Chapter 26
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Selena
Throughout our meal, I observed Odelm and Xylo’s interactions.
They were animated, all resentment or strain seemed to have dissolved.
I wasn’t sure whether their happiness was simply having a clan, a nestqueen, or if it was me specifically—most likely a combination of the two.
Ultimately, it was about finally finding a place where they belonged.
They spent the entire dinner devising a schedule to ensure I would never be alone.
Xylo warned symptoms of my pregnancy would get worse before I delivered.
Odelm changed his performance schedule to the hours between lunch and dinner, so I could study quietly in the café while he performed.
I was thrilled they were working so well together and knew it was because they cared.
So, I kept my mouth shut at the heavy-handed protection, shaking my head at them with a laugh.
Resting my hands on my stomach, I watched Kaede.
He was silent, simply observing the three of us.
Once in a while, he would type something into his armband, but there were no random comments.
He didn’t try to take over the plans, claiming his right as my Head of Security.
It was strange—he hadn’t ever seemed to do much for someone supposedly in charge of my safety.
I hardly saw him. I wondered whether he simply felt there wasn’t much to do on the secure ship, or if he was using alternate means to track me and keep me safe.
I certainly recalled his invisible drones. ..
At that moment, he raised his head, visor turned toward me, catching me watching him. I hastily turned toward Odelm, trying to act as if I hadn’t been studying Kaede.
“Odelm, when were you planning to move in? Isn’t that an important tradition once you form a courting bond? Unless, of course, you don’t want to. I mean, you certainly don’t have to... I don’t want you to think...”
I cut off my embarrassed babbling and grabbed my drink. I couldn’t believe I had just assumed... With all the changes, all the upheaval, my heart felt raw.
It would certainly be handy to be able to sense things from them as they could from me. I couldn’t detect a thing though I had tried. It made me feel we weren’t on even terms. It was disconcerting.
Odelm’s hand gently lifted my chin, making me face him. His eyes traced my face.
“Selena. I am sorry. I did not mean to make you feel vulnerable. Of course, I wish to move in with you. I just got wrapped up in plans to ensure your health and safety. In my excitement, I forgot to register myself to your clan and list you as my nestqueen. I have a lot of instruments and belongings stored in my cabin and will need to enlist some help to move them.”
“I think there are several empty spare rooms in the suite. Take one as yours, there should be plenty of space.” I turned to Xylo for confirmation. “Right? I hadn’t really explored much yet and wasn’t around when you moved in, but I think there’s a lot of room?”
Xylo nodded over my head at Odelm. “Yes. I put my personal belongings in one of those rooms, and there are plenty of others empty, especially since I left most of my research in my office at the infirmary.” He glanced at his wristband.
“There is still plenty of time to register and move before bed.”
“Really?”
“Certainly. I can help, and I am sure we can find a few others willing.” Xylo peered over at Kaede.
“Would you keep Selena company while we move Odelm's belongings? If it gets too late and she grows tired, you can take her back to the suite for bed. I do not want her to lose any sleep waiting on us.”
Kaede closed his armband screen and nodded. “No problem. Happy to help out.”
“Okay, let us get moving before it gets too late. You can fill out the registration form along the way and contact the princes about the change.” Xylo gestured to Odelm, and they slid out of the booth.
I watched my two nestmates leave the café as Kaede slid back into the booth, settling in Xylo’s previous spot on my right.
Leaning in, he whispered, “I’m glad we have a few moments alone. I wanted to talk to you. Is everything okay? I can have you off this ship before anyone would notice.”
“What? What are you talking about?” I shifted away in shock, placing my drink carefully on the table, then eyed him.
“Kaede, I am now permanently bonded to Xylo and court-bonded to Odelm. Why would there be something wrong? Besides, their connections would allow them to find me, no matter where I went.”
He rested his elbow on the table, propping his head on his hand, visor aimed at me.
I felt the weight of his gaze. It made me uneasy to be subjected to his scrutiny while being unable to see his face.
It was hard to read him without being able to see his expressions.
I only had his voice to judge his moods, and sometimes, his tone did not match his words. It was confusing.
Sitting there next to me, silently observing, I could feel him trying to decipher what I’d said.
“You didn’t answer my question.”
I rolled my eyes at him. “Of course, I don’t wish to go anywhere.
Everything is fine. Well, if you discount the fact I’m pregnant by some mystery male who doesn’t want me to know who he is—someone you work for, by the way.
And that I don’t know precisely when I’m due.
And that when this ship arrives at CEG HQ, I have no idea what will happen to my children and me.
But both Xylo and Odelm are treating me well if that’s what you’re asking.
And why the hell would you wait until now to offer, when it would have been more logical days ago? ”
“The Aldawi trusts this crew. The Circuli have been faithful to them. Given all the uncertainty and danger, my client wants to make sure everything’s worked out and taken care of before you arrive. My latest reports indicate it may be more difficult than we thought to protect you.
“You and your cubs will need to be registered with CEG as citizens in order to be given the standard IDs and credit scanner. But since you’re human—and Earth is gone, nor was it ever an official member of CEG—you will need to declare yourself citizens of another species.
Preferably the Aldawi, since your cubs will be at least partially of that species.
That will cause an uproar in CEG, which my client is trying to prevent.
It’s taking him longer than he thought it would.
“We both believe Master Scholar Xylo is capable of caring for you and your cubs, and I feel like you are pretty safe on this ship, but I worry whether you are happy. And I worry we will arrive before my client is ready. If need be, I’m prepared to move you to our escort vessel and get you away from here for your safety.
Until my client’s ready for you to get there. ”
“I’m not leaving them. Honestly, I feel like I know both Xylo and Odelm better than you. And with my bond to each of them, I trust them more, too, Kaede. I’m still struggling to get a handle on you.
“They won’t endanger me—it goes against their species’ very instincts.
If anything happened to me, they would know.
I’ve been afraid to ask what would happen if a bonded male's nestqueen died, but I know it can’t be good after hearing about what a severed male goes through.
So, even if I hadn’t begun to build something special with them, I trust they’ll do everything in their power to keep me safe.
No, that diminishes what I feel with them, something my soul yearned for throughout my captivity—companionship, friendship, and acceptance.
I know it’s too early for love—and let’s be honest, all I know of love is what I’ve read—but I’m content with the friendships I’ve built with them both. ”
I turned away from him and reached for my drink. Kaede’s black-gloved hand covered mine, stilling me.
“Selena. You don’t understand how much it hurts to hear you trust them over me.
I’ve sacrificed so much to help find you.
I was the one who located the Yaarkin ship and hacked their systems. I was the one who helped launch the attack—though you escaped before we could rescue you.
I invested so many years searching for you, and I volunteered for this mission.
I wanted to be the one to escort and protect you.
Please keep that in mind when I’m trying to explain things or ask you to do something.
My only concern is for your wellbeing—and that of your cubs. ”
Shock ran through me at his confession. “You’ve known about me all these years?”
A heavy sigh escaped him. “Yes. My client knew you existed and sent me to locate you. When the Yaarkin War ended and you hadn’t been located, we knew there must be at least one more Yaarkin ship in our galaxy, but I couldn’t find it.
They’d recruited pirates and mercenaries, who dip into the black market to protect them and hide their location.
According to the records we found on the ship after you escaped, the Yaarkins were trading time with the pleasure workers for protection and allowing their ship to be used as a base for black market dealings, and making a profit in the meanwhile.
Word spread and unsavory sorts traveled great distance to sample the Yaarkin pleasure slaves.
All of this while hiding in plain sight since unlicensed mercenaries and pirating are illegal in CEG space. ”
As though just becoming aware he still held my hand, he yanked his away as if burned. I eyed him a moment before taking a sip of my drink.
“What are you telling me, Kaede? What do you want? It almost seems you’re asking me for obedience because of all the years you helped your client search for me.”
Kaede jerked, then reached to take both my hands in his own. I could feel his burning gaze through his visor.