Tenderly Xane ran the small piece of silk through his fingers as his officers updated the Regent on the current situation at the capitol.   His mind kept drifting to the small brunette that he'd left sleeping only this morning. Leaving had been on the verge of impossible. Last night was the start of something, and it only left him wanting more. Visions of her face flooded his memory, and he bit down on his lip at the thought.  The image of her face in flushed ecstasy sent a jolt of longing  through him, and he shifted to regain a semblance of control. 

"Commander?" The word brought him back to the moment. He really did need to focus.

The rebels had been warning of an attack for years now, and they'd chosen the worst possible time.  Xane amended in his mind that any time would have been a bad time, but now was personally the least convenient for him. 

He knew that the joining papers that would be needed to make the union between he and Macon  official most likely sat atop the desk of his majesty.   And since the royal family rested in the same compound he now found himself residing, he knew that the paper may as well have been lost. 

Xane knew it was only a matter of time until the active Regent were able to expel the threat, and they'd be able to return home, but in the meantime, he was in charge of the Queen's personal Regent officers. "Eeid, station the 5th brigade at the Narrow Straight, and the 4th at the transport hub in case they try to push their agenda too far."

"Yes, commander." He heard before the Regent as a whole began to carry out his orders.

When only he remained, he sunk back into the large chair sighing. He sometimes wished he were not the one in charge; but that was his burden, and he carried it well for his age. 

*********************************************

"How about this one?" Vosi pulled out another garment from her large travel chest.  It was a pearlescent pink gown with tiny crystals that was entirely see through.

It was even less material than the one before. 

"Really, it's okay.  I'm sure there is something that I've brought with me that will be fine."   Macon tried to convince the stunning Autrian.

Vosi's face morphed into a patronizing grin.  

"I'm am most certain, however, something festive is needed for the festivities this evening."

"Oh?" Macon said, suddenly unsure of whether or not she needed to pick something from Vosi's vast array of evening gowns and scant garments.

"Surely, Chiss must have told you that the high family and the Regent will be guests this evening."

The surprise on her face was evidence enough, but she shook her head.

Surely Xane would be with the party this evening, but she wasn't sure how she felt about it.  About him. 

Macon felt that same pang of disappointment when she'd woken up alone this morning.  The commander had left while she slept. 

All of this was new.  This feeling that threatened to squeeze the breath from her chest and caused her cheeks to burn with excitement all at once.

In truth, she was terrified of the feelings she was beginning to have for the commander. 

She needed to keep her head.  She didn't really know the commander or anyone here for that matter. 

She couldn't be foolish with her heart when she didn't even understand the ramifications of the Aturian union. 

"I've seen the way Chiss looks at you."  Vosi said.   Her tone held a bit of curiosity, but she didn't seem angry and even jealous. 

After a beat, Macon managed to look in her direction.  "Oh?" was all she managed to get across. 

Vosi's smile proved that Macon had been less than convincing that she'd never noticed his attentions. 

"There is no need to pretend that you are unaware." Vosi's brow lowered as she surveyed Macon's face. 
"But I gather that Xane has your attentions?"  

Macon swallowed hard and nodded. 

There had been an undeniable pull to Chiss from the moment that they'd met, but there was no way that she could allow herself to explore the chemistry between them. 

"Curiosity, I suppose." Vosi said dismissively.  "But time will tell."

"No, there's nothing-" Macon's attempt to defend herself was cut short as a tall silver haired female entered abruptly. 

She held a ridiculous evening gown in her hands that glittered with what might have been precious stones the size of grains of sand.  "Ladyship, your evening gown." The silver haired female said to Vosi as she bowed her head slightly and laid the garment on the chaise and left just as abruptly as she'd come. 

"We should make haste." Vosi said rising from her trunk and examining the gown on the chaise. 

Her fingertips glided across the material, and she let out a breath of satisfaction. 

"Pick what you like." Vosi said looking back over her shoulder in Macon's direction.