The following morning, Mina and Garrus sat at the small table eating breakfast.
'Aster,' SAM began. 'Garrus is exhibiting significantly lower stress levels, and his vocal patterns indicate increased contentment.'
'You can detect his vocal patterns?' Mina asked. 'I don't remember you telling me that.'
'It's not difficult,' SAM informed her.
"How are you feeling?" Mina asked nonchalantly.
"I slept well," Garrus replied. "The last few days have been rough."
Mina nodded. That's exactly what she wanted to hear from him. She had noticed him, looking tense and agitated.
"We should cuddle more often," Mina stated, sipping on her coffee. "The bond must have been affecting more than you realized."
"You - I," Garrus stammered. "How?"
"Solana gave me a quick rundown," Mina answered. "Since I'm human, the bond doesn't affect me the same as it does you."
"I didn't want to force anything," Garrus said, rubbing his neck. "You didn't agree to any of this."
"Neither did you," Mina countered. "Stop being so stubborn. We've talked about this before. We won't make any rushed decisions regarding our bond, but that doesn't mean you need to suffer.
"I'm not the kind of person who will punish you for something that you didn't have any control over. I agreed to sleep with you that night as well. We couldn't have guessed you would be exposed to a drug."
Garrus signed and reluctantly nodded. "I know you're right, but I'm still bothered by it."
"Our bond has consequences," he continued. "My father won't agree. I don't know what my mother will think.
"She praised you at the dinner, but now that we're together, I don't know if she will change her mind. She-"
Garrus was interrupted as the bell on the front door rang.
Mina frowned, "I didn't think we were expecting visitors."
"We're not," Garrus answered, standing up to answer the door.
'You might want to grab some popcorn,' SAM said, amused. 'We're about to see a good drama unfold.'
'Who is it?' Mina wondered, standing as well.
Mina subtly walked out of the kitchen and peeked around the corner, and saw another turian, female. She was tall, with piercing blue eyes and crimson facial markings.
"Garrus," she said, her voice sharp and demanding. "We need to talk."
Garrus's mandibles pulled back in a grimace. "Nyreen. This isn't a good time." He subtly blocked the doorway with his larger frame.
'Oh, this is Nyreen,' Mina said from her position. 'What's the deal with her?'
'She's not giving up on the potential marriage opportunity,' SAM explained. 'Garrus's father is pushing for the marriage. Nyreen isn't taking no for an answer. Garrus has made it clear that he's not interested.'
Nyreen pushed harder, her shoulder bumping against Garrus's. "It's always a good time for the truth, Vakarian. And I know you're hiding something. Unless you want me to get your parents involved, I suggest you let me in."
"Nyreen, stop." Garrus's voice was low, warning.
'I dont want to overstep,' Mina thought. 'But I think he's going to need help dealing with her.'
Mina took a deep breath and slowly stepped forward.
"Hey Garrus," Mina called out. "What's going on? Is there a problem?"
Nyreen turned her gaze on Mina, her blue eyes narrowed. "Who are you?"
"Garrus, who is she?" Nyreen asked.
"That's none of your business," Mina replied, stepping closer to Garrus. "But Garrus is clearly asking you to leave. So, unless you have a warrant, you're trespassing."
Nyreen ignored Mina, focusing solely on Garrus. "You'd better start explaining, now."
"Nyreen, I don't have to explain anything," Garrus replied. "I've made it clear to you that I'm not interested in you."
"Your father is the head of the household," Nyreen growled. "He decides your marriage and our families have already agreed for us to marry."
"Garrus can't marry you," Mina growled back.
Nyreen whirled on Mina, her expression venomous. "Stay out of this, human. This is Turian business. It's none of your concern."
"It is entirely my concern," Mina countered, stepping forward. "Garrus is my partner. He's not marrying you, not today, not ever."
Nyreen's control snapped. "You wretched creature! You think you can steal what is rightfully mine?!"
With a guttural cry, she lunged.
Mina, anticipating the attack, sidestepped the clumsy blow. Nyreen, caught off balance, stumbled. Garrus, finally jolted into action, moved to intervene. But Mina was faster. With a sharp, practiced movement, she grabbed Nyreen's arm, using her momentum to sweep her off her feet. Nyreen landed hard, with a satisfying thud.
"Get. Out," Mina said, her voice dangerously low. "And leave Garrus alone."
Nyreen, stunned and furious, scrambled to her feet, spitting a string of Turian curses. "You haven't heard the last of this, human! Garrus will see reason. He'll realize his mistake. You can't escape duty, Garrus Vakarian!"
With a final glare, she stormed out, leaving a tense silence hanging in the air.
Garrus looked at Mina, a mixture of gratitude and concern in his eyes. "Mina… are you alright?"
Mina met his gaze, a small smile playing on her lips. "I'm fine."
"What was that about?" Mina asked.
"My dad is pushing for the marriage," Garrus explained. "Nyreen is adamant about marrying."
'SAM, can turians have multiple wives?'
'Why don't you ask him?' SAM asked.
"Can turians have multiple wives?" Mina questioned.
Garrus practically choked. The mandibles around his vocalizer twitched. He pivoted, his blue-plated face a mask of bewildered horror. "Multiple wives? Mina, where did that come from? I'm bonded to you, I can't bond with anyone else."
Mina flushed. "I was just…curious! I mean, you guys are all about hierarchy and order, so I just wondered if, you know, the social structure might…include…that."
She mumbled the last part, wishing she could retract the question. She was trying to break the ice and ease the tension, not accidentally drop a conversational grenade.
'SAM, why didn't you stop me from asking?!'
'I feel in necessary for you to experience embarrassment from time to time,' SAM answered. 'It helps me learn.'
Garrus sputtered, his mandibles clicking rapidly. "Mina, that's… barbaric! Where did you even hear such a thing? Turian society is based on duty, not…harems!" He threw his hands up, his talons glinting in the artificial light. "Imagine the logistical nightmare alone! Think of the paperwork!"
Mina couldn't help but giggle at his outburst, the image of a stressed-out Turian bureaucrat wading through marriage certificates flashing through her mind. "Okay, okay, I get it. I didn't know.
"I was just worried. Will your father try to force something?"
"He can try," Garrus said, calming down a bit. "But he won't succeed."
"You know she's going to get your parents involved," Mina stated. "I think it would be best if you tell them yourself."
"I know," Garrus muttered. "I'll send mom a message. Maybe she can stop by, and I can speak to her first. Dad will be the most difficult."
Mina nodded in agreement. Garrus was about to send a message when the doorbell rang once more. Both Mina and Garrus shared a look. Camelea
Garrus cautiously approached the door, his eyes wide. He punched the intercom. "Who's there?"
A familiar, smooth voice answered. "Garrus Vakarian, are you going to keep your mother waiting on the doorstep? I haven't got all day."
Garrus practically tripped over himself opening the door. Standing before them was Camelea, Garrus's mother. Her turquoise plates gleamed under the hall light, and her mandibles quirked in a knowing smile.
"Mother, what brings you here?" Garrus asked.
Camelea swept past him, her gaze taking in the tense atmosphere and Mina's obvious distress. "Can't I visit my son?" she asked. "And you haven't even offered me a drink. Keelah se'lai, what kind of hospitality is this?"
She settled into the armchair.
"I'll go get you something," Mina muttered and dashed toward the kitchen.
'You couldn't have given us a warning?' Mina huffed.
'I learn through your experiences,' SAM reminded her.
Mina grabbed a dextro-base drink for her. She quietly brought it over and handed it to her.
"Thank you, dear," Camelea said. "Garrus, why do you introduce us?"
"This is Mina," Garrus said hesitantly. "She's-"
"Mina," Camelea repeated. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Have we met before?"
Mina froze. Of course, they had met before. "Not that I remember."
While Camelea sipped on her drink, Garrus and Mina exchanged frantic glances. How were they supposed to explain that Garrus had accidentally marked Mina?
"This is ridiculous," she said, her voice softening slightly. "Tell me what is going on? I saw Nyreen rushing out of the apartment complex as I pulled up."
Garrus winced. Mina looked at her hands.
Camelia surveyed them both, her gaze lingering on Mina. The air thickened with tension. Mina could practically taste the anxiety radiating off Garrus. Mina grabbed Garrus's arm and pushed him toward the couch to sit.
She sat next to him. Garrus fiddled with his claws. Mina didn't know where to look.
Finally, Camela sighed. "Alright, out with it. Garrus, spit it out. I am your mother; you can discuss everything with me."
Garrus paled, glancing helplessly at Mina. With a deep breath, Mina spoke. "Garrus was affected by the pheromone that everyone has been raving about. And… well, Garrus accidentally marked me."
Silence.
Camela's eyes widened, then narrowed again, her gaze shifting back and forth between them. She stood up slowly, approaching Mina.
"Turn around, dear," she said gently. Mina hesitated but complied. Camela circled her, sniffing the air. A subtle but unmistakable scent lingered around Mina's neck. A Turian scent. Garrus' scent.
A faint smile played on Camela's lips. "Ah," she murmured, her voice surprisingly calm. "I see."
Garrus, completely bewildered, blurted out, "You see? You're not going to yell?"
Camela chuckled, a low, rumbling sound. "Yelling won't solve anything. Now, tell me everything. From the beginning." She settled back into her chair, a glint of something unreadable in her eyes. "This," she said with a hint of amusement, "is going to be very interesting."
Mina internally groaned. How was she supposed to tell her new mother-in-law that they only planned to hook up?