“Remember this, Selena,” he whispered, squeezing my hand. “I may not be by your side at all times, but that doesn’t mean I am not watching you. It is my duty to protect you, and I will never fail you again. If you ever need me for any reason, all you have to do is say my name, and I will teleport to you immediately.”
Without waiting for a response, the heat of his body left as he released my hand.
Licking my lips, I collected myself, trying to push away errant fantasies elicited by his sudden declaration. In any other situation, I would consider his offer a romantic gesture, but the context kept me in check.
He was telling me that if I needed him when I saw my nestmates—or anytime after—I just needed to call out his name, and he would comfort me.
His words only added to my dread of what was to come, but first, I needed to address the crowd before us. I couldn’t fly away to my nestmates’ sides without acknowledging their existence. They had come here curious and wishing to help ease our arrival.
I wasn’t going to behave as the other Circuli Queens I had heard stories about. They tended to ignore anyone who they deemed worthless.
Considering the princes’ conditions, and the control I had suddenly gained over the moon’s mental web, my citizens’ world was uncertain. They deserved to be acknowledged and treated as equals.
“Thank you for joining us today to witness my arrival. While there are many unanswered questions about my rescue, my clan’s health, and those who returned with me, I promise you I will give you answers, in due time.
“You have my word, once things settle, I will move forward with my plans for Destima, but until then, I ask you to respect our privacy, as we heal as a clan.”
Chapter Two
Kaede
Kaede watched Selena and her Sovereign board Z’s shuttle and take off toward the villa.
He hadn’t missed the crowd’s cheers after Selena had addressed them. They had called her ‘Beacon’ and ‘Queen’ and were already accepting her new titles as they welcomed her home. However, he doubted the transition would be smooth. The concerned and confused stares from the Circuli crowd demonstrated they were questioning how she had overtaken their mental web and how this would affect them.
Circuli couldn’t live long without a royal’s mental web. They rarely ventured beyond their sol system out of fear they could not return to their mental web’s embrace in time. Selena’s princes had given the Circuli a chance to fight in the Yaarkins War by combining their strength to form an unprecedented mental web for their fleet.
Odelm’s fathers were among the few Circuli to brave the distance. They had decided to take that risk so they could do something they loved—explore the galaxy. Now that they were a part of Destima’s network, Selena’s connections afforded them more freedom. Z had appointed them Destima’s official merchants, providing top-of-the-line cargo ships and the freedom to accept work from others when Destima didn’t need their services.
Kaede sighed, wanting to leave but stuck until he played his role.
As much as he wished he could accompany Selena when she first laid eyes upon her Circuli mates in their base, Kaede had to vet the newcomers. Selena’s ambassadors were his responsibility. He was the one who had entertained her idea and conveyed them across the galaxies after his Oetsae had vouched for them.
Kaede hoped he hadn’t made a mistake.
“Wow, Kaede!” Q exclaimed, gripping Kaede’s shoulder. “That display! Who knew you would come back a mated male after all this time?”
“You won’t be one soon, if you don’t get your hand off me,” Kaede grumbled, glaring at the hooded fluff-ball. “I haven’t forgotten that you made a flock with my sister.”
“You have nothing to worry about.” He released his grip, and Q’s playful demeanor turned serious, his pale-green gaze pinning his new brother. “Your sister would gut me herself, if I ever wronged her.”
“You’d have to deal with the rest of us, too.” Kaede chuckled.
Nodding at B, who wrapped her arm around Q, he returned to the topic of the newcomers. “Once Oeta is done vetting the ambassadors, we have to report to Z and ask where he wants them to stay.”
“Wouldn’t it be up to Selena?” B pursed her lips and tilted her head. “This is still her moon.”
“We can ask for her input when we get there,” Kaede muttered. The clan will need time to heal, so Selena might not be willing to get involved. “For now, we will take each day one task at a time.”
“She will get through this.” B grabbed his hand and squeezed. “We will forever stand by your clan’s side. After all, they are our family now.”
Kaede glanced at Q, who smirked in return.
He suspected the male had planted this idea in his sister’s mind. While he’d had the same thought, it wasn’t easy to accept he was now connected to Selena’s Circuli and the Aldawi Sovereign through his Beacon. The Fates had chosen to bring them together for a reason, but that didn’t mean he was comfortable with his new relationship with Z, his rescuer and employer.
“Indeed.” Kaede nodded, ready to put an end to the sentimental conversation.
He appreciated their support, but this wasn’t the appropriate place or time to voice it. There were still stragglers of the crowd hovering curiously.
