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“Your wish is my command,” says Titus, turning, and the triad makes their way to leave.

“Wait. Are you three going to be on the bridge during the descent?”

“We can be.”

“I’d like to see my home. It’s been too long.”

“Then come along,” says Doman, opening the door. I follow him out, and Titus and Gallien fall into their ranks behind me, the formation Aurelians are trained to use when guarding a human.

This time, there are no stares, not even side-eye glances. Everyone in my ship keeps their heads down, not wanting to attract the attention of the Aurelian princes.

“Escort the Prime Minister to the bridge,” Doman orders the two triads waiting for us in the ship-bay. “We’ll come up when we’ve changed,” he says, in a lower voice only for me, and strides off with his triad.

One triad in front of me, one behind, I’m walked through the ship until I get to the bridge. The two triads stop as the doors open, not wanting to disturb the Aurelians working with more boots on the deck, but Doman told me it would be fine.

Aurelians, in triads, are spaced out through the sides of the room, flicking their fingers at holo-displays that show data in their language, which I speak well but sometimes have trouble deciphering in written form. They are all intent on their work, absorbed as their fingers perform an intricate ballet,manipulating data. I wasn’t expecting to be acknowledged, and it’s nice to feel invisible for once as I walk towards the huge, reinforced, thick glass windows at the front of the ship.

Beyond the thick glass, Virelia floats. The sphere of verdant greens and brilliant blues of the freshwater lakes which are surrounded by trees that tower so high you feel they touch the sky when you stand at the base of their trunks. The golden hues of the sprawling wheat fields, shipments crawling up the space elevators where ships in outer orbit pick them up, pulling the barges behind them as they bring the nourishment of the sector to the other planets. It’s perfection, except for the black circles of rot that mar the perfect golden wheat fields, the blights that stand out like black eyes.

“Beautiful,” comes Doman’s voice from behind me, breaking my trance. He stands at my side, changed into his formal robes, looking out at my home planet. “When all this is done… I’d like to visit here, once more.”

“You won’t find much welcome. Many things can hide in forests so thick no sunlight comes through.”

“Nothing we can’t handle,” comes Titus’ low, gravelly voice as he puts his arms around me from behind, pulling me close to him as Gallien stands to my left. My home is in front of me, the huge bulks of the triad surrounding me and pinning me in as we approach the atmosphere.

Returning to my home planet, after all this time.

I never could have imagined it would be with the crown prince at my side, and I wish I could turn myself invisible.

20

ADRIANA

Isteel myself as I stand in front of the bay doors of the warship.

Doman himself took the captain’s chair as we approached the atmosphere. As my home planet grew in the viewing glass, I couldn’t help but turn and watch him. Seeing him at the controls, navigating the massive warship with pure concentration, was entrancing. As we touched down in the landing field, which was made for smaller ships, he piloted us down gently, with great care, as if he didn’t want to crush a single blade of grass that was not necessary.

When he touched down, the entire bridge seemed to let out a collective breath, the Aurelian triads, focused on their screens, glancing over at Doman with a respect that is earned. I had thought of princes as those born into unearned wealth and prestige, but these men would follow him into death not because of his birthright, but by his natural leadership, his willingness to put himself on the line, no matter what the odds.

As we settle down, I look back to Virelia, the huge forests rising above me. We touched down near one of the major cities, but you wouldn’t be able to tell it from a glance, unless you knewthat the homes were built around the trees themselves, some of the inhabitants never touching solid ground for years. No matter my trepidation, I yearn to see my childhood home again.

Doman and his triad stand from their seats in the center of the bridge, and we walk together, followed by triads of guards, to the bay. Above us, the emblem of the Aurelian Empire watches down, the rising sun spreading its light against the darkness of the universe.

That light is not welcome here.

“Doman, I know you need security, but the fewer Aurelian boots on the ground, the better.”

He raises his hand. At his silent signal, every one of the troops steps back. One of the guards casts a hard look at me before accepting the command. They don’t like to see their Prince unprotected. He’s led them into battle thousands of times over his long life, and they view Virelia as a hostile planet.

They should.

The triads walk down the hallways, leaving us alone, and I brace myself as the doors open.

At this point, I will be like an alien to the people who raised me, to my brother and sister who I used to be so close to. My last visit was over three years ago. Since being elected to Prime Minister, I have barely had time to take calls from them—and to my shame, I’ve been avoiding their requests for messages since the news about my union to the Aurelian Princes was announced.

I’m ashamed of it, but I couldn’t handle it. I sent a quick text communication that I was okay, hoping it would soothe their fears, but I should have been stronger.

I don’t fit in on this planet anymore. My drab, gray uniform makes me a stranger, for all who join the Administration swear an oath to Pentaris that supersedes their loyalties. My lastremnant of home, the heels I kept as my lucky charm, are tucked away in my closet.