Chapter 31
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Selena
The familiar tropical paradise of my dreamscape surrounded me.
Bright yellow sun. Bright blue sky. Vibrant and colorful plant life. The sound of the lilac waves crashing onto the white sand beach below my villa. The sea breeze blew my silver hair across my face as I sat on the porch railing, hugging my legs.
I felt two strong essences appear beside me.
“Selena?” V’dim asked in shock.
“Is this what I think it is?”
I smiled, delighted to share my dreamscape with someone else. I gestured expansively, encompassing the entire island.
“Welcome to my dreamscape. I’m assuming this isn’t normal, and something went wrong when you entered my memories.”
I turned to face them.
They were looking at their surroundings, their faces a mixture of awe and disbelief.
I gave them a few moments to absorb everything, then repeated, “So, what happened?”
Z’fir stepped up beside me and leaned over the railing, looking at the island spread out below. “One moment we were searching through your memories, the next we woke up here.”
I looked down at my feet and wiggled my toes as I wondered what exactly they’d seen. Somehow, having the princes in my dreamscape seemed more intimate than allowing them into my mind though I wasn’t sure why.
Peering up at them, I finally asked, “So, what did you see?”
Z’fir turned and set his back against the railing, glancing at V’dim. “We saw everything.”
“Some horrible things. Some things I wish I could unsee. Little good. I feel traumatized just witnessing it.” V’dim sighed. “Selena, how did you survive everything we witnessed? And how are you able to lock it away so completely, to remain such a compassionate and kind person?”
I gave him a sad smile. “This place. Every night I came here to escape. It was my one respite from the monotony and cruelty of my daily life. I don’t think I would have survived at all without it.”
I looked around my island, allowing the serenity of the scene to leech away the pain his words dredged up.
“Do you know what this is, Selena? This place?”
“No. I just assumed it was something everyone did. A free place everyone had to escape to.”
V’dim glanced at Z’fir, who responded, “No. It is a rare ability, and it only manifests in those with strong psi gifts.” Meeting my gaze, Z’fir kept his tone gentle as he continued, “Selena, it is a mental construct that shields your mind from others. Usually, it only manifests under great stress—your situation certainly qualified—and even then, only sometimes.”
I looked away from him, back to my island view.
“If you’re asking why I brought you here, I don’t know. I don’t even know how I did. I wouldn’t even have considered it possible.”
Something cool gripped my ankle, grabbing my attention.
I looked down to see V’dim’s hand cupping my ankle gently.
“We know, Selena. It is our fault for not being prepared. Xylo had told us you had a strong shielding ability, but it just did not occur to us you had the mental strength to create a dreamscape. Nor to pull us in with you. Both Z’fir and I have witnessed how unique your bond is with both Odelm and Xylo.
It is as if your shields spread to them across the threads of your bonds.
Xylo told us he no longer needed to maintain his shields around most people. ”
“I wonder how it would feel not to need to keep my mental shields up all the time,” Z’fir murmured, almost to himself.
We fell into a comfortable silence, simply enjoying the beautiful scenery.
The warmth of the sun on my body felt nice as the brisk wind tickled my skin. The sounds of the waves on the beach and the chatter of the birds brought me peace.
V’dim sighed. “I am envious of this place.”
Z’fir grunted in response. “It makes me miss our home planet, and yearn all the more to find a new planet to call our own.”
Turning my face away from the water, I studied the princes. They had their tentacles and vines entwined as they leaned against the railing and one another, looking out over the view. I could see how much they cared for each other.
“How long have you been together?”
They stared at one another for a moment before meeting my gaze.
A smile crossed V’dim’s face. “We felt a connection while we were maturing in the Royal Hatchery and have been inseparable ever since.”
“So, is that why neither of you have nestqueens?”
His smile fell as he glanced at Z’fir, who frowned in response.
“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to pry,” I blurted, horrified.
Z’fir waved a hand dismissively. “Do not fret. It is not exactly a state secret, and we owe you an answer after all you have shared with us.”
He sighed, clearly thinking.
“Depends on who you talk to. If you were to ask our mothers, they believe our connection inhibited our forming a bond with a nestqueen. They tried many times to split us up. They wanted to use us to make political connections with other clans, and since Ulax and Wudox cannot interbreed, we would not be able to share the same nestqueen. Personally, we do not care about reproducing and just want to be together. But we both know that if we find a new planet to settle on, it would be up to us to create new royal lines since our Queens did not agree with this mission.”
“What do you mean?”
V’dim picked up the thread. “Before we left, the Queens decreed that either we stay and split up—bonding with nestqueens of their choice, or we stay together but would be renounced and forced to leave Circuli. We refused to separate, and indeed, had already been working on plans for this voyage. So, our new colony will need a new royal line. There is no returning to Circuli. For the benefit of our people, we will do what we could not at the whims of our mothers—find nestqueens and create a new royal line for each species. Until then, we will spend as much time together as we are able.”
“If you’re only going to end up bonded with a nestqueen, why leave?” I asked confused.
“To escape the rigid society on Circul. To give the other unmated and severed males a place to call home. To allow our people a choice in how they live.” V’dim’s voice filled with thick emotion.
“Couldn’t you change how you govern your species? Or elevate someone else to be the new royal family? I mean, it’s going to be a new beginning. You are already planning changes, so why not change everything? Why sacrifice yourselves?”
They looked stunned, their eyes filled with wonder.
“Why did not we think about that?” Z’fir turned to V’dim.
“We were too focused on getting away and searching for a new planet. We did not stop to consider there might be an alternative. It took an outsider’s unbiased view to see things clearly.
Something to remember,” V’dim replied. His turquoise eyes met mine.
“But for now, our focus has to be on getting Selena to CEG HQ safely. And to ensure her rights are not trampled.”
I smiled at him in appreciation.
Z’fir nodded. “Not that I do not enjoy the feeling of being planet-side once more—this place is remarkable—but how do we get out of here? Knowing your nestmates, they are likely feeling your absence and are worried.”
I shrugged and looked away. “I just will myself awake.”
“Yes, as wonderful as this is, I am starting to feel a little uncomfortable being here. Can you take us back?” V’dim added.
“Yeah. I’m just afraid of what will happen when we wake up.” My voice cracked.
“We will be there for you when we do.”
Bright lights blinded me as I tried to open my eyes.
I moaned and covered my face with my arm.
“Dim the lights. She’s waking,” Kaede demanded, his voice vibrating with rage I’d never heard from him before.
My heart raced and my breathing quickened.
Why was he angry? What was happening? Where was I?
My hand rested on something soft, and gripping it, I realized a blanket covered me. I slid my hand down to my stomach, protectively cupping its swell.
“My cubs?”
Someone’s hand covered my own, cool against the warmth of my skin.
“They are perfectly fine, Selena. You have nothing to worry about.” Chyox’s voice soothed from my bedside. I calmed as the cool hand squeezed mine.
“Where is Xylo? Odelm? The princes? Are they all right?” My voice cracked, mouth dry.
“Xylo and Odelm have not left your side. They’re asleep next to you. I ordered for them to be sedated when they started to become unreasonable and aggressive.” Kaede’s voice was clipped. “The princes? They’re lucky no harm came to you, or they’d be fertilizer for this rust bucket’s terrarium.”
“Kaede—”
“No. I did not want to make any sweeping changes as long as you were safe and things proceeded smoothly aboard ship. But the princes’ stunt not only sent half the crew into hysterics, they also put you in harm's way. This ship is mine until we arrive at CEG HQ.”
Carefully pulling my arm away from my eyes, I squinted as I scanned the room.
Chyox nodded and released my hand before walking away.
My gaze landed on Kaede, who stood at my bedside with his arms crossed.
Usthu and Ayces hovered behind him with nervous looks on their faces.
Both Chyox and Ayces had morphed to a sickly yellow interspersed with orange.
“You’re being unreasonable, Kaede. This was not their fault. It was mine.”
“It’s a good thing you aren’t in charge of me. Be angry with me if you want, but I’m going to prevent anything else happening to you, even if that means I stop giving you space and follow you everywhere.”
“You can’t wrap me in cotton wool. It was an accident!” I yelled in anger.
“Just like bonding yourself to Xylo was!” he snapped back.
I opened my mouth in shock.
I couldn’t believe Kaede had just said that.
He clearly didn’t trust my judgment nor care about my opinion.
Had I been right after all? Was I supposed to be some brainless puppet—a piece of property to be traded from one master to another?
Was he just another prison guard ensuring delivery to a new master by whatever means necessary?