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“Thank you for thinking of a clothier, Yaris I’owns,” Xan said Sloan rolled her eyes and crossed her ar at all
“You will look beautiful, and I can’t wait to see you in theave her a kiss on the shoulder Well, when he put it like that, how could she resist?
As they entered the third transport in the row of ten, Xan squeezed her hand, atte to reassure her Sloan pasted on a smile, as her stomach somersaulted and churned
The convoy of transports sped through the D’Arian countryside on the way into the city where they would finally reunite Xan with his mother and all this would become completely real The pristine landscape of s caot closer and closer to the i tapped nervously up and down as she reached for her blaster to clean it, which was her way of expelling nervous energy Re that Cain still had her blaster, Sloan instead worked on counting through the correct engine tih an asteroid belt
Xan placed a hand on Sloan’s leg and let his cal through the palace gardens, laying on the grass with a blanket spread out for a picnic, and cli that these were Xan’s memories and how ain, Sloan let herself fall into the colow of the memories to keep her anxiety at bay
As they passed through the palace entrance, Sloan couldn’t help but gape at the undeniable opulence To think that Xan had grown up in this place, she was surprised he had survived his captivity Knowing the strength he must have to be able to adapt to life as a slave, Sloan’s heart ached even et back
The convoy slowed to a stop in front o
f the grand entrance, and Sloan went to open the door Cain ientle hand on hers and removed it from the handle
“Never open the door when you are traveling with athe door hiuards formed a corridor that led to the ornately decorated entrance doors With a nod, Cain moved out of the way of the transport door and held out his hand to help Sloan out She placed her hand in his and stepped out into the D’Arian sunshine It was bright but not hot, and there was a cool breeze that kept things fro in the heat of the twin suns
Xan exited the transport and slid his hand into Sloan’s He moved to help his sister out of the transport, but Xan and Sloan weren’t surprised to find Cain already had his hand out to assist Yaris Xan’s jaw tightened, and Sloan ran a hand down his arlanced at her and nodded She saw his jaw muscles relax as he walked toward the palace doors
As they uards, servants, and staff of the palace, Sloan fidgeted with her clothes, toying the sea off stray threads that seeave Yaris and Xan small bows as they passed Everyone was dressed iold, and white uniforns, some more ornate than others, that were tailored and starched to within an inch of their lives
Her top felt too short, so she tried to tug it down and ensure that no skin was showing The utility pants she wore to hold any nuht be needed seeot into the transport Standing aeted, sure everyone knew she didn’t truly belong She thought being in her own clothes wouldStanding in front of a sea of people all in their best attire only caused that yawning fear of not belonging to become a chasm
They reached the elaborately adorned doors that Sloan had to crane her neck to see the top of, and she couldn’t help buttheold, inlaid with a deep blue stone, set in a dark rich wood that had warh it
Before they reached the doors, they were swung open by another set of guards stationed inside As they made their way to what Sloan assuht that even her boots were a nuisance Where everyone else’s shoes clicked on the glea marble floors, Sloan’s squeaked with each and every step Sloan’s steps slowed enough that Xan glanced back, rubbed her hand, and smiled at her She let out a deep breath She wanted to head to the transport and then back to her ship
“I can’t wait for you to meet my mother She will love you” Xan drew her closer as they continued their walk toin her stoht not be true