“Is it true that you’re some sort of princess?” Her gaze flicked to Zyxel. “I’ve heard rumors.”
“She’s more like a queen, orthequeen, to be honest,” Kaede replied. “Ryzen, how does it feel that your brother almost started a war to save your life?”
“There wouldn’t have been a war.” Luwyn snorted. “Your vessel alone could have taken out our whole base without a problem.”
“Exactly.”
I elbowed Kaede gently in the stomach and glared at my new mate. He could be anishing fraxsometimes and now wasn’t the time for him to brag.
“The queen of what? An island?” Tori asked. “Is that where you want to relocate us—your island?”
Kaede chuckled behind me and I threw another glare over my shoulder.
“My new full title is Selena Darcaw, Beacon of the Aldawi Empire, Seedbearer and Nova to Zirene Darcaw, and ruler of the moon Destima of the Lunkai Sol System.” I shrugged. “Unless I’ve gained any more titles since I left.”
“Which means she’s the mother of the heirs to the Aldawi Empire, the second largest and most powerful empire in the CEG. Last time I checked, they are also the Primary Officer of seventeen Secondaries,” Kaede added. “You see, the Aldawi have grown so powerful not due to aggressive expansion. No, unlike the largest empire in the galaxy, the Quaww, they don’t command and conquer. Instead, the Aldawi have amassed power by gathering vassal states of less powerful species in their empire, which pay a small tax for protection and the right to govern themselves, as long as they obey the laws of the Aldawi and the CEG. To top it all off, the Aldawi have funded the majority of the war against the Yaarkins and were able to thrive off their stolen technology and experimental results, so they have secured their position as the strongest empire within the CEG.”
“Basically, Kaede is saying that the Aldawi have become strong not by defeating and killing innocents but by creating allies and taking others in,” I interjected. “This is why welcoming ambassadors and relocating the five thousand or so members of your base won’t be a problem forus, as long as the CEG accepts your applications for citizenship.”
They all stared at me, speechless. I didn’t understand why Kaede had joined in unless he was trying to drive home that they were messing with the wrong people.
“Tori, you’re right; I am planning on relocating everyone to an island. My villa sits atop the main island of the moon I rule. We have quite a few refugees who recently made Destima their home. I was working on community plans before I was kidnapped. My goal was to make my moon self-reliant and maybe, over time, open a private resort where guests must apply and be invited to attend.” I shrugged. “I might need to delay those plans since it seems I’m returning to more responsibilities.”
“I’ve been talking to royalty all this time?” Tori murmured, covering her mouth as fear flashed in her bright-green eyes. “Are we supposed to bow or call you by your title? If I had known, I would’ve done that from the beginning!”
“No, I don’t do titles.” I waved her off. “It gets confusing when you start involving my other mates’ titles.”
“How many mates are we talking about?” Zyxel interrupted. I didn’t miss the glare he shot Kaede. “Tori has three. I’m sure it can’t be that difficult.”
“Including Kaede, I have six—a sovereign, two exiled princes, a Master Scholar, a musician, and now a royal guard.” I squeezed his hands around me. I could feel his chest puffing with pride when I mentioned his claim.
“Highly trained royal guard,” Kaede corrected with a smirk.
“Your Sovereign allowed you to mate with his brothers?” Ryzen splattered. “Why would he do that?”
“No one is related,” I explained. “Most of my mates belong to different species, so there shouldn’t be any conflict outside of the rules of the clan, which I have already established.” Sighing, I stared at the ceiling as I tried to keep from crying in public. “Everything was magical when I left. I just hope they’re all okay when we arrive.”
Reaching out, I checked my connections, which were still the same—so diminished that I was afraid to attempt contacting my nestmates.
At least the bonds were still there and untouched, which meant my mates were still alive and waiting for my return.
