The Shattered Way (Champions of the Crystal Book 7)

Chapter 8: The Engagement

The next morning dawned bright and clear, and Ford kissed Sabrina awake just before her comlink pinged. "Good morning," he said, casting a glare at the offending device on her nightstand. "Well, today's the day."

"So it is," she smiled back. "But I have one more meeting today before I get to have fun."

"Just don't be late," Ford said, sitting up. "That would be really embarrassing for me."

"Don't worry, I have no intention of starting our marriage by humiliating you in front of your entire principality," Sabrina assured him. "Today it's just the representatives from the moon government. Short and sweet."

"I love your optimism," Ford said.

"Don't you get caught up in your workshop today," Sabrina warned. "I'm going to be really annoyed if you're the one who's late."

"No worries. Aurora and Treva will keep you company—and from going on a rampage," Ford said. "No, I'm going to spend the day at Bathir, doing bureaucratic things. Also making sure any changes you make get incorporated into the marriage contract so it can be drawn up formally. It takes time for the calligrapher to get through all that, you know."

Sabrina bit her lip. Ford said, "What? You want to change everything?"

"No. I—I haven't read it."

"I sent it to you the day before yesterday!"

"I know. I remember seeing the message. I thought I'd have a chance yesterday, but I didn't."

Ford ran his hands through his hair. "Sabrina, you're going to have to make time. You're not signing that thing unless you've read every word. I'm not going to have you complaining about it after there's nothing we can do!"

"I know, I know! I'll read it!" Sabrina said.

Ford got out of bed and turned to face her. "I know the regency is important, Sabrina, but I need to know that this is important to you, too."

"Of course it is! Look, get some breakfast, and I'll read it right now. While I eat. Okay?"

"Fine." Ford left the room.

Sabrina put on a robe, went to her study, and downloaded the document from her comconsole onto a pad. Then she went to the kitchen, reading intently, and munched absent-mindedly on the pastry Ford put into her hand.

"What?" Ford asked.

"What?" Sabrina looked up.

"You're frowning."

"No I'm not. High Praxatillian just gives me a headache. I guess I should be thankful it's not written in Old Bahgheiran."

"Neither of us would be able to read it then!" Ford said.

She went back to reading. A few minutes later, she said, "You're making me your heir? Is that allowed? I thought you'd have to choose one of your siblings."

"No. You hold the title in your own right. If something happened to me and you remarried, you could pass it to your children."

"Fat chance. I'd adopt Marie first," Sabrina said. "What's this about the watergem revenues?"

"Nothing important. In the past, when the crown was shared, an extra levy was put into place on the watergem exports to support the expanded household. I decided we didn't need to do that. There's plenty there for us both."

"That'll make you popular," she observed approvingly.

"More like I'll avoid a huge outcry. It's been a very long time since Bathir had co-rulers. And that was back before we had our own constitution, thanks to you. I'm not sure I could push through an extra tax even if I wanted to."