Chapter 9
9
Odelm
P ride filled him as he followed his nestqueen into the villa. She had reached for his hand out of all his clanbrothers.
Not because she wanted comfort or his help calming her nerves—she appeared serene with only slightly heightened stress levels.
Even so, he would give her all the support she needed, for she had brought life into his own, bathing him with her love, and only wanted to be loved in return.
Odelm wouldn’t lie to himself—his hyper fixation on Selena wasn’t normal. He’d even caught stray comments from his nestbrothers confirming as much. And yet, nothing about this clan had ever been normal.
His bondbrother had told him that his drive to sire offspring with their nestqueen was in part because he’d been a severed male when she’d accepted him, and partly because her unique abilities somehow altered them all, naturally heightening some of their biological impulses.
He knew it was something that he needed to reflect on. It wasn’t normal for a Circuli to be so possessive.
If Selena decided that she was done having children, then he would accept her decision, even if it meant never having the chance to fulfill his dreams. She had been raised without control over her own body. Now that she did have bodily autonomy, he wasn’t going to take that away from her.
He would rather lose his limbs all over again.
Glancing at his nestqueen, Odelm smiled at her spots, which matched her aura—an excited green. Her happiness spilled through to him through their connection and joined hands, making him want to keep her in this state all day.
She deserved happiness and wore it well.
The front doors opened, revealing the inner sanctuary. It was the heart of Selena’s villa, a grand social area where all of the building’s four wings met.
Above him, the vast glass dome ceiling revealed a sky painted in mid-afternoon hues, where Lunkai—the purple, black, and silver marbled planet housing the future Aldawi capital—peered down at them, always watching.
The centerpiece of the expansive space was a large pool, filled with glistening lavender water. Plush lounge chairs were arranged surrounding the pool, inviting relaxation and conversation and providing a comfortable place to listen when he played in his music room.
The air was filled with a soft, floral fragrance from the exotic blooms near the grassy corners that bordered the area. Selena loved the natural spaces, bringing a slice of nature with her even while inside the confines of the villa.
As soon as they walked through the doors, the ambassadors who were lounging nearby stood at attention.
Zyxel, the serpent male with horns similar to Kaede’s, uncoiled from his position near the infirmary and lowered the vidtablet in his hands, placing it on the nearby table as he slithered toward Tori’s clan.
Ryzen’s eyes snapped open. He sat in a cross-legged position on the grass, his nine psydaggers hidden from sight. The emerald runes on his skin flared and dimmed in quick succession as he stood and flipped his long hair over his shoulder. His gaze fell on the guests behind them, and his lips pursed as if he were in a mental showdown with Mwe. Odelm shivered at the thought.
Tori’s Swynemi clan shifted to stand in front of her, as if they instinctively sensed the Nyaviel’s mental strength, even though Odelm could only feel a slight pressure from their direction.
He had Selena to thank for that—her mental shields reinforced his own. Ever since Selena took over Destima’s Circuli mental web and altered its form, her powers had only increased. He didn’t know if it was a result of her own strength or the Oetsae within her.
Odelm still didn’t know how he felt about Euouae, but it wasn’t his place to voice his concerns. The symbiont creature had indeed saved Selena from death—for that, he was forever thankful—but that didn’t mean he liked knowing there was a sentient being inside her, capable of controlling her if they wanted.
Every action came with consequences. Even saving the life of his nestqueen.
Odelm hoped that nothing nefarious would come of allowing Euouae to inhabit her. Only the Fates and Stars knew. She’d already paid the price—her scar and shortened hair remained as proof.
“To the left is my villa’s private infirmary, where Xylo and his healing team can work.” Selena released his hand and turned around, gesturing as she gave the tour. “The door to the right, closest to us, is the dining room, which is fully staffed all day and night to take care of your dietary needs. Also on the right, on the other side of the hall, that door leads to my clan’s wing and the guest wing. Your room is on the first floor with a private balcony. And here is Odelm’s music room. Often, you’ll hear him practicing a new instrument or have the pleasure of listening to a private performance. Behind the pair of doors straight across from us is the master suite, which is off limits to anyone outside my clan.”
“Understood,” Mwe confirmed as he stepped beside Selena and surveyed the sanctuary. “I’m honored to be welcomed into your home.” He gave her a quick bow. His wings fluttered as he held her gaze. “And whom am I meeting now?”
“These are my ambassadors, from the asteroid base where Kaede rescued me,” Selena replied, gesturing to them as they gathered beside her, their gazes fixated on her. “Tori is a pure human—one of many still left behind and in need of saving. She’s bonded to the three Swynemi males who are surrounding her.”
“I sense there’s something special about the blue one,” Mwe intoned, tilting his head and narrowing his eyes as he studied them. “His aura is unique…more so than most I’ve come across.”
“I’m a Cosmic Soul,” the blue-winged male announced, placing a hand in the middle of his chest. “My name is Celyze. I was gifted with the ability to hear the Stars and act as their voice.”
“A Star Scryer, huh?” Mwe stepped closer and offered Celyze his hand. “Tell me, did the Stars tell you about this meeting?”
“Father,” Oeta warned. “I’ve already vetted them. There’s no need to read him.”
“I want to know more about his powers.” Mwe twisted Celyze’s hand, palm down, and gave it a gentle shake. “And how accurate they are.”
Ryzen stepped in front of Tori’s clan and crossed his arms. His emerald runes suddenly came to life, glowing brightly. His steely gaze dared the Chamber Master to come any closer.
Odelm stood there alarmed, unsure about what to do about the two powerful males.
While Mwe was one of the most important beings in the galaxy, both in mental strength and position, Odelm had a feeling that Ryzen could stand his ground against the Nyaviel.
This was supposed to be a peaceful visit, and yet, these males had decided to put on a show. One that Odelm didn’t want to be a part of, nor did he want Selena to have to intervene.
Ryzen was challenging Mwe, who responded with mirth, as if he enjoyed testing him. Their powerful auras burned a tainted red, a spiritual show of their strength in a blazing dance.
The only auras that stood a chance against them were Selena’s gold, Zirene’s black, and Oeta’s fuchsia. The rest were drowned out by their blazing display. Each waited for the other to act first.
He had hoped the two males would be more respectful, especially as guests on Destima.
Though Odelm knew it was pointless, he stepped in front of his nestqueen in an effort to shield her. Not only was she pregnant, but she shouldn’t be the one to intervene between them. Let Oeta or Zirene stop the madness.
They didn’t know what either male could do. Odelm knew that Nyaviel had the telepathic strength to communicate across great distances. Both Mwe and Oeta’s psychic range reached to the galaxy’s borders, which was a testament of how powerful they were.
But Ryzen was the twin brother of Xenak, who had managed to attack Selena from very far away on the asteroid base. If Ryzen was capable of matching a Nyaviel’s strength, then that may cause problems for them in the future.
The base’s refugees were hiding from the wrath of the Verya, who ruled the galaxy Ryzen and the Swynemi had originated from. The Verya were ruthless dictators, closely following in the footsteps of the Yarrkins.
“As Celyze’s commander, and the one responsible for his wellbeing, I forbid you from trying to read him,” Ryzen demanded, lifting his chin sternly. “He’s not a criminal—none of us are. He doesn’t deserve to have his mind poked and prodded again, just because you’re curious about his ability and what he’s seen. We have proven ourselves to your daughter, therefore I don’t see why we need to go through a vetting procedure again.”
“My daughter does not hold an official CEG position,” Mwe clipped, ruffling his wings. “I do. While she was able to vet you enough to move freely on Selena’s land instead of waiting in a holding cell, she doesn’t have the power or connections in the Assembly to determine your fate in the rest of the galaxy.”
Ryzen stepped forward, his gaze unwavering as he lifted his hand out, boldly offering it to Mwe. “I’m not your enemy,” he growled out. “If your approval is the only thing standing between us and our freedom, then I will prove to you that we have nothing to hide.”
“I don’t believe you.” Mwe leaned forward and tilted his head, his magenta aura flared brighter. “There’s something about you that I can’t place.”
Ryzen let out a deep chuckle as his emerald runes brightened to match Mwe’s aura. “I guess there’s no use hiding them, especially since the others know of their existence.”
Sucking in a fast breath, Odelm felt the air change in the room as his empathic senses sharpened.
He watched in awe as the runes etched into Ryzen’s skin began to flare, glowing with an ethereal emerald light. His eyes widened as nine psydaggers, each with emerald-tipped handles, materialized from the runes themselves and started circling Ryzen in a mesmerizing dance. The telepathic weapons moved with a fluid grace, seemingly alive, reflecting the intensity in Ryzen’s eyes.
Without warning, Kaede materialized in a black blur behind Ryzen, with a psydagger already drawn and pressed firmly against his neck.
“You’re a fool.” Kaede’s voice, laced with a chilling calm, cut through the tension in the room. “Challenging the Assembly’s Chamber Master? He could wipe your mind in the blink of an eye, if I don’t end you right now.”
Suddenly, Selena surged forward, her will evident as she positioned herself between Mwe and Ryzen. “Enough,” she said. Her tone demanded obedience.
She reached out with fluid ease, firmly grasping both of their hands.
All three of them inhaled in unison.
The emerald and silver daggers halted their dance, clattering to the ground with a resonant sound. Simultaneously, Ryzen’s tattoos dimmed, and his eyes rolled back into his head as he fell. Mwe’s majestic wings drooped, his aura dimming as he collapsed beside Ryzen.
Selena’s legs gave out beneath her, but before she could hit the ground, Kaede materialized beside her, moving with the swiftness of a predator. His strong arms wrapped around Selena, preventing her from hitting the ground. With careful precision, Kaede lowered them both to the floor, kneeling between the two fallen males. Selena’s hands remained locked onto theirs, her grip firm even in unconsciousness.
The room fell silent while they all tried to process what had just happened.
Odelm’s hearts hammered in his chest as he tried to move forward, desperate to reach his fallen nestqueen. Each step felt heavy, as if the air itself resisted his progress.
“Stop!” Oeta commanded. Her sharp bark made him freeze in his tracks.
His gaze shifted to the winged female whose eyes were narrow with focus, watching the three unconscious bodies.
Kaede’s head snapped toward Oeta, his eyes blazing with urgency. “What is happening?” he demanded, his voice a growl of frustration and concern.
Oeta shook her head, her wings twitching in agitation. “I don’t know,” she admitted, her voice trembling slightly. “But I do know one thing—we can’t separate them. They must remain together.”
Odelm’s hands flexed anxiously as he peered at the trio on the ground. His hearts ached with helplessness, hating not being able to protect Selena.
Even though he was attuned to her emotions so intimately, he was lost now. He was a musician, not a healer, and certainly not someone who understood advanced psychic abilities.
His only comfort was that his connection to her was intact and calm, which meant she was still living and wasn’t in danger. At least, that was what he hoped for, Fates and Stars willing.
“They’re in a mental plane,” Zyxel explained, gesturing to the three fallen. “A place between death and life, dream and reality. Selena must’ve triggered it somehow.” He paused, his eyes darkening with a distant memory. “I just hope this isn’t a repeat of what happened to Ryzen when he used all of his energy in a spirit bomb.”