Page 140 of Commander’s Mate

“With a mate.”

“Yes.”

Her eyes held mine.

Not yet.

The words remained unspoken.

I turned toward another record.

“My older brother Jantu wanted command.”

“Like you?”

“No. He enjoyed telling people what to do.”

“That does sound like you.”

“I enjoy telling trained soldiers what to do. There is a difference.”

“Sure.”

“He was better with people.”

“You’re not bad with people.”

“I am excellent with people.”

“You threatened commercial law with rot.”

“It deserved worse.”

Harper shook her head.

“My younger brother Tarem was quieter. He carved. Wood, stone, metal. My father wanted him in engineering. He wanted to make furniture.”

“What happened?”

“Missing.”

Another name on another screen.

I hated how easy it had become to say the word.

Harper stood beside me.

Not touching.

I realized she was waiting again.

This time I reached first.

Her hand fit into mine.

“What if they’re different?” she asked.

“They will be.”