Glancing down at his Nova, he vowed to give her whatever she needed to excel, and above all, to be happy. The Stars may be testing him, but he would stand strong.
Selena was a forgiving female, but he would never abuse her kind nature for his gain. He had accepted his new rank, knowing it would protect both his Nova and their cubs better, but he could see it also made them a target. They needed protection and peace, now more than ever.
This was why Kaede was starting to seem more appealing as a mate to Selena.
“I take it there’s more at play than what you are saying,” Zirene announced, eyeing the golden Oetsae. “I’ve come to terms with Selena being your host, but that doesn’t mean I want to be left in the dark regarding her condition. While you may share the same body, we are her mates and connected to her just as closely. You are no better than us, but I am willing to treat you as an equal. Tell us what you need from us to release them from the psychic construct you placed them in.”
“It was never my intention to imply I am better than you, as you claim.”
Euouae waved one hand over the display, causing the orbs to vanish before stepping off the display table and over the fallen Circuli bodies, with graceful ease, to stand before Selena. His eyes were like Zirene’s: dark and endless. They traced her body, devoid of emotion.
“I know my place, and while my host is my primary concern, her wellbeing depends on her clan. She constantly thinks about how she can be a better mate to those who love her and a better mother to her cubs.
“Therefore, I view her clan members as an extension of her. If I can improve the lives of her nestmates, then I will—and I have. The psychic construct keeps them alive as I heal their souls’ shells—their bodies. However, I’m limited by the energy she provides, because those four bodies are still weak and trying to survive independently.
“My task will take longer than you may want, especially since Selena is still drained from her kidnapping”—his dark gaze landed on Zirene, understanding and mutual respect passing between them—“however, if I am given enough energy to harness, I can mend her nestmates at a greater speed, so long as they are touching her.”
“The nestroom.” Zirene rose from the bench with Selena still limp in his arms and turned to his only conscious clanbrother. “We must get them to the nestroom and install those extra night lamps.”
“Why can’t things be simple for once?” Kaede combed his hair back, growling in frustration as he glared at Euouae. “How many do you suspect we need, and how soon? It will take time for my sisters and me to retrieve and install the orbs.”
“The more, the better.” Euouae scanned the fallen Circuli on the floor. “I can hold them in this state, but I won’t be able to heal them, if they aren’t touching her. Even when they do, the process will be inefficient without additional energy sources.”
“My clan and I can help you, Kaede,” Kaica announced, looking up from her tablet. Her two nestmates surrounded her, their appendages resting at their sides. “We took part in designing the nestroom and know how we can install the maximum number of night lamps without messing with the room’s flow.” She faced Xylo’s fathers with a gentle smile. “I believe we aren’t all needed here, if Selena’s unconscious mates are indeed stable, and the more trustworthy hands Kaede has helping him, the faster we can get Selena’s clan situated.”
Zirene’s ears flicked back as sounds filtered through the double doors.
Oeta stormed in with wide eyes, and her fuchsia aura bright. Zyxel, Ryzen, and Celyze followed close behind.
Glaring at the outsiders, Zirene tightened his grip on Selena, holding her close as he hissed a warning. Kaede followed his lead, stepping in front of Selena, defending them both from the newcomers.
“What is this?” Zirene demanded, resisting the urge to spread his dominant aura. “Who gave you the clearance to bring outsiders here?”
“I don’t need clearance,” Oeta replied, stopping before him with wings spread as if shielding the others from his wrath. She met his gaze without wavering. “Ifeltwhat happened from the dining hall, as did Ryzen and Celyze. I could tell something was wrong before Kaede contacted me, so I invited these three, knowing their medical and mental expertise could assist us…” She glanced around the room, her gaze landing on the fallen Circuli. “But it seems you have things under control.”
“That wasn’t your call, Oeta,” Zirene hissed. “While I appreciate your concern on the matter, you could’ve reached out to me, or anyone else in the room, and requested access for the outsiders. Instead, you made the decision yourself. Now, what am I going to do with three outsiders who’ve seen the inside of this base?”
“If you would allow me, Sovereign,” Ryzen began, stepping beside Oeta, “I could already sense there was a base, before Oeta led us here, due to mental activity emanating from the mountain. I didn’t mention it, because I understand the need for discretion, but I can’t stand back while you reprimand our guide for trying to save your clan.”
“How long have you known?” Zirene hedged, disgruntled by this news. He needed to consult Kaede about somehow blocking mental activity from leaving the base before any other powerful telepath came to Destima.
“Since we broke through the moon’s atmosphere.” The male dared to meet his gaze. Zirene wondered if he knew he was challenging his dominance. “But, like I said before, my goal is to foster mutual trust between us, so you grant my people sanctuary from a life on the run.”
“And the rest of you?”
“Zyxel has been the head doctor on my base for years, and I trust him to find the best solution in any situation,” Ryzen replied, glancing at the crimson male. “And Celyze has been my good luck charm ever since I rescued him and his clan. I like having him around to communicate with our patients or the Stars.”
Zirene didn’t have the heart to fault Oeta for what she had done. He knew the female doted on Selena and their cubs, but he couldn’t push away his protective instincts. The clan needed Zirene and Kaede to protect them while they were unconscious and vulnerable to the universe around them.
It was too sudden—too soon—to welcome more into the fold. His sire’s betrayal was still fresh, and Selena had just now returned, after the last disaster.
Was he foolish to deny these outsiders’ offer of assistance after Oeta and Euouae had cleared them?
That, he didn’t know.
A part of him insisted their current medical team sufficed, but he couldn’t rationally deny the help of more healers, especially since most of his clan was injured.
“Kaede.” He sighed, knowing he was acting irrationally because of his past. “Get them entered in the system with access to the infirmary, lift, and teleport system. Once Mwe clears them, I will grant them more access to the base, but for now, that’s all.”
