Chapter 25
25
Zirene
Z irene hovered near Selena as they rode on the royal shuttle to Masmi’s palace, perched atop a majestic plateau overlooking Liskta’s capital.
The vessel lazily flew above the city, showcasing its grandeur. The sprawling desert coastal city sparkled below, its buildings a harmonious blend of elegant marble and sandstone. Sunlight glinted off the crystal blue-purple waters that lapped at the edges of the city, where the arena, docks, and hangar sat near the entertainment district. A network of water aqueducts wound their way through the bustling three-tiered city cascading down the slope, leading to lush farms on the plateau’s rear. Large, stately buildings surrounded a central courtyard where cubs played under the shade of colorful canopies and trees bustling with fruits and nuts for the citizens to snack on while they traversed the city.
Selena’s laughter echoed through the shuttle as she listened to their cubs flooding her with excited stories. Zirene felt a swell of pride and contentment.
Finally, their family was reunited. He hoped to keep it that way once they returned from the CEG Headquarters. He envisioned Selena enjoying the serene life of motherhood, safe and cherished, while she stayed out of harm’s way for the remainder of her pregnancy.
However, he couldn’t shake his unease at Kaede and Zyxel’s absence. He prayed to the Stars that Kaede hadn’t killed the serpent, but he was relieved that no scene had erupted. Their absence had become apparent only when they boarded the shuttle.
As they flew, Zirene extended his senses, feeling the presence of tens—maybe hundreds—of thousands of Aldawi shadows within Liskta’s capital. The strongest of these shadows were onboard the vessel.
Oddly enough, he didn’t feel threatened by their presence; there was no challenge to him. His shadow was satisfied, for now.
Hopefully, it would remain so throughout the whole Harvest Festival.
Masmi stepped beside him, and they watched Selena sitting with his cubs for a brief moment. Sensing his sister’s desire for a private conversation, Zirene stepped away from his family—knowing that they were safe on the shuttle. They settled in an open corner sitting area, keeping his family in eyesight.
His clanbrothers, V’dim and Z’fir, were speaking with Tori and her clan, playing their role well by entertaining his Beacon’s ambassadors. Ryzen, Mwe, and Oeta were engaged in conversation with Royak, Pavryn, and Vikvez.
“Thank you for bringing Selena here instead of having me drop the cubs off on Destima,” Masmi said, her tone warm. “Her presence here means a lot to my citizens. Presenting her the way you did showed how much better you are than our late sire.”
“Unfortunately, that’s a low bar, but I’ll welcome the compliment. It’s in my best interest to show the female Aldawi that I truly support change—I want unity between the genders if we are going to survive for many generations to come.” Zirene sighed, combing his hair back as he held his sister’s mauve gaze. A genuine smile touched his lips. “I am no good at this no matter how hard I try…but I want to thank you once again for caring for our cubs, Masmi.”
“It was a great honor.” Masmi’s eyes shone with reverence as she bowed her head, exposing her neck. “They are welcome any time, Sovereign.”
“I’d like them to visit Liskta often,” Zirene said, glancing at his cubs. “To surround them with cubs their age until they enter the Academy.”
“You know they are always welcome. Same goes for the Beacon and her royal consorts.” Masmi’s eyes softened. “How is the pregnancy going? I noticed she didn’t bring her healing team with her.”
Zirene nodded toward Oeta. “Oeta is a trained healer. Xylo gave her a check-up before we left, so she shouldn’t need anything.”
“This is a hot and arid planet,” Masmi said, concern threading her voice. “From what I’ve been told, she’s never been in this kind of climate. It’s even hard on our pregnant citizens at times. Who knows how it will affect her, so please don’t hesitate to ask for help.”
Zirene frowned, his protective instincts flaring. “I will mention it to the clan. The last thing I want is for my Beacon to put herself and our unborn daughter in danger because she’s too busy trying to catch up on all the time she’s missed with our cubs.”
Masmi placed a reassuring hand on his arm. “You’re doing well, Brother. Just make sure she knows it’s okay to ask for help. We’re all here for her, for all of you.”
Zirene nodded, appreciating his sister’s words. He felt a deep sense of responsibility and love for his family, vowing to protect them with every fiber of his being. And yet, he was the Aldawi Sovereign—it was his duty to also protect his people against threats from nearby empires like the Quaww and outside forces like the ones Ryzen had warned of.
As the shuttle began its descent, the vessel circled the palace perched atop the plateau, offering a stunning view of its three wings. Each was equipped with private backyards adorned with colorful canopies, shimmering pools, and vibrant flora.
The shuttle gracefully touched down on the landing pad. Outside, Kaede stood tall beside Zyxel, waiting for them to disembark. Thank the Stars the serpent healer was alive, and Kaede hadn’t de-scaled him.
Masmi stepped forward, her voice warm and welcoming. “My servants will escort everyone to their rooms in the royal wing,” she announced with a playful smile. “I had to remodel the Beacon’s room and combine it with the Sovereign’s room to make space for the clan’s nestbed.”
“Where will my ambassadors and guests stay?” Selena stood as she tried to free herself from her cubs’ embrace. “And will I be near my children?”
“The royal wing splits into two sections, joining in one large common room.” Masmi gestured gracefully. “The royal family, including your cubs, stays in the royal suites, where Royak and I reside. Our honorable guests stay on the other side.”
“We’ll show you your room, Mother,” Nocrez chimed in.
“And give you a gift we made!” Neazzos added, bubbling with excitement.
Masmi smiled at their enthusiasm. “Dinner will be at sunset in the main dining room. Everyone is welcome.”
As the shuttle’s ramp lowered, they began to disembark. Masmi led the way, followed by the cubs. Zirene wrapped his arm around Selena’s waist, feeling her warmth against him. His clanbrothers trailed closely behind, with Royak and the others bringing up the rear.
As Zirene locked eyes with Kaede, he raised an eyebrow. Kaede tilted his head toward Zyxel and then scratched his ear—a signal that they needed to talk about the serpent male. Zirene nodded and jerked his head toward the villa, indicating they would speak later.
Masmi’s servants, efficient and unobtrusive, began guiding the guests to their designated rooms. Zirene took note of their sheer silver-hooded robes accented with royal purple and black. The design, common among his people, emphasized elegance and simplicity while protecting the user from the harsh elements.
Selena’s eyes sparkled with anticipation as she followed the cubs, their excitement contagious. Zirene kept a protective arm around Selena, his senses alert, scanning the surroundings. Female guards, dressed in royal purple versions of the maids’ servants, were positioned discreetly but effectively.
The grandeur of the villa was breathtaking. He committed its features to memory so that he could mimic the architecture in the capital he was building on Lunkai.
The halls were adorned with vidscreens displaying images of past Beacons in their glory, their noble visages looking down with a serene yet commanding presence—a testament to the power and honor of their lineage. The walls and floors were crafted from white marble with a purple tint, highlighting the Aldawi royal colors. The elegance was palpable, each detail meticulously designed to reflect the pride and heritage of the Aldawi people.
Workers bowed their heads, exposing their necks to both Zirene and Selena, their gazes focused on her with reverence. These females—his people—looked at his Beacon as if she were part of the royal bloodline. There was no hatred, no skepticism—only curiosity and admiration.
It was as if they recognized the truth: Selena wasn’t an Aldawi, but she was worthy of the title of Beacon.
Masmi led them into the royal family’s wing. The children ran to their rooms, chattering excitedly about the gifts they had to fetch. Selena’s cheeks were flushed, and her eyes sparkled as she watched them go, her love for them evident in the way she held their paws tightly before letting go.
When they reached the door to their suite, Masmi turned to them with a warm smile. “This is your room, Selena. I hope you find it comfortable and to your liking.”
Masmi opened the door, revealing a space designed with understated grandeur and comfort in mind.
The room was spacious and elegantly decorated, with a large nestbed draped in luxurious fabrics, a sitting area with plush furniture, and a balcony overlooking the stunning landscape of Liskta. The air was filled with a subtle, soothing fragrance. The view of the city below, with its vibrant colors and bustling activity, was breathtaking.
Zirene watched Selena as she took in their new surroundings, her eyes widening in awe. He felt a swell of pride and love.
This was a sanctuary—a place designed for their unique clan, where they could be together away from the comforts of his Beacon’s villa.
“We’ll let you settle in,” Masmi said, bowing slightly before leaving the room. “Dinner will be at sunset. Enjoy your time with the children.”