The Caphenon by Fletcher DeLancey

When Captain Ekatya Serrado sacrifices her starship to defend an unsuspecting planet from an imperialist threat, she thrusts the isolated world of Alsea onto the galactic stage. Stuck on the planet during the chaotic aftermath, Ekatya must navigate complex alien politics and a rigid caste system alongside Andira Tal, the planet’s fierce leader. As intergalactic forces threaten to colonize her home, Alsean translator Lhyn becomes Ekatya's primary ally. Together, the two women find themselves caught in a high-stakes alliance that quickly evolves into a deep, passionate romance capable of shifting the balance of power across the stars.