Compile (Project: Adapt #6)
Chapter 1
1
Selena
D rifting in the tranquility of my private villa pool, the lavender water cradled me like a bed filled with the softest silk sheets. Lazily, I floated on the water’s surface, my gaze fixed on the early morning sky. Aldawi’s new capital—a stunning purple, silver, and black marbled sphere—watched over us as it hung majestically in the air, glinting against the dawning light of the binary sunrise. The contrasting hues painted a breathtaking tableau in the cosmos, a sight that would forever awe me.
A golden mental web stretched over the sky, a hazy, shimmering cage that was as beautiful as it was confining. Destima’s Circuli mental network pressed relentlessly against my mind’s shields.
A network I was now in charge of, willingly.
Sighing softly, I closed my eyes, surrendering to the strange serenity of the moment. The network was a cage, yes, but it was one I had chosen.
It was a sacrifice made to protect my people, my friends, those I had come to care about on my moon.
A way for me to do my part in the grand scheme of things and lead our empire in ways Zirene couldn’t. A small step toward my goal to lead by his side, as an equal, soon.
A familiar presence nudged against my consciousness, a powerful male entity that was both alien and familial. Mwe, the influential being who’d taken me under his protection, had become the parental figure I’d never had. His mental touch was gentle, filled with a deep, unyielding affection, something that I’d grown accustomed to.
“ Hello, daughter .” His thoughts whispered in my mind, the concern in his voice as palpable as the warmth of the rising suns on my skin. “ All is well ?”
A soft smile tugged at my lips as I dropped my hand into the water and let my mental walls slip, welcoming the male who would soon determine my future plans.
“ As well as it can be ,” I pathed, instinctively locking his black-magenta mental thread with mine in a welcoming embrace. “ It’s been a while. There was a brief moment when I thought I might never return home to those I love. ”
“I’ve heard whispers .” His tone hinted that he knew more than he was willing to admit. “It appears that the Fates favor you and your clan.”
“Do you consider what happened to us a blessing?” I countered, perplexed as to why he thought so.
“Daughter, when you live as long as I have, you appreciate the finer things that others may take for granted,” he pathed softly, his tone lacking any harshness. “You have what others only dream of: loving mates, healthy offspring, and unimaginable wealth and power.”
“You know that wealth and power mean nothing to me,” I retorted, taken aback by what he was implying. “I came from nothing and was raised on nothing but the knowledge given to me. I only care deeply about my clan and my people.”
“But you still use your current position to your advantage.”
“I use it to help others,” I corrected, wondering why he was lecturing me over such a long distance when he was supposed to arrive later today. “Like the refugees I’d like to take in.”
“Which is the main reason why I’m coming to visit this moon of yours.”
“I thought it was to take a much-needed vacation and to visit your daughters?” I countered teasingly. “Being stuck on a space station with no place to stretch your wings and take flight must be exhausting.”
“It was supposed to be a relaxing visit, but alas, duty calls, even when I try to avoid it.” His mental voice had a slight strain to it, making him sound almost tired. “When both of my daughters summon me, I come, regardless of the consequences.”
“And I can’t thank you enough for answering my plea.”
“I sense a strong psychic mind, similar to the one who attacked you, as well as a few other interesting ones that I can’t wait to investigate,” he mused, sending a mental chuckle through our connection. “You like keeping things interesting for me, by surrounding yourself with powerful males. I can’t wait to see how you keep them all in line around you.”
“Believe me, it’s not easy, especially with Zirene and Kaede not liking two of my Ambassadors. They only tolerate each other on my behalf,” I grumbled, already tired of Kaede wanting to fight Zyxel whenever he looked at me for too long. “Perhaps things will settle down with them once you’ve approved of them, but I doubt it, because I’m currently pregnant.”
“Congratulations! I’ve heard the news from Oeta, but I was waiting for you to mention it before I brought it up.” He sent a wave of joy through our connection. “I assume Kaede is the sire?”
“How did you know? Were you told that too?”
“I could sense his conflicting thoughts about his upcoming heat when you visited the space station,” he explained. “It’s not my place to comment or interfere, especially on such an intimate biological issue. But yes, Oeta has kept me up to date on the goings-on in our galaxy, including what happened with the events centered on you.
“I’d have been more surprised if you hadn’t returned pregnant…I still am, but not because of what you may think, but because of the presence that I sense within you, aiding you with this mental connection with me.”
“What you’re sensing is my Oetsae,” I explained. “Vowels is responsible for saving me. His species’ existence is a secret from the universe, and both he and Zirene would like to keep it that way.”
“It appears you have many secrets, Selena, but we will have to wait until I arrive before I request that you share more of them.”
“And when will that be?”
“After your midday meal.”