A Sarkhai Royal Headdress

"It's the headdress from a late Sarkhai queen, they must have pillaged a royal tomb," he said. He opened the lined durasteel case to reveal the fan-shaped crest made of gold and silver wire, decorated with lapis beads and sapphire gemstones. It was delicate and beautiful, gleaming in the light from the consoles around the chamber.

Lana reached for it, her mouth open slightly. She touched it carefully. "I don't know what to say. This is magnificent," she said, and looked at him with loving eyes. "So does this mean you think me a queen?" she asked playfully.

"Only since the moment I met you," he said. He leaned in and kissed her deeply, her tongue meeting his eagerly, her bare hand touching his cheek.

"Then it's about time we talked about the future of this kingdom," she said.