Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
Selena
The darkness faded into the tropical paradise I’d grown familiar with over the years.
I leaned against the stone railing of the porch of the villa that overlooked the island.
As I listened to the peaceful sounds of the lilac waves crashing onto the white sand shore, I allowed their gentle cadence to soothe me.
The island never ceased to amaze me, the kaleidoscope of colorful plant life glowing under the yellow sun in the clear blue sky.
My dreamscape was lonely tonight. But it didn’t matter, I needed to be alone to process everything that had happened.
Once again, there was someone keeping secrets from me.
Why did it bother me so? It’s not like I wasn’t used to secrets. The Yaarkins had certainly not been the sharing type. So why did I feel the need to trust both males I had somehow bonded with?
This was the spot he would always meet me in my dreamscape.
Memories of our time together rushed back to me.
Our explorations of the island as if it was our private playground. The Galactic Common lessons in the shade along the shore or in the garden that looked out over the island. Conversations about what I’d read and been through. Hikes through the colorful jungle.
This island, meeting him here, had been the one bright spot in my bleak life. It was the only thing that had gotten me through the endless days of captivity.
And now it was over. I felt hollowed out, empty.
A strong wind blew the strands of my silver hair across my face, blocking the view of the island. I felt a powerful and familiar presence behind me.
Closing my eyes, I took in a deep breath.
He came.
Brushing the hair out of my face, I opened my eyes and turned to face him.
A towering dark figure loomed over me, waiting. His amethyst eyes burning brightly, the translucent black tendrils that made up his body dancing like flames or smoke.
I felt a wave of disappointment he still didn’t show me his true form.
“Is everything all right? Only a few hours ago you told me goodbye.” Despite myself, I couldn’t repress a shiver as his deep raspy voice caressed my skin.
“No, everything’s not all right. I’m pregnant!” I shouted, clenching my fists.
A chuckle escaped him. “Yes, I know. No need to worry.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. He knew?
“You knew?” I screeched.
“You don’t understand. You mean everything to me.
I could not mark my claim on you while the Yaarkins still owned you—doing so would jeopardize everything—but I needed a reason to be able to claim you later.
I knew of the Yaarkins experiments and got access to all your files.
They were foolish and blind—throwing you away because you did not look like their other human toys.
I did not anticipate what happened after you became pregnant—that they would back out of their deal to sell you to me.
But have no fear—the Circuli are loyal and are bringing you to CEG HQ.
From there, you and our offspring will be transferred into my possession.
Once I mark you as mine, no one will be able to deny you belong with me.
” His voice rumbled in self-congratulation over his plan.
Wait...
He’d meant for me to become pregnant? He’d done it intentionally?
“How could you? Don’t you think I deserved to decide whether I wanted to become pregnant? Or at least be notified?” I demanded, rigid with anger.
He simply looked at me, unruffled by my anger.
“You miscalculated, badly. I’m not ready for children.
Whether or not I want children or how many, these are things I haven’t truly considered.
Given my life, they were no more than a vague daydream.
I don’t even know what my future looks like.
Worse, you have taken away my choice. Not only have you kept me in the dark about who you are, you set your plans without any regard for what I might want.
My feelings were irrelevant. Nor am I willing to ever allow another being to claim me as a possession again.
” I heaved an agitated breath. “Besides, you only want me because I’m the only one of my kind, the sole prototype of the Yaarkins’ Project: Adapt. You don’t love me.”
His eyes hardened. “You are my Nova. There is no one else.”
“So you say, but what good has that done me? You used my vulnerability and our connection for your asinine plan to impregnate me without my consent. You abused my trust in you and the connection we built over the years. You want me to trust you, yet you still won’t trust me with something as simple as your identity!
” I shouted, throwing my hands up. “What if something happened during delivery and the healers don’t know what to expect or do because the father’s species is unknown?
They have already told me they don’t know how to proceed without knowing more about the father.
Both my health and the health of my offspring are endangered by not knowing what you are. ”
“I have already considered all of this. The healers aboard the Destiny are fully capable of delivering our offspring if required and assisting with your care until you arrive. I will claim you both and provide everything you need. But you must trust me, please!” he begged.
Turning away from him in disgust and frustration, I leaned on the railing and willed myself to calm down. His failure to understand my feelings and his distrust in me hurt. That I was still drawn to him despite all that he’d done hurt even more. I felt torn in two.
Strong arms wrapped around me, pulling my body against his. I closed my eyes, absorbing the warmth rolling off his smoky form. The weight of his head came to rest on my left shoulder, his face turned toward my neck. His breath tickled the fine hairs on my neck, making me squirm.
“You are my Nova, and any offspring of yours is mine as much as you are.” He paused as he breathed in my scent. “I know you’re distressed, but all I want is to provide for you and our offspring. To shield and protect you from harm. To ease your worries.”
I felt a gentle squeeze as he held me close.
“If it matters so much, and will lessen yours fears about the pregnancy, I’ll tell you what I am.
But I can’t tell you any personal details, not yet.
It’s still not safe—not until I have you by my side and can protect you.
I can’t come for you myself, but I’ll send a special escort to ensure your safe arrival at the space station.
And I’ll be there to welcome you. Please trust me a little longer.
All will be well once I have you in my arms,” he murmured against my neck.
“I want so badly to trust you, and that’s what hurts the most. I hate secrets. I hate being valued only as a commodity rather than who I am as a person. For my feelings not to matter.”
I closed my eyes as I leaned into his embrace.
“I do value you, Selena. You are my Nova. I’ll provide what answers I can.” He took a deep breath. “I am Aldawi,” he stated proudly.
“And what does me being your Nova mean?”
He sighed into my neck. “Novas are rare among Aldawi. And you being human—that’s unheard of. Combine that with my rank—Selena, it’s very dangerous for others to know who you are to me. You must keep this between us.”
I nodded, relieved he was finally giving me answers, not wanting to interrupt lest he stop.
“The average Aldawi gestation period is fifty days. The healers on the Destiny know and will be able to factor that in when you tell them. You’re about fourteen days away from CEG HQ, and it’s been thirty-eight days since our night together—”
“You’re going to miss the delivery of our offspring?” I shouted—hiding I was pregnant with twins. I tried to shake off his embrace.
“Humans have considerably longer gestation periods. I’m hopeful yours will therefore be longer than the typical Aldawi pregnancy. You should make it to CEG HQ before delivery. I cannot leave, but I’m in the process of preparing everything for your arrival.”
“Why does it seem like you’re fine not being here when I’d need you most?” I jerked away and turned to face him, looking him in the eye.
“Aldawi females don’t allow males near them outside of mating season—”
“I’m not an Aldawi!”
He cornered me against the railing, caging me between his arms. Leaning forward, his black face almost touching mine, he snarled, “Believe me, I know this. It’s not my place even though you are my Nova.”
“So, you’re fine with other males helping me deliver our children?” I questioned, testing his limits.
He roared, the sound echoing, startling the birds from the trees.
The island fell silent.
“I am bound to you as you are to me. You’re my Nova, and the only one for me.
I will know no other. I can’t force that on you since you’re not Aldawi.
I’m not yours in the same way.” His eyes hardened.
“But if you take another male, I ask you not to take another Aldawi. That’s the one thing I can’t accept. You couldn’t be his as you are mine.”
I was speechless.
Why did everyone seem to be okay with their female—me—being with others? I couldn’t possibly accept that so easily were our positions reversed.
I couldn’t deny my connection with him. Countless years spent with him here in my dreamscape, endless hours talking, even our one night on the Yaarkin ship—despite how that had turned out—we’d built something special. Though I was angry with him, I didn’t want to lose that.
I didn’t really understand what a Nova was, but he clearly believed I was it for him. That there would never be anyone else. But that was also precisely what I’d be for Xylo if I ended up accepting him and our bond. How could it possibly work with both of them?
As thoughts of Xylo filled my mind, I realized, while I was still upset, I understood why he hadn’t told me I was pregnant.
How could he have known someone else would let themselves into my room and blurt it out?
Xylo had come when I called for him and protected me after he arrived, even against his own kind.
I needed to clear the air with him as soon as possible, have a frank discussion about our future.
How would this all work out? I’ll be going from having no one to an instant family.
Rubbing his head against my hair, he rumbled, “What has you so silent?”
Tilting my head to the sky, I tried to collect my thoughts and feelings before answering.
“I’m lost. I’m overwhelmed by everything. I’m angry. Even though part of me wants to forgive you, I’m still hurt. You stole my choice from me—the first one I would’ve ever had—by impregnating me. I need time to process all of this. You. Me. Our offspring. And the future.”
“I understand you need time. I’m willing to give you all the time you need. Just know I’ll make it up to you. Everything will be all right when you arrive at the space station.” His arms slid tightly around me, holding me close.
“I think I need some time away from you. At least until I get there. I need some time to come to terms with things and think about all of this.”
Silence fell between us as the sound of the island filled the void.
Was he angry with me? Hurt? I didn’t want to cause any more drama between us, but I needed time. Not growing up in a family dynamic had me at a disadvantage, but I couldn’t let myself fail—this decision was too important. The future of my children’s lives depended on it.
He took my face in his hands and locked his amethyst eyes with mine.
“I’ll take care of everything. I’ll make this right, Selena. If this is what you need, then I’ll give it to you. I won’t come here. If you need me, have the escort I’m sending contact me.” He paused and brushed my hair back. “But when you arrive, you and our offspring are mine.”
“This is what I need.”
He closed his eyes as he let me go and backed away.
“Your wish is mine to fulfill. I’ll see you in thirteen days, my Nova,” he purred as he faded into nothing, leaving me alone in my dreamscape.