Chapter 37
37
Selena
R oyak stood before me, a faint tremor in his paws as he turned his gaze toward the farmland, his body tense. When he eventually turned toward me, exposing the vulnerable curve of his neck—a sign of deference I’d seen numerous times among the Aldawi—I knew something was weighing heavily on his mind.
“I was hoping to ask you for a favor,” he said, his voice low, almost hesitant.
My eyebrows shot up. “A favor?” I blurted out, unable to help myself, the absurdity of the situation making me grin. “Funny, I was hoping to ask you the same, but I haven’t had the chance with everything going on.”
His ears perked up, his gaze snapping back to mine with an intensity that lit up his features. “Really?” He sounded genuinely surprised. “What could I possibly do for you that my brother can’t?”
I nodded, my grin widening. “Yes, there’s something only you can do.”
Royak’s playful expression faded into one of seriousness, and he leaned closer, gently squeezing my shoulders. His eyes searched mine as though he could find the answer there. “What is it, Selena?” His tone was softer now, more intimate.
Pursing my lips, I cocked my head to the side. “Shouldn’t you ask me your favor first, since you’re the one who brought me here?”
Royak straightened, shaking his head. “No, I know my place,” he said firmly. The faintest hint of a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “I’m just the prince, and you’re the Beacon. Not only that, we’re on Liskta, the mother planet of our people. My ancestors would frown on me if I didn’t allow you to make the first request.”
I let out a low hiss, rolling my eyes. “I was only recently made Beacon,” I countered, crossing my arms at his ridiculousness. “Before that, I was merely just a Seedbearer for a prince, trying to earn my citizenship without revealing our secret. You’re the one with royal blood, Royak. Not me.”
“But you’re the Beacon of the current Sovereign,” he corrected me quickly. “And the mother of our future leaders. You could have me put to death just for touching you like this.”
I burst out laughing at the absurdity of the suggestion and placed a hand on his arm to balance myself, patting his fur as I peered up at him. “Royak, you and I both know I’d never do such a thing, or you wouldn’t be touching me so freely,” I teased, shaking my head. “Unless you’re itching for a fight.”
Royak pulled away instantly, his face clouded with guilt as he bowed his head. “Apologies, Selena,” he murmured. “It’s wrong of me to be so familiar with you. After hearing what you’ve all endured, I couldn’t help myself. I wanted to touch you, to reassure myself that you’re really here.
“You survived when most would have returned broken. You saved my brother from descending further into his darkness. It’s true. You’re his Nova—his light—the perfect balance for him.”
His voice was raw with brotherly affection for Zirene. His words touched something deep inside me, and I placed my hand on his arm again, this time with a gentle pressure. “Royak,” I soothed, “it’s okay. I don’t mind you touching me like this. You’re my brother too, as much as B is my sister, and through her, Q is my brother. Species don’t matter when it comes to family—my clan is proof of my blindness to it.”
He let out a small laugh, the tension easing from his shoulders as he sighed. “You have a way of collecting people, you know that?”
“That’s what everyone keeps saying.” I shrugged, and dropped my head, attempting to shield the bad memories, blocking them from arising once more. “After living through the torture and pain I endured, I want to give back to the universe the kindness I’ve been shown since I was rescued by helping others in need—like the refugees.”
Royak’s expression sobered immediately, tilting his head. “The refugees?”
“Yes, they need our help.” I nodded again, more solemn this time. “That’s where you come in.”
His demeanor turned serious, and he straightened, tail stilling. “What can I do for you, Selena?”
I inhaled slowly, filling my lungs with the crisp night air and steadying my racing heart. My eyes remained fixed on him, my determination unwavering. I knew what I needed to do.
“Now that you’re Commander of the United Aldawi Military—as Zirene’s right paw—I need you to lead the rescue mission. While I trust the Fab Five could make the trip, they don’t have the diplomatic experience needed to manage all the…differences among the people we’ll be dealing with. These are refugees from all corners of two galaxies. You are well respected, and you’ll be able to make sure the mission is successful, especially if you come across any…complications.”
He studied me for a moment, his expression unreadable, before giving a slow, deliberate nod. “I would be honored to take on this mission, Selena. That you trust me with such a task means more than you know.” His voice softened as his eyes gleamed with a spark of pride. “I haven’t been on a mission like this since the early days of the Yarrkins War. It will be…a welcome change.”
Relief washed over me, so sudden and overwhelming I had to close my eyes for a moment, whispering softly, “Thank the Stars.” When I opened them again, I met his gaze. “But now, what was the favor you wanted from me?”
Royak’s tail shifted behind him. His ears flicked back, and he hesitated for the briefest moment. “I need someone dismissed from your staff.”
The request caught me off guard. “Who, and why?” I asked, frowning slightly. Why did he feel the need to ask this in private? And why would he need my help to dismiss someone? He was royalty—he should have the power to do this himself.
Royak’s eyes slid away from mine. “It’s someone important to me,” he said slowly, as if the words were difficult to express. He let out a big sigh and met my gaze. “Someone who’s accompanied me on all my missions.”
I frowned, my mind racing. Why was this request so sensitive? What did he mean by important to him ?
He gripped my shoulders harder, his fingers pressing into my skin, though his touch wasn’t harsh. “I wouldn’t ask this lightly, Selena,” he said quietly. “But I need your permission—not only because you are Beacon, but because I’m the one who offered you his services in the first place.”
I studied him as I tried to recall everyone who fit that description. “Who?”
He sighed deeply and tilted his head, exposing his neck once more. His usually sharp lavender eyes softened, and for the first time, I saw the weight of vulnerability in him. “Your cubs’ doctor…” His voice was quieter this time, his gaze pleading. “Vikvez.”
My entire body froze, my mind swirling as the pieces started to fall into place. Of course. It all clicked in an instant. But still, I needed to hear it from him. “Why?”
Before Royak could respond, a low, menacing growl echoed through the courtyard, sending a shiver down my spine. Zirene stormed toward us, his shadows swirling around him, eyes dark. “Get away from her!” His voice thundered across the gardens. “She’s mine!”
Royak’s usually warm features contorted into a fierce scowl, and he let go of my shoulders with a forceful push. He positioned himself in front of me, his wide frame creating a barrier between me and Zirene charging at us. His muscles tensed as he stood his ground, ready to defend me from my own mate.
The fiery shadow grew closer and Royak extended his talons. “Calm down, Brother. Nothing is happening here. We’re just talking.”
Zirene’s shadows flared, his fangs bared as he let out a snarl. “I refuse to let history repeat itself under my rule.”
“Zirene, back off! ” I raised my voice, my tone commanding, as I stepped out from behind Royak and faced my dimstar mate. My scowl deepened, my tone dripping with authority as I confronted him. I channeled the hurt that pierced my heart into rage and shoved the pain aside for later. Clenching my fists, I glared at my Shadow head-on, unflinching. “How dare you think so lowly of me.”
Zirene halted right before Royak, standing face to face, noses almost touching, breathing heavy. His paws curled tight, talons digging into his palms as he ignored my plea as if I weren’t here—his focus directly on his brother.
The last thing I wanted was these two to fight over some stupid misunderstanding.
Desperately, I reached out mentally to Kaede. I knew he could feel my urgency through our bond as he witnessed what was happening through his surveillance systems. “Kaede, grab Vikvez. Now.”
Kaede’s calm presence brushed against my mind, his response immediate. “On my way.”
Zirene’s rage faltered, confusion flickering in his eyes as he turned to face me fully. “What’s happening?” His voice was less a growl now, more uncertain, but still laced with frustration. “Explain why you’re here, alone, with my brother, in the middle of the night.”
“Once again: We. Were. Just. Talking,” I growled out, clipping each word. “The last time I checked, I was allowed to speak to whomever I wanted, whenever I wanted. But now, it’s clear to me that you don’t think that’s the case.”
Royak’s demeanor was still defensive, body turned back toward me to defend me. “There’s nothing going on between the Beacon and me. I have no interest in your Nova, you can be assured of that.” He glanced over his shoulder, one eye remained on his brother. “No offense to you, Selena.”
“You’re not the one who offended me.” Crossing my arms, I jerked my chin and scowled at my dimstar mate. “That honor belongs to your brother.”
Kaede materialized beside us, a hand gripping Vikvez’s shoulder. The light-colored Aldawi’s brow furrowed as he scanned the tense scene, and then his eyes widened at the sight before him. He bowed his head, exposing his neck in respect to both me and Zirene, before locking eyes with Royak. Concern etched deeper lines across his face, as he searched the prince for answers.
“Thank you, Kaede,” I said, both aloud and mentally through our bond, appreciating his swift response. Kaede nodded, his expression remaining sharp, his body language still alert, but a subtle flicker of amusement crossed his lips as he sent a deliberate glare toward Zirene. “I’ll stand by, ready to teleport us out if this escalates…” He leaned against the railing and crossed his arms. “But it would be foolish to let it come to that.”
Ignoring Zirene’s looming presence, I stepped closer to Vikvez, my tone sharper than I intended. “Is it true?”
Vikvez’s eyes darted nervously between us, his tail twitching ever so slightly. His gaze lingered on Royak as if seeking permission before he finally turned back to me. His movements were slow, almost weighted, as he sank to one knee. He exposed his neck once more, the ultimate gesture of submission. “You were the first to figure it out, Beacon,” he said quietly, resignation thick in his voice.
Zirene’s jaw tightened. “What did she figure out?” His voice was a low rumble, filled with simmering frustration. “And why does it involve the two of you?”
I turned to him, feeling the sharp sting of frustration at his inability to piece it together. “Think, Zirene. Why would Royak and Vikvez be here together, asking me for something? Why would your brother, of all people, come to me privately?” I tried to keep my voice even, but the weight of my disappointment and hurt slipped through.
Zirene’s gaze shifted between us, his tail twitching in agitation. “Kaede,” he said sharply, turning to him, his patience wearing thin. “Do you know what this is about?”
Kaede’s dark chuckle rumbled through the courtyard. “Not my place to say.” He tapped the side of his head in amusement, giving Zirene a pointed look. “But if you’d accepted Selena’s bond and linked your minds, you’d already know.”
Zirene’s amber eyes landed on me, hard and searching. “Selena, what is it?”
The anger simmered in my chest, a sharp twist of hurt rising at his failure to see what I had already put together. “You should know by now,” I hissed, my voice laced with the sting of my emotions. “But since you don’t, maybe you shouldn’t be told at all.”
Royak kept his eyes on his brother, his paws clenched into fists and tail whipping, though his voice remained calm. “Tell him, Beacon.”
As I turned to face Zirene, the air seemed to constrict around us. My heart thumped painfully in my chest as I summoned the will to speak the words that would change the future forever.
“They’re a Shadow-Nova couple.”