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“Well, now you know.” Jace smiled and wished he could loop his arm through Khoth’s and lean against him, but no such luck. They had to just stand there.

“You are aware…” Khoth’s gaze slid to him and away, “that I hold you in similar regard.”

Jace’s smile grew and his headache eased. “I didn’t know that. I sort of knew that. Well, maybe a little. But I’m glad to have it confirmed.”

“Good.”

Jace’s face hurt from smiling so hard. Thinking now of his earlier jealousy and panic about Typhon and Thadden, he was completely annoyed at himself about that. But Khoth was his anchor. Even now, he was able to accept this whole Altaeth business with some grace because Khoth had… proposed to him? And he had said yes? No, it wasn’t quite that. Or maybe it was. But he felt almost buoyant because of it despite everything. He felt almost ready to face the day.

The Altaeth… Gehenna began then stopped.

He gazed down at her. She was practically suction-cupped to his leg. While she was so so so so so sorry--this was expressed in emojis and more--about shocking him about the Altaeth, she still thought that it had been the best way to do it. Like ripping off a Band-Aid. But now she appeared to want to be as open as possible.

What about them? Jace asked.

They have mates, she answered quickly, so you might be having emotional stability issues with Khoth because…

Because he’s my mate?

Jace’s eyebrows lifted up into his hairline. He felt a mixture of excitement and dread. Excitement because he’d dreamed of finding someone for just him, like his parents had. But dread, because they’d just met. He couldn’t expect Khoth to feel the same no matter the words he’d said to Jace.

No, because he’s not, Gehenna explained.

Jace felt like he was going to vomit. His joy turned to darkness. He’s not? What--

Not yet! Not yet is what I meant! She quickly amended and her little round head was focused on him. You aren’t fully connected. Altaeth mating rituals was not something I have a great deal of knowledge about.

Feeling better, but still nettled, Jace answered , Well, we just met and it would be insane to think we’re to--to be together forever. Just the two of us. No one else.

And yet it appealed to him hugely even as he denied it.

For a human, yes, it would be very quick and unusual. But for an Altaeth? Maybe not, Gehenna said.

Can you find out for me about Altaeth mating and stuff? Jace asked, a little embarrassed that he couldn’t find this himself.

Of course! It’s not in any of the databases I have access to currently, but there are sure to be new ones here! She answered brightly.

So the Altaeth didn’t teach you about themselves? Jace asked her.

No, there wasn’t time for that. And my purpose didn’t require such information, she admitted.

Gehenna… He paused and chewed his lower lip. What exactly is your purpose?

To help you!

Yeah, but before there was me, he prodded.

Uhm, well… there are some gaps in my memory banks, but I’m pretty sure that I was to… uh…

It’s okay, Gehenna, you can tell me. Because, you see, whatever it was, you have a new purpose now, right? Jace assured her.

She let out a stream of emojis with huge smiley faces. Oh, thank you, Jace! And you’re right! I’m here to help and to protect!

But before?

I think I was supposed to sabotage the Osiris, Jace, she whispered, so small and soft.

Yeah, I had a feeling that might be it. Jace nodded.