by Jade Waltz
His nestqueen took a few steps into the lavender pool and looked over her shoulder, smiling brightly. “Who said anything about swimming? Maybe I want someone to hold onto?”
Xylo sucked in a quick breath at the perfection his nestqueen radiated.
Her silver braided crown reflected the brilliance of the chamber, only adding to the beauty of her glowing purple spots, which clearly showed the love she felt. The gem upon her chest flickered slowly, making her appear ethereal.
“If you can’t swim, I can be of help,” Karfic offered, joining her along the shore.
Selena shot the young geologist a glare that could rival Kaede’s. “No, thank you.” She shoved him, surprising the male so much he fell backward into the water. “I was asking my Favored, not you.”
Xylo pulled off his sling and tossed it on the ground next to Selena’s clothing. Slowly, he waded into the water, feeling the cool rush upon his feet. His root hair drank from the pool, absorbing its nutrients. A refreshing shiver passed through him. It had been a while since he’d allowed himself to absorb from the bottoms of his feet. Lately, he had always fed while Selena was busy with a nestmate—not because she thought his ways were odd, but because he didn’t want to waste any valuable time with her on communing with nature.
Xylo leaped further in to lead his nestqueen into the pool’s depths. Feeling the rush of the water upon his petals as his buoyant body rushed to the surface brought him joy, for once. He had always hated floating; compared to his Ulax brethren, he’d felt useless in a body of water. However, since Selena had become his nestqueen, he’d grown to love the water.
Screaming with joy, she ran a short distance before jumping into the pool beside him.
Waves smacked him, swaying his body along the surface. She grabbed onto his arm, and his vines instantly sought their nestqueen, securing them to float together in the luminous underground lake. He watched his nestqueen beam with joy as she stared at the swirling gems above, pointing out the ones she liked best.
In moments like this, his nestqueen always brought enjoyment to his life, brightening it like the sun chased away the darkness.
Selena’s head rested upon his mossy shoulder, lolling whenever the shuttle hit turbulence in the air.
He knew he should be worried about his moss’s mating pollen as she rubbed against his teal blossoms, but he didn’t have the will to wake her. This is where she belonged, by his side, using him as support. A sense of honor beamed through him as he glanced down at her sleeping form.
He would brave the solar winds of the most deadly planet in hopes of showing how much he loved her.
The shuttle lurched slightly as it settled onto the villa’s landing pad.
Selena jerked awake, gasping as she looked around. “Where are we?”
“You have nothing to fear,” he soothed, swiftly unbuckling himself from his seat to aide her with hers. “We just landed safely at home.”
“I’m sorry I fell asleep,” she mumbled, reaching for her eyes.
Alarmed, his vines instinctively reached for her wrists, preventing her from rubbing the pollen smeared on her cheeks into her eyes. “Selena, you need to stop for a moment.” He gently stroked her closed eyelids for her as his spare vines kissed along her cheeks, suctioning the teal pollen from her.
“There is nothing to apologize for. It’s only natural for you to be tired after a long day.” Cupping her chin, he leaned forward and gave her a gentle kiss upon her lips. She sighed and opened her beautiful blue-green eyes as he pulled away, finishing his task of freeing her from her restraints. His nestqueen smiled when he offered her his hand, clasping it as she stood.
“Are you going to stay in my shuttle? Or perhaps you both need me to escort you to your room?” Kaede scoffed. “I need to check on a few things before I retire, and you both are preventing me from doing so.”
Xylo bit his tongue. He knew Kaede’s anger wasn’t toward them but the two geologists that mistreated them. After he reported to Kaede what happened in the cavern beyond the metallic doors, he was furious. While the broody assassin honored his promise about only interfering with their date if needed, he still wanted to teach the young demi-human a lesson about respect. Selena’s guard didn’t fault Xylo for not making a scene, knowing that anything hostile would only upset his charge.
“We are leaving, Kaede,” Selena hissed. “Didn’t you see that I was just sleeping? Or are you slacking with your spying on me?”
“I was making an observation,” he replied. “You can’t deny that you are tired. I believe Odelm would appreciate it if his nestqueen wasn’t tired for his date tomorrow. As it is, it’s almost midnight. I’m sure the rest of your clan is wondering where you are.”
Xylo hooked an arm around Selena, directing her through the shuttle’s entrance.
She halted right before the horned male and stared him down. “For your information, they know where I am located from our mental threads. My clan agreed to the same terms that each one of them would have an uninterrupted date with me of their choice, so no one would ruin the other’s private time with me. While I appreciate your concern, I don’t need you to tell me what to do with my nestmates.”
He smirked. “Noted. Anything else, Your Highness?”
“No,” she replied, jerking her chin. “I am safe at home, so you’re free to go.”
Kaede mockingly bowed. “As you wish.”
They watched as he walked passed them, returning into his shuttle. Its ramp folded behind him as the door slid closed.
Xylo led her away into the villa’s garage door, safe from Kaede’s take off.
They walked in silence through the hallway and past the sanctuary. As they came to their master bedroom’s double door, Xylo halted, pulling Selena to a stop.
“Is something wrong?” Selena whispered, confused as she peered into his eyes.
“Nothing is the matter.” He brushed a stray silver strand behind her ear. “I just wanted a brief moment alone with you before we rejoin our clan.”
“What do you have in mind?”
Cupping her cheeks, he pressed his lips to hers. His tongue found hers as he deepened their kiss, earning him a moan from his nestqueen. Thoughts of appreciation and love burned through their connection, filling him with honor and steeling his devotion to her.
When he finally pulled back, she slowly opened her eyes, staring at him dazed and breathless.
“Selena, you’re the best thing that has ever happened to me,” he swore. “I will fight the Fates and the Stars to keep you happy and in my life. Remember, no matter what happens, I will honor you and our connection, for the love you have shown me is something that I’ve never fathomed.”
Chapter Nine
Odelm
Odelm paced the length of his music room, wondering what was taking his nestqueen so long. Now he understood how his nestbrother, Xylo, had felt while he’d been waiting for Selena yesterday.
While Xylo had taken Selena out on their date, Odelm had spent the whole day planning out his own. When she’d called out to all her nestmates and delivered her warning, he knew they had made a mistake by talking down to her.
Odelm remembered they had mentioned the discovery of a nestqueen’s mental limits when the Circuli had first entered the Yaarkins War, but it was wrong for them to expect that Selena was beholden to the same restrictions. She was designed to take on special abilities from any species she mated with, and adapt them to secure the best chance for her offspring’s survival. They had already learned that her venom, which she’d gained from Kaede, wasn’t as potent as his, for it hadn’t paralyzed Odelm when she’d bit him in the shower.
Luckily, she’d been in a forgiving mood when she had returned after dinner. It didn’t take much apologizing for her to brush off the offense and join her clan in their nestbed.
As they’d watched the stars twinkle through their bedroom’s ceiling skylight, she had explained what she and Xylo had discovered about her necklace’s gem.
&
nbsp; Zirene wasn’t happy about the two geologists’ behavior, even though they gave them all the information that they had wanted. He’d admitted that he kept the gems a secret known only to a select few people, and he wouldn’t spread the information unless absolutely necessary. She didn’t need to know what the gem was—after all, it was harmless on its own.
However, he’d said he was glad she now knew its power. He was willing to gift her a priceless gem as a symbol of how important she was to him.
While Selena had accepted his explanation, Odelm wasn’t satisfied.
Something felt off about his explanation, but he wasn’t going to call the Aldawi prince out. Everyone had secrets, and whatever Zirene was holding back, he must have a decent reason. However, his secrecy still didn’t sit right with him.
Unlike Xylo, who had taken Selena on a midday date, Odelm wanted to take her out after dinner, since the evening was the most romantic time of the day. What he had planned for her this evening was something he’d wanted to give her for the longest time, but had never found the right moment.
Finally, Odelm felt a tug on their golden thread connection, and he took in a deep breath to prepare himself for what was to come.
Would she enjoy what he had planned?
Secretly, he wondered if she would compare the evening to her date with Xylo.
“Odelm?”
His eyes snapped in the direction of her voice, like a fish seeking water to breathe.
Her hair was bound in the same crown-like design that he had helped Symi finish yesterday, but her outfit made her look like a living art design.
Odelm had requested that she wear something elegant, yet comfortable—but he never thought she would emerge dressed in something like this.
Standing proudly, she wore a royal-purple halter dress that tied behind her neck. Her necklace hung between her breasts, which were supported by the dress’s deep V-cut. Delicate black beading along the seams added to the dress’s design, and the hem barely reached her knees. Slits down the sides showed off the spots along her long legs, making her look like she had waist petals like the Circuli.
She wasn’t only his clan’s nestqueen, but a queen in her own right.
Selena was his as much as he was hers until the Stars took them both.
“Wow,” he breathed. “That is all I can say.”
Her cheeks darkened as her spots flickered a shy pink. “Thank you.”
“There’s no need to thank me; I should be the one thanking you.” He glanced at the sky outside, noting the sun would set soon. “Are you ready to leave? Or do you need anything before we go?”
“No, I’m ready if you are.”
Odelm walked up and took one of her hands, kissing its back as he stared at her magnificent blue-green eyes. “Let’s go, Kaede awaits.”
Hooking his arm with hers, he led her through the sanctuary and down a hallway into the garage. The silent assassin was leaning against his hovercraft as he fiddled with his wristband.
“Took you long enough,” Kaede scoffed, pushing off the side of his vehicle. “At least it wasn’t as long of a wait as yesterday.”
“I believe we’re fully capable of finding another ride to our destination, if you would rather be doing something else, Agent Kaede,” Selena snapped.
“After what happened yesterday?” Kaede chuckled. “You’re lucky Odelm here had enough decency to contact me about your plans to enter that chamber. Though I had a drone reporting on you up until that moment, so I already knew.”
“So why were you so angry when we returned?” Selena asked as Odelm helped her climb into the hovercraft. “You could’ve spared us the lecture.”
“Because if Odelm hadn’t kept me posted about your status within the chamber, I wouldn’t have known about that senseless demi-human who harassed you,” Kaede seethed, jumping into the driver’s seat. “Don’t worry, Selena, I took care of him.”
Selena’s gaze shot in his direction as she buckled her seatbelt. “Took care of him, how?”
“Let’s just say the male is going to have an itching problem.” Kaede threw back his head as he barked laughter into the garage, the sound bouncing off the walls. “Stars, I always hated that male. Too cocky for his own good, too dumb to see the truth right in front of him.”
“What did you do?” Odelm asked, scared to know, yet too curious to pass up learning.
The garage doors opened, revealing the magnificent sunset that hung over Zirene’s capital planet, Lunkai. Selena gasped as she grabbed his arm.
“I may have replaced his skin cream with one of my sister’s lotions, which helps dry out her oily skin.” He shot them a smile over his shoulder that looked too maniacal for Odelm’s taste. “Don’t worry, Selena. If you ever want to tour that cave with your clan, I will personally lead you myself. You don’t ever need to be bothered by that useless male again.”
“I would like to thank you for trying to defend me, but it seems like you were looking for a reason to harm him,” Selena commented. “Just warn me next time you seek revenge on someone, so I know what’s being done on my behalf.”
“Deal.”
Kaede dropped the conversation, giving Odelm the illusion of privacy he’d requested.
Odelm watched Selena study the bright colors of the local flora they passed. The remainder of the sun’s light reflected off violet waters and lavender waves crashing onto the white-sanded beaches. Soon, they passed over the sleek white high-speed tram track bordering the inside of the atoll.
The scene made the trip along the winding mountain road a treat as they neared their destination. He could feel Selena’s excitement bubble as she realized where Kaede was leading them.
Suddenly, she gripped his arm with both hands, squeezing it tightly as she turned to pin him with wide eyes.
“We’re going to your performance hall, aren’t we?” she beamed. “You’re going to be giving me your first performance within the auditorium, aren’t you?”
“I don’t know.” Odelm looked away, toward the fishing docks. “Didn’t you say that you wanted to go fishing? Something about wanting fresh fish to eat?”
“I heard something about winning a fishing trip,” Kaede added. “Meti told me how her mother beat Pavryn; that means the cubs are allowed to go fishing.”
“Odelm,” Selena hissed, yanking his arm to grab his attention by making him look at her. “You wouldn’t have asked me to go out on a date after dinner and dress up elegantly if we were going to go fishing.”
“Unless you were fishing for more mates,” Kaede mumbled.
Selena shot Kaede a glare. “You sure love to bring up my mate count and how much I need more mates. Why haven’t you settled down, Kaede?”
“Because you’re already too much to handle,” he snorted. “I can barely keep up with your activities—how am I supposed to keep another female happy?”
“Just allow the drones you love so much to do all the security work, and you’ll have all the time you want to court a female.”
Kaede didn’t respond, and Odelm knew why.
He had known why ever since their argument on the Destiny some time ago.
Kaede loved Selena—but the male was either too afraid to admit it or couldn’t let his feelings interfere with his job. However, just like Zirene’s secrets, Kaede’s weren’t his to tell. Odelm just hoped that his feelings wouldn’t come to light at the wrong time or cause tension in the future.
They arrived at the performance hall in silence, and Odelm helped Selena out of the hovercraft.
"I'm going to leave," Kaede muttered, disheartened, from his driver's seat. "Odelm knows how to contact me, and I’ll be nearby if needed."
Selena crossed her arms. "What about your drones?"
"I’m required to watch you at all times," he replied. "I will restrict myself to one drone while you’re on your dates, but that is the most I can compromise."
Selena pursed her lips. "Fine. It's not like you’ve ever considered my feelings before.
"
"Take it up with your Aldawi prince," Kaede scoffed. "I am just a sworn soldier doing my duty."
"I will."
"Good." Kaede turned to salute Odelm before driving off.
As soon as he was out of sight, Selena turned to Odelm. "What's his problem?"
"The pressure of keeping you safe is probably getting to him," Odelm sighed, directing his nestqueen through the performance hall's sliding doors. "Don't let him ruin our night, or I might become the one seeking revenge this time."
Selena gently smacked his stomach with the back of her hand. "You will not!" she gasped.
"I know something that the male hates more than politics," Odelm chuckled. "Never mess with an Ulax while surrounded by water; you never know where you’ll end up."
"Are you talking about the Ulax pranks you like playing on your Wudox brethren? Dragging them by their vines into the middle of the body of water so that you can watch them struggle to reach the shore?" Selena asked in shock.
Odelm couldn't help but smirk, chuckling to himself as he pictured a caped Kaede trying to swim back to the Main Island.
"Odelm!" Selena gasped, astounded. "I never imagined my gentle and shy nestmate would go to such great lengths to hurt someone."
"You’d be surprised what I would do to protect the ones I love," he muttered as they entered the auditorium. “It has always been a nestmate’s duty to sacrifice himself so his nestqueen may survive. This was why nestqueens once took in as many males as they were capable of handling; in ancient times, the more nestmates a nestqueen had for protection, the higher chance of survival for her clan. Once our planet settled into peaceful times, there was no need to build a large clan other than as a status symbol. As the population grew, so did the number of males, but they were no longer needed to survive. A nestqueen technically only needs her Favored to pass on her genes, rendering most male Circuli superfluous and limiting their chance of being accepted into a clan.”
“Which is why most never felt love,” Selena muttered, flicking her gaze to him. “Because you’re born in a hatchery, like me, members of your species grow up alone without parents to show you what love is. In order to experience a connection, you form nestbrother bonds with other males—like the princes did—to ease your biological drive to seek a nestqueen. Even if you are bonded with a female, the bond doesn’t guarantee you would ever feel loved—not when a nestqueen has Favored.”
