Anya was so fascinated by the Warriors that she had almost forgotten Mark until he spoke her name in that familiar cutting tone. “Anya! You are Bonded to Jonal and Tonas. From where I see it, it’s the best thing that’s ever happened in your narrow, constricted life. For once, keep an open mind. Forget your damn upbringing, go with your own inclinations. Learn about the Sarran people and the nature of a Bond. This isn’t a fucking perversion. This is their whole life and now, yours.”
“How do you know, Mark? You’re not a woman. You aren’t relocating permanently to an unknown culture. You aren’t being asked to consider sexually submitting to…”
“Did I mention that there were 4500 women and one man, Anya? Me. I’m the man. I am BondMate to Dr. Bane, a Sarran Warrior of the FireClan.” Mark spoke quietly, then he slipped out of the room.
Shamefaced, Anya peeked up at Jonal and Tonas. “I’m sorry, you’ve been nothing but kind. I didn’t understand. I didn’t know…”