“You’re coming home with me to Ardanna Prime, right?”
“Absolutely,” she said. “We’ll figure it all out together once we get there. Are we going there on this ship?”
“It’s my understanding the prince plans to take his fated mate home on the Famptror and we’ve been invited to accompany them. Of course the other Ardannans who were here for their ‘dates’ will go on the civilian ship which brought them but this battle group will be their escort. And any other couples who became attached and wish to do so will be accommodated on the civilian cruise liner.” He assessed the relatively small cabin, as if trying to see it through Helaine’s eyes. “Are you all right with staying here or would you rather transfer to the liner? We’d probably have more room. A bigger bed.”
“And more people, all wanting to know about our adventures with the tsunami. I’d rather stay here—it’s cozy—and just be alone as long as we can be,” she said.
“Was traveling aboard a battleship on your bucket list?” he asked.
“Actually, no. I didn’t think that big in my goals. But on the other hand it’s not on my antibucket list either.”
They shared a companionable laugh.
Epilogue
One year later….Ardanna Prime…
Helaine checked her wrist chrono and frowned. Latham was running late, which wasn’t like him. And of course it would be on the day she had big news to share and they were going to dinner with his family. She adored his parents and siblings and they’d welcomed her right from the first day of her arrival on Ardanna.
Hand over her eyes, she peered down the walkway but as yet there was no sign of her missing fiancée. The huge pear-shaped diamond ring on her finger amazed her every time she saw it. The ring was gorgeous and Latham had picked a perfect moment to give it to her, standing next to a breathtaking waterfall deep in the wilderness with the whole world to themselves. Or at least it had felt that way to Helaine. When they’d come from Resort Planet, she’d asked Latham if he could get permission for her to go out on his ranger patrols for a while. She wanted to see the territory which meant so much to him and after everything she’d conquered during their weeklong ‘date’ she had no hesitation about being able to manage in the wilderness.
The royal family had granted their approval of the unusual request and Helaine had seen wonders of the planet few people ever had the chance to view. She’d also helped Latham manage crowds of tourists at the more popular, easily accessible locations and done other tasks with him. She could see why he’d loved the job for the most part but he’d insisted he was ready to move on and enter a new phase of life, which included getting married, settling down (but with many long vacations) and having a family with Helaine.
He wasn’t having nightmares or other PTSD symptoms except on rare occasions if he let himself be besieged by circumstances. Helaine had gotten good at helping him recognize his triggers and find ways to remove himself from those situations. She’d had nightmares for six months straight about the tsunami and free falling from the broken zipline but since then the upsetting dreams had tapered off. A few sessions with an Ardannan counselor had helped her resolve lingering anxiety and find ways to cope.
Latham had also solemnly promised she never had to ride another zipline as long as she lived and they would avoid all locations where a tsunami could strike. They’d been teasing each other when they made the vows but his understanding meant a lot to Helaine.
The Ardannan government had paid for all her belongings on Earth to be packed and shipped to her new home, although it took forever to arrive, traveling via freighter from the outer rim of the galaxy. She’d enjoyed unpacking the crates but her life before Latham seemed so distant and foreign to her now that she kept very little. A few family holos, selected knickknacks, a table she loved…her clothes and shoes amused her, considering the person she was now and the life she was living, versus her life before. The garments were attractive and had been stylish-on-a-budget but her current life didn’t include clubbing and did include a lot of outdoor recreational type activities with Latham. Most of her old wardrobe got donated to thrift stores although she kept a few of her favorite pairs of shoes, a selection of work clothes and all the lacy lingerie. Latham highly approved of those.
A cold nose nudging her knee brought her back to the current moment and she smiled at Scout, their service dog, as she scratched his chin. He was equally devoted to Latham and to her and was trained to recognize the onset of a PTSD incident and to help whichever of them was suffering to handle it. Her counselor had made the suggestion and had pulled strings to help Helaine acquire Scout.
Latham was running late. His mother wouldn’t be pleased if dinner got cold. But it was only his second week managing the Western District of the Royal Park System. Latham hadn’t been joking—he really had been under pressure to give up his solitary ranger ways and move into management and the royal family was practically gleeful when he informed the Crown Prince he was ready to tackle the challenge. So far he was loving it and the job carried with it plenty of opportunities for him to visit even the most far flung and remote parks. Latham also enjoyed the aspect of overseeing the hiring and training of new rangers.
“Finally.” Helaine rose to her feet as her mate came into view around the curve of the city park where she sat. Scout barked and pulled at the leash so Helaine decided to go meet Latham halfway.
“How was your day?” they asked each other in unison.
“You first,” Latham said, laughing. “How was the interview?”
“I got hired!” Helaine threw out her arms and twirled. “You’re looking at the new office manager for Crown Princess Rosalie’s charitable and political interests.”
“Congratulations,” he said, pulling her in for a kiss. “I knew she’d select you.”
“All my experience as an office manager on Earth was pretty directly applicable,” Helaine agreed, pride in her voice. “And she and I had met before, on the battleship when we flew home from Resort Planet so I know she’ll be easy to work with. I start next week and the salary is way more than I ever earned on Earth. Our home and family savings account will grow in leaps and bounds.”
“Good since we’re going to be needing it sooner than later. Sorry I’m late but there’s so much piled up at the office to solve since the position had been vacant for months before I said yes to it. Let’s take a groundcar to my parents’ house—we can splurge today.”
“No argument from me,” she said as she and Scout matched his stride, heading for the nearest groundcar kiosk. Once summoned, a vehicle was guaranteed to arrive in less than five minutes. Ardannans liked efficiency and Helaine approved. “Did you have to go all famptror on anyone today?”
He tugged one of her errant curls. “You know I don’t summon the bear for anything less than emergencies.”
“Hmmm, I think he peeks through more than you know,” she said. “I like the hint of wildness though.” On several of their trips through the wilderness when he was still a ranger, Latham had let the beast out, including once to gambol in a pond below a waterfall and catch fat fish for their dinner. Helaine was fascinated by the golden bear and his horns and the way his eyes were always those of her beloved, no matter which form he took.
“Good thing since you’re my fated mate.” Latham stopped on the sidewalk and hauled her in for a bear hug and a long, involved kiss.
“We’re already late,” Helaine said eventually. “And today your mother and I are planning to discuss the wedding.”
A groundcar pulled up to the curb and Latham ushered her toward it, Scout following on his leash. “Don’t forget Their Royal Highnesses Treylon and Rosalie will attend. We’ll have to co-ordinate with the Royal Household on certain protocols.”
“I think I can handle that since I’m going to be working directly for her.” Helaine got in the vehicle and scooted over. “If anyone had told me how my IDA date was going to turn out and that I’d have royalty at my wedding, I would have said they’d been watching too many romcom trideos.”
“So you approve of how the situation worked out?” he asked as he entered the destination in the groundcar’s navigation system.
“We have a half hour drive and no driver to shock,” she said, pulling him closer. “Let me demonstrate my approval of all things connected to IDA, my dating experience and you.”
And she did.
