“Colin, is everything ready?”

Her steward barely kept pace with Joslynn as she walked steadily to her family seat. It was raining but the umbrella Colin held over her kept the worst of it off.

Joslynn felt the winds from The Jasmine’s takeoff and turned to watch it rise higher and higher until the starship disappeared above the cloud cover. She and Adelina had a moment on the ship, but it had been fleeting. Only time would tell if they’d make any more progress.

As her Princess and Heir, Joslynn had undying faith in Adelina. There was no doubt in her mind that Adelina would succeed – that she would somehow get the Drakesthai to join them after generations of silence.

“Countess?”

Joslynn turned back to her steward and shook her head, realizing he’d spoken. “I apologize, could you please say that again?”

They continued down the path with the servants toward the seat. Everything looked exactly the same, but it felt – empty.

“Most of the cities are already loaded up into starships across the planet. We’ve had to commandeer all of them. There were some protestations, but all owners have complied. It’s the rural areas we need to comb over now. Some of the people in those areas are stubborn.”

Colin waited for her to enter the stone castle and then tossed the umbrella to a lower servant. Joslynn paused just inside the threshold and breathed in the strange, musty scent of home. It was nothing like Draga Terra. She could smell the wood floor, the mineral in the stones, and the vanilla smell of the books lining the walls.

There was even a hint of whiskey on the air, and Joslynn knew it was from Colin. It was his favorite pastime to drink while doing paperwork.

All her senses were heightened, but her sense of smell most of all. The symptoms of pregnancy should have been obvious from the beginning, but it had been the last thing on her mind after she’d spent night and day organizing for the evacuation. And once she’d received the planet they were supposed to live on indefinitely Joslynn had stayed awake all night working with Colin and the dratted time delay on their messages.

It had been what she’d wanted all along – a child and an heir. But now that she had it, Joslynn wasn’t ready.

How was she supposed to care for a babe with her entire life upended? Not to think of the long ten months growing the child in her womb. There was so much danger, so much death. Joslynn didn’t want to bring something so tiny and precious and innocent into such a place.

“Send out a warning,” Joslynn ordered, walking through the halls lit with the warm glow from the sol-lights, fighting against the usual gloom and grey from the weather. “They have three hours to join the caravan. Then we will leave them. The cities and individual homes will be shielded and protected against looters and thieves as much as they can be. If they don’t evacuate they will be alone without resources.”

She stopped at the bottom of the main stairs. The dark brown wood was familiar and warm, but Joslynn felt cold inside. “The Pedranus treasury and trove has been packed up?” she asked.

Colin nodded and clasped his hands behind his back. “Yes, Countess. Half has been buried underground as instructed in the sacred vault. The other half has been loaded onto various starships – all inventoried and accounted for.”

“Good.” She nodded, thinking of the precious stones and metals still in the ground, waiting to be mined. They would have to risk it all for their lives. “I will be in my rooms until it is time to leave. I need to speak to Sirus and rest.”

Because she was so incredibly exhausted despite having had a full night’s sleep.

“Shall I send up some food, Mistress?” Colin looked concerned, but he didn’t press further while the gaggle of servants stood in the foyer, eagerly awaiting orders.

Joslynn tried not to sigh or let her exasperation rise to the surface. The hormones were already affecting her and the amount of people trying to fuss over her was ridiculous. “That would be nice, thank you.”

She couldn’t get to her rooms quickly enough. Talking to Adelina had convinced her she should tell Sirus. It wasn’t that she didn’t want her fiancé to know the news, but Joslynn worried that it would distract him.

Sirus was about to step onto a killing field. He would face creatures from her nightmares and monsters that could control one’s body with their words alone. If he was worried about her or the unborn child then he wouldn’t be able to focus on staying alive.

But Adelina was right. Sirus needed to know. He would never forgive her for keeping such a thing to herself. Their courtship had been rocky because of her need for an heir in the first place.

Joslynn waved her hand over the standing pad before the door. The older tech made her smile. She would have to update everything when they returned. If it was all still standing when they finally made it back.

Her sitting room was large – it was the master suite after all. Couches and chairs and a dining table were all elegantly placed. But Joslynn went to her desk where she did most of her business and tapped her code onto the surface.

The machine powered up and she was able to see everything she kept on both her shreve and her simulcast. Joslynn sat and selected Sirus. The pleasant chime went on and on as it waited for him to pick up the signal on the other end. If her assumption was correct they were still within range of each other for a live vidcast with little to no time delay.

She tugged on a curl and tried to ignore how nervous she was. Even her palms were sweaty.

“Joslynn.” Sirus’s voice was warm and pleased. “You arrived on Pedranus safely?” A few seconds later his face came into focus.

She smiled and nodded, inspecting him and his familiar ship behind him for any sign of distress. “Are you somewhere private?” she asked.

He frowned but left the room he was in. “I am now. What’s wrong?” Sirus barely hid the panic in his eyes.

It was difficult to say the words, but she didn’t want him worried any longer than necessary. They both knew this could happen. It shouldn’t be too much of a shock. “I just found out I’m with child,” she said softly, blushing as she realized how much she wanted him to be happy about this.

No, not just happy. Joslynn wanted Sirus to feel ecstatic. This was new life. This was the beginning of their future.

The look on his face was priceless. Sirus’s mouth dropped open but no sound came out. He was completely stunned. “You’re pregnant?”

She couldn’t help a little laugh. “That is what I said. Are you all right?”

Sirus blinked and then a wide grin spread across his face – so unusual for the hardened warrior. “I’m more than all right. This is wonderful! Do you know if it’s a boy or a girl?”

Joslynn shook her head. “I won’t know for a few weeks yet. It’s far too soon.”

“Well,” Sirus breathed. “Look at that.”

All day she’d been wondering if now was the right time for such a blessing, and if everything was going to work out for them. But after telling Sirus she no longer doubted. Joslynn knew this was meant to be. His look of wonder and amazement filled her heart with such happiness and warmth unlike anything she’d ever experienced.

Sirus would be an amazing father.

“I know things will be a bit hectic for the next few weeks but I will make sure to send you updates,” Joslynn said, tapping her desk to allow the servant waiting outside access.

The girl set the tray of steaming food on the dining table and left quietly. It was simple fare as most everything was packed up and being shipped off. Joslynn sent the vidcast to her window and dimmed the lights so she could see Sirus and then sat down at the table.

The stew and bread was welcome after so many strange dishes at the palace.

“Yes,” Sirus agreed with a frown. “Should I request re-deployment? I don’t want you to be alone during this.”

Selfishly, she wanted to say yes, but Joslynn knew it wasn’t the right choice. “No, I will be all right. As things progress we can revisit the situation. For now I am fine. We will be leaving for Avvis soon, and then I will be behind two shields. I’m more concerned for you.”

Sirus smiled softly at her. “You don’t have to worry over me. I’ve done this for cycles. We have the tech now to protect against the Neprijat’s mind control. I promise this will all be over soon.”

They both knew it may not be over for a while, but Joslynn nodded regardless. Better to pretend than to wallow in the thought of a war that could last cycles. “I need to eat and then get on a starship. So I will call you tonight after I’ve settled in to our new quarters on Avvis. Masha has been kind enough to offer me a suite of rooms in her seat. Then I might take Adelina up on her offer to stay at the palace after my people are settled in.”

Hearing her plans seemed to ease some of Sirus’s concern. Joslynn studied his face, hesitant to end the cast. His ice-blue eyes were full of happiness and love and a fraction of worry. The scar that ravaged his face only made him more ruggedly handsome. Her barbarian lord. There was sadness there as well, knowing how long they would be apart for – how much longer they could be apart.

Joslynn was no warrior. She would never see battle, but she would be there for the aftermath. Handling the refugees, dealing with the wounded and dead, helping families back on their feet, ensuring no one starved…there was much to do that didn’t rely on the ability to fight.

“I look forward to your call, my love.” Then Sirus ended the cast and Joslynn was left alone in her rooms – the ones she would eventually share with Sirus and their growing family.

It was strange to see everything so quiet and empty. Most of the furniture in the castle was covered and protected. Precious books had been removed and the rest locked up behind a basic shield. All of her clothes and personal items that remained after her trip to Draga Terra had been packed and placed on the Pedranus starship.

She sighed and ate the hearty stew.

Her people still hiding in the rural areas would be all right if they stayed. They knew how to stay hidden and protect themselves. The forests, and glens, and plains were where they all originated from all those generations ago. It would be difficult for the Neprijat to take or kill them. Only a worldbreaker could do any irreparable damage.

Joslynn tried not to think of such a thing happening. It was too devastating – too much to lose, but it was better than the death of all her people. She was grateful for the evacuation plan in place. With any luck they were ahead of the Neprijat’s plans.

But they knew so little about them. Only that they wanted a Draga queen, that they wanted to conquer and ravage as many planets and galaxies as they could. But where did they hail from? What tech did they possess? What had caused them to break off from the rest of the human descendants?

Suddenly she felt nauseous. Joslynn set down her spoon and placed a hand on her lower belly. It was all too much. Taking it one step at a time was the only way not to lose her mind.

Joslynn sent a cast to Colin and grabbed the bread as she stood. It was useless waiting around in the castle. She needed everyone out and ready to go at a moment’s notice, not waiting on her. It would be easy enough to nap on her starship.

She checked her rooms one last time to make sure there was nothing else she wanted to bring along. But Colin and the servants had done an excellent job. Nothing had been missed.

Picking up her tray she left her room and paused outside the door as it closed behind her. Joslynn took a deep breath and blinked back tears. This would be the last time she would be in her home, in her rooms, for the goddess only knows how long.

It was more difficult to say goodbye than she’d anticipated. It was just a place after all.

She took the servants’ stairs down to the kitchens and dropped off her tray. The last two maids thanked her and got to work. Joslynn was impressed with how clean and tidy everything was. All the food had been packed up and moved to the starships. There was nothing but dishes left.

Even the stew was being put into containers for later. Joslynn smiled and thanked them for the lunch and nibbled on her bread as she left. It was crusty on the outside, but soft on the inside. The hint of butter was mouthwatering. She grabbed another piece before heading to Colin’s office.

He found her first and updated her on the plans for the businesses, options for other income, and various other bits of information as they walked out to the back field where two starships waited. The housekeeper would lock up the castle and then Joslynn would activate the shield remotely.

Everything was running so smoothly she felt a surge of worry. There’d been few reports of the evacuations. Everyone was doing what they could as quickly as possible, but with the deployments it was not easy to keep track of everything even with the livestream and the updates from the various different locations.

Joslynn was to report to Queen Giselle the second her people left Pedranus. Then again after they’d passed through the shield gate, and one last time when she arrived on Avvis after they’d accounted for everyone.

She assumed all the noble rulers had the same instructions. Any attacks were to be reported immediately, and a distress signal sent out for the nearest legion to assist.

There was a lot that could go wrong, but there was also the very real possibility that the evacuation would go off without a hitch. Colin tried to make her feel better by letting her know how many of their forces were escorting them before they were deployed by the Crown. He urged them along, glancing at the sky in worry.

It had stopped raining briefly, but the dark clouds looked as though they would pour rain down on them at any moment. Joslynn rushed into her starship the Jewel and let Colin lead her to their new quarters.

The Jewel was a much smaller starship than Adelina’s royal flagship, but it held everyone from her seat and the neighboring town. Three thousand people total. The second starship held about the same. It had taken thousands of vessels to evacuate her planet and there were still more to be gathered.

Colin led her into the main room where they would hold the majority of their business and Joslynn finished her bread and sat at the desk in the center of the room. Colin’s desk was off to the side, and there was already someone waiting with hot tea, one of Colin’s assistants.

Her personal sitting room and living quarters were connected so there was no time wasted trying to go back and forth.

She supposed she could have gone to Draga Terra alone with her starship and risked the innumerable suitors, but then she would never have gotten as close to Sirus as she had during those two weeks. And she wouldn’t have had reason to leave with Adelina, arriving even sooner to Pedranus.

At least the military ships were faster, but still not fast enough. It would still take Sirus, Asher, Veri, and their forces another three days to reach Scyria and then another day to reach the border.

There wasn’t much left of Seprilles and Treon any longer and they’d been evacuated right after the attacks. There were only the legions left to guard the border along with the outposts. Joslynn pulled up all the reports necessary and saw there were a bit more that had been gathered from the rural areas. She took the tea from the assistant and thanked him before flipping through to the livestream.

The updates from Seprilles and Treon were gruesome, but it seemed there were more survivors on Seprilles than was originally presumed. Scyria was mid-evacuation as well. It would take them a bit longer to pack up as there were fewer resources there. Joslynn would send aid if she could but there were no starships left to send.

“How much longer until we takeoff?” she asked Colin.

“Another hour, Countess.”

She nodded and tried not to let her exhaustion show. After so long without decent sleep she was dead on her feet.

They got the notice for takeoff and in moments they were in the air. Joslynn activated the shield around her family seat and checked on her cousins. They were already in the caravan thankfully. Living on the other side of Pedranus had its benefits. Currently they were closer to the core, if only by a fraction.

Something shook the Jewel so hard Joslynn’s tea flew and the cup shattered on the floor. She grabbed onto the desk, feeling a sharp pain in her ribs as the wood connected. An alarm went off and scared the living daylights out of her.

“What in all the hells was that?” she demanded.

Colin ran across the room toward her, pulling her with him. “We need to get to Command. The captain will need direction, and I need you somewhere safe.”

Joslynn clutched onto her steward and the only father she ever knew. The ship rocked to the side again and she stumbled. Colin managed to catch her before she hit the ground. Smoke started to fill the air and crew members ran back and forth as sparks flew.

“Countess!” the first mate called, running towards her. “Countess, it is pirates. I think they’re here for the gold and jewels.”

Joslynn gritted her teeth and followed the first mate and Colin to Command. Of course they were here out of all the other planets in the Outer Rim. She’d known this would happen, but had hoped Adelina’s message would have swayed them to stay away.

“What flag do they fly?” she asked. If they had Adelina’s flag she would have to send a message to the princess, warn her before they were attacked as well.

“They fly the jolly roger,” the first mate said, voice grim.

“Have you sent out the distress signal?” Joslynn asked, threading her way through Command to her console. It kept her out of the way of the crew but still able to see what was going on, send commands, and monitor the ship and space. “There are multiple pirate ships. Colin, send the word to our forces to engage.”

He stood as close to Joslynn as he could with one strong hand on her shoulder. He pushed her gently into the chair and activated the straps. “I will send word, but most have civilians on board.”

She gritted her teeth and watched the distress signal activate. The captain shouted orders and activated the shield, but the Jewel wasn’t a warship. It had only basic defenses and shields.

They took another blast and the holo showed the Pedranus forces taking on the pirates they could, but there were too many of them and her people were dying. Tears pricked her eyes. “Is there nothing we can do?” she asked Colin, desperate for any solution.

“Countess! Other ships have just popped up on the long-range scanner,” the captain shouted as he braced against another attack.

“Shield down to sixty percent!” a crew member called out.

One of the Pedranus caravan ships blasted into a million pieces and Joslynn gripped her chair so hard her nails cracked. Tears ran down her face as she realized just how useless she was. There was no magic solution she could use, nothing to save her people other than wait and watch.

“Are the ships here to aid us?” she asked, praying for the Draga Royal Army.

“I’m not sure,” the captain said with a frown. “It appears they’re not royal ships…but, they fly the royal flag.”

Her heart lurched with hope. Joslynn selected one of the ships and magnified the holo. She ran a scan for allegiance and found none, not even a licensing number. But the flag was definitely the Draga royal seal.

And then they started firing on the pirates, absolutely obliterating them.

“It’s Princess Adelina’s privateers,” Joslynn murmured. “Don’t fire! They’re sanctioned by the Crown!”

Colin’s hand tightened on her shoulder and she squeezed it back. “Send out the order for an emergency evacuation with the message to all rural dwellers it is now or never. We need to get behind the legions at the core’s border.”

“Yes Countess, It will be done. Captain, ready the Jewel for top speed.”

Joslynn selected the privateer at the front of the small armada and sent out a cast. It was answered immediately by a roguish male with a winning smile. “Aw, Mistress, what a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

“I appreciate your assistance. Please escort us to the core and you will be rewarded handsomely. You and any other privateer you fly with.” Joslynn clasped her hands on her lap and waited, knowing what a disadvantage she was at.

The pirate turned privateer picked at his teeth, smiling wide. “I would have taken out these shysters for the value of their ships alone, but your offer is tempting. All the way to the core?”

“Yes, all the way to the core, then you may do as you please and I’ll send along word of your adherence to Princess Adelina’s request.”

“Tis your wish, Mistress. It is my command.” He gave her a mocking bow and the transmission ended abruptly.

Joslynn didn’t like that her people’s lives were in the hands of such rapscallions, but it was better than letting them all die trying to fight off pirates. “Get us out of here, captain.”

“With pleasure, my lady.”

Joslynn watched the privateers and pirates slaughter each other for as long as possible while a small contingent broke off to escort them to the core. Two days before she reached the first royal legion. Goddess, help them make it there alive.