Page 38

Blaze let out a long, slow sigh. “Yes. Put him through.”

His mom and dad appeared on the screen in the living room.

His mom leaned forward in her seat. “You’re not on your usual ship. Where are you?”

“On Tiavac. There was a delivery to make. I’ve got some free time, so thought I’d get in touch.”

“Is everything good, son? Did you get the files I sent you?” his dad said.

“I did. I looked at them earlier.”

“Are there any females that take your interest?”

“They all seem great.”

“You don’t sound enthusiastic. One of them must have caught your eye. I even included a half-Apexian and half-Human. Since you’ve been spending so much time with Humans on-board the Apocalypse, I wondered if your tastes had broadened.”

“Which we fully approve of if they have,” his mom said. “So long as she’s right for you. She could be an Inkral, if that’s what you desire.”

Blaze grimaced. “I draw the line at tentacles, but thanks for the thought.”

“So, she is the match you most prefer?” his dad said.

“She seems good. And she has great connections.”

“Her father is the governor of the southern realm, and her mother is a high-ranking military officer. It would be a solid match. And with the way Humans are developing their exploration of space, an alliance makes sense.”

“Sure. You can set up a meeting if you like.” Blaze slumped onto the couch.

His parents exchanged a glance.

“Are you certain?” his mom said. “None of the women we’ve sent you in the past have been of any interest to you.”

“Set up meetings with all of them. I may as well see if I have a connection with any of them.”

“They’ve been vetted. My adviser has had meetings with them all. They won’t be any trouble to you,” his dad said.

The problem was, Blaze liked trouble. And he liked it in the shape of Eden Franco. But trouble didn’t do well in Apexian society. Trouble caused wars.

“Get those new files that have just come through,” his mom said to his dad. “You can send them to Blaze while he’s on Tiavac.”

“He’s already said the ones I’ve sent him are acceptable. We’ll move forward with those, son. We can have you a match by the time you come home,” his dad said.

“It’s good to have options,” his mom said. “It’ll only take you a few minutes.”

“Very well. I’ll be back in a moment.” His dad stood and left the room.

“Blaze, are you sure about this?” she said softly as soon as they were alone.

He rested his elbows on his knees, noting the concern in his mom’s eyes. “I said I was.”

“You’ve always resisted. Every time we’ve spoken to you about making a formal match, you found a reason to put it off.”

“I’ve delayed nothing. You gave me five years, and I took them. Now I’m coming back to you.”

“Your dad’s convinced this is the right course of action, but I know you better than anyone. You’ve always followed your heart. Why should that be any different for the person you match with?”

Blaze sighed. “Because that’s the way it’s always been. It works for you and Dad.”