Page 14 of Scars & Starlight
“She has you fuming already?”
I was so preoccupied with my doomsday thoughts that I didn’t even notice Caden waiting for me in my quarters.
“Not her. Any human male who ever looked in her direction,” I admit, slumping down next to him in the lounging area.
Snickering, he offers his glass of Vasari spirits. I take a greedy gulp and let my shoulders relax.
“You have it bad already,” he teases, bending over to pour a new glass.
I nod absentmindedly. “There must be something about matches,” I muse. “A scent or something. I was drawn to her from the very beginning, more than I ever was to any female.”
When he doesn’t reply, I look at him from the corner of my eye to see an unusually wistful expression on his face. I elbow him until his eyes are on me and his smile is back. “There are still plenty of females on this planet. Surely your match must be among them,” I comfort him.
My cousin looks like the only thing he cares about is a good joke and an even better drink, but I know he’s been dreaming of having his own family ever since we were old enough to grasp the concept, many, many cycles ago.
“I hope so,” he says before taking a sip of the rainbow liquor. “I am happy for you, though.” He sounds sincere, and I know it’s not just a front. We’ve always put each other first, despite every mischievous prank we could pull as younglings. “Has Auntie Rae called you yet?” His purred question is like a splash of cold ocean water.
By Vireon’s light, could he not give me a moment to enjoy my matched status before he reminds me of my mother?I drag a hand down my face, then check with my nanites for the time at the Veyrathi palace.Breakfast time. Great.With a sigh, I call my cube and place it on the table. Caden’s snicker accompanies the whooshing sound of an image taking form.
“Kai,” Queen Raelith says neutrally. Which means she got the news, she’s just giving me a chance to do the right thing as a son.
“Mom,” I greet, then take a deep breath. “I have news.”
“When can I meet my new daughter?”
I guess the pretense is over.
“I haven’t–”
“I checked what a human’s gestation period is. If you start now, we can have…”
I let her prattle on about Avaren holidays while Caden chews on his fist to hold the laughter in. He’ll get his turn soon, I’m sure.
“I haven’t told her she’s my match yet,” I say when I get a word in. “She’s had a rough day, and I didn’t want to add to the strangeness of the situation.”
Mom’s lips thin, and her green eyes narrow into slits. You never want to find yourself on the other side of that gaze, whether you’re a youngling or hundreds of cycles old.
“Yes,” she seethes. “Zeiran was here not long ago. I was strongly considering offering him a pleasure barge vacation and then having him ejected out of a chute in low orbit.”
My shoulders shake while Caden flat-out guffaws.
“There was nothing amusing about having that Vorthai ass hiss in my face first thing in the morning, Caden Veyrath!” she reprimands my cousin, her nose in the air. Cade doesn’t seem daunted. “Of course, I told him you handled things as you should have.” She gives me a sharp look next. “And that wasbeforeI knew she was my daughter.”
Her words warm me, even though I expected nothing less from her. Plus, she never did like Zeriah when we had a partnership, and likes her even less now that she jumped spaceships to land on my brother. I wonder what her reaction to the news was.
“How’s Vaelen?” I inquire, changing the topic. My mother’s eyes tell me I’m not getting out of talking about my newfound match.
“Your brother is fine and happy for you. So is your little sister.” Her voice warms up when she brings up Elara. She was the last thing my father gave her before the Ghorvek killed him.
“And how is Zeriah?” Caden asks, the eternal troublemaker.
Mom sniffs and checks her long, green-colored nails. “I wouldn’t know. She was galivanting with her friends late into the night. I neither expect nor desire to see her any time soon.” When she looksat me next, her demeanor is that of Avaris’ queen. “What are your plans for humankind now that contact has been made?”
I straighten from my slouch, presenting the queen with Avaren’s fleet commander. “Although reluctant, Tara has agreed to be my ambassador. She is resting now, but once she is awake, we will discuss the broader aspects of what that entails, then descend to her home, where we will assist with whatever is needed after the Ghorvek attack before we visit the first human leaders.”
My mother nods through my recitation of the plans. “And when will I be able to speak to my new daughter?”
I groan and cover my face, becoming her son once more. “Please, don’t call her that when you do. We have no idea how humans view partnership.”
