A new chapter of Pets! Calvin and Caitlin are separated. As Calvin tried to get the bottom of things, Caitlin confronts her father after a recent challenge to command. A snippet is below, check out the link above for the whole chapter and enjoy!
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There was a moment of silence before Caitlin asked a question she wasn’t sure she should. “And if he’d won? What then?”
Her father didn’t look away from her, though irritation creased his muzzle. “He didn’t, did he?” He half-turned. “You should be more grateful, little pahhst. If that fool Falkrynson could be led to think he could lead one of my ships, he could be made to believe anything. I removed a weak link from your crew. I gave you a taste for fire and blood again. That’s my duty as a father and your Father.”
Would he have believed that if he didn’t think he had your support? What would you be saying if he had killed me, that I was always weak and unworthy? She bit her tongue hard enough to hurt. She shouldn’t be thinking that about her own father. Of course he’d known she’d win. She’d known she could beat Prelln. Even his own lover hadn’t truly supported him. But this was different that the other ways Jivek had tested his children. He’d all but sent Prelln to kill her.
But he knew I’d win. He knew that.
Didn’t he?
In the space of that uncertain silence, her father spoke again, his tone increasingly testy. “Was there something else, Leader Kiinil?”
Caitlin hesitated. Her reason for coming here was moot. She’d already pushed more than she should have, but… “Do I still have a brother, Father?”
He stared back at her for what felt like far too long. “For now. Whether that remains so is up to him, not me.”
“You’re his father.”
“I am only father to a loyal son, pahhst.” His eyes narrowed, his grace expended. “Do not question me further on this. I’ve indulged you enough and my patience is threadbare. Take pride in your victory today and leave knowing that you are still my daughter… or do I need to address an issue of discipline?”
“No, Father.” Caitlin half bowed in submission. “Thank you for seeing me and…” the words wanted to catch in her throat, but she pushed them through. “Thank you for reminding me of who I am.”
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