Image by Kerstin Riemer from Pixabay

Raewyn stood in the garden, breathing in the scent of the sunfire roses. She knew she should be in helping Ethian with the paperwork, but she needed a moment away from everyone and everything. It had only been a month since their wedding and the chaos surrounding her life had not died down appreciably.

The footsteps behind her told her someone else was seeking the solace of the Imperial garden. Hands rested on her shoulders. “Fallon took my pad and stole all the paperwork again,” Ethian said. “He told me he’d flash me back what I needed to do. He sent me out to check on you.”

“I know I need to come inside and help. But being the empress of the known galaxy is a little more chaotic than I expected,” Raewyn said with a wry smile.

“It will die down eventually.” Ethian bent down and kissed the top of her head. “It did for my parents.”

“At least your children aren’t being openly hostile towards me. Lathan seems to be very open to the idea of having me as his stepmother now. Nila is still…ambivalent,” Raewyn.

“Lathan wants a mother who will love him. Nila is still struggling, but she’s coming around,” Ethian said.

“Lathan is eminently lovable and I don’t think I’ll have a problem with that,” Raewyn said with a laugh.

“That’s good. He needs you, Raewyn.” Ethian wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She leaned against him.

“I know quiet moments like these are going to be few and far between,” Raewyn said after a few minutes of just staring at the roses.

“Unfortunately yes. But I will endeavor to make sure we get them from time to time. We need them,” Ethian said. “Not only for our sanity’s sake, but just to reconnect. We can’t work all the time. That’s what almost killed my father.”

Raewyn turned and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Please take care of yourself Ethian.” She buried her face in his chest. “I just found you. I couldn’t bear losing you so soon.”

Ethian stroked her hair. “I’ll do my best, Raewyn.”

Fallon found them a short while later, holding each other in front of the sunfire roses. “I hate to interrupt,” he said reluctantly. “But there is the paperwork and it does have to get done. I can only do so much, which is most of it, but there are things the emperor has to sign off on.”

“And I should come take my share so you’re not up until two in the morning working again,” Raewyn said, turning away from the roses.

“Nikitha would appreciate that,” Fallon said, smiling.

“All right. Back to work,” Raewyn said with a sigh. She supposed she’d get used to being empress of a galaxy spanning empire eventually.