Tiff laughed suddenly. “Stars, you have no idea how frustrating it is not being able to tell anyone that I’ve been foking the smokin’ hot Sietinen heir for years. How many people I could have slain with that single statement.”
“If you were to ever tell someone, I wouldn’t deny it.”
“You sure about that?”
“You’re gorgeous, smart, and a total badass. Who cares if you weren’t born into a life of privilege? I’m happy to have been able to have our time together.” And I hate that it’s coming to an end.
She smirked. “Well, I don’t have any immediate plans for gloating, but I’ll keep it as back-pocket ammunition.”
The knot tightened in his chest again. “I really hope you find someone you’re head over heels for.”
“You too. And I applaud her if she’s able to pin you down.”
“Geez, Tiff, it’s not like I’m a silver fox playboy!”
“Weren’t your parents and grandparents married by the time they were, like, twenty-one?”
“That’s beside the point.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Mhmm.”
“You’re just as bad as the matchmaking schemers on Tararia, I swear.”
She patted his knee. “See, I’m already trying to get you paired up with someone else. Friendship: intact.”
Jason wasn’t sure it would work as easily the other way around, but hopefully that would come with a little time and distance. “You’ll be the first to know any new developments, I promise.”
“You’d better! I’ve put in a lot of work over the years to get you trained up, so I’ve gotta know all the effort is paying off.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Tiff turned somber again. “I should go.”
They stood, awkwardly judging the space between them for the first time in years. Jason headed for the door and she followed.
At the exit, they turned to face each other. She met his gaze, and he saw a tearful sheen in her eyes.
“Thank you for these years,” she murmured.
“And thank you. I’m glad you were brazen enough to proposition me.”
She chuckled. “Yeah… still surprised you accepted, but…”
“You came into my life when I needed you. I’ll always be indebted to you for that.”
“No debts. You always treated me as an equal, and that’s how it will always be with us.”
“Deal.”
Tiff held out her arms for a hug, and he pulled her in tight. As she started to pull out from the hug, she gave him one last kiss.
It was the end of an era. Bittersweet, as all meaningful endings tended to be. The only way now was forward.
CHAPTER 6
Raena frowned at the news coverage of a rally on Duronis. Generally, she didn’t watch live broadcasts, but Jovan had brought this one to her attention.
“What am I missing?” she asked her assistant.
There’d been plenty of public demonstrations during her five years in the leadership spotlight—no surprise, considering that her induction into office corresponded with the Priesthood’s removal from power. Changing leaders after millennia tended to get people riled up. This particular gathering didn’t strike her as being any different than those.
“Look at the signs in the background.” Javon zoomed in on the upper right of the holographic projection, focusing on a poster affixed to the side of a building.
The rectangular sign read: ‘Independence is Freedom. Freedom is Power.’
Its sentiment wasn’t anything new. Half of the Outer Colonies wanted to be more closely integrated with the Middle and Central Worlds; the other half wished they could be free from Tararian rule. Which planets had which perspective varied from year-to-year as they went through their own local and planetary government leaders. Invariably, the remote worlds always realized that they were better off with the opportunities and resources afforded by an ongoing connection to the core planets. For a world to cut ties with the rest of the Empire was to condemn its people to a bleak future.
So, while the poster’s call for independence leading to power made for a nice slogan, Raena knew it was a hollow aspiration. However, the note handwritten in red ink drew her attention: ‘Sietinen: High Council. TSS. What’s next?’
She frowned. Complaints about the government in general were one thing, but rarely were specific leaders called out. And last she’d heard, Sietinen had one of the best reputations among the High Dynasties.
“Do you know what prompted this?” Raena asked Jovan.
“The posters began popping up this morning in cities all across Duronis. It seems highly coordinated.”
“That planet name came up recently. Wasn’t that also where the Andvari’s salvage contract originated?”
“Yes, my lady.”
Her chest tightened. “It can’t be a coincidence that this campaign launched a mere two days after news of the attack became public.”
He bowed his head. “It seemed prudent to bring it to your attention immediately.”
“Thank you, Jovan.”
There were worse ways to start the day, but Raena didn’t like the direction in which the week was trending. First an attack, then civil unrest calling out her family, specifically. It didn’t bode well for what was to come, especially with her parents’ spontaneous visit.
>>More fun times,<< Raena wrote to Ryan on her handheld and linked to the relevant video clip.
It didn’t take long to get a response. >>I’m sure it will blow over, like it always does. Though the optics aren’t great with the timing
