Chapter 23
23
Selena
A s we entered the atmosphere of the desert planet Liskta, I pressed my face against the window, eyes wide with awe. The vessel vibrated gently as it pierced through the thin clouds, revealing the stunning landscape below.
A city came into view, its grandeur stealing my breath away. A sprawling, elegant palace crowned the top of a plateau, a masterpiece of marble and sandstone gleaming in the sunlight, blending seamlessly with the surrounding futuristic technology.
A winding slope led down to crystal blue-purple waters surrounded by a three-tiered city with majestic stairway paths beneath water aqueducts, creating an intricate, shimmering network.
Farms blanketed the back of the plateau, nourished by the aqueducts that snaked through the city. They spread like a lush tapestry, their vibrant greenery contrasting starkly with the arid surroundings.
Near the waterfront, an impressive oval arena stood as a testament to Aldawi architecture. It was surrounded by large docks bustling with activity.
All the biggest buildings of the city framed a central courtyard, where I could see small cubs running about while their mothers watched from shaded patios offering respite from the desert suns. Large trees with colorful canopies provided ample shade along the walkways and public spaces which were organized by color. I wondered if the color-coding was some sort of way to determine addresses or districts.
As we flew closer, I was amazed by the harmony of luxury, elegance, and natural stone, all complemented by the modern technology that supported life in the futuristic, coastal desert city.
We landed on the royal docks near the arena, where a crowd of Aldawi awaited us.
Kaede stood by his vessel, the Abyss , in the docking spot one over, standing out in the crowd, his vigilant eyes tracking our ship. His lethal presence was reassuring despite the nerves fluttering in my stomach.
Zirene held me close, his arm possessively around my waist, his tail hooked around my leg. “Everything will be okay,” he murmured in my ear, his voice a comforting rumble. “And if it isn’t, I’ll be beside you the whole way.”
Z’fir and V’dim stood behind me, projecting silent strength as my Circuli princes and royal consorts.
B and Q, dressed in their black assassin robes similar to Kaede’s older Fab Five style but with hoods, entered the boarding lounge. B tilted her head, exposing her neck in a gesture of respect. “Are we ready?”
Zirene nodded, a pleased rumble escaping him. “Yes, I am ready to show the Aldawi females their Beacon.”
Q commanded the system, “Open the ramp.”
As it lowered with a hiss, I sucked in a deep breath, facing the large crowd—a sea of fur under colorful transparent robes.
Zirene grabbed my hand with his paw, raising it high as he announced in a booming voice, “I am your Sovereign Zirene Darcaw, and this is your Beacon, Selena Darcaw, Queen of Destima and mother of my cubs, the future of the Aldawi Empire.”
As one, the crowd bowed, exposing their necks. We walked down the ramp, silence enveloping us. Zirene lowered my hand as Kaede announced our companions’ names as they exited the royal transport one by one.
No gasps or murmurs followed the announcement of my ambassadors. The female Aldawi were either skilled at hiding their reactions or too stunned by our presence to react.
All I could do was scan the crowd searching eagerly for any sign of my cubs. My heart pounded with anticipation and a hint of anxiety, hoping to catch a glimpse of their familiar faces among the sea of Aldawi.
A series of cries and shouts of “Mom!” and “Mother!” echoed across the docks. The sea of colorful robes and fur parted, revealing three familiar dark figures racing toward me. My heart leaped into my throat.
Meti, my silver and dark-gray striped daughter, moved gracefully on her hind legs, her elegant robe flowing behind her. Flanking her were my twin sons, Nocrez and Neazzos, their black and dark-blue striped fur a blur as they bounded on all fours, their kilts and capes like their father’s.
Tears streamed down my face, blurring my vision as I cried out, my voice breaking with emotion. “Meti! Nocrez! Neazzos!”
I ran toward them, my steps hurried and desperate, my arms outstretched. The world around me dissolved into a blur of colors and sounds; nothing mattered but the sight of my children.
We met halfway, crashing into each other with a force that knocked the breath out of me.
I dropped to my knees just as they reached me, their momentum nearly knocking me over. We collided in a tangle of limbs and fur, their warm bodies pressing against mine. My graceful daughter threw her arms around my neck, her grip tight and fierce. My twin sons wrapped their strong arms around me, their purrs vibrating against my chest.
I wrapped my arms around them, holding them as tightly as I could, as if I could make up for all the lost time in this single embrace.
“I missed you so much, Mom!” Meti cried, her voice muffled against my shoulder. Her fur was soft and warm, a comforting reminder of home. I buried my face in her hair, inhaling the familiar scent, feeling the weight of months of separation melt away.
“We thought about you every day, Mother!” Nocrez said, his voice cracking with emotion.
I pulled back slightly, my hands cupping their faces, my thumbs wiping away their tears. They had grown so much, now standing nearly as tall as me. Time had passed so quickly. Their muscular yet sleek frames and the intensity in their eyes showed how many experiences they had gathered in my absence.
“I’ve missed you all more than words can say,” I choked out, my voice trembling. “Every single day, I thought of you, and now look at you, my beautiful cubs. You’ve grown so much!”
“We’ve been counting the days until you came back.” Meta smiled through her tears, her eyes sparkling. “We’ve been practicing our lessons and training with the others. Liskta is amazing, but it wasn’t the same without you and our clanfathers.”
“We’ve been training hard, Mother. We want to make you proud.” Nocrez nodded eagerly, his eyes wide with excitement. “We have so much to show you!”
“We’ve been learning new skills and making new friends, and we’ve explored the city with Mentor Pavryn and Healer Vikvez.” Neazzos grinned, his tail flicking back and forth. “But all we wanted was for you to be here with us.”
“I can’t wait to see and do everything with you.” I laughed through my tears, hugging them tighter—my heart swelling with pride and love. “I’m already so proud of you. Just seeing you, hearing your voices, feeling your arms around me—all I want is to hold you close and never let go.”
We stayed like that for a moment, wrapped in each other’s arms, the world around us forgotten. Their familiar scents filled my senses, a soothing balm to my aching heart. I stroked their fur, marveling at how big they’d gotten, at how much I had missed. I was afraid that letting go would mean losing this precious moment.
Holding my cubs, I felt the overwhelming strength of their love envelop me. Their fierce deep need for reassurance was palpable. It was as if the months of separation had only intensified their emotions, making this reunion even more precious.
Meti stood out from the sea of colorful fur and fabric—she was the only silver-furred Aldawi. She wore a purple fabric that resembled the nightgowns I loved, a feminine combination of a bikini and a loincloth. Her crisscross top was equipped with a black hooded cape inlaid with purple jewels. She was a miniature version of her aunt Masmi and a feminine counterpart to Royak. Meti’s silver fur was a close enough shade to the Darcaw gray, making her appearance striking and regal.
Nocrez and Neazzos were the spitting image of their father, just not fully matured. They were bulkier than their sister, who was sleeker, but they all radiated the lethal, feline danger common with the Aldawi. Their eyes gleamed with intelligence and strength. They reflected the patterns, coloring, and characteristics of the royal Aldawi line. They were indeed Darcaws, with my silver touch.
“Mother, we missed you so much.” Meta’s eyes shone as her purple-jeweled hood glinted in the sunlight. “We trained every day, so we can make sure that no one can take you away from us again.”
I hugged them tighter, concerned that they felt responsible for protecting their own mother. “I know, my precious ones. And I promise I won’t leave you again. We’re together now, and nothing will tear us apart.” I kissed the top of Meti’s head, then looked at Nocrez and Neazzos. “We have so much to catch up on.”
The dense crowd parted to allow Masmi to step forward. Prince Royak and Mentor Pavryn stood at her sides, while Healer Vikvez trailed behind.
She raised her voice to address the gathered people of Liskta. “Greetings to the new Aldawi Beacon. It has been countless generations since a Beacon has set foot on this land. I am honored to welcome you and hope that this signals the beginning of many more visits.”
My cubs released their hold on me, standing tall at my sides, their tails wrapping protectively around me. We faced the crowd together. Their warmth and strength were a comforting anchor amidst the sea of faces.
Masmi, Prince Royak, Mentor Pavryn, and Healer Vikvez formed a line before us. One by one, they bowed deeply, exposing their necks in a gesture of submission and respect.
They were showing me that I ruled over them —on full public display.
Zirene stepped forward, his presence commanding and fierce, his aura radiating authority. His gaze swept over the gathered crowd, challenging anyone who might dare to defy our unified front. He placed a protective paw on Meti and wrapped his arm around me, drawing me close.
“My people,” he began, his voice resonating with power as it carried over the crowd. “Today marks a new era for the Aldawi Empire. Change is upon us, and with it comes unity and strength. We stand together as one, bound by our shared purpose and vision for a prosperous future.”
He paused, his eyes locking onto Masmi, Royak, Pavryn, and Vikvez. “I want to express my deepest gratitude to my family—those who bow before us. Your unwavering support and dedication have been invaluable. You have helped my clan in our most dire times, and for that, I am eternally grateful. Without your aid, we may not be here today.”
Zirene continued, his tone softening as he looked down at me. “And to our Beacon, Selena, who has brought light and hope to my life and our people’s future. Because of her, I stand before you, not just as your Sovereign but as a father, a mate, and a leader dedicated to our future. With her by my side, I promise to lead with honor and to protect our people.”
Zirene grabbed my hand and lifted it in the air. “Together.”
The crowd began to cheer, the sound rising like a wave, washing over us. I felt their acceptance, their belief in us…
One by one, the four who knelt before us stood and joined our united front.
Surrounded by our people—with my clan, family, and friends beside us—I knew that this was just the beginning.