The captain of a family-owned starship arranges a marriage for her son in hopes of achieving faster-than-light travel and maybe, just maybe, marital bliss.

Before Hisako Saski is even born, her parents arrange a marriage contract for her. In exchange for a boost out of the poverty, and to pay for her education, Hisako will marry Adem Sadiq, a musician and maintenance engineer who works the trade lanes aboard his family’s sub-light starship, The Hajj. ;The bride-to-be is understandably not thrilled with the idea of marrying who she perceives to be a pampered stranger. But sparks fly when the betrothed finally meet, except they’re not the kind that necessarily lead to light years of marital bliss…