Chapter 23
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Selena
Warmth surrounded me as I woke. My head rested on something soft. Cracking an eye, the light coming through the curtains told me it was morning. I was tucked against Xylo’s side, his arm holding me close, our legs tangled, his vines enclosing us in the warmth of the blanket.
I couldn't recall how I’d gotten here.
“Xylo?”
A growl and Xylo jerked awake, jackknifing to an upright position, tossing me to the mattress beside him. His vines spread wide in a protective stance as his eyes wildly scanned the room.
“What’s wrong, Xylo?” I whispered.
He looked down at me lying in bed, surprised. “I thought you were in danger.”
I scrunched my face and eyed him. “Umm... Why would I be?”
He wrapped his vines back around his torso, then laid down beside me, pulling me into his side. “I do not know what that was about. I woke up with a sudden need to protect you.”
Not knowing what to say, I simply cuddled next to him in silence, thinking. Realizing one-on-one time to get to know one another would soon be interrupted by the delivery of my cubs, I decided to spend as much time now as I could getting to Xylo.
“What was last night about?”
Giving me a squeeze, he said, “You tell me.”
I blushed as I tried to hide my face against his chest. “I enjoyed myself. I hope I didn’t get carried away.”
He turned on his side, facing me. Searching my eyes, he said with feeling, “Carried away? It is I who should apologize for getting carried away with you, not you. I could not control myself last night. Not with how you smelled and tasted. Your thoughts of arousal and what you wished for me to do to you combined with your exploring...” He shivered.
“When you did not wake, I feared I had done something wrong.”
Placing my hand on his cheek, I smiled at him. “You didn’t. I’ve never done what we did last night, and it felt like nothing I’ve ever experienced. I think I just passed out from the pleasure. It surprised me to wake up this morning entangled with you and realize I’d slept away the night.”
“Are you sure? I still do not know what came over me.”
“I’m sure. Perhaps it has to do with me not you. But it was good. I hope we can always feel free to explore with one another.” My stomach growled. “Perhaps we should get out of bed and get some breakfast before Kaede comes banging on our door.”
When I’d finished getting ready, I saw Xylo had beaten me to the common room of the suite. He was standing next to the glass wall, staring into the terrarium.
“I’m ready to go. Are you?”
Xylo glanced over and smiled. “Yes.”
We left the suite and headed down the hallway toward the lift. Turning the corner, I saw Kaede leaning against the wall across from the bank of lifts, tapping away at his armband as usual.
“Breakfast?” I asked.
Kaede glanced up. “I was wondering if I was going to have to force you guys out of bed again.”
The three of us entered the lift and headed to my favorite café.
Once we’d settled and I’d taken a few bites, I surreptitiously looked up at Xylo and Kaede, trying to judge their mood.
I needed to tell them what I’d decided but had to have them on board to make it happen.
Both looked relaxed... I nodded and set down my spork with a decisive click.
Xylo looked up at me in surprise. I met his gaze.
“I’ve decided I need to prepare myself for this new life.
Depending on others to fight for my rights while I know nothing about what I face is not my style.
I’ve always had to rely on myself, gather knowledge wherever I could, teach myself anything I wanted to know, so I’d like your help to learn as much as I can before we get to the space station. ”
Kaede started coughing as he placed his beverage on the table. “You want to study?”
I nodded emphatically. “Yes. Well, no—I need to study. Would you two help me find information about the Aldawi and about CEG—culture, laws, system of rule? I want to determine my rights, understand what I am getting into.”
I glanced again at Xylo, hoping he’d support me in this. Kaede appeared to be struggling with the concept.
“I don’t want to cause trouble. I just need to feel informed.
Plus, you’ll know I am safely out of trouble while you’re working if I am cooped up doing research.
I know there isn’t nearly enough time to learn everything I might need to know, but I need to do something.
Please, Xylo. You’re a scholar. You know how powerful arming oneself with knowledge can be.
..” I trailed off when an answer did not seem forthcoming.
Xylo shared a glance with Kaede, then stared down at the table for a moment before meeting my gaze.
“Okay. If this is what you need to feel safe, to feel in control, I will help. And you are right, it will put my mind at ease while I am at work, knowing we won’t have a repeat of what occurred in the terrarium yesterday.
I will load my spare tablet with the material I believe you want and need. It’s at the infirmary.”
I leaned over in the booth and wrapped my arms around Xylo, hugging him tightly. “Thank you.”
Letting him go, I grabbed my spork, appetite roaring back with a vengeance now that was settled.
“You’re seriously fine with this?” Kaede asked Xylo in disbelief.
“She is in the last stages of her pregnancy. Her stamina is going to decrease, her hunger will increase, and she will start having pregnancy pains. I am surprised she has not already.” Picking up his glass for a sip, he continued, “This will serve multiple positive functions—put her mind at ease, allow her to rest, and keep her somewhere we know she will stay out of trouble. Do you really not see the benefits?”
I wanted to protest but kept my mouth shut. He was helping me get what I wanted after all.
Kaede chuckled, then turned his visored gaze on me. “Well, when you put it that way... Okay, I’ll drop whatever information I have onto Xylo’s spare tablet. You sitting around reading will certainly make my job easier.”
“Then it’s settled. Thank you both!”
I struggled to sit still through the remainder of our meal.
The excitement continued to bubble through me as we walked to the infirmary, my arm once more linked with Xylo’s as Kaede trailed behind us. Though it had only been a few days, I had been feeling aimless—having a goal reinvigorated me.
I smiled at every crew member we passed. To my surprise, most either nodded or returned my smile.
That made me think about the announcement the princes had mentioned.
Perhaps that was all that held back the Circuli?
Maybe they didn’t look down at me as the other humans aboard the Yaarkin vessel had.
Maybe I just needed to be brave enough to introduce myself to a few of them, but I also didn’t want to make a social misstep.
What if by speaking to a claimed nestmate I offended their nestqueen?
What if I gave an unclaimed male the wrong idea?
I sighed.
Information. Knowledge. Research.
I would add learning about Xylo’s culture to my list—it was just as important.
I clutched my new tablet to my chest as I hurried into the terrarium.
I’d known precisely where I’d find inspiration and quiet to explore the information they’d given me.
I plopped down against the tree at the edge of the forest and turned on the tablet.
I scrolled through the options, settling on Aldawi culture, and dove into an exciting new world.
Sometime later, a tap on the bottom of my foot startled me, and I dropped the tablet, looking up in surprise.
Odelm’s concerned face stared down at me.
“You missed lunch. I checked with Xylo, and he said you were here studying.”
I scooped up the tablet and reached out my other hand to Odelm. He stared down at it a moment, then grabbed it to help me to my feet. I dusted myself off, then looked over at him.
“Why were you checking on me?”
He looked away.
“We had made plans for me to teach you how to swim. When you did not arrive for lunch, I wanted to make sure you were okay. Twice now you skipped lunch and our lesson. It makes me wonder if you are still interested in learning how to swim.” He sighed.
“And I still do not agree with Xylo leaving you to roam on your own. You are his nestqueen and pregnant, he should be by your side to protect you and attend to your needs...”
Sensing Odelm launching into his favorite refrain—criticism of Xylo—I rolled my eyes and walked away.
I was sick and tired of hearing it. I was neither Circuli nor an invalid, and I did not want Xylo putting his life on hold to wait on me hand and foot.
Nor had I been doing anything dangerous.
I was studying. What harm could possibly come from that?
The most dangerous thing I’d done to date was swimming—and that was with Odelm to watch over me.
Though to be honest, I’d asked him to teach me more to foster a friendship than because I felt it necessary.
Whether he realized it or not, Odelm was trying to control me—the restrictive hovering chafed. Maybe it was instinct he was hard-pressed to control, but I was human—even as altered as I was—and didn’t need to be coddled by others. I didn’t want to give up even a small measure of freedom again.
Something smooth and slightly rubbery wrapped around my wrist, halting my progress. I stopped but tugged to free it from Odelm’s grip.
“Selena. Please.”
I turned around and stared him down. “What?”
“Tell me what I did wrong,” Odelm begged.
“Stop judging Xylo. It’s not your concern, nor do you have all the facts.
His research is important to my health and that of my offspring.
And while he’s busy, I’m doing my part to prepare for our arrival at CEG HQ.
I’m not going to go in there blind, depending on others to fight my battles for me. ”
“Is that what you were doing when I arrived? Studying?” he asked, eyeing the tablet in my hand.
“Yes.”