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“So, where do we go from here?” Edward asked. “As far as we know, the Alphans and Remans are licking their wounds, repairing the damage to their ships.”

“We shouldn’t sit back. We need to prepare for a fight,” Jasper replied, leaning forward on the conference table. “Admiral, are we getting anymore back up from the Federation?”

“We are expecting another ten star ships and fifteen war ships,” Admiral Cullen replied, reading from his tablet. “They should be here within a week or so. The available engineers from the ships in orbit are working on the Cygnarian fleet to retrofit them with sensors to accurately locate the Reman vessels. We have half of the ships surrounding the planet done and the others are being completed as we speak.”

“What about the Imperial Fleet?” Senator J’ran asked.

I furrowed my brow. “What’s that?” I replied.

Senator J’ran scrubbed his face, muttering under his breath. “The Emperor, or in your case, the Empress, has a highly trained fleet of fighters to protect the planet. Didn’t the Council of Elders tell you about this?”

“No,” I growled. More proof that the Council is behind this, Edward. He nodded imperceptibly. 

“How many ships are in this Imperial Fleet and how do I mobilize them?”

“There are over four hundred attack fighters and three war ships,” Senator J’ran said, walking to the computer console on the wall of the conference room. He punched in a few commands and the cliffs overlooking the Renien Ocean appeared. “This cliff face is a holographic projection. Your Imperial Fleet is located inside. Well, the attack fighters. The larger war ships are on Cygnarian Prime, hidden in the subterranean tunnels.”

“How do you know about them?” Edward asked, his skepticism ringing through our connection.

“I was the Wing Commander of the Imperial Fleet until I was forced into retirement five years ago,” Senator J’ran answered, rubbing his left arm. “I was injured in a border skirmish and I couldn’t fight as well, hand-to-hand. I joined the Assembly of Nobles shortly after that and stayed until your father’s death, when your uncle strong armed me out of my seat, claiming it was his.”

“Can he do that?” Rose asked, arching a brow. “Isn’t there some sort of election?”

“In theory,” Senator J’ran chuckled darkly. “Each continent on Forx is divided into roughly twenty smaller districts. A noble represents the districts. For the most part, the nobles have a legacy that keeps them in power. If there is no heir, then there is an election and a new noble is chosen. That’s what happened when I got my spot in the Assembly. Senator To’mas, who was the noble who lived in the Imperial City, died in his sleep and he didn’t have an heir. I ran and I won his spot. When Emperor Charel died, Norex raised holy hell, saying that he should be a part of the Assembly of Nobles, representing the Imperial family, despite Empress Nirabelle ruling Forx.”

Cygnaria Prime

Empress and Emperor Imperial Fighter

Imperial Fighters

Cliff face overlooking the Renien Ocean, Imperial Fighter Shuttle Bay

Hangar on Cygnaria Prime, home of the Imperial Battle Cruisers

Imperial Battle Cruisers

Star Crossed Teaser

I collapsed on the couch, putting my bad leg onto the table. It had started to hurt while we were in the meeting. The deep bone pain throbbing through my leg was debilitating. I blew out a breath, trying to ignore the pain. A few moments later, my door chimed. “Enter,” I called.

Senator J’ran and my brother walked in, each with looks of concern. “Are you okay, Nirabelle?” Charanel asked, sitting down next to me and taking my hand.

“I’m fine …” I muttered. Charanel arched a brow, looking like my father with a touch of Edward thrown in. “Okay, I’m not. I’m grateful for the help that the Federation has offered us, but I hate that my decision to execute Norex is being questioned. From what I understand, treason is one of the crimes that the Federation utilizes execution as the punishment.”

“It is, Nirabelle,” Charanel answered. “It’s more of a personal belief with Edward’s father.”

“I agree, Empress,” Senator J’ran nodded. “He personally doesn’t believe in the death penalty and he’s trying to foist his belief on you.”

“Well, it’s not going to change. When I capture Liannette, she will meet the same fate as her husband,” I snapped. “Not to mention the Elder who is backing this takeover.” I looked at Senator J’ran. “Do you have any guesses?”

“Aro or Caius,” Senator J’ran said. “Marcusi genuinely cares for you like a daughter.”

“It’s not his voice,” I replied, shifting on the couch.

“Are you okay, Nirabelle? Is your leg in pain?” Charanel asked, jumping up. “Do you need your pain medication?”

“That stuff makes me loopy,” I frowned. “Yes, my leg doesn’t hurt, but I’m an incoherent mess. I’d rather not have any until after we’ve seen the war ships.”

“You need something, Nirabelle,” Senator J’ran chided gently. “Don’t be stubborn like your father. Take a mild pain killer, okay?”

“Fine,” I said, getting up from my spot. I picked up the hypospray, sliding in a milder version of the pain medication inside. I pressed it to my neck, injecting it into my bloodstream. The pain didn’t go away, but it was dulled. “How long until we arrive at Cygnaria Prime?”

“Three hours,” Senator J’ran answered. Clumsily, I walked back to my perch on the couch and curled up. “Empress, forgive me for saying so, but I have a feeling that you don’t trust me.”

“Right now, I’m not sure who to trust,” I grumbled, grimacing that he had figured out that I had trepidations about him. Edward felt the same way, but he was more optimistic. However, he was not held against his will for nearly a week, being tortured and threatened on an hourly basis. “I know you were close with my father. I remember playing with your daughter before …” I trailed off.

“She thought you were the nicest person she’d ever met. You were so kind to her even though she was so much younger than you,” Senator J’ran said, his smile wistful.

“J’ranne had an old soul and a quick wit,” I remembered.

“That she did,” Senator J’ran murmured, sitting forward. “I know that you are very hesitant to trust people outside of your circle, but I assure you that I want this to be solved and resolved as soon as possible. The nobles who were in concert with Norex and Liannette have been replaced with nobles who support you unconditionally, overjoyed that we are a part of the Federation. We will figure out which Elder is leading the charge and we will put an end to this conflict once and for all.” He blinked up at me and gave me a warm smile. “I understand that you need time to see that I am trustworthy, but I will do everything in my power to prove to you that I am with you. Just like I was with your father.”

“Thank you, Senator J’ran,” I said, giving him an appreciative smile. “Please don’t be upset if it takes longer for me to believe you. I’m hesitant to let another into our bubble of trust.”

“You’ve had enough people betray you, Nirabelle. From a man who held you when you were a baby, I vow to you that I will not be another to be cause for your concern. I am with you, Charanel and Edward until this war is over. I pray to the gods that it is sooner rather than later,” he said, squeezing my hand.

Star Crossed Pic Tease

Cygnaria Prime

Imperial Attack Fighter

Imperial War Ship

Senator J'ran