Stephanie's Challenge by M.K. Eidem

Author:M.K. Eidem [Eidem, M.K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: love, family, commitment, sci-fi, humor
Publisher: Turtle Point Publishing, Inc
Published: 2019-06-30T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Stephanie activated her high-security comm system, and Burk's face filled the screen. She could tell by what was behind him that he was inside a shuttle.

"You're ready to take off, Captain?"

"Yes, Commander, and as soon as I disconnect from you, I will notify Bering Command that we are en route."

"Very good, Captain. Safe travels. Notify me immediately if you encounter any problems."

"Yes, Commander."

Disconnecting, Stephanie shut down her comm and exited her office, but her mind was still on the shuttle. There shouldn't be any problems. Burk knew what he was doing, and with three military ships as an escort, no one should dare attack the ship. But still there was always that chance, and if something happened to her brother while under her protection... she wasn't sure she could live with herself.

Walking into the kitchen, all the dark possibilities that had filled her mind faded when she saw Nick had moved everything from the island to the small table she hadn't noticed before. Candles were burning on the table, and he had dimmed the lights.

"What's all this?" she asked quietly, sitting down on the chair he'd pulled out for her.

"I wanted our first meal as a couple to be special," he told her sliding her chair in before taking his own.

"We ate together last night," she reminded him.

"But we weren't officially a couple then. Now we are, and I want it to be memorable."

"And you don't think last night was?" she asked, not realizing she'd arched an eyebrow precisely as her mother did.

"Oh trust me it was, but tonight is going to be even better, and do you know why?"

"Because we're eating zebu instead of omelets?"

"No, because I get to sleep all night with you in my arms."

At that, Stephanie knew if she weren't already in love with Nicholas Deffand, she would be. Who would have thought that beneath that tough, emotionless exterior that the King's Captain presented to the world, was the heart of a romantic? Reaching across the table, she squeezed his hand.

"I love you, Nicholas Allen Deffand."

"And I love you, Stephanie Anne Michelakakis. Now eat before all my efforts to impress you go to waste.

"You don't need to impress me, Nick. You just need to be you."

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Stephanie stood in the Daily Operations room of the Palace and let her gaze travel over the guards standing at attention before her. Chandra had scheduled two such meetings, this one and one later today, so the guards currently on duty wouldn't be excluded.

"At ease and be seated," she began and waited until everyone had settled before continuing. "Good morning."

"Good morning, Commander," the room replied.

"I'm not going to keep you long since I know some of you have just come off shift and would like to get some sleep, and others of you have a rare day off. All of you have proven why Captain Chandra chose you to be a Palace Guard for the House of Protection. Your commitment and professionalism during some trying times have been unsurpassed.

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