“Him?” He growled as his dark eyes darted to my scar. “Shouldn’t I meet him first?”
“My brother reported that they were agender.” Kaica frowned. “But he also used feminine pronouns for REI.”
“They are agender,” I countered, feeling the sudden urge to defend our Oetsae. From what, I didn’t know. “But they adjust to whatever makes their host the most comfortable.”
“Interesting… I would love to take you up on your offer once things settle.” She turned and gestured to the doorways we passed. “Your villa was getting crowded with the new support we gathered. Since you were missing, we got Z’s permission to expand our mountain base. My siblings and I were able to keep our private wing after our rooms were altered to fit our… growing families.”
“Congratulations!”
“Thank you.” She shot me a quick smile over her shoulder as her hair turned to a pinkish purple. “Chyox and Usthu have been supportive.”
I was familiar with that color, for it was the color my spots turned whenever I thought about my nestmates.
Surprised as I was by the news she had built a clan with her coworkers, the look in her eyes and the shading of her hair confirmed that she loved them. I couldn’t wait to see if her influence had softened Chyox’s icy personality.
“These are the living quarters for our clan’s families,” Zirene explained. “The hallway wraps around the back of the base, where there are entrances to the extended infirmary and hangar, and the new nestroom Xylo’s fathers suggested we build for your clan until my nestbrothers have healed.”
“Nestroom?” I wrinkled my brow at Zirene. “Here?”
“Only prestigious Circuli, especially those with larger clans, have multiple nestrooms built as a display of power.” He huffed. “Not until the middle of the Yaarkins War did their medical personnel learn about the healing benefits.”
“I’ll do anything they need.”
“I know,” Zirene purred, directing me toward a double-door entryway adorned with a sleek sign announcingInfirmaryin glowing blue letters.
Glancing around, I realized we had come to the end of the hallway. Two more sets of the same double doorways framed the corridor, one labeledHangarand the otherSelena’s Nest.
“This is it?”
My heart sank.
My four nestmates were waiting for me behind these doors, frozen in stasis. I needed to be the first thing they saw when their Cryopods opened.
“Yes,” Kaica whispered, glancing my way as she stepped beside me. “This is the expanded part of the infirmary where your nestmates lie.”
Steeling myself, I rolled my shoulders back, releasing a deep breath as I raised my hand to the scanner. I froze before I touched the panel.
“You can do this, Selena,”Vowels said, his voice was like a warm embrace.“You can finally be at peace, once your clan has reunited.”
“I know.”
I slammed my hand on the scanner as a wave of warmth passed from my fingertips to my palm.
The double doors swooshed open, revealing four Circuli males surrounding a display table projecting reports. Five Cryopods lined the far wall in a half arc, connected to medical machines and multiple displays. A multitude of robotic arms hung from the ceiling above each one, standing by to assist the healers with their patients. Eight golden threads led to the Circuli within the room, showing me where my nestmates lay.
One of the four Circuli healers straightened, his appendages contracting as he turned to face the doorway.
Chyox and Usthu looked up, their faces lighting when their gazes found mine. They each placed a fisted hand on their chests, between their hearts.
“Selena,” Usthu whispered. “Our Queen, you’ve returned.”
“I have.” My features twisted in confusion. Why were they acting like this? They had been a part of Xylo’s healing team for a while, caring for me and my cubs. “It’s been far too long.”
“It has.” Chyox nodded, stepping away from the others. His eyes traced my body as if searching for injuries, only to land on my scar. “Do you need assistance?”
His tone became frantic as his head snapped toward his nestqueen. “Is your brother incapable of performing basic medical treatment?”
“Kaede isn’t responsible for this mark,” I interjected, covering my scar with my hand. “I am alive and well. I don’t need a full medical exam before I can see why my nestmates weren’t able to welcome me home.”
