Braevan by Leona Windwalker

Chitose:

When our parents died, I thought for sure my university days were over. I had a younger brother to look after, and he needed me. I couldn’t turn him over to someone else just so I could work more hours in order to attend classes at least part-time. The Mylos scholarship program’s expansion to include gay males sounded just the ticket! I currently didn’t have a boyfriend, so there was no one to object to them checking if I was a one in a gazillion chance match to one of their warriors. The scholarship money would pay for my schooling, housing, and provide a stipend for food and other expenses for us both. It was too good to pass up. It was the solution to most of our current problems, I was sure of it.

Braevan:

When the Bride Treaty’s program was expanded to include males such myself, my hearts and mind became filled with hope. Was my mate one of the males below, thirsting for knowledge and open to finding their forever love? Matches were rare, and I knew that the odds of it happening were only one out of so many billions. One chance in however large a number was still one, though, not zero, and so every single day, I gaze out the windows as I walk down the corridors to my duty station. Please, let him be there. I am ready, my arms and hearts open.