“Then we have an accord,” I say as relief washes over me. Then, we speak of numbers, of employment boards, of sectors where humans might serve openly—trade, hospitality, engineering. We speak of percentages, contracts, joint ventures. It is all business on the surface. Yet every word circles back to the truth we all recognize but do not name.
This is not only about Eve, but this is also clearly about Zira’s human attendant, who has not left her side. Every gesture and every glance between them reassures me that my first instinct was correct; he is no servant.He is to her what Eve is to us.
But being the matriarch of Serath, she cannot openly be with a human or she will be ousted from her position and maybe even made an Outcast by her own family. But if the laws were truly changed, not just in theory, but in practice, she would have some ground to stand on.
“Fine,” Zira says at last. “I will be in touch with the Alliance Force, which monitors Earth. Any humans who are trying to sneak back to Earth and break IGC laws will be given the choice to work for me rather than be sentenced.”
“I heard they were hiring some of them illegally at Alliance Force,” Lorian adds.
Zira laughs. “What good are human women to the Alliance Force? I will negotiate for them and let their Commander keep the men if that’s what he needs. As I understand it, they need credits more than they need personnel.”
I nod. “And with your support, we will reappeal Eve’s sentence, citing Gael as the real criminal.”
“Of course he is. He’s a thorn in everyone’s side, just like his father.”
“His father?” I ask.
“Kamos.”
Lorian and I exchange looks.
“Oh, how sweet. You didn’t know? I’m surprised. But it’s no matter. Yes, that’s why Gael is more successful than he ought to be. Kamos thinks Terra Ka is some kind of joke or indulgence, I don’t know which, but he often aids his son in rescuing humans.”
“But his wife?” I say. “He sent her to Kamos, and the rumors are she returned pregnant with Kamos’ child.”
“Everyone has a kink,” Lorian supplies without hesitation, and I’m relieved he doesn’t add that he and our own father have shared Autumn.
“And is that your kink too?” Zira asks. “Is that why you sent Eve to be with your father?”
I realize now she didn’t bring up Gael and Kamos as randomly as it first seemed. She wants to know if we also get off on having our father fuck our lover. “No,” I say firmly. “Our father is under strict instructions not to touch her sexually.”
“And you trust him?”
Lorian answers calmly but in a matter-of-fact tone, “Our father’s word is his life.”
“Good.”Zira rises at last, and her guards bow instantly. “Through devotion, empires endure. Through recognition, we ascend. From this day, House Serath will not deny humanity its place. Stand with me, and the law will bend to our will.”
Lorian and I bow and say together, “The Ascendant Alliance will do its part. May we be successful together.”
When we leave her estate, Lorian and I are silent until the transport lifts from the platform. Then he glances at me, his voice low. “Will it be enough?”
I stare out at the shiny buildings of Rima below. “It has to be.”
64
THE CALL TO ALBA, LORIAN
TheNocturne’s Edge’scomm-room hums with the steady pulse of ship systems as I wait impatiently for my father’s face to sharpen on my screen, an older version of Rafe and me.
“Lorian, I already gave Rafe the data,” he says without greeting. “But you’re not calling for data, are you?”
“I want to hear about her... from you.”
“Come down and visit her. See for yourself. She misses you both madly. She cries every night holding Rafe’s ring.”
“I can’t.”
“You mean you won’t.” His eyes cut me just like they did when I was a boy. “Rafe told me what happened in the shrine. You both were right to send her here. I think she’d be dead by now if she had beenleft in your care. Now she’s been reborn, and she’s recovering, and if I do say so myself, she’sbecoming better.”
