Page 90 of Star Prince

“We have not given the frontier the attention it requires,” Rom went on, seemingly oblivious to their shock. “And so over the years, as we’ve added many more worlds, things slipped through the cracks. I never would have allowed such suffering to continue had I known about it. That I wasn’t aware of the problem tells me that our management of the region must change. I hereby assign Earth as the sovereign administrator of the frontier. This is more power than any planet other than aVashhomeworld has ever held. But the situation requires it. Perhaps you and Tee’ah will opt to live there part of the year, in the tradition of a typicalVashhomeworld. How the particulars will work, regarding Earth’s reporting to the Trade Federation, you may discuss inyour upcoming meetings in Washington. Until then, I offer Earth and the worlds of the frontier my official apology, in particular Barésh.”

This was not what Tee’ah had expected. Nor had Ian, judging by the expression of disbelief on his face. She wondered if Rom had been testing them all along. If so, she hoped they had passed.

Tenderly, she touched her fingertips to Ian’s bruised jaw. “Now everything you came here to achieve has come to pass,” she whispered.

His smile turned sly. “Not yet.”Wait,his eyes told her.

Ian dropped to one knee. Tee’ah knelt beside him.

“‘My loyalty for life.” Ian told Rom and pressed his fist over his heart.

“AVashprincess deserves no less,” Rom said in a quiet voice. “Nor do you, Ian, from your future wife. Yes, of course, you’ll marry Tee’ah. I never meant for anything else since you first mentioned her. Show the galaxy that you feel as I do—as your mother and I do. Bring us together; unite us in peace.”

Fingers linked, they rose. Then, with trillions looking on, Ian took Tee’ah’s shaking hands in his. “Rom B’kah chose me to carry on his legacy,” he said. “Never will I forsake the man who sacrificed so much to bring the galaxy peace. Nor, my love, will I ever forsake you.” He squeezed her hands. “I ask for your promise of marriage.”

The cry “Say yes” rose once more into a thunderous chant.

Tee’ah wound her arms over his shoulders. “Yes, Earth-dweller.Yes.”

“Now everything I’ve wanted has come to pass,” he murmured in her ear.

Tears in her eyes, she kissed him enthusiastically on the mouth.

Around the globe cheers erupted.In the United Nations, diplomats applauded, and theVashchief envoy embraced a thoroughly bemused female Secretary General.

In Sydney, a bedraggledVashtourist was dragged back into the bar, where he was offered more foaming glasses of beer than he would be able to drink in a lifetime. But it would be said, much later, that he put forth his best effort for galactic peace.

In the Oval Office, the President of the United States uncorked a bottle of champagne. “Our future and the Federation’s is looking better all the time,” he said to Senator Randall and the now smilingVashtrade minister. “This calls for a toast.” He raised his crystal flute. “To peace.”

The minister winked. “To profit too.”

“And to underdogs that become champions,” Randall said and tipped his glass in Ian’s direction.

Onboard theSun Devil,Gredda smiled and nodded. “The captain is a lucky man.”

“Sheis a lucky woman,” Quin argued.

And much later, thousands of light years away, in an age-old palace on the B’kah homeworld— Sienna—Jas and Rom smiled with pride as Ian and their niece enchanted a jaded galaxy.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Exactly one standardyear had passed since Ian had last visited, but nothing much had changed. Donavan’s Blunder was still the sorriest stopover in the frontier.

At old Garjha’s bar, Ian sipped his tockand studied the woman next to him. “Just think; two more months of being single, then you’ll be shackled to me for life.”

“I know,” Tee said in lousy imitation of acting glum. She plunked her elbows on the bar. Her almost shoulder-length hair curled in the humid evening air, the color evened out thanks to a bottle of Clairol’s Desert Sunrise. Affection swelled in his chest, and he stroked his hand over the silky strands.

She smiled and propped her cheek on the knuckles of her clasped hands. “Buy you another tock,bad boy?” she asked in heavily accented English.

“No. I think your last trip to Donavan’s Blunder as a single woman calls for something stronger.” He pounded his fist on the counter. “Bartender—Mandarian whiskey!”

Garjha perked up. Mumbling to himself, the man reached under the bar for a dusty red bottle. Uncorking it with steady hands, he filled two glasses.

Tee’ah waved her hands. “Oh, no. Not that stuff.”

Ian smiled innocently. “Why? Have fun. You’ll soon be a quiet, compliant wife.”

She snorted. “Right.”

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