Chapter 34
34
Selena
I sank into the soft cushions on my ornate throne as I watched the intensity unfolding below.
The private pavilion offered a perfect view of the oval arena, where my three mates had been sparring all afternoon, their movements fluid and powerful, kicking up sand beneath their feet.
My gaze was fixed on Kaede, who stood at the center between Z’fir and V’dim, his posture relaxed, almost casual. His head flicked between the pair, assessing, calculating.
There was an energy to him, a barely restrained force that promised a swift victory.
This was Kaede at his most dangerous—but I couldn’t deny how deadly my warrior princes were, too.
Z’fir struck first, his vines shooting out like spears, aiming to ensnare his opponent. They moved with blinding speed, but Kaede was faster. He moved like liquid, his body a blur of motion as he evaded the vines with a graceful spin. With a swift swipe of his hand, he caught one of the vines, gripping it with such force that Z’fir hissed. With a sharp yank, he pulled him off balance. Before Z’fir could recover, Kaede released the vine, sending him sprawling back a step, growling in frustration.
V’dim was quick to capitalize on the distraction. His tentacles lashed out, whipping through the air like Earth’s serpents, each one aimed with deadly precision, curling around Kaede’s wrists, attempting to immobilize him.
Kaede anticipated the move, sidestepping the first tentacle and catching the second with his bare hand. He twisted his wrist, using V’dim’s momentum against him, but V’dim recovered quickly, his other tentacles lashing out in a flurry of strikes.
Kaede moved like a shadow, his body fluid and elusive, his every motion calculated and efficient. He spun low, avoiding V’dim’s strikes, and lunged forward, his hand striking out with lightning speed.
With a fluid turn, he swept V’dim’s legs out from under him, sending him crashing to the ground.
The impact reverberated through the arena, a low thud that echoed in my chest. My heart raced, and I leapt to my feet. My hand found the scar on my chest.
“I’m fine,” V’dim pathed sternly. “Worry not.”
Instantly, I pulled away, placing a veil over their mental doors, not wanting to distract them with my stray thoughts.
Kaede nodded, and the princes stiffened slightly, feeling our connections mute, but no one stopped their movements. Their attention was now fully on their sparring match.
“Your clanmates won’t hurt each other,” Vowels pathed as he materialized beside me. His long hair was pulled back into a high bun, and he was dressed in his favorite sleeveless vest and loose knee-high pants. His hands were tucked in his pockets as he leaned against the railing and gazed over his shoulder. “You need to believe in them and their capabilities. They know what they’re doing.”
“I know it’s not real , but I’m not used to seeing them sparring.” I frowned, lowering my hand and combing back my hair. “I know Kaede is lethal, and I’ve heard stories about the other two, but witnessing them…in the act…is completely different.”
“You surround yourself with deadly and virile males, Selena.” Vowels shook his head, grinning mockingly as he gestured to the scene below. “This is the life you’ve chosen. There’ll be more of this in the future.”
“I know. It would be foolish to expect anything else,” I muttered, gripping the railing as my gaze bounced, following the sparring match. “But what if it’s not enough?”
“What do you mean?” Dropping his hand, he tilted his head in my direction, his glowing golden eyes scanning mine. “What are you worried about?”
“I keep thinking about that prophecy. What if my clan is attacked and something happens to me,” I placed a palm on my stomach and looked down,” or my children, and no one’s around to defend us?”
“You have me.” Vowels placed his hand on mine, squeezing. “I’ll always be here to defend you and your clan.”
“And how are you going to do that?”
“I asked you before if you trusted me.”
“And I do,” I nodded, licking my lips. “With my life.”
“Now that you’ve been healed, I’ve placed my focus on observing…you, your unborn daughter, and those around you.” Releasing my hand, he stepped behind me and pointed to the scene below. “Including them. While you may not have tentacles or vines, your body is strong and fast enough to deal damage if needed. All you need is a little guidance.”
“You mean you would take over my body.”
Frowning, I tried to wrap my head around the idea. We were bound for life, and his survival was dependent on mine. It would be in his best interest to keep me alive and well. I trusted him not to misuse my body if he were to take over.
Gripping the railings on both sides, he caged me in, his body humming, tingling my skin wherever we touched. Slowly, he placed his head on my shoulder, his lips hovering near my ear. “You’ve given me permission before, but I’ve had no reason to take control so far. But know I will intervene if necessary. I’m capable of keeping you and those you love safe.”
“I understand,” I muttered, wincing as V’dim scored a hit, smacking his tentacle across Kaede’s face while he dodged Z’fir’s vine attack. Their movements whipped the sand into a flurry. “And I trust you with our wellbeing.”
“Just remember that it would only be temporary,” he explained softly, placing his hands on top of mine. His golden aura radiated a warmth that seemed to melt away any fleeting fears. “Controlling a host takes a lot of energy, and I wouldn’t be able to maintain that for long. Above all, any resistance from you will snap me back to my default observing state. I could never do anything without your consent.”
Vowels pressed his hand into mine, his golden aura spreading across my skin. “Just like you can’t control what the Stars will bring, I can’t predict or prevent every potential threat coming your way. But I’ll do my best to protect you and your clanmates, and to heal you when I can.”
“And I thank you for everything you’ve done. There’s no way my Favored could have healed as much as they have without your help. I could never repay you for what you’ve done for me and my clan.” I marveled at the way he made my skin glow, reminding me of the aura Ryzen, Mwe, or Oeta cast when they used their abilities. “I have to know—is our host-symbiont relationship still worth it for you?”
“There’s nothing either of us could do to change it even if it wasn’t.” With a sigh, he stepped away, the golden aura leaving my skin. He clutched the stone railing as he sat and kicked his feet, his eyes fixed on my three clanmates below. “Yet, if Kaede hadn’t bound us together, I would still be stuck in that safe with the others, waiting for a purpose. This is the best outcome for me.”
“The best outcome?” A soft laugh escaped my lips. “You make it sound like I’m a chore.”
“That’s not true. I was the one who called to Kaede…who wanted a host.” He leaned back and peered at the sky, where the pair of suns hung in the warm afternoon. “ You keep things interesting for sure, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Through you, I am able to explore the universe, and through your relationships with your clanmates, family, and friends, I am able to learn how social dynamics work…and witness this thing you call love.”
“Your people don’t love?”
“How are we supposed to form such bonds? We only connect when activated—whenever our bodies touch or our hosts are near—but in our dormant state, we are weak.” He nodded as he looked down at my stomach with tight lips. “Much like your unborn daughter, we are dependent on our host for everything. There’s no room for relationship beyond that.”
“If you don’t love, or have any relationships, how do you reproduce?”
Vowels chuckled, nodding at my three sparring mates. “It’s not that outlandish. Every species has its own ways. For us, two or more dying Oetsae may merge their last remaining energy together in hopes of creating one to continue on. Only when a host dies do we have the opportunity to use their body to create new life in our final moments before fading away into stardust.”
Looking down at my body, I tried to imagine it transforming into a slew of glowing orbs. “So when I die, you will use my body to produce more Oetsae?”
“Don’t worry about the end of your Stars’ path. You have a long life ahead of you before that happens.”
A loud growl echoed from the arena floor.
The fight had come to its climax. The arena became a blur of motion—vines, tentacles, and Kaede’s swift form all blending together in a display of sheer power and skill.
This was a dance of equals, a test of skill and endurance, not a fight for dominance. But even in this practice match, Kaede’s power was undeniable. He was in control, guiding the flow of the battle between the other two with a mastery that took my breath away.
This was more than a sparring match; it was a display of trust, of understanding each other’s strengths and weaknesses, of knowing when to push and when to yield.
The three of them knew they would have to defend my honor at the Mating Games tomorrow. This was the last chance they had to push themselves to their limits without worrying about injuring each other.
At least, that was what I wanted to believe. I knew most of my clanmates were warriors, but witnessing them like this…
Kaede’s eyes caught mine, and he winked.
This was it.
With a final, decisive move, Kaede danced around the flying limbs and delivered a sharp blow to the back of Z’fir’s knee. Z’fir crumpled slightly, catching himself on his vines before he hit the ground. Kaede didn’t give him a moment to recover, turning his attention to V’dim, who had just picked himself off the ground from an earlier strike.
V’dim’s tentacles wrapped around Kaede’s arm, trying to pull him off balance, but Kaede’s strength was relentless. With a sharp twist, he freed himself and spun V’dim around, using the momentum to hurl him toward Z’fir.
The two collided, tangling together in a mess of vines and tentacles.
Kaede stood over them, his breathing steady.
His gaze returned to mine, a sly smile playing on his lips. A familiar warmth spread through me at the sight of him—powerful, confident, and utterly in control—dimmed by my concern for my Circuli princes who lay entangled on the sandy ground.
He flipped his long hair back before offering each of them a hand.
Sighing, I sat back on my throne, holding my chest, my heart still pounding from the intensity of what I’d just witnessed. Kaede’s dominance in the arena was as thrilling as it was undeniable, a testament to his lethal strength and skill.
Beneath his hard exterior, he held a depth of loyalty and love for me—and his clanbrothers.
I was impressed my warrior princes had been able to keep up with him for so long.
As Z’fir and V’dim straightened, shaking off the remnants of the fight, Kaede looked up at me once more, his expression softening.
“They put up a good fight,” he pathed, his mental voice sounding proud with a hint of exhaustion. “I don’t know why I didn’t spar with them before now.”
“When did we have the time?”
Vowels head turned toward the door. “It seems we have guests.”
The door slid open, and the air shifted as Zirene entered, his presence commanding as always as his shadow aura filled the space.
Meti, Nocrez, and Neazzos followed closely behind him, practically vibrating with energy. They had been so excited when they left earlier with their mentor Pavryn to partake in their last lessons on Liskta, but now they were back with their father, bursting with joy to see me again.
Royak and Vikvez trailed behind them. The doctor’s light-gray and white striped fur suited his calm demeanor, but compared to the other Aldawi present, he stood out as much as I did. They all had dark-colored fur, with the black stripes emblematic of the royal line, which matched the blood that flowed through their veins.
The cubs rushed in eagerly, their energy lighting up the room. But just as quickly, they skidded to a halt, as if they had hit an invisible wall. Their wide eyes locked on Vowels, who was still seated on the railing, his golden aura pulsating with vitality.
“Who are you?” Meti asked cautiously. Her paws curled, claws out and tail still as she stared Vowels down. “And why are you alone with my mother?”
Vowels glanced at me for guidance, a slight tilt to his head.
I laughed at his worried expression, the sound bubbling up from deep within me, echoing in the large room. My daughter was attempting to defend me. It was adorable, and yet, I felt a pang of concern that my children felt the need to protect me, their mother.
I needed to learn how to protect myself—even if it meant using the abilities I’d gained from my mates.
“Vowels,” I said through my laughter, smiling warmly at him. “I think it’s time you introduce yourself.”
With a graceful swing of his legs, Vowels hopped down from the railing and landed on the floor before my cubs.
“I am Euouae,” he began, his voice smooth, with a slight bow. “I’m the Oetsae symbiont inside your mother. I was responsible for healing her when she was kidnapped and I’m continuing to observe her status, along with your unborn sister.”
Meti’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. She tilted her head, her brows furrowing as she tried to understand. “But how are you here instead of…?”
Vowels finished her sentence for her with a gentle smile, “Instead of inside your mother? My body still lies there. This form is just a projection. It’s a way for me to interact with the world beyond my host.”
The twins exchanged a look before darting forward, reaching out to touch Vowels. But their paws passed right through him, meeting only air. They both gasped, their eyes wide with disbelief.
“How?” Nocrez tilted his head, his tail whipping wildly.
“You can see me, but no one except your mother is capable of touching me.”
“That’s unfair.” Neazzos frowned, glancing at Meti. “How are we supposed to play with him if we can’t touch him?”
“Who said we can’t play with him?” Meti grinned menacingly, reminding me of her father when he was about to play Hunt-Prey. “We can see if he really is a projection.”
Shaking my head, I couldn’t stop myself from grinning wider at the desperate look on Euouae’s face.
“Have fun,” I pathed teasingly, waving my fingers playfully at my Oetsae, knowing he’d never dealt with children before. “They know how to work together to take down their opponent.”
Zirene approached my throne, and with a smooth motion, he scooped me up into his strong arms and then settled onto the cushions himself, placing me on his lap as if I belonged there—and perhaps I did, and I needed to get used to that.
He nuzzled his cheeks against mine, a soothing gesture, as he whispered into my ear, “I’ve missed you.”
I leaned into him. “Where have you been?” I asked, closing my eyes, absorbing the comfort of his presence. “And why have you been coming to bed late and leaving before I wake?”
He sighed, the sound deep and weary. “There’s a lot of planning needed for tomorrow, and I’ve been playing catch-up with my siblings. I didn’t join you in our dreamscape because I didn’t want you to convince me to stay with you and miss my meetings. But I’m here now.”
With a jolt, I opened my eyes and met his hooded gaze. “Has Iyzana showed up?”
“No.” Zirene growled, lips curling, revealing his fangs. “Masmi stated that he accepted the invite, though. The Harvest Festival will be at its midpoint tomorrow with the Mating Games, but my useless brother hasn’t shown his face yet.”
My eyebrows furrowed as I frowned, wondering what could have caused such animosity between the siblings. “Has anyone been able to contact him?”
“I haven’t,” Zirene grumbled, squeezing me tighter. “And I don’t care enough to try again. I’ll deal with him later, once this is all over. Let us enjoy this celebratory week.”
Royak, who had been quietly observing, stepped beside us. His gaze shifted from Zirene to Vowels, who was now being chased around the room by the cubs, their laughter echoing off the walls.
“Are you okay with this?” he asked, his voice edged with concern as he gestured toward Vowels.
“He rescued my Nova.” Zirene shrugged, his tail curling protectively on my lap. “And through her connection, he saved my clanbrothers too. While his presence complicates things, especially having to keep his species a secret from the rest of the universe, it’s a trade-off I’m willing to accept.”
Royak glanced down at me, his eyes softening as they searched mine. “What do you think about him? Aren’t you scared?”
I shook my head firmly, my short, choppy hair whipping around my face. The genuine concern in his gaze made me feel both grateful and guilty at the same time. “I appreciate your worry, but this is personal for me,” I replied softly as I held his gaze, hoping he wouldn’t press any further. “I’m thankful for his help and protection. With Vowels, I’ll never truly be alone.”
Vikvez stepped closer, positioning himself beside Royak, his eyes flicking between the three of us before he gestured toward the cubs chasing Vowels around the room with delighted squeals. “If I may,” he began hesitantly. “Could I examine the symbiont in your body sometime? I’d like to see what he looks like and understand his connection to you, how he interacts with your body and your pregnancy. “
I offered him a small smile, nodding. “You can, but that will have to wait until after the Harvest Festival. For now, I just want to enjoy myself. Xylo and his healing team already checked me before we left for Liskta and gave me the all-clear to come here. Vowels would’ve told me if there was something amiss, and so far there hasn’t been.”
Vikvez nodded, a soft smile forming on his face. “I understand, and I want to congratulate you on the pregnancy. Most Aldawi females prefer to avoid the company of males during such a fragile time, especially when they are outside their clan’s home. I’m shocked to see you leave Masmi’s royal villa.”
I chuckled softly as I met his gaze steadily. “Well, I’m not Aldawi, and I’m surrounded by clan, family, and friends. I’d rather be around others than alone.”
At that moment, I felt the familiar tug in my chest as the bondthreads with my mates shortened. Kaede, Z’fir, and V’dim teleported into the room, appearing just in front of me. They looked exhausted but relieved. Kaede released their hands, and I watched as Z’fir’s vines and V’dim’s tentacles curled around their waists in a relaxed posture.
“Welcome back,” I said, my voice soft with affection. “You were all impressive down there.” I lowered the mental veil I kept around my thoughts, sending a wave of love and admiration through our bondthreads.
Kaede didn’t waste a moment. He rushed to me, closing the distance between us in a heartbeat, cupping my face in his hands and pressing his lips to mine. The kiss was hot, heavy, and consuming, his hands framing my face as he poured every ounce of passion and longing through our bond.
Moaning, I melted into him, my fingers tangling in his hair as I kissed him back just as fervently. His mouth moved against mine with a hunger that left me breathless, his tongue sweeping in to claim every inch of me. His possessiveness sent shivers down my spine, and when he finally pulled away, we were both breathless.
“What was that for?” I asked, my voice shaky as I looked up at him, my heart still racing.
A satisfied smirk played on his lips—paired with that familiar, confident glint in his eyes. “I won the fight,” he said, his voice a low rumble. “Claiming you is my prize.”
I rolled my eyes at his teasing but couldn’t suppress the smile that tugged at my lips. Turning to Z’fir and V’dim, I took each of their hands in mine, pressing gentle kisses to their knuckles. “I know how you earned your shortened names now. You’re both incredible warriors.”
The cubs, ever curious—and currently obsessed with Kaede and his sisters—rushed over to their clanfathers, their eyes wide with excitement.
Meti grabbed Kaede’s hand, gaining his attention. “Did you know about Vowels?”
Kaede sighed, glancing at the symbiont in question. Then his eyes found mine, a touch of regret and something deeper hidden within them. “I didn’t know what he was at first,” Kaede admitted, shaking his head. “All I knew was that I couldn’t let your mother die. I had to rescue her, no matter what…”
Vowels suddenly appeared beside Kaede on the railing, swinging his legs playfully, his golden aura shimmering as he watched the cubs with an amused expression before suggesting, “Perhaps it’s time they meet REI.”
Kaede crossed his arms, leaning against the railing beside Vowels, and nodded. “REI, you might as well make an appearance.”
In response, a figure materialized before us—a female figure dressed in a hooded robe, her form composed entirely of a translucent teal aura, much like Vowels. She smiled sweetly at the cubs, her presence calming and gentle. “Greetings, little ones,” she said in a melodic voice. “I am REI.”
The twins gasped in shock, their wide eyes darting between REI and Vowels, their young minds struggling to comprehend the ethereal beings before them. They exchanged glances, then looked up at me, their expressions a mix of excitement and confusion. “Mother,” Neazzos whispered, tugging on my sleeve. “Is she real?”
I nodded, smiling softly at their innocence. “Yes, my darlings. She’s as real as Vowels.”
REI reached out a glowing hand, her aura shimmering as she moved closer to the cubs. “I am here to help and protect your clan, just as Vowels does. And just like him, I have a host, but mine is your clanfather, Kaede.”
Neazzos tilted his head to the side, his large eyes narrowing as he looked up at Kaede. “Why do you have REI inside you, Clanfather?”
Kaede knelt down to be at eye level with the cubs, his expression softening. “When I placed Vowels inside your mother to save her, I didn’t want her to wake up being the only one with an Oetsae,” he explained. “REI called to me, and I answered.” He turned his back slightly, lifting up his dark blue-black hair to reveal a small, sealed jack at the base of his skull—the connection point where REI resided within him. The black port blended almost seamlessly with his hair, but the cubs’ sharp eyes caught it immediately.
Vikvez stepped closer, his keen eyes narrowed in curiosity as his medical mind worked. “Did it hurt?”
Kaede lowered his hair, combing it back into place with a practiced hand as he faced the Aldawi doctor. “It did at first,” he admitted, his tone matter of fact. “But my focus was on finding their mother and integrating REI with my AI system. The pain became secondary.”
Meti stepped forward, reaching out to touch REI’s ethereal form. Her small paw passed through the shimmering figure, and her brow furrowed in confusion. She glanced back at me and Zirene, her young eyes searching for answers. “Who else has a companion like them?”
Zirene answered her before I could, his grip on me tightening slightly. “It’s only your mother and Kaede,” he said, his voice calm but firm. “The rest of the Oetsae haven’t been matched with a host yet. They’re being used as batteries and managers for all the new devices we have on Destima, including the bots building the moon’s infrastructure.”
Meti’s eyes widened slightly, her inquisitiveness didn’t stop there. “Are there any downsides to becoming a host?”
I exchanged a glance with Kaede, then at REI and Vowels, feeling the weight of her question. “Once they’ve been matched and merged with your body, there’s no removing them,” I explained gently. “The benefits outweigh the negatives, but it’s a permanent decision.”
Meti’s eyes sparkled, her face lit up with excitement. “I want one!”
Alarm shot through the room, and I felt Zirene’s grip on me tighten even more. All eyes turned to me, waiting for my response.
I took a deep breath and met Meti’s gaze, keeping my voice steady as I responded. “You can’t have one, at least not until you’re an adult. Then, if you still want one, you’ll be free to make that decision.”
Meti’s face fell, her ears pinning back slightly. “That’s a long way away…”
Zirene’s voice was gentle but firm as he spoke up, “Enjoy your youth, Meti. Let the adults determine what’s best for now.”
“I hope you never need one, Meti.” Kaede grabbed her paws, holding them between his hands, his gaze softening. “The choice to have an Oetsae shouldn’t be made lightly.”
Meti sighed, clearly disappointed but resigned. She nodded, her gaze dropping to the floor.
As the tension in the room eased, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. The cubs were still young, with so much ahead of them, and I wanted to protect their innocence for as long as possible. There would be time for decisions like these when they were older, more prepared to handle the responsibilities that came with such power.
As it was, they were the future leaders of the empire. There was already so much responsibility placed on them. The citizens looked up to them with eyes full of hope and expectation—especially Meti.
The female Aldawi wanted a Beacon to be their leader, above and beyond the Sovereign. They wanted justice—for past errors to be fixed. They expected Meti to be the one to fulfill that role.
It was something I needed to protect my cubs from—at least, until they were older. I refused to pit them against each other, or take away their innocence, their childhood, when they had many years left to grow.
I reached out and ruffled her fur, trying to soothe her. “You have plenty of time to decide what you want when you’re older. For now, let’s just enjoy the festival, okay?”
She looked up at me, her expression softening. “Okay, Mother.”