Chapter 59
59
Zyxel
Z yxel’s hands curled into tight fists at his sides, the soft ridges of his scales pressing into his palms. No matter how much he studied, no matter how many guides he had read in preparation for this moment, nothing could have prepared him to court an enax like Selena. She already had six mates—powerful, capable males. How could he ever hope to compare? V’dim and Z’fir had told him not to, but how could he stop himself? The weight of inadequacy clawed at him as much as the nerves buzzing in his chest.
Selena’s sharp gasp cut through his spiraling thoughts. “Does that hurt?” she asked, her voice tinged with alarm.
Her hand flew to her mouth as she stared at his tail. Zyxel followed her gaze, noticing for the first time the bite marks Kaede had left on his scales during their fight. The indentations were vivid against his crimson tail, raw and irritated. He frowned, caught between embarrassment and the sudden memory of Kaede’s sharp fangs sinking in.
“I forgot about it,” he admitted, his tail twitching slightly. “I was still in shock. Winning… and now being here with you. I didn’t notice.”
Selena clicked her tongue in disapproval, setting her drink down on the counter with a decisive thud. “This won’t do,” she murmured. “I’m partially responsible for that injury.” She moved with purpose toward his sling bag, retrieving Ryzen’s spirit dagger wrapped carefully in her shawl and placing it on the counter beside her drink. Then, she rifled through his belongings until she pulled out his medpack.
“Sit,” she ordered, pointing toward the massive lounge bed dominating the center of the room. Her tone brooked no argument, and Zyxel, startled by her directness and concern, obeyed.
Climbing onto the plush bedding proved awkward, given his coiled tail and the stinging protest of his injury. He managed to settle at the edge, his tail dangling off the side. “Do you even know how to use that?” he asked skeptically, watching her examine the medpack with furrowed brows.
Selena tilted her head, a spark of mischief cutting through her concern. “I’ve watched Xylo and the healing team use one enough times. It can’t be that hard.”
He couldn’t suppress a low chuckle, though it turned into a sharp inhale when her fingers brushed against the bite marks. The contact sent a ripple of tingling pleasure up his spine, catching him off guard. A soft hiss escaped him before he could stop it.
Selena jerked her hand back, her eyes wide. “Did I hurt you?”
He shook his head quickly, his voice thick. “No, I was just… surprised.”
Her expression softened, and she returned her focus to the medpack. Zyxel studied her hands as she deftly adjusted the settings and applied a cooling spray to the wounds. The chill seeped into his scales, soothing the ache Kaede’s fangs had left behind. She held the medpack out for him to inspect, her lips quirking slightly when he nodded in approval.
“You did it perfectly,” he said, his chest tightening at the pride flashing briefly across her face. “Thank you.”
She handed it back, but instead of pulling away, she shifted closer to him on the bed. Her warmth radiated through the humid air as her hand found his shoulder. Leaning in, she tilted her head to inspect the spot Kaede’s fangs had punctured. Her breath fanned across his skin, igniting a shiver he couldn’t suppress.
“Are you okay?” she asked, her voice quiet, as though speaking any louder might break the delicate tension between them.
Zyxel nodded stiffly, his hands curling into fists again to keep them from reaching for her. She lightly traced the marks on his shoulder, her touch gentle but intent. The focused furrow of her brows and the way she bit her bottom lip undid him. Stars, she was close—too close.
“Did Kaede mark you?” he asked, his voice huskier than he intended.
She shook her head, her lips parting slightly as she spoke. “I wouldn’t call it a mark. He nicked you, but it’s not the same.”
He exhaled slowly, relief and something deeper pooling in his chest. “I’m just glad the fight didn’t spiral further.”
Her hand lingered a moment longer, her touch a silent reassurance. Zyxel swallowed hard. Selena let out a soft sigh as she backed away, sliding her hand from his shoulder and leaving behind a warmth he wasn’t ready to let go of.
“I’m glad it ended the way it did,” she murmured, her tone light but tinged with something he couldn’t quite place. “I can’t stand bloodshed on my behalf.”
“What about how it did?”
Selena glanced down at the medpack still in her hand and sighed again. “I didn’t think… everything that happened would’ve happened. Not like that.”
“Is there anything I can do to make things better?”
She stood and moved to his bag, carefully placing the medpack back inside. He watched as she unwrapped the shawl concealing Ryzen’s spirit dagger and held it aloft, her fingers delicate yet firm around the weapon’s hilt. She waved it slowly, studying the intricate emerald runes glowing faintly along its edge.
The dagger was an extension of the Verya warrior himself—lethal yet oddly beautiful—and somehow, she was able to wield it effortlessly.
Her brow furrowed as she pointed the blade in his direction, her expression somewhere between confusion and curiosity. “Why would Ryzen give this to me? And why doesn’t it hurt me?” Her voice grew sharper with the questions as she sliced invisible targets in the air. “You once warned me to never touch a Verya’s spirit weapon. And here I am, lent one like it’s nothing, without any reason.”
Zyxel frowned, the weight of her words sinking in as his tail twitched restlessly against the floor. “I… I don’t know,” he admitted, his throat dry. “That rule wasn’t just something to scare us. It was the truth. I’ve seen what happens to anyone foolish enough to try touching a Verya’s spirit weapon. They don’t survive it. But you…” His voice trailed off as he glanced at her, awe and confusion warring within him. “You’re different. You change everything.”
Selena lowered the blade, her lips pressing into a line. “That’s what everyone keeps saying.” She sighed and carefully wrapped the weapon back in the shawl, tucking it into his bag.
“I need to tell you something,” Zyxel blurted, his voice startling even himself. His tail coiled behind him nervously. “But… not here. It needs to be at the villa, where it’s safe.”
Selena tilted her head, suspicion flickering in her expression. “Should I be concerned?”
He shook his head quickly. “No. It’s nothing bad. But it’s something you’ll want to know.”
Her lips twisted into a small frown. “Now that’s all I’m going to think about for the rest of the day,” she muttered. “You know that I hate things being kept from me, especially regarding my children, clan and friends.”
“Then let’s enjoy ourselves here,” he suggested, swallowing hard. “I could give you a massage… or we could relax in the salt spa.”
Selena’s frown vanished, replaced by a playful smirk. “You had me at massage,” she teased, her tone almost a purr. “It’s a guilty pleasure of mine—a way straight to my heart.”
His chest warmed at her words. “Then I’ll give you as many as you need. As many as you want.”
She raised her hand to the center of her dress, resting it over the sleek black disk that rested against her chest. Zyxel’s breath hitched as her dress shimmered and dissolved into the disk with an elegant fluidity, leaving her entirely bare. She plucked the disk from her skin and set it lightly on the counter, her movements effortless and confident.
His mouth parted, words dying in his throat. Selena flicked her short hair back over her shoulder, her bare skin catching the dim light of the salt crystals. She let out a light laugh, her spots shifting to a warm pink that only added to her allure. “What’s wrong, Zyxel?” she teased, spinning gracefully on her toes. “Aldawi got your tongue?”
Stars above, she was breathtaking. Every movement of hers was a seduction, and she didn’t even seem to realize it. Humans were supposed to be shy, weren’t they? But Selena… Selena wasn’t like anyone he’d ever met.
She was bold, radiant, one of a kind—in more ways than one.
Her laughter carried as she walked toward the lounge beds and reclined on her stomach, her back exposed and her head resting on her folded arms. “Are you going to stare all day, or are you going to start?”
Zyxel shook himself free of his stupor, forcing his mind into something resembling focus. Medic mode… Medic mode… You must remain in medic mode.
He approached the nearby table, scanning the array of oils and lotions. Lotion, he decided, was better for her soft skin. He picked up a purple bottle and uncapped it, taking a quick whiff of the citrus-mint scent.
Selena peeked up at him from her arms, amusement dancing in her eyes. “It’s not a life-altering decision, Zyxel,” she teased with a chuckle. “Just pick one.”
He lifted the bottle in his hand. “Already did,” he said, pouring a generous amount into his palms. The cool lotion warmed quickly against his skin as he rubbed his hands together. Standing beside her now, he hesitated again, unsure where to begin.
“Start with my shoulders and neck,” she instructed, her voice both playful and encouraging. “Then work your way down. Loosen up a bit, will you?”
Zyxel exhaled, his focus narrowing on the task as if it were a mission of utmost importance. Selena’s light laughter danced in the air, teasing away some of his nerves, though the sight of her stretched out before him—bare, relaxed, and utterly trusting—made his throat dry.
Zyxel exhaled and placed his hands gently on her shoulders, his fingers pressing into the tense muscles there, his thumbs kneading into the delicate tissue at the base of her neck. Her skin was soft beneath his touch, her warmth seeping into him.
She was tense, the stress of the day woven into her very being. Zyxel focused on her upper back, pressing his thumbs into the knots he could feel just beneath the surface. Her breath hitched, but she relaxed almost immediately, her body sinking further into the plush bed.
“That’s it,” she murmured, her voice a contented hum that sent warmth flooding through his chest. Selena let out a soft sigh, her body melting under his ministrations. “See?” she murmured. “You’re already a natural.”
A pleased rumble escaped Zyxel’s throat. Her praise settled something restless inside him. He worked with care, his fingers finding the knots in her shoulders and kneading them with deliberate pressure.
As he worked, her spots flickered between a deep pink and a calming blue. He marveled at how they seemed to pulse with life, like a celestial map painted by the Stars themselves.
He didn’t know what the colors meant yet, but he was determined to learn.
He let his hands roam with more confidence, working down the length of her spine, pausing to knead her lower back.
Selena hummed contentedly. “I might make this a permanent arrangement.”
He laughed, low and rumbly, and leaned closer so he could work more comfortably. His tail twitched, betraying his sudden burst of pride. “If it pleases you,” he said, keeping his tone even, though his heart pounded at her words. He shifted lower, working down her upper arms and then back to her shoulders, ensuring every movement was measured and precise.
Selena let out a small sigh, her shoulders rolling slightly under his hands as she stretched. “More pressure,” she instructed, her voice muffled by her folded arms. He obliged, digging his thumbs deeper into the tension at the center of her back. Her guttural groan sent a jolt through him, though he kept his movements professional—or as professional as he could when every inch of her felt like an invitation he wasn’t sure he deserved.
Her words struck him deeper than he expected, and his hands faltered for a moment before he steadied himself.
He moved lower, following the elegant curve of her spine. His hands slowed when he reached the small of her back, pausing to warm another dollop of lotion between his palms before continuing. Each pass of his hands seemed to loosen more than just her muscles; he felt her trust in the way her body softened further under his touch.
“Why are you so tense?” he asked, his voice low.
Selena lifted her head just enough to peek at him from the crook of her arm. “A lot on my mind. What happened today. The future.” She rested her head again, exhaling deeply. “But you’re helping.”
The admission made his chest swell. He continued to work lower, his hands brushing along the edges of her waist before moving to her hips. He hesitated only briefly before continuing, his fingers pressing into the knots along her sides. Her breathing slowed, and he allowed himself to enjoy the quiet rhythm of it, the intimacy of simply being useful to her.
“I don’t deserve this,” he muttered, not meaning for the words to slip out.
Selena shifted slightly, turning her head to look at him fully. “Don’t deserve what?”
“This,” he gestured subtly to her, the suite, the moment. “You. The chance to be near you.”
Her smile was gentle, her expression unreadable. “You earned it, Zyxel. You wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t.” She paused, studying him for a moment that felt far longer than it was. “Relax. This is for us both to enjoy.”
Her words settled over him, soothing his doubts. He nodded, determination renewing his touch. He moved to her legs, starting at her thighs and working his way down.
Each stroke was careful, each press of his fingers a silent vow to do right by her.
Encouraged, Zyxel worked his way down her back again, his hands firm but careful. He didn’t want to push too hard, but he could feel the tension melting from her body under his touch with each pass. When he reached her lower back once more, her spots shifted to a light lavender, and he froze, wondering what the color meant.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, lifting her head slightly.
“Your spots,” he muttered. “They… changed again.”
She chuckled, resting her head back on her arms. “They do that often. Keep going.”
He pinched his lips in thought, his movements slower now, more deliberate. He wasn’t just touching her body—he was learning her, exploring every reaction, every sound she made.
Her colors had a meaning—that was for sure—but he was missing what. He felt foolish, believing it was something easy to determine—but just out of his grasp.
By the time he reached her feet, she was a puddle of contentment, her breaths slow and even.
“You’re dangerous, Zyxel,” she murmured, half-asleep.
“Dangerous?” he repeated, his lips twitching into a smile. “How?”
“Mm-hmm. If you keep this up, I might never let you leave.”
The playful threat stirred a warmth in his chest, the corner of his mouth curling into a subtle grin. “Then I’ll have to make sure you do.”