Just yes. No explanation. No telling him how hard it was for her to ask him to do such a thing. Was it hard? Was it easy?
“How far do you wish me to take this ruse?” he asked.
Would it be a ruse? His mind asked and he slapped that down.
He and Jace were becoming comrades, perhaps even friends. But lovers? Jace was interesting. He remembered the hug. A simple embrace for a human, but for a Thaf’ell meant so much more. He had given it to be sure. He had hardly hesitated. Jace had needed him.
“As far as it needs to go,” his mother answered.
As far…
“A physical relationship?” His lips were numb.
“Yes, that would be wise, I think. Humans are very physical creatures. There is research on this that I would encourage you to study it,” she said. “As you already know, they are greatly moved by their Xis. You will need to know how to handle this.”
“I did not say I would do this,” Khoth finally managed to say.
His mother blinked slowly. “Khoth…”
“The reason that a friendship is developing between Jace and I is because we are being authentic with one another. It is not forced,” Khoth struggled to explain. “He would know if I were being false with him.”
His mother studied him again and he almost snarled at her, “What? What are you looking for? What are you hoping or fearing to see? Just tell me!”
But he remained silent. He would not let her use this silence as a sword or shield against him. He would ignore it.
“I think you underestimate yourself, my son,” she murmured.
“Perhaps I should rephrase. I will not be false with him,” Khoth stated firmly.
Silence fell again. She broke it with a sigh as her whole posture changed again. She became High Councillor Nova Voor between one moment and the next.
“I am not asking, Commander. This is an order,” she told him, her voice firm and emotionless. “You will do this on behalf of the Alliance.”
He was again stunned into silence. She likely saved him from what he would have said by standing up at that moment to leave. He rose on slightly shaky legs, but she waved him down.
“I have things that I must attend to,” she told him. “You need to compose yourself and prepare. I will want your thoughts on all the humans you have interacted with, but I want a clear view of them myself for our meeting next cycle. I know that you need to return to Jace’s side in any event.”
Khoth sank back down into the chair. She walked past him, heading for the door. At the last moment, she put one hand on his shoulder. Her fingers barely brushed the skin of his neck.
“We all must make sacrifices, Khoth,” she said. “Your sister gave her life. I am just asking for you to do what is already in your Xi to do. The Alliance needs Jace Parker and Jace Parker needs you already.”
“If you really thought that, why not let things take their natural course?” Khoth asked.
“Because nothing can be left to chance these cycles, my son. Things are more dire than you know,” she said.
And then she left and he was alone with the fish in her quarters and a heavier silence than he had ever known.
Moon Walk, Moon Talk
“Okay, Dad, now just goose the throttle a bit. Yeah! Yeah! You got it!” Jace enthused as he stood behind his father who sat in the pilot seat of the Storm Spike.
Earth was already far behind them and the moon was ahead, growing ever larger. His father was smiling so big and brightly that Jace was certain his face must hurt. His father was in heaven and he couldn’t blame him. It was hard not to want to take the controls back himself.
“At least there’s nothing out here to hit,” his father said with a grin. “So if I make a mistake we’re okay.”
“True! Going to stretch her wings a little?” Jace grinned back.
“Maybe you should be strapped in if I do that,” his father replied dryly.
