The Prince was brought before the King over the affairs of his mission, the death of his brother, and his marriage. He knelt before the King as he came into the King's hall. "Rise and embrace me," the King said to him.

The Prince stood up and allowed the King to clasp his hands on his shoulders in a traditional embrace. "My son, you have preserved Earth for generations of hunters. Someday the humans may destroy each other and ruin their planet, but it will not be by our hand," the King said pleased.

"Many were sacrificed to accomplish this goal," the Prince revealed.

"They shall be honored," the King said. The King and the Prince walked through the halls as they talked. "I have many sons but the death of even one of them saddens me."

"I shall give you a grandson to replace him," the Prince promised.

"Do not be weary and distrustful of your brothers…but always be ready to defend yourself. When I am gone, your oldest brother shall reign. During that transition there could be bloodshed," the King warned.

"I shall remain loyal to my oldest brother," the Prince said.

"I appreciate your loyalty but even that decision may put your small family in jeopardy," the King said. "Of all my sons I love you and your family the most. You have courage and you do not live in excess."

"Thank you father," the Prince replied.

"That is why I will appear at your marriage ceremony. There are some within the family who do not consider the mating to be legitimate because of her past. My presence will show my support for you," the King said.

Another older Yautja entered the halls with ceremonial vestments. He did not bow before the King and instead placed an old book on a table. "High Priest, I have asked you to come to answer an important question related to my family."

The Prince remained silent. The High Priest was the highest religious authority in Yautja society and an adviser to the King. His decrees were respected even by the Yautja Kings. The Prince knew that his marriage with Lex would depend on the High Priest's ruling.

"Ask your question my King," the High Priest permitted.

"Is it lawful for my son to mate with a Yautja female that was born a human female?" the King asked.

The High Priest already knew the King's question before arriving, but it was part of their decorum that the King asks officially in the King's Hall. The High Priest already had his answer but looked through the old book filled with Yautja symbols anyway.

"The scriptures say that to have relations with a beast is an abomination. Any species other than Yautja is considered a beast," the High Priest said.

"Is the Yautja female a beast?" the King asked.

"She is genetically Yautja and can conceive Yautja children?" the High Priest asked.

"She is," the King answered.

"Is she a believer in our faith?" the High Priest asked.

The King deferred the question to the Prince. "She is not," he said simply.

The High Priest closed his eyes in contemplation. "The scriptures say that an unbelieving spouse may be blessed by the faith of the believing spouse. The scriptures also say that the believing spouse may convert the unbelieving spouse through his or her example. For this reason we allow on rare occasions to accept such a marriage so long as the children are raised with our faith."

"They will," the Prince promised.

The High Priest closed the book. "If it is discovered that the female is not Yautja I have the authority to annul the marriage."

"I understand," the Prince said.

"Are you satisfied my King?" the High Priest asked rhetorically.

"I am," the King replied.

The three of them with an escort of priests and guards walked towards the ship that would take them to the stadium.

Lex looked around nervously as the stadium started to fill up. There were males, females, and children in the thousands taking their seats. She knew they were all looking at her with interest. Lex wondered if she would be caught as a fake and attacked by thousands of angry fanatical Yautja. Makawee was at her side keeping an eye on her.

"If anything happens to you we will defend you," she said referring to the other wives.

"I think seven against hundreds of thousands will be one sided," Lex said.

Makawee then revealed a bomb detonator under her garments. "No, if you are attacked there will be no side left."

Lex felt disturbed and reassured by that fact.

As the stadium filled up, a loud horn sounded off as the royal family members took their seats in their elite sitting arrangements. All of the attendees suddenly stood up respectfully as they came in. Finally Heir arrived with over a hundred wives, adult children, and some of the smaller children. Lex watched anxiously as the Prince, the High Priest, and the King entered the stadium. The stadium gave an alien cheer that was a cross between roars and fast paced clicking as the King appeared.

"My son and your Prince who has saved Earth," the King introduced.

Lex watched in amazement as the crowd cheered for the Prince. She had no idea the intensity the Yautja had for…hunting humans. The Prince, the High Priest, and the King walked over to the box. Makawee led Lex to her designated place. The Prince and Lex then faced each other with the High Priest and the King behind them.

Lex always knew she wanted to eventually get married. With her busy schedule of climbing cliffs, giving nature hikes, and exploring the world she was never able to form a solid relationship. She had always assumed that her future husband would be an adventurer like her. On the other hand she knew many women that were raising children by themselves with deadbeat dads. Was this really her destiny? To marry a space alien? She wondered what her father would have thought about it. In truth, he was the only thing that kept her ties to humanity. The Prince was right about the mind therapy she had been given. She saw a human male as a violent primate resorting to primitive projectile weapons to get their way. They were short, weak, lacked natural weapons, and could be easily killed. Lex stared at the Prince and realized his power physically and socially.

She had been told the Cinderella story when she was young, and in a sense this was a dream come true. After everything she had gone through she deserved a Prince. There was no going back to being human. She was stuck as a Yautja and she knew she better adapt to it. From what she could tell this Prince was the lesser of all evils. On the other hand she could grab Makawee's bomb detonator and program it to destroy the entire stadium killing the entire royal family and everyone here. Could she do it? Makawee was only a few feet away. What if it was a bluff to reassure her, and the detonator was a dud? What if she were killed before she could make sure it went off.

As if knowing what she was thinking the Prince held her hands as part of the ceremony. "Do you choose to mate with this female? Do you choose to protect her with your life, provide for her and her children, and prevent any shame to come to her?" the High Priest asked.

"I do and I swear," the Prince said.

"Do you swear by the gods of your fathers?" the High Priest asked.

"I swear."

The High Priest then turned to Lex and eyed her suspiciously. "Do you choose to mate with this male? Do you choose to obey him, serve him, provide him with children, and bring honor to his family?" he asked.

Lex felt a moment of weakness as the Prince declared he would protect and provide for her even if it meant his life. Something inside told her that was all she ever wanted from a partner. "I do…and I swear."

"Do you swear by your gods?" the High Priest asked.

"I swear by my God," Lex replied.

The High Priest then touched their hands as they were linked. "This vow shall be unbroken until death claims one of you."

The stadium then erupted in fist pounding and roars. The news media broadcasted the entire event planet wide and to some of the colonies. "You did well," the Prince whispered to her.

Lex wasn't so sure. She had just contemplated killing a hundred thousand Yautja in cold blood. She had to find somewhere to be alone, so she could organize her thoughts. Kachina placed an orange garment over her white one to symbolize her new rank. The Prince then embraced Makawee. "Perhaps I didn't tempt her well enough," she said referring to the detonator.

"It was enough," the Prince said. "She believed the detonator could kill everyone here, and yet she didn't move to take it from you."

"Is this progress?" Makawee asked.

"Indeed, it is progress," the Prince answered.

The Prince escorted his wives to a ship that would transport them to his mansion. Once they arrived, Lex noticed that the servants bowed their heads to her as she walked past them. The Prince then sat on his throne and waited as a number of craftsmen came to see him. They knelt before him as he gave them orders.

"I have plans for a post marital trip, so I require the statue to be completed soon," the Prince ordered. He then focused on Lex who was awkwardly standing as the others were still kneeling. "Cooperate with them until the statue is completed. Then come to my room once the sun has set," he ordered.

"As you wish my Prince," Lex said sarcastically.

The Prince dismissed her and craftsmen with his hand. As they left Makawee entered the room, and locked the doors. "How long do you think it will take them?" she asked.

"It could take until evening," the Prince said.

Makawee got on top of the Prince on his throne. "Is that enough time?" she asked.

"Let us find out," the Prince said as he took his wife's garments off.

Lex was made to stand perfectly still as the craftsmen used small focused lasers and even cutting tools to create her statue. The palace had the statue of every wife in the palace as well as numerous statues of the Prince. It took some time but eventually the craftsmen were finished. Lex looked over the statue of her Yautja self. She preferred a statue that had her mask on as well as her armor, but it would have been inconsistent with the others.

"Is it to your liking?" the lead craftsman asked.

"That is up to the Prince. I am merely the model," Lex said disdainfully.

"We must have someone's approval before we can leave," the lead craftsman insisted.

"I will retrieve the Prince for you," she said and left the room.

She went to the Prince's throne room and was about to knock on the door when Nizhoni stopped her. "The Prince is occupied," she told her.

"These craftsmen won't leave until they have his approval," Lex explained.

"I understand but none-the-less the Prince is occupied," Nizhoni said.

"Occupied with what?" Lex demanded.

Nizhoni remained silent. "I don't care what he's doing," Lex said.

"Very well," Nizhoni said and then used a remote to unlock the door.

Lex entered the room and immediately discovered it was locked behind her. The Prince and Makawee were naked and surprised by her entrance. Lex tried to back out but couldn't figure out how to unlock the door. Makawee walked up to Lex, but she was not angry.

"Now that you are here join us," she said.

"Join?" Lex wondered.

Nizhoni left her station and looked over Lex's statue. "It doesn't show her stubbornness and stupidity," she commented.

"Does it displease you?" the lead craftsman asked.

"No, it shows her positive attributes. It shows her pride," Nizhoni said. "You may depart," she said to the craftsmen and none dared to question her.