Chapter Twenty-Two
Xexis
Odd, it would seem. Xexis sat at the royal table, washing his fingers in the bowl when he felt the strange déjà vu washing over him.
A delightful, nostalgic tingle that ran down his spine.
Not but a few cycles ago, he sat here with Xnasis, discussing his first trip to the Council.
Xnasis and Xreck were distressed about the humans as they hadn’t been supplying their quota aid to the Council.
The Xinti were not happy, as their store cupboards were not full enough.
Some planets would not survive another rotation without the Council’s intervention.
Xnasis was worried the humans were confused and needed another ally.
He wanted to reach out personally and speak with their Council woman.
Xreck advised against it, saying the humans were still mistrusting.
Evident by their refusal to supply Sentinels to the Council, their excuses weak even to the ever understanding Loa.
His youngest brother was in charge of diplomacy with others.
While Xnasis was to become their ruler, guiding the Vroz through the cycles and the Council, Xreck was set up to charm and mend relationships with other peoples.
Xexis and Xreck spent many nights discussing his plans to get hard to ally planets to join the Council of Beings.
However, his youngest brother was smooth and charming, a wickedly intelligent person hardly without something funny to say.
Then, as fate would have it, Xexis came home to the court to announce he’d found his mate in a human. Xreck laughed so hard he fell to the ground. His tears soaked the floor and made a sea at Xexis’ feet.
“You are not serious, Xexis.” Xnasis looked ready to berate both brothers in the belly of the library. He snapped a heavy tome shut and glared at Xexis directly. “This would not be a funny jest, brother. Are you saying you recognized your mate?”
“Yes.” He rushed to pull out his data pad.
Xexis fumbled for the first time in his life as he scrambled to show his brothers her holograms. His suit had recorded her from his visor.
Her beautiful face and lovely voice crackled to life before him.
Xnasis and Xreck both stared with open mouths and astonishment.
The middle brother was breathless as he swiped to the image he’d pulled from the database.
“Her name is Aphrodite Kerso, she’s a technician—an engineer, I believe they call it. She’s glorious, is she not?”
Xreck shook his head with a loud gasp, “I can’t believe the Kannatch has found diplomacy with the humans before I did? Before you, Xnasis!”
The eldest brother glared at Xreck and motioned for them to go, “If we’re going to discuss the Kannatch filing for mating status, I need watzer.”
And they sat at the table again, a jug of liquor between them with three frosty glasses and heavy bread. Xnasis helped Xexis file his mated status and sent it to their records.
He was ripped from his memory as Aphrodite offered him a slice of steaming meat. Xexis smiled down at her, taking the treat from her. She leaned against him. He’d come to understand she snuggled closer when she was overwhelmed. The surge of pride at knowing he was her safe point was astronomical.
“So, Mphronatch, tell us…how did your mating hunt go?” Xnasis cocked his head.
Xexis froze, staring down at Aphrodite. She picked her head up from his bicep and smiled. “Fantastic, I almost won but Xexis’ rather strong, I was unable to land my finishing blow.”
“That’s my brother, like punching a spaceship, that one!” Xreck giggled wickedly, tossing back another shot.
“At least I didn’t break the crystal vase in the throne room with my head,” Xexis retorted, shooting his youngest brother a wink.
The brothers raised glasses to each other and clinked them.
As the stories began to flow, Aphrodite leaned into the table, always a hand on Xexis in some way.
However, the sweet smile on her lips as she laughed with the brothers, spoke with Kiefgr, shared knowing looks with Grooug and Reevar, it… it eased something in his chest.