by Jade Waltz
As Xylo led me down the hall, I lightly stroked my new wristband. The idea I could go back to the café and order whatever I’d wanted to eat seemed almost unreal. I couldn’t wait. Or maybe I’d try one of the other dining halls...
I pulled myself out of my daze and looked up. Green markers—we must be almost to the infirmary. Eyeing Xylo, I finally broke the silence that had fallen between us.
“Do you want to tell me what that was about?” I questioned nonchalantly, looking away.
“What are you talking about?”
I stopped walking and turned to face him. I stared up into his pupilless teal eyes and poked him in the chest. “Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about. What was that at breakfast?”
Xylo looked away, refusing to meet my gaze.
“Now is not the time to discuss it,” he whispered, voice full of angst.
“And why not?!” I asked, teeth clenched.
“Because we are in front of the infirmary doors and have an audience. I would rather not discuss how I lost control of my vines and how much I enjoyed your taste in front of others. That discussion should wait until we are alone... unless you would rather continue?”
Shocked, I spun to the infirmary door. We had indeed arrived. The Ulax who’d broken in on me in the wash facilities last night stood by the door, flanked by two more Circuli. All three stared at us.
I hissed, knees flexing as I assumed a defensive stance.
All three Circuli leaned away in surprise.
I gasped and stepped back, covering my mouth with both hands. My silver hair veiled my face as I stared at the ground. Perhaps it would’ve been better if Kaede hadn’t left to meet the princes on the bridge. Was I suddenly feeling unsafe without him here to watch my back? No, he’d only just arrived. And I still had Xylo. Perhaps it was a reaction to the Senior Healer? We hadn’t precisely gotten off to a good start last night.
“What in the stars was that?”
Cautiously peering through the strands of my hair, I studied the group surrounding me. They were as stunned as I was.
“Have you ever done that before?” Xylo asked, voice awed.
“Never.”
“Let us get you checked out then.”
I tucked my hair back behind my ears as Xylo turned toward the group in the doorway.
“Selena needs her communicator activated, and I would like to use the infirmary’s equipment. I want to show her the images of her offspring. Perhaps we will be able to figure out what species the sire is.”
The group parted as Xylo walked past them into the infirmary. I scrambled to catch up to him.
As we neared an examination table surrounded by equipment, I halted in my tracks. My heart raced as fear pounded through me. My fingers trembled and I began hyperventilating. I closed my eyes, fisting my hands in my gown.
“Selena?” Xylo whispered.
Movement sounded behind me, and I flinched. A low, rolling growl vibrated through me.
“Chyox. Stop. She is scared,” Xylo ordered.
The room stilled, only my growl and the soft beep of machinery to punctuate the silence.
“Selena. Everything will be all right. Open your eyes. We are not going to hurt you. I promised, remember?” Xylo’s mental voice was comforting.
Shuddering as tears leaked from my tightly closed eyes, I forced myself to get my breathing under control. The growling gradually ceased.
I opened my eyes.
Xylo’s hands reached out as if he wanted to reassure me but was uncertain of my reaction to his touch.
I turned to survey the room, backing up until I ran into something hard. Not wanting to take my eyes from the others, I reached down to see what I’d run into—the examination table.
“Everything will be fine, Selena. We are not the Yaarkins. I will not allow anything you do not want to happen to you,” Xylo’s deep voice soothed.
I eyed the other three Circuli and winced as another loud hiss escaped.
I shook my head to clear it. What was with these weird noises? Why was I reacting like this? I turned and looked at Xylo. Okay, so maybe there were things we really needed to figure out.
“I just want to figure out what’s going on. Make sure that we are all healthy...” My hand crept up to cover my belly protectively.
Xylo glanced at the other three, then met my gaze with reassurance in his teal eyes. “Would it be all right if I had assistance? They are the medical specialists and would be a great help.”
Taking in a deep breath, then releasing it slowly, I nodded as I came decision. “Yes. I want the best for my children—but I want you in charge. I only trust you.”
A dazzling smile appeared on Xylo’s face. I stared, entranced.
“Thank you. I promise we will only do what you are comfortable with and will explain everything as we proceed.”
Xylo folded back the white blanket on the exam table and assisted me as I climbed up. After I laid down, Xylo pulled the blanket up and adjusted the table until I was in a sitting position. The others took this as a sign to join us.
“I can activate her communicator first,” the Ulax Xylo had called Chyox spoke up.
“Perhaps you could first introduce yourselves?” I interjected wryly.
The Ulax looked at Xylo, then turned back to me. “I am Senior Healer Chyox. The Wudox beside me is my assistant, Usthu and the Ulax behind me is Hatchery Manager Ayces.” His eyes roamed over me before he locked his violet eyes on mine. “If I am to assist Master Scholar Xylo, I request you restrain yourself. I do not wish to be attacked again.”
Senior Healer Chyox was light-green striped with a darker green and gray. He had gray anemone-like hair and violet irises surrounding black pupils. His assistant, Usthu, was darker green with purple and maroon swirls. Hatchery Manager Ayces was light blue with yellow speckles and bright green eyes.
“I wouldn’t call it attacking but defending. I can hardly be blamed for reacting when you crept up on me in the wash facility,” I said, narrowing my eyes at him.
Senior Healer Chyox glanced grudgingly at Xylo and let out a huff.
“She is right, and I have observed human females are easier to scare. You should respect her wishes,” Xylo advised.
“It must be due to their singular lack of defensive—”
“Please disregard Senior Healer Chyox,” Hatchery Manager Ayces interrupted. “We will respect your feelings. It will be an honor to assist you, Master Scholar Xylo with regards to this female human and her offspring.” Sincerity filled his gentle tenor voice.
“First off, I’m not ‘this female human.’ My name is Selena. See-leen-ah. Second, can we use first names? I’m sure you all know what positions you each hold, and those full names are a mouthful. Not to mention, I don’t see the point other than to emphasize one person’s authority over another.” I rolled my eyes. “Xylo. Chyox. Usthu. Ayces. Selena. It would be much simpler.”
“Seleenah is right. We should call her by her name, and we can dispense with the titles,” Usthu agreed.
Ayces nodded.
Chyox sourly inspected his colleagues before answering with a sniff, “I will agree to these terms. Our ship has not had any pregnancies yet or offspring born... assisting Xylo with Selena’s pregnancy would give us experience outside our species.”
Xylo and Chyox were careful to explain each piece of equipment as it was needed, and I didn’t sense any animosity between Xylo and the others. The four of them worked well together. Chyox activated my communicator, and Xylo injected a booster spray that he said would supply updated vaccines and vitamins helpful for my pregnancy.
Chyox pulled a large, thin, transparent screen attached to the side of the exam table across my stomach and turned it on. A digital image of my abdomen highlighted my internal organs in multiple colors. My eyes were drawn like magnets to the two tiny figures curled up together in the middle of the screen. They looked mostly human, but I could make out legs that bent at a strange angle, tails,
and perked ears... they looked almost like a cross between a human and a feline.
I gasped. “That’s an Aldawi? They’re some kind of feline?”
The room was silent as the four males looked at me in shock. Chyox and Ayces’s color shifted uneasily to an orangish-yellow.
“Selena, last night you said you did not know who had sired your offspring...” Xylo’s teal eyes searched mine. “I do not understand.”
I grabbed Xylo’s cool hand, terrified he’d think I lied to him, and blurted, “I didn’t know until he told me last night—”
I winced. I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone. Shit.
“Oh, Stars. Oh, Stars. Oh, Stars. Please tell me this is not what I think it is. It cannot mean...” Xylo trailed off, panic-stricken.
“What does this mean, Xylo? What is she talking about? Explain,” Chyox demanded, his tentacles dancing in agitation.
“Powerful Aldawi are known to be capable of controlling the dreamscape—the plane where dreams occur. I have even read they can even share this dreamscape with others though the details are a mystery. If he dreamwalked to Selena, he has to be powerful to reach her so far away.” He turned back to me and squeezed my hand. “Does this mean you know what he looked like?”
I glanced at the others, whose coloring had returned to normal, then focused on Xylo. “No. He always appears to me as a black transparent figure of flame. I’ve begged him to show me his true form and tell me who he is, but he refuses. He says that it would put me and my children in danger. And he was adamant I not tell you we can meet in my dreamscape.”
“This complicates everything.”
Chapter Twelve
Selena
I wandered the ship’s corridors, using the wristband to guide me. Xylo needed to report to the princes about the unexpected developments, but told me I was free to explore, so long as I stayed out of restricted areas and the hangar bay. The healers were deep in their research on Aldawi and human genetics and gestation, and I hadn’t seen Kaede since our lunch, so I was on my own.
I was in awe of my new wristband. I could zoom in on floor layouts—right down to the detail of individual cabins and owner’s names—as well as look at the overview that demonstrated just how efficiently organized the Destiny was.
Zooming out, I searched for a way to get to the café we’d eaten at this morning. I was starving, and I’d loved the atmosphere—plus, it was familiar.
I figured out the route and set off.
Journeying through the halls, I glanced uncomfortably at the crew that passed. It was clear they were staring at me, but whenever I made eye contact, they looked away. No one engaged me in conversation.
I was beginning to feel like I was on the Yaarkin ship again.
Stepping out of the lift on the entertainment floor, the sound from the crowd hit me. It was as raucous as I remembered. I scanned the signs above the nearby doors, searching for the café. I found it only four doors down the hall and stepped into the flow of the crowd. Without the princes to clear the way, I found the going difficult. Everyone was busy with their own thoughts or chatting with friends, paying little attention to their surroundings. Being the shortest person by at least a head made it far too easy to be overlooked.
As I pushed between bodies, arm- and leg-blades brushed against me. Though they were beautiful, they weren’t as delicate as they looked. It hurt. Gasps and few shocked shouts sounded from those who noticed me, but I ignored them. My stomach was growling.
I dove through the automatic doors of the café with relief. It was dim and quiet, no sound but the murmur of the handful of patrons. I glanced toward the empty stage, disappointed there’d be no music.
My stomach growled again, and I clapped my hands over it.
Looking around, I searched for a quiet spot. My gaze landed on a familiar violet Ulax sitting alone in the far corner of the bar—Odelm. He leaned over the counter, arm-blades pointed out to discourage company. His tentacles wrapped loosely around his torso in what I was coming to believe was the default resting position for both Circuli species.
I was still curious about his strange reaction—I couldn’t figure out why he’d stormed out after I’d complimented him. This seemed as good a time as any to find out. Resolved, I headed over and plopped down on the stool next to him.
“Hi.” I turned to face him. “So, what was this morning all about?”
Odelm glanced at me in surprise, then glowered as he continued to fork a chunk of fish into his mouth. He shifted the arm closest to me as if he was trying to get as far away as possible. Staring pointedly forward, he grabbed his drink and took a sip before placing it back on the counter.
“Females are all alike, no matter the species.” Odelm’s light tenor voice was strained. He clearly did not wish to be talking to me.
“What does that mean?”
“You lure males in and use them, only to dismiss them when something better comes along.” He took another sip of his drink, dismissing me.
I sat for a moment in stunned silence, completely perplexed. What did that have to do with me? I didn’t understand his animosity.
“I was complimenting you. I thought your music was beautiful and wanted to let you know I appreciated your art. I don’t understand how you could judge me so harshly. You know nothing about me, but I won’t bother you again if you find me so distasteful.”
An awkward silence fell between us.
I leaned on the bar and opened my wristband. Browsing the menu, I ordered soup and a drink before calling up the map, searching for the entrance to the ship’s terrarium.
“Why do you want to go to the terrarium?”
I looked up into his pale green eyes, confused by the change in attitude.
I shrugged. “I want to explore it. I’ve never been planet-side and wanted to see what it was like to walk through the field and feel the water.”
He stared down at my stomach, and his eyes softened. He turned back to his meal and speared another chunk of fish.
“I can take you to the terrarium when you are done eating. You should not be roaming around the ship alone in your condition,” Odelm muttered before reaching for a sip of his drink.
His offer shocked me.
Dumbfounded, I sat lost in my thoughts as I waited on my order. Was he worried about me? Why? Especially after the hostile accusations and unfriendly behavior. And how did he know about the pregnancy? Did the whole ship know?
When my food arrived, I thanked the staff and absentmindedly ate, still mulling over Odelm’s puzzling reactions, trying to figure out how to respond. Glancing up, I was surprised to see him watching me. Had he been watching me eat this whole time? Was he waiting for a reply?
“Xylo said I’d be fine roaming the ship as long as I didn’t trespass on any restricted areas. But why do you care?” I took a sip of my drink.
“You have a courting bond with him, do you not?” Odelm looked confused.
“How did you know? Not that it’s any of your business....” Setting my glass down with a snap, I turned to face him. “He doesn’t need to be following me around all day.”
“I know because I can see it. We can see your connection to him”—he paused and scrunched his face—“because you are his nestqueen. He should be doing everything in his power to encourage you to accept his bonding spore and make the bond permanent. Are you going to sever the bond? Is that why you ejected him from your room last night?”
Malice dripped from Odelm's voice. His mood swings were making me dizzy. I had no idea why he’d flipped from protective to cruel in the space of a heartbeat.
“Back off. I don’t owe you any explanation,” I bit out, scowling. I pushed my bowl away, prepared to climb off the stool and leave this unhinged male to his own devices.
He leaned toward me, his eyes furious as his skin shifted to an angry red.
“I am concerned because I do not want him to end up like me. I would rather never know the joy of a courting bond, than have had one severed
out of jealousy. This feeling is something I would never want for anyone—not even my greatest enemy. You rejected him. Kicked him from your room after initiating a courting bond—accidental or otherwise. Bonded males stay with their nestqueens and sleep on the edge of their nest until they are fully accepted or rejected. It is unheard of to have a courted male not share the nest with their nestqueen. It only happens if they are about to be rejected.”
My mouth fell open in shock.
Why had Xylo not told me? I never meant to inadvertently hurt him.
We needed to talk, be more open. I had to fix this as soon as possible.
“No one told me... I had no idea that was how Circuli courting bonds worked. I know little more than they exist—and I somehow accidentally triggered one with Xylo! I know next to nothing about your culture. Last night, I was simply hurt and angry when I learned I was pregnant. I needed some time alone to process. I certainly didn’t mean to hurt Xylo. Severing the courting bond wasn’t even a thought. I just needed time to think about it and adjust to everything,” I whispered raggedly as my eyes filled with tears.
He stared at me in confusion as his color returned to its usual violet. I wiped away my tears with the edge of my napkin.
“Selena, I did not mean to be so harsh. I am sorry. I jumped to conclusions, assuming you must have been told about our culture.” His pale green eyes widened as they roamed my face. “Why are you leaking? Should I summon Xylo?” Odelm’s now-gentle tenor voice was full of alarm.
I shook my head and sniffled, scrubbing my nose with the napkin before placing it back on the bar.
Shaking my head, I said, “No. No need to call Xylo. Humans sometimes leak from their eyes when they’re sad. I don’t want to alarm him. He has important things to do. We can talk later.” I sighed and locked my eyes with his. “But I would like to go for a walk. Can I take you up on your offer to guide me through the terrarium?”
He glanced over at the glass wall that overlooked the terrarium, then turned back to me, his eyes roaming across my body. “Do you think that is wise? Should you not be resting in your condition?” he questioned, unsure.
