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Oh!

Oh? His shoulders tensed again.

Or when they consider the person too beneath their notice as well, they won’t speak, Gehenna amended.

Ah, right, I feel more at home now, Jace sighed.

“Pilot, please proceed ahead of me,” Khoth said.

“No, Commander, it’s okay. Why don’t you go inside and sit next to your dad,” Jace said quietly. “I’ll follow you in.”

Khoth’s eyes narrowed for a moment and he hesitated. Maybe because Jace looked pale and sweaty. Or maybe because he feared that Jace was concerned about his feelings for his father and that they might get in the way of the mission. It was likely all of it. And maybe Jace should have pretended that Khoth didn’t want to be physically near his father, but he just couldn’t right then.

“It’s okay. Please, go inside,” Jace said gently.

Khoth bobbed his head and went into the limousine in that powerful yet economical way of his. Jace followed after him. He felt Typhon’s gaze on his as he went up the stairs. His gaze was not hostile in any way. Typhon did not see him as a rival for Khoth’s affections.

Does that mean he thinks I’m no competition? Jace growled internally.

He displays no signs of arousal around the Commander, the Osiris offered.

So does that mean he has no interest in Khoth? Jace felt a little pathetic hoping that.

An analysis of his past behavior would indicate that sexual conquests are not his focus, the Osiris indicated.

Really? So breaking all those rules to get to Khoth was just nothing? No nevermind? Jace demanded.

The Eromen relationship is not about sex, the Osiris almost sounded like an old school marm teaching sex education. It’s not about sexual pleasure, but procreation! He imagined the Osiris saying next, but it did not. The relationship is to create bonds of affection, loyalty and power for future use.

Oh, so Typhon seduced Khoth for some kind of… political play? But he didn’t tell Khoth’s parents about it! Jace cried.

Khoth is not only the son of the High Councillor and a Justiciar, but, before her death, he was the closest confidant of High Commander Daesah Voor, the Osiris reminded him.

So it wasn’t just to get Khoth in bed and have power over a younger man--

I did not say that was not a part of Typhon’s psychology, only that he has a greater hierarchy of needs, Osiris interrupted.

Ah. So now, instead of being close to Daesah, Khoth’s close to me, Jace said.

Indeed. Typhon chose well in Khoth as an Eromen relationship, Osiris stated simply. He likely did not tell Khoth’s parents because--

They might have said no, Jace finished, and he didn’t want to risk that.

Having Khoth’s affection and loyalty was more important than following convention, the Osiris finished.

You know that doesn’t make me like him any more than before, Jace pointed out.

Liking is irrelevant. It is necessary that you understand potential allies, the Osiris was sounding quite perspicacious.

I like supporting people and having people around me that are morally fit, Osiris. Not someone who seduced Khoth when he was just a young man and messed him up for power! Jace pointed.

In some cases, you will have no choice in the matter, the Osiris pointed out.

Jace passed inside the limousine with a nod at Typhon. He knew what the Osiris was saying was true. He wouldn’t always have a choice to pick as allies those who he approved of. The danger of the Khul was greater than that.

But why Typhon? Why? It was a rhetorical question and the Osiris did not answer.

Davies, Dr. Hayter, Gehenna, and, finally, Typhon followed into the flying limousine after him. Jace noticed another difference that, unlike a human limousine, no one needed to duck their head, but instead could walk in and settle into their seat.