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Vahn stalked back to his quarters. He couldn’t help mulling over something Rhyn had said.

You sound like Baelon.

Was it true? Was he being a bigot?

When he thought of humans, he considered them an enemy. His last distinct memory was of being engaged in battle with them. Yet clearly the history he’d shared with Kara had radically altered his views.

It was infuriating, not being able to remember.

Whatever he and Kara had been through, it had meant a lot to the old Vahn. So much so that her presence, her scent, even the sound of her voice, all had a physical impact on him. And when she’d kissed him, he’d nearly lost control.

The conclusion was inescapable. His mind still thought of Kara as the enemy but his body vehemently disagreed. He would have to be careful if he wanted to declare his marriage void. Better to stay out of her way as much as possible.

Ela fell into step with him as he turned down the corridor towards his room.

“About time,”

she said tartly. “I’ve been waiting for you. Baelon’s back.”

“Has he said anything?”

“He’s been grilling palace staff about the wedding. Obviously trying to find out why there was no news of an explosion. Don’t worry,”

she said, as she saw his alarm. “Very few people know what happened.”

“I still cannot believe he’d stoop to an assassination attempt. He served my father faithfully.”

“Your father never tried to end the war,”

Ela pointed out. “Baelon hates humans beyond all reason.”

“As you and I did,”

Vahn reminded her. “He can’t be faulted for that.”

“Don’t make excuses for him. We chose a different path. A better path. Peace with the Terrans is undoubtedly preferable to continuing a senseless conflict. And speaking of Terrans, why are you hiding from Kara?”

“I’m not hiding, I’m just keeping out of her way.”

Ela rolled her eyes.

“As if there’s a difference. When are you going to speak with her?”

“I’m not. She’s not here in my quarters, is she?”

“Your shared quarters,”

Ela corrected. “No. She’s with her mother, President Cameron.”

She paused. “Your kaleinzeinba.”

“Drek.”

Vahn stopped so suddenly that Ela had to turn round to rejoin him. “How could you let this happen, Ela? You of all people. You have no love for humans yet you allowed me to marry one. Why in the name of Zandarr did you go along with this grotesque plan?”

“Go along with it?”

She raised a brow. “As I recall, I spoke out against it. You were the one who insisted on it.”

“I don’t recall. That’s the problem.”

“I was all for shooting her but you put her into shaa’baara.”

“I still can’t believe she won. I suppose the other contestants were told to go easy on her?”

“Quite the contrary. They were doubly motivated to kick her ass. Especially Baelon’s niece. But Kara prevailed. She was quite resourceful.”

Her voice held a note of respect and Vahn glanced at her.

“You sound as if you like her.”

“My opinion is irrelevant. What matters is that she won over much of Vraxos. Your plan was to demonstrate that Terrans could be admired and trusted, and Kara did that. She helped make the Chennai Accords possible.”

“Still.”

Vahn hunched his shoulders. “I wish I’d chosen a more suitable marriage partner. A good Vraxian female. Someone like you.”

Ela hid her reaction. There was a time when she would have killed to hear him say that. But she had to think of Vraxos now, not herself.

“You can’t choose your kalehsha, your Majesty.”

“Stop calling her that.”

“Nevertheless it’s true. The gods picked Kara as your fated mate. So stop complaining and start getting to know her again.”

“Drek’aa beresh, general, you are no help. You sound just like Rhyn.”

Irritably, Vahn resumed walking. “I need to work off some steam. I’m going to the gym. Do me a favor and make sure I am not disturbed. Least of all by that human.”

She gave a small bow towards his receding back.

“Yes, your Majesty.”