“Everyone has their secrets,” Zyxel countered, glancing at their joined hands as he tightened his grip. “Mine are mine to keep. You know how devoted I am to Selena already. She. Is. It. For. Me. I won’t do anything to hurt her now that I’ve found her.”
“Get in line.” Oeta chuckled, tilting her head Kaede’s way. “Selena has plenty of mates to care for her at the moment. If Fate wills it, the Stars will continue to lead you toward her path. But remember, I know your mental signature, so don’t play games with her heart.”
“I would never,” he swore, glaring as he leaned forward. “I know my place and will wait until Selena is ready to determine what she wants to do with me. Until then, I will use what the Stars have gifted me to help her clan in any way that I can.”
“Iknow,” Oeta growled. Her fuchsia aura flared as she spread her wings. “Remember that before you threaten me. You may be physically stronger than me, but I can strip your mind with a mere thought. My father heads this galaxy’s chamber of leaders, the Assembly, and one thought to him can make yournightmarescome true.”
“Do we have a problem?” Kaede stepped closer, eyeing the pair on high alert.
Oeta didn’t throw her weight around unless she felt threatened. He had always admired her for acting like a normal citizen instead of the daughter of one of the most powerful beings in the galaxy. She must’ve seen something unnerving in Zyxel’s head to react so fiercely.
“They pass,” Oeta spat, jerking her hand away from Zyxel. “Besides some difficult pasts and harmless secrets, their intention for coming here is pure. Tori’s clan is bound to her, and she wants to befriend Selena, but most importantly, they all want those who were left behind at their secret asteroid base to have a home.”
Snapping her wings shut, her fuchsia aura flared once more as she jerked her head toward Ryzen. “He wants to correct his brother’s actions by begging Z for forgiveness and asking him to step in for the good of his people. He understands that while Selena may be the new Beacon, and owner of this moon, without Z’s support, his people wouldn’t be able to settle here safely.”
“And Zyxel?” Kaede crossed his arms and studied the crimson serpent. “What was that about?”
“He is not a threat,” Oeta admitted, but her expression told him there was more to the story. “He won’t dare hurt Selena and the clan. That is all you need to know.”
Kaede felt a brush against his enforced shields, and REI’s acknowledgment told him Oeta was requesting communication.
They had conversed this way many times while he searched for Selena, and he appreciated that she always asked before breaking through. Kaede wasn’t foolish. He knew she could force her way through his mental shields, if she wished, like his walls were made of leaves. She was asking out of curiosity and respect.
“Ryzen is confused by Selena,”Oeta reported, her tone serious.“He doesn’t understand what she is and how she was able to save him, even though his twin brother wasn’t able to reach him. Beyond his curiosity, he is determined to find his people a safe home.”
“What about Zyxel?”
“He isn’t an alpha,”Oeta confirmed.“So, you need not worry about another dominant male fighting for Selena’s attention. Treat him like your Circuli nestbrothers, because he’s a submissive caretaker, like they are. All he wants is to be in Selena’s good graces.”
“Fine,”Kaede huffed. “I trust your judgment. If you have nothing else to tell me, I would like to return to myAbyssand report to Z for room assignments.”
Kaede was done with this conversation. The suns were setting, and all he wanted to do was to stand by Selena’s side when she first entered the infirmary’s new Cryopod chamber and took in her nestmates’ conditions.
It had been a long mission, and now that he had returned successfully, he wanted to finally relax in his territory, surrounded by his creations available at a thought.
“I know where everyone’s assigned rooms are—I helped design and prepare them,” Oeta announced, stepping closer to Kaede, her fuchsia eyes locked on to his. “Z will not be available to deal with that tonight. Neither will you.”
“What are you saying?”
“I am relieving you of your duties.” Pursing her lips, she looked toward the highest mountain. “You did your job and returned Selena where she belongs. Let me take care of your clan by handling this. Selena will need her nestmates—now, that includes you.”
Chapter Six
Selena
Every step was one closer to where my nestmates lay.
The dark halls only added to the dread I felt as we silently followed Kaica. Sleek walls framed the carved mountain passageways, etched with tracks of light that lit the way. Thin cracks in the shape of doors were the only evidence of entryways, breaking the uniformity of the walls.
“What is this place?”
“Our base’s new wing.” Kaica glanced over her shoulder. “We used the orb robots—”
“They are called Oetsae,” I corrected, nodding.
“Right, I’ve read Kaede’s reports.” Her eyes skittered across the marks along my neck and my chest, staring at my scar in wonder. “I’ve learned about them, but I haven’t been able to converse with one, yet.”
“I am sure I can arrange that.” I shrugged, glancing at Zirene. “You haven’t met him, either.”
