Page 19 of The Build Up

When did Tarak become so wise, especially when it comes to raising kids?

When I first met him, he was abrupt, headstrong, and ruthless.

He still has those traits, but he’s a lot more measured now.

Maybe the future I hoped for reallyispossible.

It is.

It’s happening right now.

Anormallife, far away from all the dangers Tarak has worked so hard to defeat.

Fornow.

Tomorrow, I have a meeting with a highly experienced educator. Maybe she’ll be open to my proposal. Maybe not.

But I can be pretty persuasive when I want, especially when it involves our kids.

I’m sure we can come to an agreement.

Our tribe is growing. People don’t understand it yet, but the future of humans and Kordolians is inextricably linked.

SIX

ABBEY

The carthat takes us to Capricornia College is cool, silent, and impossibly smooth. On the outside, it looks like any of the driverless cars that glide around the streets—white and sleek, its windows tinted against the harsh tropical sun.

In reality, it’s no ordinary vehicle. It’s actually an entirely Kordolian contraption, armed and armored and practically impenetrable. It canfly.It also has a driver—unusual in this day and age on Earth but very normal for Tarak, who doesn’t quite trust artificial intelligence of any sort.

Tarak doesn’t take any chances. Wherever we go, he insists on using his own tech for transport. He’s paranoid about the possibility of human-networked vehicles being remotely controlled or used to spy on us.

Well, maybe not paranoid, considering who he is.

Just realistic.

As we glide to a stop at the front entrance, I squeeze Tarak’s muscular thigh, capturing his attention. “This isn’t a negotiation, and we haven’t come here to demand anything. It’s just aconversation.”

“There are things about you I still don’t understand,” he says mildly, raising a pale eyebrow. “You know you can have anything you want. Why do you insist on making it complicated?”

“Human nature.” I smile, knowing perfectly well that Tarak doesn’t quite understand why I’m so adamant about navigating situations involving humans diplomatically. To him, my approach is incomprehensible. He’s used to taking what he wants and bringing others to heel in the process. “Whoever educates our kids needs to be passionate and willing—not under duress. You’ll understand in a few years.”

“Hm.” Tarak captures my hand and twines his fingers through mine—a little forcefully. “Perhaps.”

He’s just going along with all of this because he wants to make me happy, not because he understands my reasons behind it. He trusts me to make the right decisions for our child, and he accepts that there needs to be a balance between our very different cultures.

Of course, he’s got the Kordolian side of things all stitched up, every resource imaginable at his disposal. Most of what remains of the old empire is under his command. He’s installed an interim government on Kythia and owns an entire fleet of Kordolian military ships manned by troops that are loyal only to him.

Every single Kordolian specialist, instructor, and expert is at our disposal.

We won’t have any trouble teaching our kids the Kordolian ways, and I trust Tarak to make sure they learn the right things from his world.

The car enters a long driveway leading to a small car park. There’s a drop-off zone at the end, shaded by a roofed structure. Tall, slender palms wave in the gentle breeze, deceptively relaxed in the oppressive heat.

Of course, inside the car, it’s cool, but outside, it’s a furnace.

I squeeze Tarak’s hand, appreciating the brief torture he’s about to go through when he steps outside.

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