Project: Adapt - Found: A Space Fantasy Alien Romance (Book 1)

by Jade Waltz

  I was going to be a mother—to a species so very unlike my own.

  I glanced up at Xylo in panic.

  The understanding in his gentle teal gaze steadied me. Looking down, I placed both hands on my belly in wonder.

  “It looks like you’re going to be the father of three.”

  “F-F-F-Father?” Chyox stammered.

  I glanced up at the group still standing on the far side of the room. Their faces ranged from shock to confusion.

  I smirked.

  “I accepted Xylo last night. He is mine. He agreed to co-father any children I may have—no matter the sire—and I have given him the freedom to continue his job at his discretion. We are bonded, but I do not want everything to revolve around me. I want a large family based on affection and mutual respect. Equality.”

  Kaede pressed a few buttons, and the projection disappeared. The lights came back up. He pushed aside the display and offered me his black-gloved hand. Taking it, I climbed off the exam table and straightened my shirt.

  I joined Xylo and slid my hand in his.

  “A large family?” Chyox queried.

  “She is not against having multiple mates but will not be actively pursuing them. I believe cohesion and a healthy family dynamic is what she is seeking. All she wants is love and acceptance for who she is.”

  I looked up at Xylo in shock. How could he know my thoughts so intimately? Had completing our bond strengthened our mental connection so much?

  “I’m surprised none of you mentioned the bite mark on his neck,” Kaede laughed.

  A flurry of questions ensued amidst surprise I’d attack Xylo. Chyox snidely remarked he’d known I was a savage. They all wanted to examine Xylo for diseases. I wanted no part of this discussion.

  Since their attention was firmly occupied, I turned and snuck out of the infirmary. I was almost to the terrarium doors when Kaede caught up with me.

  “Thought you could get away from me?” Kaede matched my stride across the grassy field.

  I shrugged. “It couldn’t hurt to try.”

  “Nothing gets past me, Selena.”

  I stopped and looked down at the white spots on my arms. “Surely, you can’t be perfect.”

  “I try hard to be.”

  Ignoring him and pushing thoughts of my uncomfortable differences aside, I hurried across the field to the beach. I needed a swim. I didn’t care if Odelm wasn’t here to supervise. Shucking my new shoes, I dug my toes into the black sand, feeling its cold wetness.

  “Selena...”

  Staring at the water, I refused to look at him. “What?”

  “You know you shouldn't feel ashamed of your spots, right? Especially here. Other than Xylo and the few crew members who’ve read about humans, they wouldn’t know they’re abnormal. All Circuli—along with many other species in CEG—have spots and patterns on their skin. Your silver hair may arouse interest but not in a negative way. Silver is a precious metal everywhere in the galaxy. Not to mention, many now alter their looks with tattoos or other modifications. I wouldn’t waste any more time feeling self-conscious.”

  I looked down and kicked at the sand as I struggled to hold back tears. Swiping at my eyes, I turned to him.

  “Thank you, Kaede. You’re right. I’ve been self-conscious about them. I’ve been trying not to let it to rule my actions here—trying to start over—but it is hard to let go of so many years of prejudice all at once.”

  “I figured I should say something to you. Both Wudox and Ulax males admire inner strength and beauty over what’s on the outside. It’s the females who are the more superficial ones, who often choose their mates based on looks. Occasionally, money or military rank is a factor, but primarily, the females prioritize traditional male beauty.”

  So, that’s why Xylo has always mentioned something about my personality or mind, and nothing about how I looked. And why both he and Odelm were so sensitive about their unusual looks.

  “Thanks, Kaede.”

  He nodded.

  “I’ll let you have some time alone since that’s what you wanted. I need to make rounds anyway and report to my client. Page me if you need me, but I’ll more than likely be around before you do.”

  At my nod, Kaede strode off, cape swaying behind him. As soon as he was out of sight, I shed my trousers and tank and slipped into the water. I knew I was supposed to wait for Odelm, but I promised myself I would stay near shore where I could easily stand if I tired.

  As I swam on my back, arms stroking lazily to keep me in place, I stared up at the dome. Odelm was right about the view of space being different every time you looked. I floated, letting my jumbled thoughts drift through my mind. My pregnancy, my new mates, the ship, the upcoming arrival at CEG...

  Lost in my thoughts, I was startled by sudden movement in the water around me. I gasped and allowed my feet to drop, pulling myself vertical. Water streamed down my hair and dripped on my face as I looked around. I had drifted far enough from shore, I could no longer touch the bottom.

  Shit.

  The source of the splashes was readily apparent. Three Ulax males in a variety of blues swam beside me.

  “May I help you?” I asked, confused.

  Outside of the few people who’d spoken to me, the rest of the crew acted as though I were invisible.

  The center male answered my question with one of his own. “You are Master Scholar Xylo’s nestqueen, are you not?”

  Eyeing him, unsure what he was getting at, I replied, “Yes. Though why is that any of your concern?”

  The one on the left swam closer, and I backed away, warily.

  “You chose him over one of the many available Warrior Class males on this ship? Even the princes?”

  Pissed they seemed to be denigrating Xylo, I snapped, “I don’t wonder that you’re unbonded—if you think it’s a good plan to come here and pressure a pregnant female while she’s alone and relaxing.”

  The remaining male interjected with a look of apology, “What they are trying, and failing, to ask is—why him? Usually, females desire males with military rank or attractive looks, neither of which Master Scholar Xylo possesses.”

  Angry and unsure how to respond to these arrogant males, I could feel myself tiring as I struggled to tread water. As I tried to decide what to do and started backing away from the group, an arm slid around my chest, just below my breasts.

  I gasped, filling my mouth with water.

  “I believe it is time for Selena to come back to shore,” Odelm interrupted, fury filling his voice.

  I slumped against him in relief.

  “We were only talking to her. You have to admit you are also curious about it,” the center male said.

  “It is not my right to question her personal choices or her private life. Neither is it yours,” Odelm snapped as he started swimming toward shore.

  I was amazed at his strength and shocked he’d come to my rescue. When I was able to gather my breath to speak, I whispered, “Thank you, Odelm.”

  He shrugged and didn’t reply.

  When he was able to stand, Odelm picked me up and cradled me to his chest, carrying me to shore. As we approached, I saw Kaede, holding my clothes and shoes.

  “What happened to being in charge of protecting Selena from harm?” Odelm growled. “If I had not come for a swim when Selena failed to meet me at the café for lessons, she would have been alone with those males.”

  Jerking his chin toward the sky, Kaede replied, “Look up. I had my drones ready if they were aggressive, but she seemed to be able to manage, and I knew you were on your way and could assist, so no harm done. I’m not going to interfere with the strange Circuli mating rituals.” He laughed. “At least they were smart enough not to follow you.”

  Odelm set me down, and I snatched my clothes from Kaede.

  “Thanks, I guess? But you know you don’t have to shoot everyone who comes to talk to me. That’s sort of extreme and frightening.”

  “No. But those males snuck up
on you while you were peacefully relaxing. If Odelm hadn’t been there to assist, I would’ve done so myself.”

  Rolling my eyes, I shook out my clothes.

  Kaede clearly didn’t understand how extreme his reaction was. Certainly, those Ulax males had startled me, but they hadn’t been aggressive. Somewhat rude perhaps and arrogantly curious about my personal life but not something worth being shot by a drone over.

  Kaede’s thoughts and mood swings confused me. Almost as much as Odelm’s—but I was getting used to treading around Odelm’s triggers. One moment, Kaede was caring and considerate, the next he was argumentative, spewing rude or violent remarks—or both.

  Frustrated, I tugged my clothes over my soaking wet body and shoved my wet feet into my sandals. The sandy grit made me grimace.

  I tossed over my shoulder as I marched off, “I’m going back to the suite to clean up and change. I’ll meet you at the café for dinner.”

  I didn’t bother looking to see if they followed.

  Chapter Twenty

  Xylo

  All Xylo’s research throughout his many years of study had not prepared him for how he would feel being fully bonded to his nestqueen. Selena was a blessing he had never expected, and their coupling had been an indescribable pleasure. She was more sensitive to his essence than Circuli females were reported to be. Her taste was sweet and addictive—he could not stop thinking of tasting her again. Waking up with her in his arms had brought an instant smile to his face.

  They might not be in love—romantic love was not common among Circuli—but he felt he could easily come to love Selena. Regardless, he would give her the support she needed, ensure the best care possible, and he would never fault her if they remained simply friends. He would still co-father her offspring.

  The gift of Selena as his nestqueen was enough.

  Xylo had already benefited from their bonding. He had noticed early in the day, he did not need to maintain his mental shields around others—not unless they were more powerful than he.

  He had not believed she would accept him so soon—if at all—but he now understood her need for stability, her guilt for accidentally creating a court bond with him. And the instincts that had made her trust him, to feel he was safe... she was amazing. She was willing to accept whatever the Fates had planned for them, hoping for her chance at love, her chance to travel the stars as she had always dreamed.

  Ever since he had woken this morning, he had been picking up thoughts and emotions from Selena. He could not block them—only dim them.

  Not that he wanted to.

  He loved learning how she thought, hearing her unvoiced thoughts, coming to understand her better.

  Selena was a strong female. Others who had been through what she had would have crumbled, would have reacted in fear and lashed out—not Selena. She focused on the future. On surviving. Learning. Adapting.

  Her drive made him proud to be hers. She was a fighter, and he respected her for it.

  He smiled as he felt Selena sneak out while his coworkers were distracted, hounding him with questions. Kaede would keep an eye on her, and now that they were more intimately connected, he would know if she needed him.

  “Is it contagious?”

  “Should we put him under quarantine until we figure out what it is?”

  “I cannot believe she attacked him.”

  Xylo ignored their dithering and turned to his computer.

  Kaede had known how to use their equipment better than they did. Xylo did not know if he should be alarmed or relieved, but he was happy they now knew the correct number of cubs in her litter. Images Kaede had pulled up showed they looked exactly like Aldawi cubs at this stage of the pregnancy. Xylo wondered if they would prove to be enhanced with her as their mother and whether they would follow the typical coloring or patterns of the pure Aldawi.

  A burst of emotion shot down the bond from Selena. She was hurting. Concerned, he listened in as Kaede reassured her. Kaede was right, Selena’s silver hair was unusual—no species had that color naturally—but silver was precious, many would find that beautiful. And Selena’s bronze skin, even her white spots, were very similar to the Wudox patterning. That did not make her unusual among his species. He knew she was insecure about her physical differences but hoped he and Kaede would be able to alleviate them with time.

  Xylo had a feeling Kaede would always be a mystery to him.

  He did not seem inclined to share anything about himself, though it was clear he had a care for Selena, which made him a useful ally. Kaede was a dangerous individual with a clear affinity for technology. To be able to run so many drones, all while monitoring Selena and interacting with others was an impressive feat. If Kaede proved he was trustworthy, that he had Selena’s best interests at heart, then a friendship was something he was willing to offer.

  But he would not allow Kaede to hand Selena over to his client without her consent.

  Comparing Selena’s scans with notes on both human and Aldawi gestation periods, he determined Selena’s stomach would expand at an ever-accelerating speed from now until her litter's delivery.

  He needed to talk to the princes about these new developments.

  Something touched the bite on Xylo’s neck, and he jumped, immediately on the defensive.

  Chyox backed away and put his hands up in surrender.

  “What was that?” he demanded of the Senior Healer.

  “We were wondering if she hurt you, and if we could take samples of your mark.”

  “Next time, ask first—”

  Behind him, the infirmary doors opened, and a powerful presence filled the room. Turning, Xylo spotted the princes watching them.

  “Is there a problem?” Prince V’dim asked.

  Chyox jumped in, hastily explaining, “It seems Master Scholar Xylo and the human, Selena, completed their bond last night. Selena attacked Xylo, and he now has a bite mark that will not heal. A mark like that should have healed within an hour of receiving it.”

  Xylo glared at Chyox.

  “Prince V’dim, my nestqueen Selena fully accepted me—this is true—but she did not attack me. Senior Healer Chyox is speaking out of turn. In the heat of the moment, as she received my spores, she bit me. Kaede has provided us with Selena's medical records. Given her body adapts to whomever she mates with—taking something from their genetic code to adapt and enable procreation—it seems logical the Aldawi sire of her cubs has gifted her with Aldawi traits. Female Aldawi are highly aggressive and bite a male if they bond and wish to mark that male off-limits to other females. I am not positive, of course, nor do I know why it would be white, but the theory is sound. As I think on it, perhaps her spots have affected the mark, and it is white because of it. Nevertheless, I was neither attacked, nor am I in pain. Other than feeling the effects of having my bonding spore accepted, I am fine.”

  The princes approached, Prince Z’fir searching his face, assessing. Prince V’dim touched Selena’s bite mark. Tilting his head, Xylo gave the prince better access.

  “And you are well?” Prince Z’fir asked.

  Xylo felt Z’fir lightly request to skim his memories. Nodding yes to both questions, knowing his prince wanted to see what had happened for himself, Xylo lowered his mental shields. If he resisted, it was likely the princes could brute force their way in—even with Xylo’s newly enhanced shields—and he did not know how that would affect Selena. Plus, he had nothing to hide. His only concern was the wish to maintain Selena’s privacy.

  With a sigh, Xylo closed his eyes and felt the rush of memories. He shuddered a deep breath as he relived last night’s coupling. Feeling Prince Z’fir withdraw, Xylo raised his mental shields and opened his eyes.

  Prince V’dim watched Xylo, giving him a moment to relax, waiting for permission to touch him.

  “Go ahead. I am fine.”

  Prince V’dim traced the bite mark with his fingers. A wave of calm blanketed the room—soothing both Xylo and the still tense and uneasy healers. V�
��dim withdrew his hand, allowing Xylo to straighten his head.

  He could feel the weight of the others’ stares.

  “Is there anything we should know about?” Chyox asked anxiously.

  They eyed him before Prince Z’fir responded.

  “I believe nothing is amiss. Master Scholar Xylo’s hypothesis appears to be correct. If Selena’s body adapts to those she mates, and that leads to an instinctual need to mark her mates, so be it. It is no different than the instinctual need of Circuli males to seek a nestqueen. Some have found companionship with other unmated males, but that is a mere spark compared to the flame of a bond. Other than Master Scholar Xylo’s mental shields being strengthened and the bite mark on his neck, I do not see any unusual changes resulting from their permanent bonding.”

  “But you should know, Master Scholar Xylo, since your bonding last night, we have sensed an echo in you. It is part of why we came to speak with you. We cannot get any direct readings from her—only that she exists. There is a faint ripple from Selena, through your connection, as though we were trying to reach her from far away. You should add that to your notes and make it known to her and any future mates. If she accepts any,” Prince V’dim added.

  Xylo was shocked.

  If the princes were able to sense her through him, they might eventually be able to include her in their broadcasts to the crew. Or read her. Hopefully, an emergency would never necessitate forcing the connection, but he would have to warn Selena so she would not be shocked if she ever received anything from them.

  A sudden wave of emotions flooded him.

  Surprise. Shock. Panic. Anger.

  The princes turned to him, searching his face—as if they, too, felt her strong emotions.

  Xylo followed the thread to Selena, his face instinctively turning in her direction. Just as he was about to rise to go to her, his wristband chimed. Glancing down, he did not recognize the caller. He flipped open the screen on his wristband, answering, and froze when multiple video feeds of the pond in the terrarium appeared.

  Three Ulax males surrounded Selena, who was struggling to stay afloat. None of the males offered to assist her, and the strong emotions she broadcast told him she was both angry and scared.