The fresh
air was bracing as Addie stepped onto the stronghold roof.  She took a deep, appreciative breath.  After spending so much time breathing canned
air on ships and stations, this planet smelled good.

The young
Tolari prince was already greeting Smitty.  She smiled and bowed when her husband did, but
she didn’t understand a word.  Instead,
she tried to study the young man as he led them down the stairs to the audience room.  It wasn’t just any man who could pull off
wearing pale lavender, but both he and his father wore it well.  Manly men, she thought with a silent giggle.  The prince glanced at her and smiled, as if he knew
what she was thinking.  She shot him a
friendly grin.