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“And we do not want… people?” Khoth clarified, tilting his head to the side.

Jace had been quite the host before and after they had mated. His mother had stayed two sub-cycles before she left just a short time ago to settle into her quarters and then to meet with General Intoshkin. Jace’s father would not be arriving on the planet until after sunset. They had all agreed to meet for a meal to tell Jack about their bond and to celebrate it. Khoth was to invite his own father, too, and his mother as well… if he wished to. He was still considering this. Considering it very hard. It wasn’t that he was ashamed of being mated. Quite the contrary! Nor was it the Thaf’ell’s need for privacy as his parents were part of his family unit.

Well, my father is.

His own reticence came from wanting to maintain that easy smile on Jace’s lips. His mate was sensitive to other’s feelings. And it was clear as day to Khoth that Jace found their bond the most wonderful thing. To have others be less than kind about it would cause Jace pain and stress. His mate had dealt with plenty of both. He simply wanted Jace to continue to be happy. But now it appeared Jace, too, did not want any other people around them at this time. Maybe he recognized the same issues that Khoth did.

Curious.

“No, we do not want people! What we want is for the two of us to escape and for you to show me around Ylore,” Jace explained as he carefully placed another foot on a vine, testing its strength to hold his weight. “Take me to all your favorite spots.”

“Ah, I see. You wish for us to be alone and for me to show you places that mean something to me?” Khoth lifted an eyebrow.

“That’s right. It’s almost like you’re reading my mind.” Jace chuckled low in his throat.

“You are not actually communicating to me–”

“I’m teasing, Khoth.”

“Ah.”

“I thought if I told you the plan before I knew a way out of here that wouldn’t attract too much attention that you’d shoot it down. Duty. Responsibility. I’m still recovering. On and on,” Jace explained and climbed up further.

The igea’s vines were getting rather thin and he wasn’t halfway up the wall. Khoth resisted the urge to hold up his arms to catch him when Jace, inevitably, fell. Jace must know that the vines were too slender for his weight. Surely, the Osiris was telling him this, but Jace seemed quite intent on this climbing business.

“I am not sure what ‘on and on’ would entail, but I do agree that duty and responsibility would indicate that we should not be escaping from our rooms,” Khoth replied dryly.

“Awww, man, I knew you were going to say that–”

“No, I am certain you misunderstand me,” Khoth answered with a smile.

“Wha–WHOA!”

The igea gave way. Jace’s left foot was scrabbling against the wall as the vine snapped beneath it. Then the vine under the right foot gave out as well. Jace’s hands sought purchase against the smooth stone wall, but he was not to succeed. Khoth moved in to catch him. But it was unnecessary. Jace flipped in mid-air and landed lightly on his feet on the ground. He appeared completely unhurt. He glared at the wall though.

“Are you injured? That was a significant fall,” Khoth pointed, running his hands up and down his mate’s shoulders and arms. Really, he should check his feet, ankles and legs.

But when he bent down to check, Jace gently tugged him back up.

“Khoth, I’m fine,” Jace told him.

“Jace…” His forehead furrowed.

Not three sub-cycles ago, Jace could hardly walk. They had engaged in sexual intercourse and Jace had managed to eat some of the food, but Khoth still worried. How much could Dr. Isa’s medicine do? And Jace would push himself. She’d warned him not to. But this was Jace.

And that is his nature.

“No, really, I’m so much better.” Jace gave him a tender look and covered one of Khoth’s hands with his own. “Especially since we bonded, I feel pretty amazing actually.”

“As do I,” Khoth answered, feeling a little faint as he said it.

They had bonded and it was so perfect that it almost frightened him. Not that he thought it was wrong in any way, but he didn’t want anything to affect it. Not that anything could. Not even the responses of the Thaf’ell around them. Especially his parents and Typhon and who knew who else.

“Gehenna actually told me that some of my issues–the emotional storm and stuff–was because Altaeth do have mates and I wanted to mate with you. So now that we are together I think my body’s calmed down a little.” Jace’s smile grew. “It’s so crazy to say we’re mated, isn’t it? And yeah, I know it’s going to be a thing for some people. Even those we might not expect to have a problem with it may be concerned or more. But they’re wrong. This is how we’re supposed to be.”

Yes, this is meant.

“Thammah will be pleased that we are mated, I think,” Khoth said.