“It could be. But I’m hoping that at least some in the Alliance recognize restraint,” Jace said then pressed, “Eliminating your mother could just as easily be interpreted as my being afraid of her, of her being a threat. But she isn’t.”
“She isn’t,” Khoth repeated, but not as a question. It was still hard to get his mind around Jace’s power.
“No. Nor is Councillor Ulgax or anyone else the Alliance sends.”
Jace rolled his lips and licked them. Khoth wondered what it would be like to touch them at that moment, which was ridiculous considering where they were and the seriousness of their discussion, but the urge was there.
“Does your Commander doubt the wisdom of your approach in keeping me on?” Nova’s voice rose up. “Or is he urging you to do so?
Khoth’s back stiffened, but he forced himself to let the tension bleed from his shoulders as he turned back around in his chair. Had expressing his opinion to Jace been a mistake? He did not think so. Jace did not appear to regret it either. He laced his fingers together and put them on the table in front of him.
“I value your son’s advice. That’s why I made him Commander of the Osiris,” Jace said, emphasizing his familial connection to her.
“I have no--”
“Son? You have no son, right?” Jace’s voice was clipped and there was an angry buzz undercurrent.
Khoth saw Jace’s mother shift in her seat. Diane had always been very respectful of Thaf’ell culture according to the reports. The Thaf’ell had always assumed it was because she recognized their superiority. Knowing her a little now, Khoth guessed that it was more likely to be polite so that she did not alienate them.
“I think it would be more accurate to say that Khoth has no mother,” Jace suddenly amended.
His mother said nothing, but there was something in the way she held herself that told Khoth that Jace had struck a nerve.
“If I wanted to, I could know every single nuance of Thaf’ell culture,” Jace continued, head nodding slowly. “I know I should respect that we are different species and that there are things I will likely never completely understand about the way you think and vice versa. But there are certain things that we must be clear on if we are to go forward.”
“I am listening,” Nova said and she leaned forward.
“I will never forget what you did to Khoth,” Jace said.
Khoth’s head snapped towards him in shock. Jace did not mention the planned attack on Sunrise. But him. What his mother had done to him. He quickly lowered his head and stilled all movements.
Jace’s expression was mild, but somehow implacable. His mother’s expression was carefully blank.
“You have your reasons, which I am sure that you consider right and true. You’re likely suffering inside for what you’ve done… or I hope so,” Jace continued. “But the fact that you sacrificed him tells me something about you that I will not and must not forget.”
“Which is?” She lifted an eyebrow.
“That there is something missing or broken inside of you,” Jace answered. “And while some may claim to respect what you’ve done, I am betting more than you know will look at you aghast and distrust you deeply. Because if you could do that to your son, what could you do to them?”
“I serve the Alliance,” she said calmly. “If those people stand in its way then they are right to fear me. I do what must be done. You will learn that there is no other way, Jace Parker.”
Jace nodded. “I’m not surprised you believe that.”
“Leadership has taught me this. I am the longest serving High Councillor. I have kept the Alliance safe despite… worsening conditions,” Nova listed her accomplishments. “I have had to make choices that others could not because they were not strong enough. Misplaced sympathy would have damned us all. You are the one in control for now.”
Khoth watched Jace’s profile to try and read Jace’s thoughts.
“We are not the same,” Jace finally answered her. “But I think we understand each other.”
She nodded.
“Now, you want to remain High Councillor,” Jace said.
“I do. It would be best for the Alliance and, though this matters to me not, better for you,” she added. “Councillor Ardath Ulgex is next in line. She has the political will to take my place. She will be emboldened by my lack of success in regards to this matter.”
“What an interesting way to put that,” Jace said with a faint smile on his lips.
Khoth doubted that Jace found his mother’s actions amusing, but more that he had expected her to qualify what had occurred that way.
