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London swiftly wiped away another stray tear. “Not you too. I don’t think I can bear another lecture right now.”

“Well, that’s too bad because you’re going to get one. What got into you out there, baby? I know it doesn’t seem fair but as a member of the royal family, we’re expected to conduct ourselves in a certain manner to uphold the dignity of the throne. Otherwise, it could cause political unrest.” Taking a seat next to her, Queen Calliope wrapped a slim, dark arm around London’s shoulder.

London laid her head across her mother’s chest like she had when she was a little girl, and allowed the tears to flow. No words were needed then as she allowed herself to be rocked, taking the comfort she so desperately needed.

“Oh, Mommy, I messed up didn’t I?” Her sadness and helplessness had reduced her to using the childhood name she’d called her mother.

“Yes. You did, but a simple apology goes a long way. Your father is more upset that he struck you than anything else. Your father loves you very much and you hurt him.”

“I know and I’m ashamed of what I said. I can’t blame him for what he did, but, Mama, I can’t go through with this betrothal. Zahn frightens me.”

“You have to get married eventually, and as your father pointed out, you’ve rejected the hand of every eligible bachelor in the kingdom. Haven’t you expressed to me on several occasions how much you would love to have a family of your own? You can’t do that without a husband… well, you can actually, but that’s not an ideal situation.”

“I know, but… I don’t want to end up like the women I see walking around after their men, doing their bidding like a bunch of slaves. Slavery was outlawed on this planet when I was only a child, but it seems like when a woman enters into a marriage, she gets the raw part of the deal. I want to be able to love my husband, not be dominated by him. I want to be in love like you are with Papa.”

A faint smile touched her mother’s full lips. “Even though you think I give in to his every command?”

London’s face grew hot. “That comment wasn’t exactly fair was it?”

“No, and it was beneath you to say it. I know you feel that the situation is bleak, but you could always grow to love Zahn. You know the story of how your father and I came together.”

“Yes, you were a harem girl, and Papa instantly fell in love with you. That’s so romantic. I want love at first sight too,” London sighed dreamily.

“Honey, it wasn’t that simple. Your father and I both fought our feelings for each other for a while. We were both stubborn and to be honest, even though I found Blaze attractive, I didn’t love him right away. My love for him blossomed. I used to think the same way that you did. The men in our world can be very forceful, and your father and I clashed at the beginning, but things worked out in the end.”

“I don’t mean to criticize, Mama, but why do you allow him to get away with so much? Whenever he tells you to come, you rush to him. Whenever he makes a decision you go along with it. When do you ever get your way?”

“I get my way quite a bit. There’s a saying on the planet where we come from, you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.”

London frowned. Her mother often used old Earth sayings that confused her. “What does that mean?”

“It means that I know my place. Your father is the Emperor. How would it look if I were to countermand his every decision in public? He’d lose the respect of his subjects. Sometimes you have to use what you have to get what you want.”

London’s eyebrows furrowed as she tried to figure out what her mother was trying to say. “I still don’t understand.”

“Well, for instance, when your father is in one of his moods where he won’t listen to reason, I’ll give him a back rub or dance for him. I let him know that he has my support in all his decisions. When Blaze is fully relaxed he’s more open to suggestion. How do you think I talked him into agreeing to that two year reprieve you’ve had? Or when he thought Jayru was too young to go on that scouting mission he’d had his heart set on. I was the one who put the idea in his head.”

Comprehension dawned then. “You’re the reason he allowed me to choose my own mate?”

The Queen nodded, smile lines appearing at the corner of her eyes. London still thought her mother was the most beautiful woman in the world, with her youthful figure, rich dark skin and delicately shaped features. It wasn’t hard to see why the Emperor couldn’t keep his hands off her. People often told London that she looked just like her mother. Except for her lack of height, lighter skin, and subtle differences here and there, they did resemble each other.

“Why did he change his mind then?”

“Your father loves you very much and wants to see you settled and happy.”

“If he wants me to be happy then why is he forcing me to marry Zahn? Maybe I can take care of myself. I’m not a little girl anymore.”

Her mother lifted one perfectly arched brow. “Then stop acting like one. You’re twenty-two years old, well past the marriage age here, and while I don’t necessarily care for the arranged marriage thing either, it’s your duty. Your father has gone through a lot of trouble to find someone he feels will be worthy of you. This has been weighing heavily on his mind because he knows that once you’re married, you’ll go live with your husband. It will break his heart, but it’s his responsibility to ensure you make a good alliance.”

“It would make him sad to see me go? The way he’s been lately, I would have thought he’d be happy to see me go. After all, it’s not like I’m his real daugh—” She stopped herself when she saw the look in her mother’s eyes.

Standing up, the Queen shook her head. “I’m just glad your father isn’t in here right now. Those words would really hurt him. Your birth father didn’t care enough to stick around, but Blaze worships the ground you walk on. I see you’re not in themood to listen to reason at the moment, but I don’t ever want to hear those words from your mouth again. I suggest you grow up and do it fast. You can’t always get what you want, but sometimes life has a funny way of working things out.”

Shame washed through London. She couldn’t believe she’d actually uttered those words. Maybe her parents were right. Zahn wasn’t her ideal mate, but if her father thought he’d make her a good husband, then maybe she should at least give it a try “I’m sorry, Mama.”

The Queen bent over and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “London, you are a joy to us. You’re smart, beautiful, and the subjects love you. We only want your happiness. Why don’t you stay here and give what I said some thought and I will talk to your father?”

“Thanks. I love you very much, Mama.”