Page 40 of Alien Barbarian's Little Human

“That’s about enough of that,” I say with a laugh. “At least, for a first date.”

“Is that what this is? The human courtship ritual known as a date?”

I sigh.

“Why do you ask? According to you we’re practically married already. Fated mates and all of that.”

His brows arch. Varona’s wings flex as he leans back in his seat.

“So, you have begun to give credence to our being jalshagar?”

“I’m willing to admit something happened. Is happening.”

He’s so close to me, his scent filling my senses. Those lovely purple eyes draw me in. I feel as if I know him, like I’ve known him before. I just can’t quite remember where.

“You know, my commanding officer told me that I had to get you to sign the treaty, or else.”

He looks more bemused than alarmed.

“I see. The or else seems to designate a threat. May I ask what nature said threat will take?”

I shrugged.

“I think they’ll probably replace me as IHC ambassador. The truth is, I don’t think anyone seriously believes I’m going to succeed. No one really wants to detonate the powder keg here.”

“Maybe you do not, but there are many forces who would like nothing better than to see this conflagration become a full blown conflict.” His eyes seem both thoughtful and sad. “I’m uncertain I can even entertain the idea that signing the treaty is good for the Ishani.”

“Well, then, let’s just focus on eating this fine meal and forget about the treaty for now. I know I’m sick of thinking about it.”

“If you like. I worry that you will be replaced, however.”

“Ah, they won’t replace me right away. I should be able to milk this assignment into a two, three week vacation.”

He steeples his hands together and regards me for a long moment.

“You do not seem overly loyal to your home planet.”

“Oh, I’m loyal to Earth. The IHC is the one whose loyalties are in doubt.”

“You have no faith in your leadership.”

It’s not a question, but a statement of fact.

“You don’t sound surprised.”

“I have noticed similar feelings with the Ataxians and the Alliance personnel alike. It’s strange to the Ishani, because we trust our leaders implicitly. We assume they know more whatthe Precursors would have thought than ourselves, because they are closer.”

I have to chuckle at that notion.

“Maybe things are different with the Ishani, but my world experimented, many times, with letting the old men decide things. The problem with that arrangement was, even though the old men can can be wise, and have seen many things, they also sometimes say out of touch things that make us all cringe. You need new ideas sooner or later.”

He strokes his chin as if I’ve just said ice is hot and fire, cold.

“I do not agree. There is no need for new ideas if the old ideas are perfect. The Precursors knew and saw all. They are to be revered and studied, not circumvented with new thought.”

“I’m really starting to think that there’s a lot more holding you back than nonviolence,” I say. “You seem to have some strange ideas about how the galaxy functions.”

“Perhaps. We have been accused of acting out of touch before, Chloe. Maybe that is why you are my jalshagar. To influx new thoughts and blood into our collective.”

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