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“So what is the plan then, your Majesty?” asked Baelon irritably. “If you’re not going to torture her to force Earth into a ceasefire, whatareyou going to do?”

Vahn leaned forward on the throne, yellow eyes fixed on Kara.

“I’m going to marry her.”

Seven

There was a stunned silence. Kara’s jaw dropped but she wasn’t the only one. Ela spoke first.

“Your Majesty, did you just say you were going to marry the human?”

Vahn lifted his hand.

“Hear me out. Rhyn gave me the idea.”

“I did?” Rhyn met the others’ gaze. “Don’t look at me, I don’t remember saying anything about marriage.”

“You spoke of unification. Of bringing people together. And you were right.”

“I was talking aboutourpeople!”

“But the principle still applies.” Vahn tried to explain calmly. “We want to end the war with Earth. But a peace deal forged through extortion and torture, through threat of violence towards a helpless prisoner, is not worth the paper it would be written on. We have to ensure any agreement is solid and permanent. I intend to unite our planets through marriage.”

Kara stared at him. Her heart was pounding so hard she was surprised no-one could hear it. Marry Vahn? It was nuts. Pure madness. It could never work.

Could it?

It would make her the wife of the Zhaal of Vraxos, ruler of the Vraxian Empire. And the Earth’s President would be the Zhaal’s mother-in-law.

It was so surreal she almost giggled. She clamped her lips shut.

“It’s a ridiculous idea,” Ela said, her voice dripping with disbelief. “How in the name of Ayanlesh would that force the humans to surrender?”

“Simple,” said Vahn calmly. “We would surrender first.”

There was an immediate outcry. Everyone started speaking at once, their voices getting louder and louder until they were shouting to be heard. Through it all, Vahn’s eyes never left Kara.

“Quiet, everyone,” he said eventually, his voice cutting through the hubbub. Silence fell. “I have considered all the angles, and the plan is simple. Vraxos will use the coronation to announce a new era of peace by laying down arms. To demonstrate its good intentions, it will present Earth with a shipment of energy crystals and a generous trade agreement. As a further mark of mutual respect, and to cement the union of our people, I will take a human wife.”

“This is lunacy, Zhaal Talvahnax,” Baelon spluttered. “You have spent too much time away from your own kind. I see now that being trapped for so long with nothing but agemlekTerran for companionship has warped your mind.”

“Have a care, Baelon,” Vahn said sharply.

“I amshintuand I will not be silenced. If you are not fit to rule, it is my duty to say so.”

“My efforts to end the war make me unfit to rule? I hardly think so.”

“You are intending to marry a human. It is insane. The people will never accept it.”

“So what isyoursolution, Baelon? Let the war go on forever?”

“I would look at alternatives. Such as using our most powerful weapon to silence the humans forever.”

“We will never use the Vastos Bomb,” Vahn said sharply. “Not while I’m in charge. Do you not see, Baelon? I’m proposing a real opportunity for peace here.”

“You think Earth will lay down its arms just because you want to take that vermin into your bed?” Baelon’s eyes flickered to Kara. “Maybe when you were stranded and had no choice it was acceptable todrekwith a…”

“Watch your tongue!” Vahn was on his feet, eyes flashing dangerously. “I am still the Zhaal, you will speak to me with respect.”