Kofi Adeyemi's Arc

Chapter 1 of 2

Kofi Adeyemi came to Planet Synn to win one woman, and a stranger was already working to ruin his name. He stood in the great hall of Synnai's family home, holding a velvet box. Inside lay a choker of amethyst and topaz, with a matching bangle. He had chosen it for her kin, to earn their trust. He had bought the land for her dream homestead. He had crossed the stars for her. All he needed now was her favor. But her people watched him with cool eyes. A man stood near Synnai's elders, speaking low. He wore the easy smile of someone who belonged here. He was the suitor her family already favored. "Offworlders promise mountains," the rival said, loud enough for all to hear. "Then they vanish when the bill comes due. What does this one truly own? A fine coat and sweet words." The elders murmured. Synnai looked at Kofi, waiting. Kofi did not raise his voice. He set the velvet box on the table and opened it. The jewels caught the light. "A gift for your family," he said. "Not to buy you. To honor you." The rival laughed. "Trinkets. Any drifter can borrow jewels for a night." Kofi had planned for this. He lifted a small disc from his coat and set it spinning above his palm. Light bloomed into a map of the sky. Then it narrowed to a single structure: three glass domes stacked tall, each ringed like the planet Saturn. "My headquarters," Kofi said. "I built it. I own it. Every ship in my fleet launches from its top dome." He turned the image. Now it showed a domed manor beside a still lake rimmed with pale sand. "My home. There is a room in it already set aside for her art." The hall went quiet. The rival's smile thinned. "And the land," Kofi went on. He touched the disc. A green valley appeared. "Bought in Synnai's name. For the homestead she has always wanted. The deed is signed. It waits only for her yes." The eldest of Synnai's kin leaned forward. She studied the images, then studied Kofi's face. "Words are cheap," she said. "Deeds are not. This one has shown his." The rival stepped forward. "My family has known yours for—" "Enough," the elder said. She closed her hand, and the disc went dark. "You have shown us doubt. He has shown us proof. Leave us." The rival's face burned. He looked once at Synnai, who did not look back. Then he turned and walked out of the hall. Synnai crossed the floor to Kofi. She did not take the jewels. She took his hand. "You honored my family," she said. "Now I want to know the man, not the towers." Kofi felt the win and the warning at once. The suitor was gone. But Synnai had set a harder test. Proof had opened the door. Now she wanted his heart.