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Kara took a breath.

“Is that what your voters are saying? Because I hear there are demonstrations all over Earth, in every country, asking the International Parliament to accept the offer from Vraxos. Are you willing to ignore the will of the people?”

Her mother looked at her with an agonized expression.

“You think the only thing I care about is what the public thinks of me? Kara, I’m worried aboutyou. Are you being forced into this? Is this sna… this Vraxian making you do this?”

“No mother. I love him.”

And as she said it, she knew it was true. All the anger, all the betrayal that had festered inside her suddenly didn’t seem to matter anymore.

“I love him with all my heart and he loves me. And I know people will say it’s wrong and disgusting and that two species shouldn’t mix, but I don’t care. He’s mine. I’m his. Till the galaxies crumble.”

She ran out of words and stopped. Her mother didn’t say anything.

“Anyway. We have a few, um, formalities to sort out first but I’m sure we’ll be announcing our engagement very soon. We’re hoping it will coincide with news that Earth has accepted the invitation for peace. Vahn has sent a full cargo of energy crystals to you, it should arrive soon. Consider it our wedding gift.”If I can get through shaa’baara first.

“Kara, don’t do this. It’s wrong. What would your father think?”

“I know exactly what dad would think. And you do too, because he used to say it all the time. Winning isn’t about who can hold out the longest, it’s about who’s willing to bend first.” She looked the President in the eye. “It’s time to bend, mother. It’s time to finish the war.”

Kara reached out and turned off the monitor, drained and exhausted. The way she always was after one of their arguments.

Ela broke the silence, her voice holding a note of respect.

“By the Temple of Ayanlesh. And I thoughtmymother was bad.”

Sixteen

Vysh was waiting for her when she got back.

“Where have you been?” she said excitedly. “Daa’sten’s bringing our clothes. I can’t wait to see my dress!”

“So what’s the deal tonight?” Kara headed straight for the food table. She hadn’t had breakfast yet and there was something on a platter resembling creamy scrambled eggs that was making her mouth water.

“The Zhaal formally presents us as potential mates in front of an audience of all the top Vraxian nobles. And it’s vis-screened too so the rest of the planet can see us. It’s a huge honor for the families to have ashaa’baaracontestant for such an illustrious match.” Her face fell. “Oh. Your family won’t be there.”

“Trust me,” said Kara, mouth full. “That’s a good thing.”

The thought of her mother watching her being paraded like a prize sheep made her wince.

She went over their conversation in her head. Her mother hadn’t actually admitted the E.S.V. Chennai mission had started the war. She hadn’t denied it either.

“Vysh, did you say your sister was a crop engineer in the agricultural sector?”

“Yes, she got the brains in the family.” Vysh tossed her pink hair. “I got the creativity.”

“Does she, um, is she old enough to remember the start of the war with humans?”

The Vraxian’s face clouded.

“Yes. My aunt and uncle were working there when the humans landed. They say it was all very cordial at first. Exciting, even, to meet beings from another planet. But then something happened and there was fighting. And suddenly we were at war.”

And there it was. The truth at last. Vahn hadn’t lied to her. She put her plate down, appetite gone.

“I’m sorry, Vysh. I’m sorry we haven’t been able to end the conflict.”

“Don’t be silly. It’s notyourfault, is it?”