Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
Selena
I wandered the ship’s corridors, using the wristband to guide me.
Xylo needed to report to the princes about the unexpected developments, but told me I was free to explore, so long as I stayed out of restricted areas and the hangar bay.
The healers were deep in their research on Aldawi and human genetics and gestation, and I hadn’t seen Kaede since our lunch, so I was on my own.
I was in awe of my new wristband. I could zoom in on floor layouts—right down to the detail of individual cabins and owner’s names—as well as look at the overview that demonstrated just how efficiently organized the Destiny was.
Zooming out, I searched for a way to get to the café we’d eaten at this morning. I was starving, and I’d loved the atmosphere—plus, it was familiar.
I figured out the route and set off.
Journeying through the halls, I glanced uncomfortably at the crew that passed. It was clear they were staring at me, but whenever I made eye contact, they looked away. No one engaged me in conversation.
I was beginning to feel like I was on the Yaarkin ship again.
Stepping out of the lift on the entertainment floor, the sound from the crowd hit me.
It was as raucous as I remembered. I scanned the signs above the nearby doors, searching for the café.
I found it only four doors down the hall and stepped into the flow of the crowd.
Without the princes to clear the way, I found the going difficult.
Everyone was busy with their own thoughts or chatting with friends, paying little attention to their surroundings.
Being the shortest person by at least a head made it far too easy to be overlooked.
As I pushed between bodies, arm- and leg-blades brushed against me. Though they were beautiful, they weren’t as delicate as they looked. It hurt. Gasps and few shocked shouts sounded from those who noticed me, but I ignored them. My stomach was growling.
I dove through the automatic doors of the café with relief. It was dim and quiet, no sound but the murmur of the handful of patrons. I glanced toward the empty stage, disappointed there’d be no music.
My stomach growled again, and I clapped my hands over it.
Looking around, I searched for a quiet spot.
My gaze landed on a familiar violet Ulax sitting alone in the far corner of the bar—Odelm.
He leaned over the counter, arm-blades pointed out to discourage company.
His tentacles wrapped loosely around his torso in what I was coming to believe was the default resting position for both Circuli species.
I was still curious about his strange reaction—I couldn’t figure out why he’d stormed out after I’d complimented him. This seemed as good a time as any to find out. Resolved, I headed over and plopped down on the stool next to him.
“Hi.” I turned to face him. “So, what was this morning all about?”
Odelm glanced at me in surprise, then glowered as he continued to fork a chunk of fish into his mouth. He shifted the arm closest to me as if he was trying to get as far away as possible. Staring pointedly forward, he grabbed his drink and took a sip before placing it back on the counter.
“Females are all alike, no matter the species.” Odelm’s light tenor voice was strained. He clearly did not wish to be talking to me.
“What does that mean?”
“You lure males in and use them, only to dismiss them when something better comes along.” He took another sip of his drink, dismissing me.
I sat for a moment in stunned silence, completely perplexed. What did that have to do with me? I didn’t understand his animosity.
“I was complimenting you. I thought your music was beautiful and wanted to let you know I appreciated your art. I don’t understand how you could judge me so harshly. You know nothing about me, but I won’t bother you again if you find me so distasteful.”
An awkward silence fell between us.
I leaned on the bar and opened my wristband. Browsing the menu, I ordered soup and a drink before calling up the map, searching for the entrance to the ship’s terrarium.
“Why do you want to go to the terrarium?”
I looked up into his pale green eyes, confused by the change in attitude.
I shrugged. “I want to explore it. I’ve never been planet-side and wanted to see what it was like to walk through the field and feel the water.”
He stared down at my stomach, and his eyes softened. He turned back to his meal and speared another chunk of fish.
“I can take you to the terrarium when you are done eating. You should not be roaming around the ship alone in your condition,” Odelm muttered before reaching for a sip of his drink.
His offer shocked me.
Dumbfounded, I sat lost in my thoughts as I waited on my order. Was he worried about me? Why? Especially after the hostile accusations and unfriendly behavior. And how did he know about the pregnancy? Did the whole ship know?
When my food arrived, I thanked the staff and absentmindedly ate, still mulling over Odelm’s puzzling reactions, trying to figure out how to respond. Glancing up, I was surprised to see him watching me. Had he been watching me eat this whole time? Was he waiting for a reply?
“Xylo said I’d be fine roaming the ship as long as I didn’t trespass on any restricted areas. But why do you care?” I took a sip of my drink.
“You have a courting bond with him, do you not?” Odelm looked confused.
“How did you know? Not that it’s any of your business....” Setting my glass down with a snap, I turned to face him. “He doesn’t need to be following me around all day.”
“I know because I can see it. We can see your connection to him”—he paused and scrunched his face—“because you are his nestqueen. He should be doing everything in his power to encourage you to accept his bonding spore and make the bond permanent. Are you going to sever the bond? Is that why you ejected him from your room last night?”
Malice dripped from Odelm's voice. His mood swings were making me dizzy. I had no idea why he’d flipped from protective to cruel in the space of a heartbeat.
“Back off. I don’t owe you any explanation,” I bit out, scowling. I pushed my bowl away, prepared to climb off the stool and leave this unhinged male to his own devices.
He leaned toward me, his eyes furious as his skin shifted to an angry red.
“I am concerned because I do not want him to end up like me. I would rather never know the joy of a courting bond, than have had one severed out of jealousy. This feeling is something I would never want for anyone—not even my greatest enemy. You rejected him. Kicked him from your room after initiating a courting bond—accidental or otherwise. Bonded males stay with their nestqueens and sleep on the edge of their nest until they are fully accepted or rejected. It is unheard of to have a courted male not share the nest with their nestqueen. It only happens if they are about to be rejected.”
My mouth fell open in shock.
Why had Xylo not told me? I never meant to inadvertently hurt him.
We needed to talk, be more open. I had to fix this as soon as possible.
“No one told me... I had no idea that was how Circuli courting bonds worked. I know little more than they exist—and I somehow accidentally triggered one with Xylo! I know next to nothing about your culture. Last night, I was simply hurt and angry when I learned I was pregnant. I needed some time alone to process. I certainly didn’t mean to hurt Xylo.
Severing the courting bond wasn’t even a thought.
I just needed time to think about it and adjust to everything,” I whispered raggedly as my eyes filled with tears.
He stared at me in confusion as his color returned to its usual violet. I wiped away my tears with the edge of my napkin.
“Selena, I did not mean to be so harsh. I am sorry. I jumped to conclusions, assuming you must have been told about our culture.” His pale green eyes widened as they roamed my face. “Why are you leaking? Should I summon Xylo?” Odelm’s now-gentle tenor voice was full of alarm.
I shook my head and sniffled, scrubbing my nose with the napkin before placing it back on the bar.
Shaking my head, I said, “No. No need to call Xylo. Humans sometimes leak from their eyes when they’re sad.
I don’t want to alarm him. He has important things to do.
We can talk later.” I sighed and locked my eyes with his.
“But I would like to go for a walk. Can I take you up on your offer to guide me through the terrarium?”
He glanced over at the glass wall that overlooked the terrarium, then turned back to me, his eyes roaming across my body. “Do you think that is wise? Should you not be resting in your condition?” he questioned, unsure.
“Xylo didn’t mention any health restrictions. I don’t feel tired, and I really do want to see the terrarium. I promise if I get tired, I’ll tell you.”
Odelm picked up his glass and guzzled the rest of the beverage before placing it on the counter. He scouted the room, then his eyes landed back on mine and he smiled.
“It is a deal. I think I have something you would enjoy.”