Chapter 25

Xan woke before the first D’Arian sun and disentangled himself from Sloan to slip out of bed. Last night had been another night of diplomatic meetings capped off with a dinner. Sloan—with the help of Yaris—had dressed the part of a diplomatic envoy with hair to match. Xan knew she had been nervous during those first couple of weeks on D’Arian, and having the clothes to fit in seemed to relax her.

Thinking back to some of his meetings, Xan was pleased that he had already been able to make changes that would improve the lives of the people in his sector. Xan had forcefully pushed for an increase in the trade subsidies for smaller producers throughout the sector.

“They are being swallowed up by larger companies. Without those smaller producers, remote areas will be without suppliers, and villages will be unable to survive,” he said to a minister.

“That’s not true; the larger companies can supply them.” The minister had tried to reason with Xan, but he saw through the idea.

“And how much will those major producers charge to set up a shop in those small villages? They will not set them up, or they will charge much more to make it worthwhile for them. This measure will damage the local economies,” Xan said, having reviewed all the economic data on small medical and textile suppliers earlier in the day.

“I’m sure there are examples where that is not the case.” The minister had scrolled furiously through his comm pad, searching for one such example.

“I can assure you that every case has worked out this way in every other industry. I will not have it impact textiles and medical supplies, and I hope to reverse this trend in other industries, as well. That is my decision, and it’s final,” Xan said forcefully before dismissing the minister.

His mother’s entrance into his office brought him back to the present. Xan watched as she made her way across the room and sat in one of the chairs in front of his desk. The interactions his mother was having with Sloan had been a point of contention since their arrival. Xan had voiced his displeasure to her before and would have to ensure it was much more forceful this time.

“Hello, Mother.” Xan glanced down at his comm pad. He should be ecstatic at seeing his mother and being back, but her attitude was making it difficult to visualize the warm and loving woman he knew as a child and young man. Where had that woman gone?

“Xan, I’m glad I caught you before . . .” Her voice trailed off. “Before everyone else woke.”

“What is it that you need, Mother?”

“I wanted to inform you of the ball we will be holding next week.”

“What ball? The coronation isn’t for another three months, and we already had my welcoming ball last week,” Xan said, absentmindedly scrolling through his comm pad.

“I know that, but there are a number of daughters from nearby kingdoms I think would be excellent matches for you,” she said nonchalantly, sitting back in her chair.

“We are not having this discussion, Mother.” Xan stood from behind his desk and walked toward the door.

“We need to talk about this. I know you have strong feelings for Sloan. And I’m not saying she needs to leave. I can see how her presence seems to calm you, but I don’t think you’re thinking this through.” She followed Xan as he made his way into the throne room.

“Mother, enough.” Xan stood at the base of the stairs to the throne.

“Xan, you know you must marry before you can take the throne. We have little time to find you a suitable match before the coronation,” she said emphatically behind him.

“Mother, I have met my match. Sloan is my match. She will be my queen.” Xan moved to confront her.

“You can’t be serious, Xan.” She moved closer to him, trying to bring her hands to him to influence him with her emotions.

“I am serious, Mother. More than I have ever been about anything. She is my choice; she is the woman I love, and she will be my queen.” He moved away from her, not allowing her to touch him.

“Xan, I am forever grateful for what she did and the fact that she rescued you. You will be a fine king and will bring this empire into a new renaissance, but to do that you need the right queen at your side. You need someone practiced at diplomacy, protocol, and grace. Not some space captain who flies a pile of junk through space.”

“The Arrow is not a piece of junk, and Sloan can learn everything she needs to about becoming a queen from you and Yaris. It will take time, but I know she is up to the task.”

“Son, please—”

“As the future king and heir to the D’Arian empire, I will not stand for you speaking about my future queen that way, Queen Regent or not, Mother. Do you understand me?” Xan said, his voice booming in the cavernous room.

“Son, I want only what is best for you and what is best for this sector,” Venu said.

“And I am telling you now, that it is not the case. I am doing what is best for this sector and what is best for me and that is having Sloan as my wife and queen. This is not something that is up for debate, Mother. Do you understand?” Xan said.

“Yes, my future king, I understand.” She bowed before making a hasty retreat from the room.

“Queen?” Sloan squeaked from behind Xan. He hadn’t realized she had made her way to the throne room. He could see the look of terror on her face.

“My D’Auriel,” Xan jumped up and rushed over to where she was standing by the door to his private chamber.

“You want me to be your queen?” Sloan said, seemingly in a daze.

“I know this is a shock and not at all how I wanted to ask you, but yes, I would like you to be my queen.” He cupped her cheek in his hand. Xan ushered her into the private chamber and sat her on the closest lounge, then joined her.

“Xan, I am not a queen.”

“And I am not a king, at least not until I accept the throne. Once I am king, you will be the queen.”

“But I don’t know how to be a queen. I don’t know the protocols, and I don’t know how to interact with people like a queen.”

“As the queen, any way you carry yourself or interact with others or dress will be that of a queen, Sloan,” he said, pausing before standing up and walking to his desk. Xan opened the top right drawer. He withdrew a box he had retrieved from the vault last night after Sloan had fallen asleep. Running his fingers over the box, Xan took it out and walked over to Sloan with it. She seemed to have moved from anxious to curious to see what he had in his hands. Her questioning eyes were answered when he stood in front of her, knelt, and held out the box before opening it. Her eyes went from questioning to surprise in a moment.

“Sloan, my D’Auriel. I have never felt the way I feel for you. My days are brightened by your smile, and my heart is filled with joy at your laughter. I wish nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you at my side. Will you please agree to be my wife?” Xan said, gazing deeply into Sloan’s eyes.

“Yes,” Sloan said quickly before slapping her hands over her mouth. “Xan, I would love to be your wife, but I can’t be your queen.” She dropped her eyes, staring at her hands.

“Is this Captain Sloan backing down from a challenge?” Xan tried to drag a laugh out of Sloan. He remained on his knee but removed the ring from the box and held it in his hand. Xan reached out for her hand and placed it on her fourth finger, then kissed her palm.

“I know you’re scared. I know this is a lot of change for you, but I need you, Sloan. My D’Auriel, I can’t do this without you. I need you by my side because I know that with you there, I will be stronger than I could ever be without you. I love you.” Sloan started to speak, but Xan placed a finger over her lips. “You don’t have to answer me now. Please give it time. You don’t have to say anything now, but I would be honored if you would wear this ring. It’s been in my family for over a hundred generations. Wear it, and we will move slowly, but I want you to know that I do want you as my wife and my queen. Never have that doubt in your mind. Is that okay?

Sloan nodded as she replied, “Okay. And I want you to know that I love you, too, so much, but this is a lot to take in. I’m a captain of a transport ship from a planet most have forgotten even exists. Being a queen is not something that has ever even entered my mind.”

“Even better. Perhaps you’ll be able to show the other royals out there a thing or two about living a real life in the universe. Give them a new perspective,” Xan said, trying to play to Sloan’s rebel sensibilities.

“I’m sure I would ruffle a few feathers if I showed up to an event in my utility pants and boots.” She smiled, then gazed down at the intricate design of azure, diamond, and gold gemstones and metal that made up the ring.

“I’m sure you could show them precisely what kind of queen they should all aspire to be.” Xan kissed her passionately and hoped she would accept his proposal. If she didn’t, he would be unable to take the throne.