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“When will you leave for D’Arian?” Sloan asked, her gaze ju between Xan and Cai

n

“We would prefer to leave as soon as possible, particularly with His Highness on board We do not have the proper security protocols for the heir, so the reater the chance is for a threat on his life It is preferable that we leave within the next solar”

“Xan, I can follow behind later I can’t use the FTL It would burn up too many rods to make it to Seru Prime, make the drop-off, release the crew, then meet you at D’Arian I would be weeks behind you”

Xan addressed Yaris and Cain “Is there somewhere private I could speak with Sloan?”

“Of course, Majesty, please follow e and followed Cain through the double doors of the roouards, and down the wide hallway lined with vases, sculptures, and other pieces of artwork until they came to another set of double doors Sloan see her hand on her empty blaster holster at her side She had been relieved of it for entrance into the Imperial Suite

As they came to the double doors, Cain opened them and showed the pair inside

“You can have your privacy here There is a corauards will stay stationed outside for your safety” Cain gave him a pointed stare It let Xan know that while it was for their safety, it was also because, while Xan’s identity had been verified, he would not be officially accepted back into the line of succession until his mother had her say

“Thank you, Cain,” Xan said once they were inside the room, and Cain bowed, turned, and closed the door behind hi it as he exited Xanher, Xan recognized how exceedingly uncos Xan knew that his life had changed a lot over the past couple of days, not only in rediscovering his family was alive but also in his connection to Sloan He did not want to give her up, and he hoped she didn’t want to give him up

Chapter 18

Once the door closed behind Cain, Sloan felt her shoulders, which had been inching up through the entire conversation, finally start to relax They were helped by Xan’sher neck to relax her He stood behind her, his arainst his chest

“This certainly wasn’t how I expected this day to end,” Sloan said

“It has all coainst the side of hers Sloan rolled in his ar about, Sloan?”

“When ere on Gru, I had Neven send an inquiry to D’Arian to check if you ht have any family still alive Anyone who you could reconnect with”

“You sent a coo back to D’Arian?” Xan gaped at her like she’d struck him