Salvatt swooped into the landing pad in his speeder and strode down the exit ramp to enter the temple of the four elements. The other princes assembled around the central stone table, and Salvatt took his place at the southern corner.

“Greetings, princes,” Salvatt said.

“Congratulations on a successful mating,” Shay, the prince of the water lands, spoke.

“The successful mating of one prince brings us closer to stabilizing our lands,” said Magmus.

“How is your son faring?” Shay asked Salvatt.

“Well. As is his mother. The south has calmed since the mating became official. But we must quickly open the lottery to the rest of the males if we want to maintain civil order. Have the rest of you located your brides?” Salvatt asked.

“Yes,” said Magmus.

“Yes,” said Elait.

“My mate was just identified today,” said Shay.

“I’ve had news that there is Mulgor activity in a sector the Bride Ships must travel through to get to Galaton,” Elait said. “My bride has just reached that sector.”

Elait turned on the holocom above the stone table and opened a star chart to show the other princes where the Mulgor activity was taking place. The Bride Ships would certainly be at risk if the rumors were true.

“We have to watch that sector carefully,” Magmus agreed.

“My bride must be kept safe,” Elait said, pounding a fist against the stone table.

“Perhaps you should take a ship out to meet her,” suggested Salvatt.

“And leave my lands?” he growled.

“The sector in question is only one or two weeks away from Galaton,” Salvatt said. “We can send our admirals to the air lands to ensure your rule will not be questioned.”

“Why should I trust that you will not take my lands or raid my coffers?”

“We all want the fighting to end. The dukes and earls haven’t been this aggressive in five thousand years. The last time the females died out, I believe our families each lost our lands. Doesn’t anyone remember their Galatonian history?” Salvatt asked.

“Of course we do. The battle to regain our ancestral rule took a thousand years.”

“And we worked together then,” Salvatt said. “Our houses will work together now. The fire lands have no need for water, air, or earth.”

“Agreed,” Magmus said.

“I am left with no other choice but to trust you. My bride must be secured. I will take an armed transport ship out to meet her Bride Ship. If there looks like there is a growing Mulgor threat, we can address it once we are sure.”

“Agreed,” the other princes said.

As the meeting of the Council of Princes ended, they were all satisfied with what needed to take place. The princes of fire, water, and earth would send their most trusted admirals to watch over the air lands while Elait went to protect his bride and the safety of all brides traveling to Galaton in the future. It was a critical mission for all of them.

Salvatt strode out to his speeder and traveled across the world, back to his mate.

He found her sitting in their newly remodeled shared chambers, playing with Shiloh as he crawled across a plush rug. She stood to greet him, carefully rising to her feet, despite her round belly. She reached up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. He bent down to let her plant her lips on his face.

“How was the meeting of the princes?” she asked.

“It went well. We are addressing a possible threat from the Mulgor along the travel routes the Bride Ships must take.”

“Oh no. Is it serious?”

“We aren’t sure. It could just be rumor at this point. The prince of the north is going out to meet his bride and inspect the sector for signs of the Mulgor.”

“That does sound serious,” she said.

“No need for you to worry, my pretty mate,” he said, taking her to sit beside the baby on the padded mat on the ground. She leaned into his chest and he put his arm around her shoulder.

“It’s good to have you home,” she said, rubbing her hand over her rounding baby bump.

“It’s good to be home,” he said, leaning down to kiss her.

His big hand ran over her swelling belly. Salvatt’s heart burst, knowing that this time, he’d be with his beautiful mate the whole time she ripened with his child. He looked down at her face and cupped her cheek.

“My sweet little mate. You came to me from across the stars and brought me new strength. You brought new strength to the fire lands and to Galaton.”

He kissed the top of her head and she sighed against his chest.

“Salvatt, being here with you and Shiloh and our new baby on the way. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted. There’s no other place for me in the universe than right by your side.”

“And my place is right beside you,” he said, patting her back as they watched their son.

Salvatt let out a satisfied breath, feeling the warm glow of love radiating between him and his family. Celeste hadn’t just brought her human X chromosome to Galaton. She’d brought Salvatt his heart.