by Jade Waltz
“We don’t know if it even worked!” I snapped. “For all we know, it was a temporary fix, and now that it has been about a week, she could be dying of complications. I am not willing to take risks on my watch.”
“And who said that it was up to you?” Yuwal snarled. “It should be up to us, their fathers.”
“Really?” I shrugged my nestmates’ appendages from my limbs and stomped over to the pair of fathers. “I believe they stopped being your responsibility once they left your planet and joined the princes’ journey. The princes should be the only ones to dictate what happens to them! They are their nestbrothers and will be directly affected by their recovery.”
“Kaica…” Chyox grabbed my hand, entwining it with his as a sense of serenity washed over me. “You need to calm down instead of attack those who care about them, too. They only wish the best for their sons."
Breathing in deeply, I closed my eyes as I tried to remind myself that he was not the enemy.
None of them were.
Always having to be on the defensive was starting to take a toll on me. I blamed my childhood and all of the dangerous missions I was given for my on-edge behavior. I had to constantly remind myself that they were not attacking me, that others were allowed to disagree with me.
A life of working with five siblings with dominant personalities, who never gave me the chance to voice my opinion on matters outside my medical field, had made me bold. But the members of my team were not my siblings, and they deserved a chance to speak their mind freely, just as I had wished.
"That may be true, but she makes valid points we can't ignore." Usthu hooked a tentacle around my waist, pulling me against his side. "We don't have the luxury of testing theories based on hearsay, though I can't fault the Master Healers for wanting to do anything for their sons.”
“There is a fine line that we can never cross.” When I glanced at Oeta, she held my gaze and nodded. “It’s not our place to play the Fates. I am not comfortable sacrificing others’ lives to test a theory—a rumor—when there are other options available to us. Instead of focusing on the unknowns, we should use methods proven to work. The cryopods will accelerate their healing and are safe to use; my siblings have used them many times under my supervision. I have faith that they will work for your sons, too, regardless of how far they may decay.”
Suvax shot a glance at his nestbrother-partner. "Voice your idea if you want her to approve.”
“What idea?”
Thirteen
USTHU
It was hard to focus on the present conversation with Kaica’s stray thoughts flooding my mind and the need to complete our new bond lingering.
When would she want to initiate the bond? Would she wait for me to ask her or approach me on the matter?
I prayed to the Stars above that this itch to permanently bond us would settle once I gave her my mating spores.
“How many of these cryopods are available?” Yuwal asked, glaring at Suvax. “Would it be possible for our princes to use them to delay their decay?”
“We have five in our mountain top base and one on each luxury ship we manage,” she replied, tilting her head to the side as she stared toward the location of their peak. “The cryopods should be able to reduce and maybe even prevent the princes’ decay. I just don’t know how Destima’s Circuli population would function while their princes are unconscious, if they reacted so poorly when their leaders were knocked out by Selena’s mental defenses back on the Destiny.”
“But the pods might work?”
“For your sons, yes.” She shrugged. “But I don’t think it’s worth the risk for the princes to use the pods unless they are clinging to their last thread of life. The princes know how a Circuli population will react when their mental web suddenly collapses, so it should be their decision whether, and when, they use them.”
The room turned its attention to the pair in question.
“We think the risk of distressing the population is not worth the luxury of preventing the decay.” Z’fir grabbed V’dim’s hand and turned to stare at his life-long partner. “We will wait out the decay as long as possible and hope for Selena’s swift return, but we both agree it would benefit everyone if we were placed in the cryopods when on the verge of dying. A collapsed mental web is far worse than a muted one.”
I stared in awe at my princes. They were willing to sacrifice their comfort, knowing full well how painful the decay would be since they had experienced every crew member’s horrid process and death during the war.
Squeezing Kaica closer, I glanced at my nestbrother over her head and nodded when he met my gaze.
We could be in their position someday.
If something happened to our nestqueen on a mission, how soon would we decide to use the cryopods? Our positions as Master Healers required us to provide our population with the medical help they needed. Inside the cryopods, all of the Destima’s Circuli would be without two of their four Master Healers, putting all the pressure on our mentors, Oeta, and the team stationed on the moon.
However, our unique nestqueen was worth all the challenges and hardships we could face, despite her faults.
We each had quirks we needed to work out, as expected in a newly formed clan from different backgrounds, especially since Kaica wasn’t Circuli.
I hoped we would one day share the same love that Selena and her clan fostered. I suspected working alongside my clan would only strengthen our bonds over time.
“Have faith that the Stars will guide her back where she belongs.” Oeta pushed off the door frame and walked to stand behind the princes, her wings shuffling as her fuchsia eyes focused on Kaica. “How soon do you think we can use the pods?”
“I should be able to get everyone clearance, but I will need approval from Bryeca and the Sovereign first. If they give me the okay, then it shouldn’t take long to relocate our patients temporarily—a few days max. The hardest part will be moving our patients’ unconscious bodies. There is only one spare bedroom in the mountain base, so the team will still need to live in the villa.”
“Is it settled, then?” Chyox asked, surveying the room. “Does everyone agree this is our most reasonable option?”
A series of nods and affirmatives filled the room.
Suddenly, a sense of excitement coursed through my vines.
We had a plan to save our patients.
The only thing missing was Sovereign Zirene’s approval, which was practically guaranteed. There was no way he would allow his clanmates to suffer as they oversaw Selena’s moon. He could ask Kaica to relocate some of what he considered restricted items, but other than that, I couldn’t see why he would stand in our way.
“If we may,” Yuwal announced, his voice filling the lobby’s walls as he stood up with his nestbrother-mate alongside him. “I believe Suvax and I have an announcement to make. After a long discussion with Healer Oeta and my new colleagues, it has come to our attention that we have leveled some unfair accusations against Kaica and her credentials as a healer—”
“And we would like to formally apologize.”
“We hope that you will accept our apology,” Yuwal continued. “And will allow us to continue to work here with the research team.”
“It has been our dream to work alongside our son and we hope you will grant us the opportunity to do so.”
Silence filled the room as everyone stared at my nestqueen leaning against my side.
Would she forgive our mentors for their offenses?
“If this situation has taught me anything,” Kaica announced, “it is that our team has hit its limit, trying to do what’s best with the information and resources available. Tensions and emotions are high because Odelm and Xylo are dear to each of us, making their pain so much harder to handle. While I was upset that you both acted like you owned the place when you first arrived, I can understand how you felt working alongside someone who is a fraction of your son’s age.
“I accept your apology and won’t le
cture you any further about what happened. It shouldn’t be my decision whether you both work here. I hope that one day, you can work alongside Xylo.
“At the same time, I am sorry for my harsh words. I will work harder to stop lashing out and taking offense at cultural differences. Just like you both, I am used to working alone and being the only one responsible for my patients.”
“If you are willing to move past it, we are too.”
“Good,” Oeta said. “About time everyone got along here. I can’t wait to go back to how things used to be, without all the excitement happening lately.”
Fourteen
KAICA
“I don’t know about you, but I am ready for bed,” I announced, crossing my arms as I inspected my bed, which now seemed too small for our needs. “We need to figure out our sleeping arrangements since I highly doubt the three of us will be able to fit on the bed comfortably.” Glancing over my shoulder, I eyed my nestmates. “What do you suggest?”
“You could try sleeping on top of one of us.” Usthu’s vines constricted around his torso as his sapphire pupil-less eyes flicked to Chyox. “Or we can place a blanket over the both of us, and you can sleep along the center, with our appendages holding you in place.”
“Got any other ridiculous ideas?” Chyox muttered, scanning his nestbrother’s body. “How about Usthu and I remove your bed frame and place the mattress on the floor? We can go get a second mattress from the room next door and line them up next to each other to create a makeshift nestbed until we can provide you a better one."
“That will be fine temporarily, but I believe we will be moving out of this room soon.” I shrugged, frowning as I tried to imagine what the open space would look like with two mattresses side by side on the floor. “Two mattresses still don’t leave much room for the three of us together. I’m glad we spend most of our time in the infirmary, or I fear we’d catch cabin fever here. I will need to speak Z first thing in the morning about our plans and request temporary access to our mountain base for the team.”
“Why didn’t you offer to have the cryopods moved here?” Chyox asked, curiosity lacing his voice. “Wouldn’t that be easier for you?”
“First,” I replied, lifting my hand with only my index finger. “If I offered to have the pods relocated, then I would have to drain each one and find a way to move them over here. I am not Kaede, so I don’t understand how to find or use his gadgets. Knowing my luck, I would trigger some hidden weapon and get injured in the process.” Adding my middle finger to my index, I sighed, knowing that my second reason had more to do with my new relationships. “Secondly, by taking you both in as my nestmates, I have opened myself to you. I know once we permanently bond, you will be able to read my every thought until I learn how to shield my mind. I will lose my privacy, so my top-secret missions will be yours to know, too. I figured if the Sovereign denied the team access to the base, I wouldn’t be able to leave you behind at the villa. Everything I see at the base, you see, so we might as well move there once I get a larger bed installed.”
“Makes sense,” Usthu said, taking my hands in his. “But know that anything you path to us, accidentally or on purpose, will be kept within this clan.”
“We will teach you how to shield your thoughts from us while keeping us aware of your presence.” Chyox brushed my hair behind my ear. “Just don’t get frustrated if it takes a while to learn; most of the Circuli population fails to shield its mind from others, especially weaker Circuli.”
“I understand.” I closed my eyes and nodded. “It’s just another thing I will need to get used to.”
“We will work on it together,” Chyox breathed, sending calming sensations through me. “Now, I want you to relax and bathe while Usthu and I rearrange our room.”
Standing in front of my bathroom mirror, I brushed my wet hair, working out the tangles. I had been in here for a while and was starting to get worried about what was taking my nestmates so long to join me.
Was it too soon to ask them to complete our bond? I wasn’t going to reject them, so I saw no reason to wait, especially since they seemed to be excited about working together as a clan.
When would it be appropriate to declare my Primary and Second? Could I do so when I took their mating spores?
At times like this, I wished I knew a nestqueen who could answer all of my questions. Instead, I would have to ask my nestmates directly.
Why not tonight?
Putting my brush away, I tightened the belt of my robe and decided it was time to check on my males. It shouldn’t take this long to move a mattress.
I entered my room, ready to help them with their remaining work. Gasping, I halted, surprised how they had transformed the bedroom.
It looked like they had robbed all the bedrooms on this floor of their bedding and stacked it on top of the two mattresses and pillows arranged against the wall.
Usthu was on his knees, fluffing the last of the pillows as Chyox reorganized the things they had moved to fit the extra mattress.
“What is this?” I covered my mouth, failing to stifle a laugh. “I was wondering if I needed to help you, but it seems like you both had it taken care of.”
Grinning, Usthu rolled onto his back and stretched. “Did you really think we weren’t capable of giving our nestqueen a bed that she deserves?”
I ran over and jumped onto my new bed, the soft mattress enveloping me. Giggling, I crawled over to him as the bedding engulfed my hands.
Usthu’s vines wrapped around my forearms and guided me to him. He hooked his arm around me, crushing me against him as soon as he neared.
“What do you think?”
“It’s different,” I teased. “I’m afraid the bedding may suck me in and never let me go.”
Kissing my forehead, he gave me a wide smile. “Good thing you have us as nestmates. We would come running as soon as we felt you in distress.”
“That is good to know.” Glancing at Chyox, I caught him watching us. “Why don’t you come over here and join us?”
“I didn’t know if I was welcome.” He twisted my bag in his hand as his coloring started to tint a nervous yellow. “And I wanted to finish putting your things away before we gathered you, but it seems we took too long.”
“It’s okay.” I patted the open spot beside me. “Why don’t you let me fix the room tomorrow, and you come to join us in our new bed?”
“If that is what you want.”
“I want you to come here so we can discuss some clan business before bed.”
That got his attention.
He tossed the bag onto my desk and rushed over to sit beside me.
“What ails you?” Chyox combed my hair behind my shoulder. “There is no need for your unease.”
Biting my lip, I flicked my gaze between my two males.
“I was wondering if it was too soon to seal our fates,” I mumbled. “And if I could claim my Favored at the same time.”
Chyox’s violet eyes widened as he stared at me with his mouth agape.
“Are you sure?” Usthu whispered, his hand tracing my side. “We don’t want to pressure you.”
“Yes, I’m positive.” I wiggled upright and pressed my back against the pillow wall. “I told you when I took you both, I would never sever your courting bonds. Why not stop the torture of wondering and prolonging the inevitable, and just commit?”
“We can,” Chyox muttered, swallowing. “But the choice is yours.”
“I understand that, but I don’t want you to make you wait. I heard stories of how Selena’s nestmates handled it; the more time she took, the more their need to be claimed grew. I don’t want that. I would rather skip that step and move on to improving as a clan.”
“If that is what you want, then let’s do it.” Usthu grinned. “Relax and let us take care of you.”
The bed shifted as their hands trailed along my sides and carefully undid my robe, pulling it off. Appendages traced my nude body, sending shivers through me as they gui
ded me onto my back.
Gripping my hips, Chyox dragged me closer to kiss along the side of my neck and all the down to my ankle. Straightening, he nudged my thighs apart and knelt before me, staring intensely into my eyes.
The cool touch of his scales only added to the burning desire growing in me.
Chyox was older than Usthu, but he was still attractive for his mature age. Gray stripes glowed along his green body as his gray anemone hair shimmered, lighting up his face.
I watched him, absorbing how gorgeous he was as he smiled down at me.
Chyox stared at the apex of my legs as if he couldn’t believe that he was here with me. He inhaled deeply before returning his gaze to mine, his violet eyes bright.
“Tell me if I do something wrong,” he breathed. “I’ve had little time to study how to please a demihuman.”
“You are doing fine right now.”
His smile beamed brighter, if possible, lighting his face to make him appear younger.
Leaning forward, his fingers brushed my thighs before he ran the tip of his finger up and down my slit. Tentacles wrapped around my legs, holding them apart, the conductive coating on their tips leaving a tingling trail in their wake.
“Yes…” I hissed and jerked, trying to direct his fingers.
He chuckled before he pushed one finger into my liquid heat. I closed my eyes, focusing on the swirling motion. One finger became two as he dragged his thumb over my clit in tight circles, leisurely pumping in and out.
The mattress shifted as Usthu moved behind me. Hands pushed under my back, grabbing me by my arms before propping me against his cool chest. A heavy scent surrounded me, filling my lungs with a prickle. His scaled hands gripped my breasts, massaging and pinching my hardened nipples.
The sounds of heavy breathing filled my ears as something leafy brushed my shoulder.
