In the years after the Final War, the Council of Women decide to secede from men. They create a world of their own away from men, where they can raise their children without fear. Once a year men may visit briefly to procreate. Boys are sent to the Land of Men when they reach puberty. At eleven, Bergman was sent across the sea and placed with his fathers, Spencer and Harris. Years later, he meets Hastings at the Beach Festival, an annual event for young men. It’s love at first sight for Bergman. But the course of true love never runs smoothly. In time Hastings desires a son, a subject Bergman paid little thought to. Yet their son Taylor brings great joy to their lives. Life is further complicated when Hastings is chosen to travel to the Land of Women to father children. He wants to accept, but Bergman can’t understand why he would consider going. Isn’t he happy with what he already has? If he goes, what will that do to their relationship? To their future? Is this a betrayal, or is it something else?

In the Land of Men

One day, completely out of the blue, Hastings asked, “Would you like to have a son?”


I hadn’t really thought about it. I was happy having him all to myself. I enjoyed the fact we could make love anywhere we wanted, any time we wanted. A son would bring all of that to a halt. But I could see by his expression how much he wanted a son, and that made me change my mind immediately.


“I’d love one,” I replied. “How do we go about it?”


“Well,” he began, and I knew from the way he said that one word, he’d done his homework. “It’s quite easy. We apply to the Council of Brothers and when the next boat arrives we can pick him up.”


“How long have we got? I mean, until the next arrival.”


Hastings wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed me. “A whole eight months,” he replied


The boat was only permitted to cross the Border Sea once a year. Firstly, to take the group of selected men across to do their reproductive duty and then to bring them back, as well as any eligible boys.


Chapter 10