the boy. It had caused quite the ripple and she had listened to more than one argument by the assembled men at the injustice of it weighing on her decision.
B33 lifted an arm. “Today marks a monumental day in our history. A Relic will make a choice meant to affect you all, for good. You all know she has placed conditions on the one who will gain the honor of accepting her into his life, if she so chooses. It may be none of you have earned her favor.”
He spread his arms. Alel appreciated his attempt at effect, as well as his words.
“For the women and children of the White Streets and the Black Streets, Alel stands for them today. She is not only beautiful, but courageous and remarkable in so many ways. She is to be protected, at all costs! I implore all of you to ponder the significance of this day as she speaks. Today, Alel, a Relic, will change the world!” He bowed and rolled back, one arm still out to signal it was time for her to address the crowd.
A cheer rose up from the back and was quickly picked up by a distinctly female pitch. The crescendo of it heightened the further forward she walked and did not end when she faced them all. B33 had to roll forward again and hold up a hand to gain silence.
Alel scanned the faces of the crowd one more time, hoping to see the deep blue eyes of Javon. What did she do? Did she choose him anyway? Or did she choose no one?
She studied each of the men’s faces waiting impatiently, and knew when she had reached the end of the line she would choose none of them in Javon’s stead. Letting out a shaky breath slowly so no one would notice, Alel told herself to be strong. The day had come and she had created the circumstances that had led her to this place. She could not back down now.
“I have made my decision,” she announced, projecting her voice. Alel could feel a simmer of anger deep in her stomach. Javon had said she could trust him, but once again, she had been betrayed.
“I will not be controlled,” she continued. “I will not be owned.” The cheers began again, drowning out her next words, giving Alel ample opportunity to watch the faces spread out in front of her. The fire of revolution was there in the women’s eyes. Anger in the men’s, and fear. B33 had carefully prepared for today, worried a riot would ensue. Perhaps he had not been wrong.
Dispersed around and among the gathering the soldier robots were armed and had the strength to control man or woman. The birds were their own army, lined up along the balcony railings in tightly pressed lines, recording with their mechanical eyes, while others flew overhead.
Alel slashed a hand through the air, her anger exploding to the surface. The sudden silence startled her, but was what she had wanted. “Listen!” she ordered. “Change must begin now. I do not need a man to stand at my side and dictate my future. But I have been promised something and I mean to collect. Behind me stand friends, strong women who know they have a worthwhile voice and aren’t afraid to use it.”
She felt them move forward and heard the swish of skirts. Melliah and Sinda flanked her, while the others spread out across the stage that had been built so they were clearly visible.
“I have been given the care of children, who I love. One is missing today because he was taken from me and treated cruelly. He is safe now, and being cared for properly. No child deserves what the children of these streets endure! They should laugh and play, and trust they will be loved! They should not be taken from their mothers!”
An angry shout of agreement exploded from a female section of the crowd. It was joined by another and then an attack began, on a startled man who did not move away fast enough. Alel lifted a finger and swirled it in the air. Her army moved. The soldiers descended with authority and the birds swooped to create a path for them to reach the fight.
“Violence is not the answer!” Alel shouted.
“Make your choice!” one of the men demanded.
The eager crowd heard and quieted again, curiosity and expectation heavy.
“My choice was not made by me alone. I was given a proposal of marriage and I will take it.”
A gasp swept along the breeze. Wide eyes and parted lips stared at her in shock.
“I will marry Sir Javon. These children I have been given shall become his as well. Together, we stand against the slavery and oppression of these streets and declare today a victory to be claimed! Not with violence,” she called out in warning. “There has been enough of that! I wish peace and harmony and happiness upon these streets! Love!”
“Love does not exist!” a man mocked loudly.
Alel turned to see the children still lined up along the back of the stage. She motioned to them and they came forward. Alel draped an arm around Alum’s shoulders and pulled her close. She ran a hand over Dys’s tamed hair, touched Bery’s cheek and then took Copper’s hand. “Every mother in this crowd knows love does exist.”
“Can you get us back our children?” a woman yelled.
A hand touched Alel’s upper arm. Melliah leaned close to whisper. “Javon is here.”
“Where?” Alel whispered back.
Something greater than even the deeply rooted grasp of love the children had planted in her heart broke through her anger and pain as Javon climbed the steps at the side of the stage, with Euro at his side.
Alel did not know if the tears flooding her vision were at the sight of Euro, or Javon. She left the children at her side to go to them. She dropped to Euro’s level and carefully gathered him into her arms. “I have missed you so much,” she said into his neck. His small arms came around her and he pressed his face hard into her shoulder.
“I want to come home to you,” he cried. “And I don’t ever want to leave.”
Easing back, Alel ran her hands over his cheeks. “Was Javon not kind to you?” she asked quietly.
“He was,” Euro promised, “but he isn’t you.”
Laughing, she pulled him close again. “It hasn’t been the same without you.” The clamor of the other children asking to hug Euro had her releasing him.
“You’re late,” she murmured irritably to Javon.
He grinned, looking especially handsome in his black and white ensemble. Javon took off his top hat. “And still, you announced you would marry me. You have no idea how my heart lurched at your words.”
Alel was not expecting the arm that snaked around her waist and pulled her close, nor the lips pressing warm against hers in a breathtaking display her stunned mind barely was able to grasp before he released his hold and guided her back to the front of the stage.
“This day I stand before you and declare I will make this woman my wife! We will bring to life something vital that has been long gone and forgotten; family. It can be again and I pray it will be. She will not be my slave, or my mistress, but my wife.”
He moved to touch his hand to each child’s shoulder in turn. “These will be my children. Not my slaves, not my prizes to be paraded, but my children. This is what I want and I am honored and grateful Alel saw such a golden opportunity for change and was not afraid to go after it.”
Facing Alel, Javon held out his hand. “Alel, will you marry me now, in front of the entire congregation here on the White Streets?”
Chapter 32
I Do
It was only proper.
She couldn’t very well accompany the man to his home without a binding agreement. He had made sure of it. Yet another statement was made when they stood before all those congregated, Javon brought a man on stage he called a Preacher and the man led them in poetic words of a covenant not able to be broken by man and witnessed by God.
Alel repeated the words she was told to say and listened as Javon said them too. Her day had gone mostly as planned, but had held so much more than she expected.
They were not returning to the home she had known since awaking on the White Streets. Instead, Javon was taking her to his home. One now hers too.
When the doors closed would things change? Would the promises end?
Sir Jax’s land was extensive and beautiful. Alel had given no thought to the holdings Javon called his. She already knew he was considered a man of wealth and status. Her expectations as they made their way along the streets to his dwelling settled on something grand and elaborate, fitting of his talent.
The gate that opened to allow them entry was as brilliant and mesmerizing as the intricacies he wove into his artistic pieces. Inside a pretty stretch of lawn on either side of the drive boasted fountains and gardens full of flowers and vegetables.
The house itself was white stone, and while it was large and sprawling, it did not make any grand statement, but was rather a welcoming structure Alel fell in love with immediately. No servant opened the door to admit them. Javon opened it himself, stepping aside to allow them all to enter first, his sentiment of “welcome home” ringing in her head as she followed the children inside.
Nostalgia hit her hard. There were hooks on the wall for coats and bags, just like there had been just inside the door leading to the small rooms she and her mother had occupied. In the kitchen, a table of wood was set before a window. It was far nicer than the one in her memory where she and her mother had eaten every day, but the color of the wood was similar as was the construction of it.
There were no surfaces covered with metal parts or cogs and wheels. No robot came out to meet them. The walls were white and weirdly calming in their blankness, the windows clear, and there was color splashed around. Fresh flowers on tables, paintings of landscapes on the walls, pillows on the sofa and a blanket thrown over the back.
Javon led her down a hallway. There were rooms prepared for the children. One for the boys and one for the girls. Both completely furnished, complete with replications of the special things he had made for each of them. Alel went to Euro’s wall, running her hand over the textured metal of the tree that looked just like the one Javon had sent for his room in Sir Jax’s home.
“I asked B33 to send it all once you left this morning. I thought the children would like something familiar.”
His kindness was touching. Euro had not left her side since he had been brought to her. He held onto her arm now, both of his wrapped around it, his head resting comfortably against her when she was still.
Alel spun to look at Javon, jostling Euro. The boy retightened his grip. Alel shifted him under her arm, curling him against her side. “Were you so sure I would pick you?”
“It was a risk,” Javon answered. “We were late because the man who married us lost track of the time. I saw the look in your eye when you thought I had abandoned you.”
Javon had moved closer. Close enough for her to wonder if he would kiss her again. Thinking about it made breathing somehow more difficult, as though her mind had momentarily forgotten the rhythm.
“I knew you wouldn’t choose anyone else,” Javon murmured. “I was not sure you would choose me, either, but I hoped you would over choosing no one at all.”
“Have you meant every word you said?”
“What does it mean to be married?” Euro asked before Javon could answer.
Alel really had only a vague idea. The ma
rrying part had seemed important to Javon, and her mother’s spin was most likely a fabrication of the heart’s wishes, but part of her yearned for such a thing. To be loved and regarded as a partner, one who was considered affectionately and respectfully. Beyond that, her mind couldn’t even grasp the concepts that were not physical, and in that regard, she knew only pain and fear.
Thinking about it made her bite down on her lip. Obviously there were things she had neglected to ponder. The particulars of the arrangement being one of them.
“Marriage means two people choose to be faithful to each other, Euro. A man and a wife watch out for the others’ well-being, do things to make them happy, and regard their days with thoughts toward their partner and what is best for everyone in the family. It is a special thing and one of unity if it is done right. Does that make sense?”
“Not really,” Euro admitted.
Alel liked Javon’s portrayal. It sounded lovely. Smiling down at her boy, she summarized it differently for him. “Think of it like getting along with Alum or Dys. You don’t pick on each other, if they need something you try to be helpful, and you care about them.”
Euro nodded he understood. “Is there any food? I’m hungry.”
“Of course.” Javon held out his hand. “Come on.”
Alel was happy to see Euro did not hesitate before taking Javon’s hand and going with him to the door. There, Javon paused and looked back at her. “Yes, Alel, I meant every single word I have said.”
Javon pressured none of them to do more than explore their new surroundings and choose their activities for the rest of the day. It was odd to be in new surroundings, knowing it was permanent. She had accomplished what she had set out to do; gained freedom for not just her, but for others, and it felt like part one was finished and she needed to plan for part two.
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