Page 93 of Alien Mercenary's Wife

"The subject is currently located in the Terran system. High compatibility ratings across all markers. A team has been dispatched to retrieve her."

His gaze drifted back to Charlotte. She stirred slightly, a slight sound escaping her lips that might have been a sign of distress or simply the normal movements of healing sleep.

"Your Majesty?" the advisor prompted when silence stretched too long.

"I'll review the files," he said. "Send everything to my private office."

"Of course. Will there be anything else?"

He stared at Charlotte's face, unable to look away. A genetic match meant hope for the future of his line, meant potential heirs and the continuation of everything he'd built.

It meant duty.

"No, that will be all."

The connection ended, leaving Daaynal alone with Laarn and the unconscious woman who'd somehow managed to capture his attention so completely.

"Good news?" Laarn asked quietly.

"Necessary news." He straightened, his posture stiffening. "The empire needs heirs."

"And what does the Emperor need?"

The question hung in the air between them, weighted with implications neither of them wanted to voice. Daaynal looked at Charlotte again. She seemed more peaceful now.

"The Emperor serves the empire," he said finally. "Personal needs are irrelevant."

Laarn nodded slowly. "Of course. Though if I may observe... sometimes what the Emperor needs and what the empire needs aren't mutually exclusive."

Before Daaynal could ask what he meant, Charlotte stirred again, this time with more purpose. Her eyelids fluttered, and for a moment he thought she might wake. Instead, she settled deeper into sleep, her features relaxing completely for the first time since he'd seen her.

"I should go," Daaynal said, though he made no move toward the door.

"Wait another few minutes," Laarn suggested. "She's been unconscious for days. A few more moments won't change her recovery time."

Daaynal nodded.

Duty and his genetic match would have to wait a little longer…