"Thank you, Jeana." Melissa gave her a brief hug, then let her slip back through the door. Turning to her mother, she smiled happily. "Don't worry, Mother. I really do love him."
The Archon nodded at her only child. "You look so beautiful, Melissa. Your father would have been proud of you. I can only hope that you and Hanse will share the joy that your father and I did, and know it for many more years."
Melissa closed her eyes to hold back the tears. "I love you, Mother."
The Archon enfolded her daughter in a hug. "And I love you, Melissa, my child. Always."
37
ComStar First Circuit Compound
Hilton Head Island, North America, Terra
20 August 3028
Morgan Hasek-Davion tugged at the sleeves of his midnight blue dress jacket. The silvery starburst at his left shoulder sent four rays out toward the jacket's centerline. He rubbed his sleeve against one ray to remove a smudge, then brushed his long red hair back from the argent epaulets with the wide white band at their base. Turning from the full-length mirror, he opened his arms wide. "What do you think, love?"
Kym smiled proudly, then reached up and adjusted the ceremonial silver gorget so that it was centered on Morgan's broad chest. Standing on her toes, she kissed him briefly. "I think, dear heart, that you look very handsome and that I shall be most jealous at the reception while you dance with the maid of honor."
"Not to worry, Kym. I learned the other night that Misha Auburn was quite taken a year ago with Andrew Redburn during his tour of the Lyran Commonwealth. I guess they've been corresponding since then. I'd not steal a woman from an old friend."
Kym's lower lip began to thrust forward in a pout. "Is that the only reason you'd not be interested in her?"
Morgan pulled Kym close. "You are the only reason I'm not interested in any other woman."
She smiled and brushed the tip of Morgan's nose with one finger. "That's the right answer, Morgan Hasek-Davion. Don't you forget it."
Morgan nodded happily. "Just as long as you're there to remind me."
The door behind Kym swung open, but Hanse Davion hesitated in the doorway. "Forgive me. I should have knocked."
Kym shook her head. "No, I'm the one who shouldn't be here." She kissed Morgan quickly, then added, "I'm just leaving. Congratulations, Highness. I wish you much happiness."
Hanse smiled pleasantly. "Thank you, Lady Sorenson. I trust you have made sure Morgan has the rings and will not embarrass the Federated Suns."
Kym winked at Morgan. "Have no fear, Highness." She bowed to the Prince, then withdrew, closing the door behind her.
Morgan smiled at the Prince. "I have the rings, Uncle."
Hanse nodded somewhat distractedly. "I know, Morgan. I know."
Morgan's red brows knitted together in a frown. "Hanse, you're not actually nervous, are you?"
Hanse hesitated, then laughed. "It shows, then?"
"A bit," said Morgan, a devilish grin working onto his face.
"But I don't expect you'll have any trouble, you know . . ."
Hanse raised his eyebrow, but kept his good humor. "Trouble with what, Morgan?"
Morgan chuckled. "Remembering your lines today. But if you do, I'll be there to help."
Hanse laughed along with his nephew. "Thank you, Morgan, for helping me to loosen up some of this tension. This is a momentous day."
Morgan nodded solemnly. "That it is." He chewed his lower lip, then swallowed hard. "I just want you to know, Hanse, that being your best man means a great deal to me. You know, back when the tradition first began, the best man was chosen because it was his job to fight off pursuers when the groom stole the bride from her family." Morgan looked down at his boots and spurs. "That's what I'll do, too . . . I'll defend you, your bride, and the House of Davion against anyone who threatens it."
Hanse rested both hands on Morgan's broad shoulders. "Morgan, when I brought you to New Avalon four years ago, it was a way to make your father think twice about some of the actions he'd taken. Soon after your arrival, I realized it was a mistake because I ended up punishing you for difficulties your father and I had with each other." Hanse smiled briefly. "However, I also came to realize that I wanted you to remain on New Avalon. It is my home and having you there made it seem even more the kind of place I want it to be."
Hanse dropped his hands and turned away. "I would be lying if I said there were not political considerations in choosing you to stand beside me, however. Ardan suggested it, and I agreed because we know that by honoring you, we show the people of the Capellan March that I do care for them and their well-being."
Hanse turned back slowly. "Believe me, however, when I tell you that not for an instant have I regretted that choice. There are those who advise me against trusting you. They say you are a Hasek and they remind me that you spent your formative years in the Capellan March. Indeed, you sit nearest the thrones of two Houses. Were I to die without an heir, you would certainly be pressed into service as a candidate to succeed me."
Hanse smiled with sincerity at his nephew. "Still and all, I have come to understand one very important thing about you, Morgan. Because you have lived in both the Capellan March and the Crucis March, because of your education at Warriors Hall and NAMA, and because of your blood, you do truly understand what it means to belong to the Federated Suns. You are a Hasek and a Davion, but more than either one. No matter what, never doubt that you have my complete trust."
Morgan looked down for a moment as he collected his thoughts. He was touched by the fervor in the voice of the man who was his uncle and also his Prince. "Thank you, Hanse, for that trust. I don't want Marches to rule, nor do I want the power-that intoxicating, mindnumbing power that warps and twists people—that seems to go hand in hand with ruling some part of the Successor States. Once you have an heir, you can award me a small plot of land somewhere and let me live out my days as a country squire."
Hanse smiled. "You've been talking to Ardan Sortek too much."
Morgan shrugged. "Maybe so, but he's got the right idea. Politics is for those who know how to navigate the intricate and subtle patterns fate weaves. I served the Federated Suns willingly, but if I can keep the thread of my life clear of political entanglements, I will be more than happy."
Hanse glanced at his chronometer. "Well, it looks as though the time has come to tie another knot in fate's tapestry."
Morgan nodded, leading the way to the door. "Into the future, my Prince, a future of great happiness for you and your bride." Into a prosperous and secure future, my Prince, which I will do all in my power to make come true for you.
38
ComStar First Circuit Compound
Hilton Head Island, North America, Terra
20 August 3028
Justin refrained from making a comment as Colonel Ardan Sortek met him and Candace Liao just inside the cathedral's door. Sortek graciously bowed his head to the two Capellans. "Good afternoon, Duchess . . . Citizen Xiang."
Candace smiled politely at Ardan. "And to you, Colonel."
Justin nodded stiffly, keeping his voice flat and emotionless. "Colonel Sortek . . ."