Chapter 36
36
Z’fir
Z ’fir and V’dim stood beside the table, their attention half-focused on the cubs, who were thoroughly enjoying a late-night dessert before bed—a shaved ice treat drizzled with the sweet nectar of desert plants, famously used in the candies Kaede adored. The cubs giggled as they savored the treat, joyfully recounting their hunt-and-prey game and strategizing how they would win more rounds next time.
Across the table, Q was playfully teasing B, recounting to Tori how many times he had to dance for her before she agreed to take him as a mate.
“I wore her down,” Q boasted, instinctively fluttering his young, soft, black-feathered wings. “She couldn’t resist my charms forever.”
Her lips curving into a smirk, B muttered under her breath, “That’s not how I remember it.”
She rolled her eyes as Q puffed out his chest in mock triumph. Z’fir exchanged a knowing look with V’dim, both smiling at the playful banter. Kaede’s sister was as stubborn as his clanbrother when it came to expressing emotions. As odd as their relationship may be—such a charismatic male mated to a lethal assassin—they both worked well together, especially as a team.
The Fates had paired them together for a reason—and Z’fir wondered if it was for them to learn from each other. Q was learning that he didn’t always need to be the center of attention, and B was discovering that it was okay to relax.
Something Kaede needed to be reminded of, too.
Laughter rang out from the small group. Vikvez chuckled along, clearly enjoying the lively banter. Z’fir hadn’t seen much of the Aldawi healer, especially since he’d been assigned to the cubs shortly before they were sent to Liskta to care for them. He knew little about him, except that he was originally under Royak’s command, gifted to Zirene and Selena to support their clan.
Z’fir’s gaze drifted to Zirene, Kaede, and Masmi, who stood against the far wall, deep in conversation. Their voices were hushed, just barely audible, but Z’fir didn’t need to hear them to know they were discussing the upcoming security arrangements and other logistics for the rest of the Harvest Festival.
Kaede periodically scanned the area, ever vigilant despite the relaxed atmosphere.
Even if there wasn’t a prophecy—or Selena’s pregnancy—her Head of Security would still be alert, not wanting to fail his Sovereign and Star ever again. The poor male would only stop in his sleep, and even then, his newest clanbrother was usually the last one to fall asleep and the first one to wake each day.
The courtyard, once bustling with guests, had gradually emptied out, leaving only their clan, family, and closest friends behind. The only two notable absentees, other than Selena and Royak, were Ryzen and Zyxel, both of whom had left shortly after dinner. He wondered why they hadn’t stayed for the after-dinner gathering.
“Where do you think they slipped off to?” Z’fir pathed to his bondbrother. “Hopefully, they didn’t feel unwelcome.”
“Who knows with Ryzen. He’s been keeping to himself since we landed here. Perhaps he doesn’t like crowds. If his species is like the Nyaviel, then many unchecked strong minds in one area might make it hard for him to shield.” V’dim chuckled under his breath, eyes still scanning the courtyard. “But I told the curious medic he should spend more time studying if he wanted to understand our basic biology. He’s going to have a rough time ahead if he keeps misjudging our clan.”
“You knew he was going to have a hard time, didn’t you? Misjudging what our nestqueen wants in a mate…” Z’fir pathed, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “He doesn’t understand the intricacies of our bond with Selena. If he’s serious about courting her, he’s going to have to learn. And fast. She’s pregnant, and we both know her emotions get more unstable as the pregnancy progresses, with all the changes in her body and hormones.”
“She won’t tolerate his mistakes once the newborn comes.” V’dim sighed, his expression growing more serious. “And adding three very energetic cubs, not to mention worrying about the Favored healing, and everything else on her plate—he won’t survive if he loses her trust later. We’ll have to make sure she’s not overwhelmed, even if that means taking on more responsibilities ourselves.”
“The clan will do whatever it takes to ensure she and her offspring are healthy and cared for.” Z’fir’s gaze softened as he thought about the future that awaited them. “With Euouae, I believe things will be more manageable than last time.”
Just then, Zyxel burst into the courtyard, his bag slung tightly over his shoulder, his eyes searching the open space. His crimson and golden scales glimmered under the lights as he slithered forward with purpose. “I wanted to thank you, V’dim, for our earlier conversation. It gave me the insight I needed to study both Circuli and Aldawi biology properly before I dove deeper into the files. I think I’ve pieced everything together.”
Z’fir arched a brow, glancing at V’dim. “Everything?”
Before V’dim could respond, Kaede appeared out of nowhere, teleporting beside them with a slight growl. “What do you mean by ‘ everything ’?” Kaede’s voice was sharp, his eyes narrowing as he looked Zyxel up and down. “Have you discovered…?”
Zyxel shook his head, his expression growing more serious. “Not yet. I’ve only begun going through the reports from Xylo and his team. I wanted to understand the Circuli better first, to see if I could craft something to protect them from the desert suns for the rest of our visit. I haven’t delved into those reports yet.”
“I don’t believe it.” Kaede crossed his arms, his gaze narrowed. “Why haven’t you gone through Selena’s files first?”
Zyxel straightened, his voice firm. “I’m prioritizing.”
Kaede’s stance remained guarded. “You better not be hiding anything from me.”
Zyxel didn’t flinch. “We had a deal, remember? Selena will know as soon as I discover something.”
Z’fir felt the tension coil tighter around them as Zyxel and Kaede’s words hung in the air. His gaze flicked between them—the two males who seemingly never could see eye to eye. His vines twitched, ready to intervene if their animosity became physical.
Masmi and B approached, their keen eyes sweeping over the group. Zirene stood a short distance away, engaged with the cubs, who were giggling and requesting more of the sweet shaved-ice dessert from their father.
Z’fir smiled at their innocent joy, the sound a brief reprieve from the taut atmosphere lingering among the adults.
B’s sharp eyes narrowed, her gaze flicking between Kaede and Zyxel. “What deal?” she asked, low and probing.
Kaede’s lips curved into that infuriatingly familiar smirk. “Go ahead, Zyxel,” he said, jerking his chin, the challenge in his tone unmistakable. “Tell them.”
Zyxel squared his shoulders, his tail coiling tighter as he met B’s gaze, maintaining his stoic demeanor. “I believe I know the species Selena was spliced with, but I won’t say more until I’m certain. The Yarrkins’ reports are hard to interpret—their language is…complicated. I’ve been working through raw data, but I’m confident in my findings thus far. My hypothesis is likely correct. I just need more time.”
Z’fir exchanged a glance with V’dim, concern threading through their bond.
Time was never in their favor.
Masmi frowned, concern etching lines across her otherwise smooth features. Her tail flicked behind her, betraying her agitation. “Is this wise?”
Kaede responded before Zyxel could speak. “The Sovereign gave his permission,” he said flatly, dismissing any further debate. His gaze cut toward Zyxel, sharp as his psydagger. “Our feelings on the matter are irrelevant. Zyxel’s been vetted. Mwe and Oeta endorsed him personally. There’s no way he’d do something foolish—not here, not among us. He knows he won’t survive the consequences.”
Masmi sighed, rubbing a hand across her brow, her gaze shifting back toward the table where the cubs were laughing, enjoying their shaved ice. “If my brother gave his blessing, I trust his judgment. Selena’s past has always been a point of curiosity—even beyond Aldawi borders.”
“They can remain curious,” Z’fir said, his voice firm. “Our nestqueen and her children deserve their privacy. Selena has already earned her place before the Assembly. She and the cubs have been deemed Aldawi citizens. That’s all that should matter.”
Zirene strode over, his mood a palpable force as he neared the group. His tail lashed behind him and his ears twitched. His gaze flicked between Z’fir and V’dim, his amethyst eyes dark and intense. “Where’s Selena?”
Everyone turned to Z’fir and V’dim.
Z’fir could feel the weight of Zirene’s gaze on him, but he remained calm, meeting his Sovereign’s eyes without flinching. “We know where she is through our bond,” Z’fir replied, his tone even, turning to meet Kaede’s gaze evenly. “But if you need specifics, her Head of Security would be the one to ask.”
Kaede casually unsheathed his psydagger, flicking it on and off as if testing its edge, in a display of indifference. “She’s with Royak,” he said dismissively. “They’re having a private conversation on the garden balcony overlooking the farmland.”
Darkness flickered across Zirene’s face, his shadows flaring briefly. His tail whipped behind him, betraying his rising tension as he took a step closer to Kaede, towering over the assassin. Kaede merely tilted his head, unfazed by the growing storm of Zirene’s emotions.
“Why is she alone with my brother?” Zirene’s voice was a low growl, his eyes narrowing on Kaede, his shadows coiling around him like dark smoke.
Kaede shrugged. “That’s still to be determined.”
Z’fir could sense the ripple of anger tightening Zirene’s frame, but he knew Kaede was doing what he always did—pushing boundaries, testing reactions. The tension between the two males was nothing new.
V’dim, standing beside him, shifted slightly, his gaze flickering between the two males, ready to step in if necessary.
“Zirene won’t attack Kaede,” he pathed to his bondbrother. “If he’s unfazed, then there’s nothing to worry about.”
“But why is Zirene so worried about her being alone with Royak?” V’dim replied, his tone confused. “I thought they were close?”
Masmi crossed her arms, her gaze moving from Kaede to Zirene as she stepped between them. “Royak’s loyalty is unquestionable, Brother . Whatever they’re discussing, I’m sure it’s important. There’s no need for alarm.”
Zirene’s growl was low, almost feral as he spoke. “If anything happens to her—”
“Nothing will happen,” Kaede interrupted, his voice smooth but as sharp as the psydagger he sheathed, his lips twitching into a faint smile. “Royak wouldn’t dare harm your Beacon. They’re talking, nothing more.”
Z’fir relaxed slightly as the tension between them seemed to ease, though he kept his focus on Zirene. Whatever was brewing between the Sovereign and his brother, it wasn’t to be taken lightly. Something had set their clanbrother on edge, but judging by Kaede’s demeanor, it wasn’t concern for Selena’s safety.
Z’fir’s bond with Selena pulsed gently in the back of his mind, reassuring him that she was indeed safe—and calm, which matched Kaede’s observation.
Zirene exhaled sharply. “I trust my brother,” he muttered, though the tension in his voice remained. He glanced toward the farmlands. “But I’ll find out for myself soon enough what’s going on between them.”