Project: Adapt - Achieve: A Space Fantasy Alien Romance (Book 2)

by Jade Waltz

“She may be upset with us at first, but she will understand. I fear for her health. Everything is new to her, and the stress of the current events will only cause harm. We need to get her to our new home and settled soon. I am afraid of what will happen when she finally collapses from doing too much.”

  Odelm could feel his tentacles tremble from their default, relaxed state wrapped up around his chest. Instinctively, they wanted to wrap around Selena and comfort her. This wasn’t the time or place to do so, which resulted in him fighting his body’s urges.

  “The Circuli representatives may state their complaint,” Chamber Master announced.

  Both female Wudox and Ulax representatives stood and smiled sweetly at the Chamber Master.

  “Thank you, Chamber Master, for allowing us to bring forth our complaint against the party on the chamber’s floor,” said the white and pink Wudox.

  “We would like to address the news about residents of the ship, Destiny, being allowed to colonize an Aldawi-owned moon with both princes aboard unmated to a nestqueen. As you know, males don’t rule on Circul. They only assist the ruling queens. Therefore, since they are unmated, they have no one to rule and are incapable of providing offspring to continue the royal line for the new settlement,” said the lavender and yellow-colored Ulax.

  “The Queens want us to claim each other’s brothers and rule the new Circuli settlement while providing heirs through our Favored. This would guarantee the settlement won’t become unruly or a drain on the Aldawi resources,” explained the female Ulax representative.

  “Hold up,” Selena barked. “Let me get this straight. The Circuli Queens banished both Prince V’dim and Prince Z’fir because they refused to be split up and forced to take separate nestqueens. Then the princes spent five years searching for a habitable planet—after they and their crew spent years helping the Aldawi get rid of the Yaarkins—and when they are finally offered a place to settle as a reward for rescuing me, you both are demanding to take it all away?

  “I don’t know if you heard, since it seems like this important part of the news didn’t reach you, but I am the owner of the moon.” Selena pointed at her chest. “Me. Only Prince Zirene—to whom I am the Seedbearer and Mate—Prince Royak, the Heir to the Aldawi Throne, and the Aldawi Sovereign have the power to overthrow me. This means you can’t do a thing, and the CEG would be wrong to step into your petty power play.”

  Both Circuli females screeched in anger as the males behind them fumed.

  “How dare you speak to us like this!” yelled the Ulax female.

  “Do you know who we are?” demanded the Wudox.

  “I am assuming when you stated the princes were your brothers that would automatically make you princesses. If you are trying to take over a small settlement, I can also assume you both are not the next in line to be Queen, and with being off-planet, which isn’t something Circuli like to be, you both have to be low in the line of succession to be desperate enough to try to get your greedy hands on an opportunity to be a ruler, no matter how tiny the territory may be,” Selena chuckled.

  The chamber went wild, voices flooding the room.

  “Chamber Master! Are you going to let that… that uncivilized barbarian speak that way to us?” screamed the Wudox.

  Selena crossed her arms and watched the princesses with a smirk on her face.

  Shock flooded him.

  The Circuli representatives were low-ranking princesses who wanted to rule over their new settlement? Somehow Selena saw straight through them and spoiled their plans. Pride filled Odelm at her observations.

  “Silence!” The Chamber Master yelled, raising his glowing magenta arms into the air. “I don’t know what has gotten into everyone, but I will not allow any more interruptions in this chamber. Anyone who decides to speak out of turn will be thrown out and denied their voting rights until further notice.”

  Odelm’s tentacles shifted from the sudden outburst. His urge to pull Selena behind him and protect her burned within him. He gripped the edge of his waist petal, allowing the bite of the blade to keep him in the present and prevent him from reaching out to her.

  The chamber quieted.

  He could feel the weight of thousands of gazes on him. Normally, it wouldn’t bother him, for he always got lost playing his music and never focused on the crowd he was performing for, but this was different—there was no instrument for him to hide behind. Even though he wasn’t the center of attention—not this time—Selena was, and he could feel his nervousness spike.

  Whatever got into Selena and made her vocal about her opinions made him wary. Was she taking her anger toward them out on the representatives? He was inexperienced with this chamber, and he didn’t have the courage or carelessness to speak out aggressively toward the Assembly.

  “Thank you, Chamber Master,” Selena said loudly, eliminating the princesses’ chances to speak first and control the floor. She stepped toward the Circuli desk. “Destima is mine.” She stopped a short distance from the Aldawi table, looking up at the princesses’ station behind them. “What are your names?”

  “Ayoza, eighth Ulax princess of Circul.”

  “Rixta, ninth Wudox princess of Circul.”

  “Okay, Princess Ayoza and Princess Rixta, you both just earned the privilege of being the first to be placed on my banned list. I don’t want either of you in Destima space.” Selena turned toward her party and glared at Zirene. “See to it. I don’t want power-hungry females trying to undermine me and cause problems on the moon I earned.”

  “You can’t do that! The stability of the colonization would be in jeopardy. It is unnatural for males to lead. They don’t have the capabilities to govern, being the inferior gender!” Rixta exclaimed.

  Selena turned toward the hostile female, her cape fluttering behind her.

  “The Queens should have thought about that before they exiled their sons. From what I saw, they were completely capable of managing their ship full of a thousand crew members, so why can’t they do the same on land? Or is it because they want to be together, not separated by the wishes of the nestqueens they would be forced to have? That is exactly what you both want to do, and I won’t allow it.”

  “What are you saying? That you would be a better nestqueen than us? You are an abomination. You are as unnatural as the nestmates you claimed and will never be equal to true Circuli nestqueens,” Ayoza mocked.

  Selena jerked her head up. “You are right. I would never be like the both of you or any Circuli nestqueens. I don’t want to be. Not after what I was told about how the nestmates can be treated.” Glancing over her shoulder, she eyed the Circuli princes. “Prince V’dim, Prince Z’fir, come over here, if you would, please.”

  Odelm watched in confusion as the princes jerked forward from their resting position and walked over to stand next to Selena.

  What was she up to?

  “Thank you,” she said, studying both males. “I am giving you two options. If you don’t want to do either, I will not take offense if you don’t take my offer, and I am sorry for wasting your time.”

  Prince V’dim nodded as Prince Z’fir said, “We understand.”

  “You once told me you wanted to either find new nestqueens to create a new royal line for your colony or change how you govern your species by elevating someone else as the leader. What if I can do both for you?” she asked softly. “Would you rather bind yourselves to these princesses and be separated from each other? Or bind yourselves to me, join my clan, and have me as your nestqueen? It’s undetermined if I can provide you both heirs—or daughters—but we would have years to try. If not, we can figure something out when the time comes. That would allow both of you the freedom to continue to lead your crew without worrying about ever being separated. Through me, you would be protected as members of my clan, settling on my land through a political bonding as many species in the CEG do.”

  V’dim gripped Z’fir’s arm, gripping him tightly.

  “Really? You would honor us?” Z’fir ga
sped.

  “Why would I lie?” Selena’s expression softened. “You deserve to be together, and I am the answer to your problems… as it seems I am for many others.”

  “Selena,” V’dim breathed. “We would be honored to join your clan and take you as our nestqueen.”

  “You can’t do that!” Rixta shrieked.

  “Chamber Master, do something! You can’t allow her to corrupt any more citizens of CEG. She has already turned three males to her side, one of them the second prince of the Aldawi Empire. She can’t be allowed to continue!” Ayoza demanded.

  The Chamber Master stood up and chuckled, his lavender glass-like wings flaring open, and crossed his arms. A smile crossed his face as his magenta glow flared.

  “The Assembly has no right to interfere with this… complaint. No laws are being broken. You wasted everyone’s time with this pettiness.”

  “But—”

  “No. Selena has argued and defended her stance. If both princes want to bind themselves to her, they are within their rights to do so. Neither of you is going to ruin that.”

  In an instant, Selena grabbed both princes by their arms and pulled them close. She gripped V’dim’s face and pulled him down to meet hers. Their lips met. His tentacles came alive and wrapped themselves around her, holding her close. V’dim shuddered as his coloring kept shifting from his normal dark blue to green excitement and light blue peace.

  The room watched in silence, awed by the display.

  Odelm yearned to hold her, knowing deep down, she was angry at them and stressed from the whole situation. He glanced over at Z’fir, whose facial expression was laced with worry… and jealousy?

  She dropped her hands and pulled away as she looked deeply into V’dim’s eyes. He nodded and slowly untangled himself from her.

  Without waiting for V’dim, Selena reached for Z’fir and pulled him close, sandwiching herself between both males.

  Selena smashed her mouth onto Z’fir’s and gripped his leafy hair. A moan escaped him as his vines wrapped around the three of them. Both males’ appendages entangled themselves around the three of them, holding them tightly together.

  Odelm watched his nestqueen claim both princes. The joyous moment felt cheapened by the situation. They weren’t within the walls of their clan’s land—or anywhere private.

  No. She engaged in something sacred in front of the whole Assembly and the crowd above.

  Something deep inside him burned.

  What was this feeling?

  Letting go of his waist blade, he rubbed his chest to try to alleviate the pain to no avail.

  Was she replacing them?

  “Why do you think that?” Xylo asked, concerned.

  “How can we compete with the princes? They look like traditional Circuli males and are more powerful than us. What use would she have for us, now that she has them?” Odelm replied sadly.

  “You dare question our nestqueen? She has mentioned multiple times she would never have any Favored. Do you truly believe she has changed her mind? That she has replaced us?” Xylo questioned.

  “How do you know this isn’t punishment for what we did? She just gave them the right to produce hatchlings with her. She hasn’t brought up hatchlings with me. Has she discussed it with you?”

  “I believe she is angry with us, but I don’t believe this is some punishment. She isn’t like Circuli nestqueens. Remember that. That is why we both fell for her so fast. It is not in her nature to do such a thing, even with her inexperience and ignorance about social norms.”

  “We have been in this chamber for far too long,” Odelm complained.

  “I feel the same, nestbrother. I am ready for us to have our connection with Selena unblocked. I want to be able to hear her thoughts and sense her feelings once again and explain to her why we didn’t warn her.” Xylo glanced over and gently touched Odelm’s chest. “You are bleeding, nestbrother.”

  Odelm looked down at his hand. His fingers had cuts that were already healing. The blue blood had dried up.

  When did that happen?

  “They are mine… You can’t have them. No one can. Once I complete the bond, and I will soon, it will be permanent,” Selena promised. “Don’t worry. I know how to please a male… My nestmates have no complaints.”

  The Chamber Master clapped his hands.

  “There have been no laws broken. The complaint against you has been deemed invalid. The Assembly has no right to interfere with the domestic relations of Selena’s clan or the management of the Aldawi Empire. I don’t believe there are any new complaints here. If I am correct, then I would like to end this session… which seems more like a personal attack on Selena than a respectable trial.”

  “I beg to differ, if I may, Master Chamber,” a bright cyan and white male Quaww said.

  A chill traveled along Odelm’s spine.

  “Go on.”

  “How is it fair for the Aldawi to keep all the new technology they gathered from the Yaarkin? We should have access to any new findings. Isn’t that part of the reason for the CEG?” the male Quaww representative asked.

  “You are wrong,” Zirene growled. “Any new technology was shared among the CEG when we were all fighting the Yaarkin as a united front. When the CEG decided they had defeated the Yaarkin—even though there was evidence there were still stragglers in the galaxy—they disbanded their hunt. I had to spend both Aldawi and personal resources to finish getting rid of the Yaarkin because no one other than our secondary species wanted to help us clear what was left of them. Everyone believed they were no longer a concern because they were in the Aldawi territory, and not their own.” Zirene walked up and stood next to Selena and his new nestbrothers. “Now tell me, what right does the CEG have to anything we found in our own territory after the CEG abandoned us to handle it on our own?”

  The male Quaww representative smirked. “That may be true, but we, the Quaww, believe it is odd you went out of your way to build a… sanctuary for the collection of demi-humans you have gathered, giving a select few free reins of the Aldawi territory as a super-soldier division, only to make one your Seedbearer and create offspring by her as an experiment, not knowing what the ramifications would be. What you are doing is dangerous to the safety of the CEG. You are allowing this female… Selena… to be the leader of the demi-humans by gifting her the moon they are stationed on.” He chuckled. “The one being who could help all of CEG’s troubles is tucked away with others like her, away from the rest of the galaxy. How do we know you would not create a super race to enslave and use the technology you discovered to conquer the galaxy?”

  Zirene laughed, his deep bellows echoing through the chamber.

  “Those are some accusations you have. Some could say they are war-declaring statements. I have no desire to rule the Aldawi Empire. Why would I want to start a galactic war only to govern? Makes no sense.” Zirene leaned over and grabbed Selena’s hand, bringing her to him and wrapping his arm around her shoulder. She flinched in response before he pulled her close. “I rescued those demi-humans. I created a home for them, with jobs they can be proud of—with no fear that we would take advantage of them. Selena will not be dragged into whatever you are trying to accomplish. I will see to it.” He stared at the Chamber Master. “I will not allow anyone else to bully Selena on this floor.”

  The Chamber Master nodded and looked over to the Quaww representatives.

  “Is there anything else you want to state regarding your complaint?”

  The Quaww representative ruffled his feathers. “A war is not what the Quaww is looking for, but rather access to the new technology and a place on Selena’s research team. We want to help make new discoveries—and be present when they are made. I believe that is a fair request for the current circumstances.”

  Odelm watched as Zirene looked down at Selena, who jerked her chin up.

  “If you believe any of your healers and scientists can make my research team, then be my guest. But I am not going to hand out sp
ots randomly to those who don’t deserve it,” she taunted, her voice ringing loudly in the chamber’s silence.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Selena

  The doors couldn’t open fast enough.

  As soon as they parted, I jetted out, not caring about leaving the rest behind me.

  “Do you want me to unmute you from your nestmates? Or do you want silence?” Mwe asked gently.

  “What do you think?” I shot back as I exited the chamber.

  “I think you need some time to yourself after what just happened, but I won’t keep you locked down if you want to be free.”

  “Wait until I tell you, please. I do not want to have to deal with four nestmates trying to read me and control my emotions. I know it’s a part of their biology to comfort me, but now is not the time,” I replied, walking into the General Assembly Lobby.

  A wide variety of species made up the huge crowd, waiting for me. The sounds of multiple conversations filled the room as they made their way out to continue their daily lives… or whatever they would do for the rest of the day since the excitement of watching me scramble had long passed.

  Multiple shouts of my name voiced behind me made members of the aimless mob pause and look toward me.

  Great. Thanks for putting attention on me. Fucking males.

  I pulled up the hood on my cape and changed directions, ducking between a few members of an equine species I had never seen before, trying to get away.

  It would have been nice if I could, but my bond threads would lead them to me.

  I could sense them gaining on me, and fast, but I didn’t know what else to do. I didn’t want to confront them in public. I needed time to think and go over what the Stars happened in the chamber before I could reconcile anything.

  The nearest exit was in sight. All I needed to do was get to the Royal Aldawi Apartments, so I could be alone with the cubs and away from the males who had failed me.

  Air shifted next to me as a familiar furry paw grabbed my hand, jerking me to a stop. A hiss escaped my lips as I tried to yank my hand away, to no avail.