End Game – chapter seven

Tabitha woke up feeling the coolness of Thane's scales against her side. She carefully rolled to her side of the bed not waking Thane. She padded to the bathroom to relieve herself then came back out. For a few minutes, she just watched Thane sleeping. Her heart swelled with love as she looked at him. She was his "Siha," one of the warrior angels under Arashu. He was her "Kadar," one of the hunters under Aminkira, her warrior assassin. Pulling on a robe from her closet, she picked up her omni-tool, opening up the bedroom door, and going into the living room silently shutting the door behind her.

She quickly checked her emails to see if any emergencies had arisen finding none. Opening up a comm channel to EDI, she spoke softly, "EDI, place a sound barrier around the following coordinates." The coordinates she inputted into the omni-tool were her and Thane's bedroom.

Less than a minute later, EDI responded, "A sound barrier has been erected at said coordinates. If I may inquire, Commander, those coordinates are your and Sere Krios's bedroom. Why the need for the sound barrier?"

Tabitha smiled wickedly, husky quality to her voice, "You are trying to understand organics better and our relationships. I will let you analyze this. When I come on board, I will listen to your deductions. If one of your conclusions is correct, I will let you know. If not, I will explain. Good evening, EDI."

EDI replied, "Good evening, Commander."

Tabitha re-entered the bedroom shutting the door quietly, taking off her robe letting it fall to the floor bedside the bed, and carefully slid under the sheets. She positioned herself on her side by Thane's sleeping form. She breathed in deeply smelling the scent of her Kadar: leather, desert winds, cinnamon, and clove. Taking her right hand, she softly caressed his crest ridges, closing her eyes to allow the sensation of the ridges on his head guide her. Through her enhanced hearing, she heard the slight humming coming from his throat. She opened her eyes seeing Thane's eyes rapidly moving underneath of his double lids. "He is dreaming or reliving memories," she thought to herself, "I'm going to give him some new ones."

Tabitha continued the soft caress with her right hand as she feather kissed his forehead working her way down his nose to his lips. She ghosted her lips across his before taking his bottom lip into her mouth sucking and nibbling on it gently. He breathed, "Siha," as his eyes opened slightly dilated and unfocused.

Tabitha smiled as her lips left his mouth trailing wet kisses to the frills on the right side of his cheek, "Yes, Kadar," she breathed against his frills gently taking the layers into her mouth nibbling gently.

Thane had been reliving memories, in a dream-like state, of them making love after the Collector Base had been destroyed. They had explored each other, taking their time, relishing the fact that they were alive. The memory seemed so real. He felt the heat of his Siha next to him, breath against his scales, wetness of her kisses. He opened his eyes to see the memories were not a dream but real. A moan escaped his lips as she nibbled his neck fringes. He moved his head to the side giving her more access. Pleasure cascaded through his body as she nipped his frills from his right side to his left side.

When Tabitha finished fully stimulating his frills, she looked up to see Thane looking down at her, his eyes half-lidded, and passion-filled. Her voice a husky whisper, "Did you like that, Kadar? Am I satisfying you? Do you want me to continue?"

Thane's voice a hoarse whisper, "Yes, by the gods, yes, Siha."

Tabitha started to feel the hallucinogenic effects from Thane's saliva and scales as she trailed kisses from his neck to his collarbone. When she bit at the base of his neck and collarbone, he did a hybrid mix of a growl and groan. Thane heard her reciprocating in kind from her throat the same growl/groan mix as she moved up to look at him. He could see her eyes had gone to a smoky gray, slightly dilated, and had a predatory look, "I want to hear you, Kadar, it arouses me," she growled in a seductive tone in Drell. "I made sure no sounds will escape this room. I want to pleasure you…give you better memories to remember while I am away, Thane, my Kadar, hunter, warrior assassin."

Thane brought his hands up, one entangling in her hair, the other splayed across her upper back in between her shoulder blades, bringing her down against his lips. Tabitha opened up to his exploration letting Thane take full possession of her mouth and lips as he growled into her mouth, "Siha, I love it when you speak in my native language. Please continue. I want to hear my language while you pleasure me and I pleasure you, my warrior angel."

Tabitha breathed against his lips, "Your wish is my command." She pulled back from Thane as he released his hold on her reluctantly, "You will not regret as I continue to reverence your body, my love." Thane watched as Tabitha kissed, nibbled, and nipped his chest and abdomen as her hands teased the scales on his arms. Her hands and mouth were producing combination sensations of fire and ice throughout his body. Once she reached the lower level of fringed skin, she suckled and nipped from one side to the other as her hands traced up and down his thighs. Thane could not stop the snarls, growls, moans, and groans escaping from his throat, the pleasure was too intense.

As Tabitha finished exploring Thane's lower level of frills, she lifted her head to look at Thane. She saw such flames of desire and love dancing in the fathomless black orbs, it took her breath away. She smiled at him as she lowered her head over his drellhood. Thane laced the fingers of his right hand with one of her hands and let his left hand gently massage her scalp guiding her motions over his drellhood.

Tabitha could taste the natural lubricant of Thane and smell the earthy musk of him as she slowly worked his drellhood with her lips and mouth. She felt Thane grasp one of her hands and caress her scalp and hair with the other. Thane groaned loudly when she lightly raked the surface with her teeth. As she alternated between long slow strokes and short faster strokes with her hand and mouth, she heard Thane gasp, "Siha, I….I cannot hold back much longer."

Tabitha lifted her head to look at Thane. His face was alight with passion, neck fringes, deep red, and expanded, breathing shallow, but not from lack of oxygen. She grasped his hand tightly, her voice a seductive whisper, "Then don't, my love," as she lowered her head back to the task at hand.

Thane brought both of his hands to his sides, bunching the sheet in a tight grip, as he growled, "Tabitha…I…I…" Tabitha felt the rush of Thane's essence; warm, salty, and sweet flood her mouth and cascade down her throat. When he was done, she lifted her head seeing colors cascading off the surface of everything. Thane was surrounded in a nimbus glow. Thane's bodily fluids had flooded her system with a concentrated dose of drell hallucinogenic neural toxins.

Seeing his Siha's eyes completely dilated and a silly grin on her face, Thane knew his neutral toxins had taken its toll on her body. He leaned down gently pulling her up against his side laying her head on the pillow beside him. He rolled to his side looking down at her, love flowing from his eyes. He let the fingers of one hand lift stray strands of hair off of her forehead, "Thank you, my love." Tabitha could feel his voice from his chest, rumbling, as much as hear it.

The neural toxins coursing through her system, along with the past days' events, lowered her ability to control her emotions. She looked up at Thane seeing such emotion play across his features. "Thane was easy to read," she thought to herself, "you just had to get to know him. He was not stoic and distant, but was mischievous, funny, and very passionate."

She grabbed Thane's hand, her words slightly slurring, tear escaping her eye sliding down her cheek, "I wanted to show you how much I love you…what you mean to me…the Reapers…Earth…Cerberus…this war." Her voice broke as Thane wrapped his arms around her rolling her to rest on top of his chest. He spoke gently his face by her ear, "I know, my love," his mind thinking about his own mortality with the terminal condition of Kepral's Syndrome.

Tabitha lifted her head to look at Thane. He took one hand cupping her cheek letting his thumb wipe away the tears. She rested her cheek fully in the palm of his hand, eyes intense, as she spoke, voice hoarse and emotion filled, "Make love to me, Kadar, be alive with me tonight."

Those words held such meaning and pleasant memories for him. Tabitha saw his eyes glaze over reliving memories. She remembered she had spoken those words to him a few times. She took his fingers one at a time into her mouth sucking on them, sliding her tongue across his palm, nipping at his wrist. The sensations from Tabitha's lips, tongue, and teeth caused Thane to shudder as desire raced through his blood and along his nerves to his groin. His eyes came into focus again as he growled, entwining his hands in her hair bringing her down for an extremely passionate kiss. He plundered her mouth, her moans swallowed by his mouth till he released her breathless, face flush with passion.

Tabitha spoke haltingly, still attempting to catch her breath, her face near Thane's ear canal, "You were…slipping into solipitism. I…was just trying…to bring…you out of the memories. What were you thinking?"

Thane rolled them so Tabitha was on her back with Thane on top supporting his weight on his elbows. Looking down at her smiling, chest rumbling, voice barely audible, "I was thinking of the first time you said those words to me. The first time I made love to you."

Tabitha placed her hands on either side of his face letting her biotics flow into her hands and into Thane. He felt a warm glow engulf his body as his biotics activated, the biotic fields colliding in a blue-green aura. Her voice a seductive whisper, "Show me." Thane's eyes glazed over again as his memories and hers collided together

Tabitha's memories

Wind pulls and tugs at my hoodie as I exit the shuttle. Air so crisp and clean after a recent rain smelling of salt and the sea. I look up seeing a rainbow, smiling. It has been seven years since I have been here. Thane brought me here to his home after heart starts to race and palms get sweaty as I think of …that time. I push the memories away. "One good thing about being human and not Drell," I think to myself, "I can push the memories and thoughts away…at least for a time."

I let my body guide me through the winding streets to the Hanar training facility of assassins. I pull the bell cord bowing deeply when 'One who is patient and longsuffering' opens the door, "This one is honored to be in the presence of a master teacher of the arts. This one humbly requests an audience with Thane Krios. This one was given instructions from the Citadel Counsel that Sere Krios would be here." I keep my head bowed looking at my feet.

I hear the melodious voice of 'One who is patient and longsuffering,' "We are the honored ones, 'One who has been touched by the Enkindlers'. Come inside."

Before entering, I take my boots off and remove my socks washing my feet in a pan of water by the door drying them off with a towel. I bow again asking, "'One who has been touched by the Enkindlers' respectively requests if I may address you by your soul name."

The Hanar replied, "I would be honored."

I lift my head looking at the Hanar, "Thank you, 'One who is patient and longsuffering'." I follow the Hanar along corridors remembered from my youth to a dining area. Some tea is steeping in a mug on a table. The Hanar changes color as he talks, "Your favorite drink."

I sit down taking a sip, smiling, "Thank you. It has been so long. I have not had this since…" My voice trailed off.

The Hanar saw the shift of my aura as my emotions became turbulent speaking, "Memories can help and memories can hurt. You decide, Young One, your fate, your future, your emotional state."

I look at the Hanar wondering how old he is, "You are so wise, Master. Thank you for your wisdom and insight."

'One who is patient and longsuffering' changes color indicating approval, "If only my students had your character, 'One who has been touched by the Enkindlers'. You have such a level of maturity for one so young. What have your adventures been since leaving Kadje?"

I remember spending over an hour speaking to 'One who is patient and longsuffering' about the last seven years and he takes me on a tour of the facility showing me his students. As I am ready to leave, he instructs me to go to my special mediation spot in the cove. When Thane Krios seeks him out, he will tell him to see me there. I do not question following his instructions.

It is the early part of the afternoon as I walk along the shore enjoying the feel of the sun on my arms. School has gotten out as I see young Drell children exiting the buildings hurrying home or running off with friends to play. Without realizing it, I find myself by the school yard watching a small boy between five to six years old swinging on a swing. There is an empty swing next to him as I step over sitting down, "Is this seat taken?"

The boy looks at me as if I have three heads as I ask again. This time he answers, "You're speaking Drell."

I widen my eyes as I exclaim, "I am? I thought I was speaking Krogan."

The little boy laughed, "You're funny for a human. I didn't know humans could speak Drell."

I smiled broadly, "I'm human!" Iexclaim staring widely at my arms and legs. "My Gosh! I am human."

The boy laughs so hard he almost falls out of the swing, "My name is Kolyat. What's yours?"

I answer, "My name is Tabitha and it is an honor to meet you." I get a mischievous glint in my eyes as I challenge Kolyat, "Betcha' I can swing higher than you," as I push off pumping my legs to get momentum.

Kolyat's friends come around the swing set bantering, "Kolyat can beat you."

I knew my age and strength would win over Kolyat so I held myself back just having fun. My mind wondered as I swung hearing the kids cheering us on, "This is what it is like to be a child. I like it."

Kolyat and I were swinging so high we were even with the top of the swing set. I used my biotics for a slight push causing Kolyat to go a complete 360 around the top. I made sure he stayed in his seat. The look on his face was of both exhilaration and terror as his friends whooped and hollered congratulations.

I let my swing slow and stop stating, "You won fair and square, Kolyat. You are the champion of swinging." I smiled as his friends came up pounding him on the back and upper arms. A little girl even ran up kissing him on his neck fringe before running away. One of the boys hollered, "Kolyat and Haida sitting by the sea – kissing – first comes love then comes marriage then comes Kolyat with the baby carriage."

Kolyat's face and neck fringes turned red as I speak up, "Since you won, how about I get a treat for everyone." Everyone heartily agreed with shouts as I was shown the way to a local frozen fruit stand buying frozen fruit drinks for everyone, including myself.

Kolyat looked up at me, "That was fun, Tabitha. I want you to meet my mom." A look of sadness crossed his face, "my dad is away on business, but he will be home soon. He told me so and he never lies." Tabitha caught the look of hero worship on his face.

"I would love to meet your mom." I say as Kolyat takes my hand pulling me along down pathways till we stop by a house set back from the road.

He lets go of my hand racing to the front door opening it looking back at me, "Come on."

I follow slowly stopping at the front door before entering. It is Drell custom to not wear footwear inside of their houses. I saw Kolyat enter with his shoes on, but I was not going to enter without an invitation from the Master or Mistress of the abode. I heard Kolyat going from room to room, calling out, "Mom, mom, I have someone I want you to meet."

From my peripheral vision, I saw a female Drell exit what appeared to be a bedroom. Before shutting the door, I saw an unclothed male Drell lying in bed. Kolyat ran up to the female, "Mom, I have someone I want you to see." Kolyat took his mom's hand pulling her over to where I was standing in the doorway.

I placed my arms at my sides bowing, "It is an honor to meet you Ma'am. I did not mean to disturb your rest. My name is Tabitha Shepherd, and I met your son at the school yard."

Kolyat beamed, his voice excited, "Mom, Tabitha and I had a swinging contest and I won. I swung around the swing set." He gestured and motioned with his arms. "Then Tabitha took me and my friends for frozen fruit drinks and I showed her around and we came here. Can I show her my room? Dad's office?"

The female Drell was beautiful. Her scales were golden hued and her eyes looked like a sunset. Her voice was pleasant and soothing, "My name is Irikah Krios and you have met my son Kolyat. It is an honor to meet you. Would you like to come in?"

At the mention of the name Krios, my heart stopped for a moment and my pulse froze. This was Thane's wife and son. "Why was there another man in Thane's bedroom?" I thought to myself. I kept my face and voice neutral as I replied, "Thank you for the offer, Mrs. Krios, but I have an appointment I need to keep. Thank you for your hospitality."

Irikah turned toward her son, "Do you have your clothes? Remember, you are staying at Me'mos and Pa'pos for the next couple days."

Kolyat burst out, "I forgot. I have my clothes. I am getting them now."

I look at Irikah as Kolyat comes out of his room with a pack on his back, "Mrs. Krios, you do not look well. I will escort your son to his grandparents. You get your rest."

A look of relief crosses Irikah's face, "Thank you Ms. Shepherd."

I bow again as I turn to leave Kolyat at my side.

Thane's Memories

It was good to be home. I smell the sea and salt as I exit the shuttle. A message on my omni-tool instructs me to visit the Hanar school I spent so many years when I was young. "I have not been there in years, since I was released from the Compact," I think to myself. Memories attempt to rush to the surface as I approach the main building, but I force them back into the recesses of my mind. Before I pull the bell code, 'One who is patient and longsuffering' opens the door, "We were expecting you, Thane Krios. Your past has become your present and will be your future. She who was and is and will be waits for you at the place of meditation." As the Hanar finishes speaking, he shuts the door.

I blink my eyes rapidly trying to decipher what 'One who is patient and longsuffering' just said. I turn slowly making my way to my home when I hear a familiar voice in the distance. I smile as I see Kolyat speaking to a human clothed in military style boots, cargo pants, t-shirt, and a hoodie. I know the female, the walk, the voice. It is my "little Siha," but she is not little anymore. She was ten years old the last time I saw Tabitha Shepherd and that was seven years ago.

Kolyat sees me, yelling as he runs toward me, "Daddy, Tabitha, it's dad. He's home. I told you he was coming" He jumps into my outstretched arms as I hug him close to me. He nuzzles my neck purring. His excitement overwhelms him as he pulls back looking at me as he gestures toward Tabitha approaching, "Dad, this is Tabitha. I met her at school…and you wanta' know what…she speaks Drell…just like us…and she's a human – really."

I look over at Tabitha. She stands 5'8" tall with a strong lean muscular build. Her smile lights up her face, merriment glinting from her ocean colored eyes. Her shoulder length auburn hair glistens in the sun. Her eyes glance at Kolyat then rest on me as I feel my heart rate quicken. From a distance I hear Kolyat still speaking focusing my attention on him again, "…I went around the bars like this, dad," gesturing wide with his arms, "know what happened next…Tabitha bought me and my friends frozen fruit drinks and then we went home but I forgot I am staying at Me'mos and Pa'pos…that's why I got my clothes and mom's not feeling well…probably why Marik is there again helping mom feel better. You can make mom feel better, huh."

My heart sank as I heard Kolyat talk about Marik being with Irikah. "I wondered how long it would be before she would find someone else," I thought to myself, "I am away so much. She deserves better. Kolyat deserves better." I kept my face passive as I looked over at Tabitha. She smiles at me and I smile back, "Dad…" I feel Kolyat pulling on the leather of my armor. "You're smiling…You hardly smile."

Tabitha speaks, "Kolyat, your father smiles. I know he does. He smiles all the time around you because he is so proud of you."

I look at Tabitha letting my eyes convey my thanks and gratitude. I feel Kolyat wiggle out of my arms so I place him on the ground. He grabs one of my hands and one of Tabitha's. "Let's go to Me'mos and Pa'pos."

My voice sounds strange as I inquire of Tabitha, "You look well, Siha. You have grown."

Tabitha's laughs and the sound brings a smile to my face, "Thank you, Kadar. Yes, I would say I have grown a bit in seven years.

Kolyat looks at both of us, "You know each other? How? Where? Why? How come you call each other 'Kadar' and 'Siha?'"

Tabitha speaks, "You father and I met a long time ago. I thought then and still think now that he is a great hunter and warrior, so I call him Kadar, one of the hunters under Aminkira, Lord of hunters."

Kolyat looked confused asking, "You know about our gods, Tabitha? You look like a human, but act like a Drell. I don't understand."

I see Tabitha glance over at me blushing slightly then looks down at Kolyat responding, "I have been trying to figure that one out for years." Tabitha raises her free hand looking at it intently, "I do look like a human, but I do not act like one, in so many ways."

Kolyat fixes his gaze on me, "Dad, why do you call Tabitha, Siha?"

I think for a moment or two before responding, "Tabitha helped me when we first met. To me, she was a 'Siha' come to protect me, so I called her such and still do. She is my Siha, warrior angel." My voice softens as I speak of Tabitha, looking over at her seeing her blush again. A smile ghosts across my features as I relish that Tabitha is blushing for me. "Why am I smiling around her?" I question myself in my head and heart. "I am an assassin. I do not show emotions easily. Irikah brings me out of my battlesleep, but she is my wife." I think to myself. "Yes, your wife, who is with another Drell. Why aren't I angry?" I glance over at Tabitha, "Since seeing Tabitha and smelling her scent, I am confused. I want to protect her…bond with her…claim her as my own." I blink my eyes rapidly keeping my face emotionless distraught over my thoughts. Thinking to myself, "I need to meditate to remove these inappropriate thoughts from my mind and heart."

Tabitha's Memories

"What is happening to me," I think to myself, "As soon as I see Thane a warm glow flows through my body…he speaks and his voice caresses my skin sending shivers up and down my spine. I cannot keep a stupid grin off my face and I am blushing around him. How childish!" I chide myself. "He must think me a fool…so immature…He is perfect…in control of his emotions at all times. His scent is causing an ache in my body I cannot explain. What is wrong with me? I must be unwell. My heart rate is erratic and my palms are all sweaty. I need to meditate. Calm myself. Get in control of my emotions again."

Kolyat pulls his hand out of mine and Thane's running ahead to Thane's parents' place. He runs inside yelling for his Me'mo and Pa'po. Within less than a minute later, he comes back outside with Thane's mother rapidly talking, "See, Me' mo…I told you dad was here and so is Tabitha. We swung on swings and I won and she bought me and my friends frozen fruit drinks…I forgot I was staying here so I took Tabitha home…mom wasn't feeling well..Marik was there…he will make mom feel better…mom will be so surprised that dad came home early…Tabitha can stay for dinner, right…I like her…dad and Tabitha like each other…Tabitha looks at dad and gets all red in the face…dad looks at Tabitha and smiles. I'm glad we're all friends…I know mom will like Tabitha too.

I cringed inwardly at Kolyat's innocent conversation with his grandmother. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Thane react also to Kolyat's words. "I am an embarrassment to my Kadar," I think to myself. I step forward bowing to Thane's mother, "It is an honor to have the privilege of meeting you again, Mrs. Krios. I have something I must attend to at the moment, but perhaps later before I depart Kadje, I will have the opportunity to visit." I reach into my right side cargo pants pocket pulling out a N7 baseball cap and from my left pants pocket a multi-use tool before I hunch down on my knees becoming eye level with Kolyat. I adjust the cap placing it on his head handing him the tool, "Please use that knife to help your mom and grandparents. It is special." I grab a hold of Kolyat pulling him into a hug.

Kolyat sniffles as he nuzzles my neck, "I like you, Tabitha. I like you a lot. Will I see you again?"

"Yes, kiddos. You will see me again. You can betcha'." I thump the cap playfully as I stand back up. I bow to Thane's mother, "Ma'am," then turn on my heel bowing to Thane, "Kadar." Using one of my biotic abilities, I project myself out of view in a flash.

Thane's Memories

Kolyat pulls his hand out of my grasp racing toward my parent's place before I can utter a word. He throws open the door charging into the home. "I am going to have to have a talk with him," I think to myself, "No manners, no consideration of others." Another part of my mind counter attacks, "Why would he know any better. You have not been around to teach him Drell customs…or manners. Do you expect Irikah's lovers to teach your son? Kolyat probably calls them father-they are around more than you. You are no father. You are no husband. You are nothing but an assassin-cold, heartless killer."

I see Kolyat come outside dragging my mother along by the hand rapidly talking, "See, Me' mo…I told you dad was here and so is Tabitha. We swung on swings and I won and she bought me and my friends frozen fruit drinks…I forgot I was staying here so I took Tabitha home…mom wasn't feeling well..Marik was there…he will make mom feel better…mom will be so surprised that dad came home early…Tabitha can stay for dinner, right…I like her…dad and Tabitha like each other…Tabitha looks at dad and gets all red in the face…dad looks at Tabitha and smiles. I'm glad we're all friends…I know mom will like Tabitha too."

I glance over at Tabitha seeing her cringe from my son's words, play of emotions skirting across her features before she masks her facial features into a blank facade. "She is embarrassed," I think to myself, as I see her hunch down placing a cap on his head and hand him a multi-use tool. She stands up bows to my mother and I before disappearing from view.

I stand perplexed for a moment or two before I hear my mother's voice, "Son, Thane, are you alright?"

Without thinking, I move toward my mother wrapping my arms around her pulling her up against me. Being taller than she, I rest my head on top of hers. I feel her arms encompass me laying her head on my chest. Purring deeply from my neck and chest, I state with pent-up emotion, "It is good to be home, mom." I feel Kolyat wrap his little arms around my left leg, "I love you, daddy. It is so good you're home. I miss you so much when you're away." My emotions betray me as I choke back tears.

Releasing my hold on my mother, I step back swinging Kolyat into my arms, his face awash with glee as a smile takes up his entire face. I notice the cap Tabitha placed on this head had the N7, Alliance Special Forces Emblom, on it. Tears openly show in my mother's eyes, "It has been so long, Thane, since you have shown any emotion. My son has finally come home for a visit." Smile lights up her eyes and face, "Come inside…and do not worry about your shoes…leave them on. Your father will be home soon. He is helping your sister, Thera, over at her place."

Memories wash over me as I enter mom and dad's home: playing with toys on the floor, wrestling with dad, helping mom fix meals. I set Kolyat down as mom hands me a mug of tea. Kolyat wanders into the living room to play with some of his toys while I sit on a stool at the kitchen counter watching mom fix the evening meal. She glances over at me while dicing vegetables, "You look well, son. Tabitha or your "little Siha" has grown up. Have you physically bonded with her yet?"

I choke on the tea I was drinking, "Mother," I exclaim quietly, "I am married. Irikah may not be taking our marriage vows seriously, but I am."

My mother laid her knife down and fixed me with her gaze, "Thane," she said softly, "I did not go through the specialized training you went through, but I am perceptive. You have come out of your battle sleep and I do not think your pending reunion with Irikah was the cause. I saw the way she was looking at you and you were looking at her. You told me years ago that you had claimed Tabitha as your own. She still carries the faint bite mark. You said you allowed her to do the same to you. I believe it is inevitable that you two will consummate your relationship fully and completely." She lays a hand over mine gently rubbing, "Son, I do not say it will happen today or tomorrow but it will eventually happen. A mother knows. She is your Siha and you are her Kadar."

I sit quietly contemplating what my mother has said and my own conflicting emotions till my father comes home. I stand as he comes through the door. He comes over pulling me into a bear hug, "Thane, my son, it is so good to see you. Praise be to the gods. I have been praying you would come for a visit. I am so unworthy, but they answer my prayers anyway," his voice emotion filled.

I talk to my father in the living room, Kolyat playing at my feet. I watch and memorize all to play back while on assignments and fulfilling contracts. These are the memories to relive, escape into, instead of staring at walls of metal and plastic.

I only half listen to the conversation around the dinner table, a part of my mind on a young woman with sunset colored hair and ocean eyes. I glance at my mother who gives me an all knowing look. After the meal, I help my mother clean off the table. Speaking softly, "I am going to go for a walk, clear my head, and meditate on the days' events. I will be back later. Tell Kolyat I will be back to hear his prayers before he goes to bed."

As I turn to leave, my mother hands me a pack, "There is a thermos of fruit juice and food in the pack. Tell Tabitha the food and drink are for her. I know she has not eaten anything. Moms know these things." She winked at me as she smiled turning back to finish cleaning up the kitchen.

What could I say as I picked up the pack slinging it over my back heading out the front door.

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