One for Kami by Charlene A. Wilson Read Free Book Online Page A

eliminating poverty was. The lower class weds one spouse and bears only one child while the elite must choose three and produce as many offspring that would come to them? It was absurd.
    Find another way to spread the wealth than through inheritance.
    She looked at him, and her voice rose with her exclamation. “I can’t stay here and conform to the laws of this dimension. Not when I know there are other places that don’t require such things. I need the freedom to love whomever I want whoever they are, without the stipulation of a quota. And if that means transferring, then that’s what I’ll do.”
    “If your mother was alive…”
    “Well, she’s not.” Kami scowled. She had expected him to try to bring her mother into this, but it hurt just the same. “But, I can’t believe she wouldn’t want me to be happy. She was one of a quota, Ian, one that had only one child. Father’s attention stayed on the others.”
    Ian’s broad shoulders lifted as he took a deep breath and sent his gaze back to the trees.
    “I’m leaving for a six-month stay in Three-Two-Three. With me gone, you’ll be free to start your family before you turn twenty-five. I won’t stand in your way to fulfill your obligation. You’ll have time to find a woman that will happily live by the law.” Her voice lowered to a mumble. “And I won’t have to see you do it.”
    Ian’s heavy brow furrowed and his dark lashes narrowed his gaze. “And what will happen if you find someone while you’re there? That realm doesn’t know we exist, Kami. What will you tell him when you leave every six months to come back to renew your travel rights?”
    “When I choose someone, it will be because our love is true. He’ll understand I need some time away.”
    His mouth dropped open and he shook his head. “What love that’s true has those kinds of secrets?” A scowl crossed his face and he drew his hand through the air. “And what makes you think a love there would be truer than my love here?”
    “They choose only one. They pledge their hearts and it lasts a lifetime.”
    “Promises can be broken whichever realm you’re in.” Orange and yellow leaves scattered as he marched across the small tract and sunk to the ground before her. Taking her hands in his, he looked into her eyes. “Stay here. Marry me. Be my elite choice. There can be only one first time, and I want it to be you. Let it be enough. ”
    It took all of Kami’s strength to look away. She clenched her jaw, trying to control the hiccup that would surely release a sob.
    Ian shook his head and his voice lowered to a plea. “Please, Kami. Don’t go.”
    She pinched her lips together and the hiccup forced its way to her throat. Snatching her breath, she kept it silent, but it jarred her into action. “The consort has already granted my leave. I’ve taken the training and temporary employment is waiting for me. If I can make it work, I’ll arrange to stay longer.”
    The frank tone of her voice gave her strength as she stood. “Goodbye, Ian.”
    Ian’s hands slowly released her as he rose and stepped back. His square jaw flexed. “Never say goodbye. This isn’t the end.”
    Tearing her gaze from his hazel eyes, Kami focused her thoughts on the Inter-dimensional Courtyard. A wave of heat sizzled through her veins as her elements prepared to shift through space. The scene before her distorted and a soft fizz buzzed in her ears as she synced into the atrium.

Chapter 2
    “ Vella Keagan, you’re late.”
    The voice fluttered through Kami’s senses as she solidified in the spacious atrium. Drawing a deep breath, her lungs filled with the smell of antiseptic and lavender. How anyone could expect the artificial floral scent to lessen the staunch odor she would never know. The aroma wafted from the circular fountain at the center. The design spiraled upward as if to reach the crown of the steel beams and glass ceiling, the spurts falling to a clear bowl-shaped base. A flurry of