Wared glanced at his watch as he took in the view from the second story office. A hand appeared around his waist as Kyra put her head on his shoulder and kissed his cheek.

"Don't worry, love. He's always late."

He flashed what he thought was a confident grin and took a deep breath. "If you say so."

"Come," she said and took his hand, "Let's sit down. Try to relax, ok?"

"That's easier said than done, you know that. It's not like I've always known your dad and we are best friends or anything."

"You will be," Kyra said with a smile and led him away from the large window panels that faced the distant mountains. The suns were just rising over the horizon, the jagged peaks of the eastern mountain range a mere shadow against the illuminating rays that brightened up the office.

They sat down on a large couch in the middle of the room, their backs against the window. A coffee table separated them from a couple of lounge chairs opposite them while an imposing, wide wooden desk was tucked up against the wall on their left.

"You never said who the woman is," Wared said and pointed towards a large oil painting that hung on the wall behind the desk. A woman with dark brown hair stood in a field of wheat, the tree line and a small cabin in the distance, the blue sky with wisps of soft, white clouds in the background. She held a bouquet of wildflowers and greeted him with a gentle and inviting smile. Strands of her brown hair made their escape across her face as her green eyes seemed to stare straight at him. He didn't recognize the location, yet it felt inviting.

"I'm not sure, to be honest. She's a distant relative. I think."

"She reminds me of you," Wared said and turned to Kyra, a smile on his face.

Kyra raised her eyebrows. "Is that so?"

"Yeah. Must be where you got your beautiful face from."

"Stop it. I don't even know who she is," Kyra said and blushed.

Wared laughed and squeezed her hand. "It doesn't matter. So hey," he said and nodded towards the back wall. "What's with all the books?"

Shelves of alphabetically sorted books occupied the entire wall opposite the windows, filling it from floor to ceiling.

"I've never seen so many books in my life," he continued.

"He's a collector."

"Why books?" Wared said with a furrowed brow. ""

"The books contain the foundation of our history," a voice from the far side of the room said. Wared jumped to his feet in attention as a man of medium build approached. His cropped white hair and blue eyes were a stark contrast to his black pants and shirt. A couple of stars on each shoulder showed his rank. Wared had never met such a powerful man before.

"I'm Henrin, Kyra's father," he said as he approached with a curious smile on his lips. He stopped briefly in front of Wared, bowed, and then sat down in a chair opposite the couple. "My apologies for my tardiness. Official business, I'm afraid."

Wared smiled and nodded, unsure what to say. He felt butterflies in his stomach and a sudden urge to vomit as he realized he sat face to face with one of the most powerful men on the planet.

"Sir," he said and nodded. "Thank you for seeing us today."

Henrin waved dismissively and smiled as he leaned back in his chair. "Anything for my girl. Can I get you anything? Refreshments? I think we just received some exclusive spring water from the northern plains. It is most satisfying."

"Of course," Wared said with a nod, suddenly aware that his mouth felt dry as sandpaper and his tongue like an alien object hiding in his mouth, refusing to do his bidding. "I have never had water from the northern plains."

A moment later, a side door opened and a servant brough in three tall glasses filled with a clear liquid. He placed the glasses on the table and retraced his steps out of the room.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Henrin nodded towards the couple and made a sweeping gesture at the glasses, all the while he kept his eyes on Wared. "Go ahead, help yourself."

Wared nodded and took a glass. It was cool to the touch. The water itself had a barely noticeable bluish tint, only visible at a certain angle. He had heard about the water from the plains, but not in his wildest imagination had he ever even dreamed about holding a glass of it in his hand, much less drinking it. It was the purest water source on the planet, yet so scarce that the water was only made available for special occasions. Even then, only in limited supply. Was this occasion that special or was Henrin just showing off?

"Well, try it," Henrin urged, his eyes locked on Wared.

Wared cracked an awkward smile, hesitated for a moment as he glanced at Kyra and then took a sip.

"Delicious, isn't it?" Henrin said.

It was. The water was just the right temperature, not too cold, not lukewarm. It had a smooth texture and tasted clean. Wared nodded. "Yes, sir, it is. I've never tasted better." It wasn't a lie.

Henrin smiled. "Good, good." He took a sip from his own glass, closed his eyes for a moment, and then swallowed. "It's a precious commodity. Some may even call it a luxury, one of the few we have on this planet." He returned the glass to the table, then leaned back in his chair. "It's also a resource we use sparingly to ensure it lasts for generations to come. Of course, the location of the source is protected as if it is a state secret."

"I understand," Wared said and took another sip.

Henrin laughed and smacked his palm on his knee. "Oh wait, it is a state secret."

Wared smiled uncomfortably at the joke and glanced at Kyra. She returned his smile and winked at him, as if to say so far so good. He wasn't so sure.

The man who Wared hoped to become his future father-in-law picked up his glass, took another sip as he leaned forward towards Wared, his elbows resting on his knees. His eyes locked with those of Wared and the two men watched each other in an uncomfortable silence for what felt like an eternity to Wared.

"So, you're in love," Henrin said and took another sip of water.

Wared felt a lump of ice in his stomach and his face burned with what he had no doubt was the reddest face mankind had ever seen.

"Well, uh, sir, I—"

"It's a simple question."

"Dad—" Kyra started, but Henrin held up a hand to stop her.

"Let the man answer."

Wared swallowed, then nodded as he looked over at Kyra, then back to Henrin. "Yes, yes I do. I mean, yes I am."

A barely visible smile flashed across Henrin's face as he held up the glass in front of him. "To me, Kyra is like this water. She's the most precious thing in my life."

"I understand," Wared said.

"I hope so, son," Henrin said as he stood up and moved to the large chair behind his desk. He took another sip of water, then put it down. "I'll do anything in my power to keep her safe and ensure her happiness. Anything."

"Yes, sir."

Henrin nodded and leaned back in his chair as he tapped the tips of his fingers together in a triangle his eyes wandered to the windows as he continued. "Very well. The Bonding ceremony is just a few weeks away. As you well know, the expectation during this ceremony is that both of you are matched with a partner that is genetically suitable for the long-term continuation of a genetically diverse population. These matches are never random. They're based on rigorous science and the overall benefit to our colony." Henrin paused and looked at Wared as he reached for his glass and took another sip. "A Bonding is never based on love."

Wared felt his heart drop, and he felt his face burning again as Kyra grabbed his hand. Their eyes met each other and he could tell Kyra was holding back the tears. Everything Henrin had said was true. They both knew it. Kyra had argued it was worth a try asking for an exception. She was, after all, his daughter. Surely a father would look at his daughter and try to make her happy? Wared wondered now whether it had all been a mistake to even try.

"I understand, sir," he whispered.

Henrin stood up and walked around the desk until he stood directly in front of Wared. He stood in silence for a few moments, the glass of water in his hand. Wared wasn't sure whether to continue staring at Henrin or look away. The butterflies in the pit of his stomach returned as the moment dragged on. Then, Henrin reached for the pitcher, refilled his glass and handed it to Wared as he flashed a brief smile.

"This water is now your responsibility," he said as he put his hand on Wared's shoulder. He squeezed lightly as he leaned in closer. "Don't spill it."

Before Wared had a chance to answer, Henrin let go of his grip, nodded and exited the room without another word.

As the door shut behind Henrin, Wared looked at the glass of water in his hand, then at Kyra. A smile spread across her face as a tear rolled down her cheek.

"You did it, Wared, you did it."

"I did what?" He was still trying to piece together what had just happened.

"Don't you see?" she said as she took the glass from his hand and held it up between them. "He gave his water to you. The water, that's me, dummy. His most precious possession." Kyra grinned.

Wared took a deep breath and leaned back. Could it really be true? Was it possible, after all, to receive an exemption from the Bonding protocol? He had never heard of that happening. Not officially, anyway.

"Do you really think so?"

"Why else would he give you this? The question is, Wared, what are you going to do about it?" Kyra said as she handed the glass of water back to him, a mischievous smile on lips, her eyebrows raised.

"Simple," he said, and returned the smile. "I'll keep you safe and, if you don't mind, I might just have a taste." He embraced Kyra as their lips locked while tears of joy flowed from both of their eyes.

~~~