Kai blinked in surprise. Fallmin chuckled. “I suspected as much,” the commander admitted. “You were able to nail him because you had a better line of sight to him than I did.”
“He practically oozed the same over-confidence,” Lhora noted with a grin. “Not to mention the fact that he looks like a younger version of his father.” Her comment elicited more chuckles from her parents. She understood why. Coltrosstians resembled their parents, taking on characteristics of both their mother and father, whereas Beinights didn’t. A person couldn’t assume who was related to whom simply by judging by their looks. Those physical traits skipped several generations before reappearing. However, if anyone compared Lhora to her great-grandmother at the same age, they’d almost look like twins.
For the next few minutes they ate in silence, until the commander dropped his spoon into his bowl with a clatter and stood. “Now that my belly’s full, I’m ready to discuss business. Do you have any ideas how we’re going to join forces with the Coltrosstians? That is,ifwe decide to do so?” He reached down for Kai’s bowl, but she declined and continued eating.
Lhora pulled her bowl away to let him know she wasn’t ready, either. “I don’t foresee us serving on each other’s ships, if you want to hear my thoughts on the matter.”
“Which we do,” Fallmin told her, dumping his bowl on the tray before rejoining his wife. “As for your thoughts, neither do I. If we work together, it’ll be to coordinate our efforts. Our forces attacking on one side as they approach from the other. Or the both of us coming at them as one. But to have Coltrosstians serving on Beinight ships and vice versa…” He shook his head. “Will never happen. Too much distrust in each other’s abilities, for one thing.”
Lhora chuckled. “Isn’t that enough? Although…”
Kai narrowed her eyes. “Although what?”
“Her mind is distracted,” Fallmin commented. “She’s thinking of the Sarpi’s son.”
“Damn you, Father,” Lhora shot back, then broke out laughing. She’d never been able to hide her feelings from the man. On the other hand, he was very adept at shielding his mind and heart from her. She knew that in time, and with lots of practice, she’d be able to protect her innermost self from other torgarts. Fortunately, she and her father were the only ones of that nearly extinct species serving directly under the Esstika.
“Maybe, in the future, our forces will be able to combine,” Kai confessed almost wistfully. “I’ve never given up hope that someday our planet can come together as one. That we can rule peacefully and be able to interact. Enjoy trade. Commerce.” She got that dreamy look on her face Lhora had seen before. Or, as her father often referred to it as, wishful thinking.
Wishful thinking.
She caught herself staring with unseeing eyes at the bottom of her bowl. The face of the Sarpi’s son floated before her. The determination on the young man’s face intrigued her. She could tell he was fiercely loyal to his father. Unfortunately, that was all she’d been able to get out of him in the brief time he’d been within her reach.
“Mother, how long will the Sarpi and his counselors be staying?”
“Not long. Two or three days. Why do you ask?”
“Don’t you find it strange that the grand leader of all of Coltross came here of his own volition? Without notifying you first of his intentions?”
“She makes a valid point. Why didn’t they contact us before they left Coltross? Why did they wait until they’d already crossed our borders before reaching out to us?”
Kai smiled. “I will make it a point to ask them the next time we convene.” She looked at her mate. “Be sure you’re close enough to read them when I do.”
Fallmin nodded in agreement. “When is our next meeting with them?”
“This evening. I’m going to invite them to supper. Lhora?”
“Yes?”
“Full military garb. I want you and my other captains around me at all times as long as they’re here.”
“Not a problem,” she replied.
“Until I order you differently.”
Lhora stared wide-eyed at her mother. “In what way?”
* * *
“Doyou think they’re going to join forces with us?” Vadris Boe questioned.
“I believe the Esstika would have given us a flat no as soon as we mentioned it,” Sov admitted. “The fact that she didn’t tells me she’s willing to consider it. She may be speaking with her counsel at this moment, seeking their guidance.”
“Even if she does, how do you know she won’t renege on her word?” Duren questioned.
The Sarpi glanced over at where his son was staring out a window. “How will she know we won’t renege on ours?” he countered.
Boe growled in contempt. “I can’t believe you’re willing to trust a woman to keep her word.”
