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“I’ve been doing some digging,” Georgia said.

“Digging about what? You’re not making sense,” Wren said.

Georgia glanced from side to side, a grin on her face. “Blaze is an honest to hell prince. Well, a baron. But he’s basically space royalty.”

“Yeah, right,” Eden said. “Your sources have screwed up this time.”

“I’m serious. You just snubbed Apexian royalty. Don’t you want to be a baroness?”

***

Blaze sat in his quarters, his hands clenched and his stomach churning.

“We’ve been fair with you, son,” his dad, Viscount Lothar Floridian, said. “You agreed to the time limits before this adventure of yours began.”

Blaze stood and paced to the screen. His mom and dad sat side-by-side, dressed in their royal red and blue family colors, about to attend a social function at the Intergalactic Council.

“I’m not backing down from that obligation. I just need more time.”

“Blaze, we understand you enjoy your work on the Apocalypse, but you have a duty to the family. And you agreed that five years serving in the Apexian military was long enough,” his mom, Diamonde, said.

“Technically, I’ve only served three years in the military and eighteen months here.”

“You’ve still had your five years of fun,” his dad said.

“The work I do on the Apocalypse is crucial. It’s an integral part of the intergalactic treaty. I don’t want to step away from that.”

“The mission won’t fall apart if you leave,” his dad said. “I agree, the work you do is valuable. I imagine you get satisfaction out of it. But this has to end. You’re next in line to succeed me.”

“You have decades of rule ahead of you. You don’t need me back.”

“Maybe I want to take a step back,” his dad said, “spend more time with the family. We’ve only seen you twice in the last year. Your work keeps you away from your obligations to us.”

“You’re not an obligation, but I never know where I’ll be sent. And it’s hard to plan because you’re always traveling. I’ll find more time. Take time off and come home for a week. How about that?” He had to find a way to remain on the Apocalypse with Eden for a little longer. He still didn’t know how he’d be able to say goodbye to her.

“It would be wonderful to see you. We all miss you,” his mom said.

“Then I’ll make it happen.”

“But that’s not enough,” his dad said. “I’ve arranged for six files to be sent over of suitable prospects. They’re well-educated, well-bred, and with the right affiliations. Any of these matches will strengthen our alliances. Pick one.”

“I’m sure they’re great.” A hollow feeling bloomed in Blaze’s chest. “But I’m not ready.”

His mom let out a soft sigh. “You’ve had time to prepare. It’s not as if we’ve sprung this on you. You agreed. Five years to do whatever you want, so long as it didn’t bring disrepute to the family name, and then you return home to us. We miss you.”

“Son, it’s not as if we’re torturing you. All these women are interesting, educated, and attractive. You’d have a great life with any of them. At least look at their files. We can arrange meetings with them. They’re all open to the prospect of a matching ceremony, and they all know about you,” his dad said.

Blaze scraped his hand through his hair and tilted his head back to gaze at the ceiling. He shouldn’t fight this. He’d made the agreement. And he’d had no problem with it at the time.

From a young age, he’d known what they expected of him, being born into such an esteemed family. He’d match well to assure a strong allegiance between the most respected and influential Apexian families. That’s how it was always done.

But he’d never expected to enjoy working on the Apocalypse so much. And he’d never expected to develop such an intense passion for Eden.

“What’s made you change your mind?” his mom said, a shimmer of sympathy in her eyes.

He longed to tell them about Eden, but how could they understand? They matched for obligation, not love. Just as all highborn Apexians did.

“I don’t want to give up what I have,” he said.