Hers to Command — Patricia A. Knight

The people of the sentient planet, Verdantia, balanced on the brink of extinction, victims of a brutal invasion by an off-world, nomadic horde. On the entire planet, only one woman remained who could partner Conte Camliel Aristos deTano in a perilous sexual ritual to restore the failing energy shield protecting Verdantia's capital, Sylvan Mintoth. Ari had assiduously avoided her for more than a decade â€" Princess Fleur Constante, their future queen and his contractual bride.Having endured the loss of all he loved and years of abuse from the commander of military intelligence, the angelically handsome and lethally skilled assassin, Visconte Doral deLorion, secretly surrendered his heart to the kindness and comradeship offered him by Conte deTano. But a legal contract bound the conte to another forever. Doral could never be more to Ari than his trusted right hand until the sentient planet of Verdantia demanded he be much, much, more.With their living planet at stake, all three would learn the true meaning of trust. All three would learn the true meaning of love.