“Short,” Caleb replied. “I’m five-two.”
I had no idea what that meant, but Caleb was short. I wasn’t alone in my confusion. Kalvoxrencol stared at Seth, who held up a hand to demonstrate Caleb’s height, I assumed. I readjusted his position because I was intimately familiar with Caleb.
Serlotminden blinked. “Youareshort.”
“Yep.”
“As much as I like seeing you, mate of my brother, I would like to address the foreign ship in our territory,” Dontilvinsan said in an even voice.
“Ah, yes. Sorry. I was super excited to see everyone. Actually, I was more excited for everyone to see me! I mean, now you all know what I look like, and we can talk. It's so nice.”
“Caleb,” Dontilvynsan interrupted, and I fought a laugh. My mate liked to talk.
“Right. Sorry,” Caleb said before turning to the pink alien with different swirling colors in their depths. “This is Tatas of the Boobaas.”
Seth repeated in a tight voice, “Tatas of the Boobaas.”
Caleb smirked. “Dude, I had the same thought. Like literally the exact same thought.”
The humans chuckled, and the rest of us stared at them, except Dontilvynsan. “Children,” he muttered before facing Tatas. “I am Captain Dontilvynsan of the Drakcol. I am also the second prince of Emperor Kontolmakqilnen and Empress Vyn.”
“Are you the one who claims this spirit?” Tatas asked.
“He is my younger brother’s mate,” Dontilvynsan gestured to me, and I stepped forward.
“I am Prince Zoltilvoxfyn. Caleb is mine.”
Tatas rippled. “Caleb has offered friendship between the boobaas and the drakcol. I am inclined to accept, for he is a soul without guile.”
Dontilvynsan stood. “We do not wish to fight, but what would friendship entail?”
“The exchange of cultural information to start. We are unwilling to have a deeper relationship until more is known about you.” Tatas patted Caleb’s head, and I fought a surge of possessive anger. This being could touch what wasmine, and yet I could not. Tatas continued, “This spirit is honorable and true, but we do not know if you are.”
“What about this technology that allows us to see Caleb?” Dontilvynsan asked, and I could have hugged him. My Caleb deserved to be seen and heard whenever he wished.
“We do not share technology.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but Dontilvynsan stopped me with a flick of his tail, no doubt hearing my intentions. He offered Tatas his throat. “An understandable rule. We have much the same, though we are a part of the Coalition of Planets.”
Tatas leaned to the side. “What is this Coalition?”
“It is a group of individual planets that have joined together to share resources, technology, and abide by some universal laws, though each planet has its own government and laws.”
“Boobaas have no such interest or need.”
“The offer to join will always be open.” Dontilvynsan glanced at Kalvoxrencol, and I frowned. Was he having an odd idea to help Caleb and me? Kalvoxrencol lifted his palms, and Dontilvynsan gestured to the screen.
Kalvoxrencol was the only recognized adult here and a voting Cohort member, even though he was the youngest of us all.
“I am Prince Kalvoxrencol,” he said, stepping forward. “This is my mate and husband, Seth Harris.” Seth clung to Kalvoxrencol. “As a representative of the Drakcol Empire, I would like to extend an offer of friendship.”
Tatas stared at Seth. “You are not a spirit.”
“No,” he replied, starting.
“You are the same species as Caleb.”
“Yes,” Seth said.
