“Vowels,”I pathed, studying the names of the nearby sol systems.“Is it possible for you to keep track of this timer?”
“I’ve synced up with REI and theAbyss’s Oetsae, joining their network,”Vowels confirmed.“Even though REI and I have organic hosts, the others believe it is important that we serve as an expansion to their system in case you or Kaede are in trouble. It would be easy to transfer information and locate each other if you were ever separated from your clan. Kaede will never lose you.”
“You mean if I am ever in trouble, he would be the first to know?”
“Among the first, yes. Your nestmates may know before he does only because they have a direct connection to you, while his alert would be passed between multiple mediums.”
Knowing that Kaede had a backup plan made warmth bloom in my stomach, relaxing some of my nerves. However, concerns about handling Mwe’s visit to Destima and my cubs remained. He planned to discuss the future of the asteroid base’s refugees with my ambassadors, which was vital, but so was gathering my cubs and returning them where they belonged.
“Selena,” Xylo called out, pulling me from my inner turmoil. He stepped beside me and cupped my cheeks, directing my face to his as our eyes locked. “I can feel your confusion and your concern for your mates. Know that we can spend a day or so without you while we continue to recover—”
“But Masmi won’t allow Selena to show up and take her cubs so quickly,” Kaede huffed, jerking his head toward Zirene. “You know your sister is as stubborn as you are, and she has been waiting to show off her villa for a long time. Masmi won’t tolerate a fly-by, especially since the Harvest Festival will begin in about a week. I’m not telling you what to do, Selena, but if you think you can handle being without your cubs for another week or less, then I would just wait a little longer. My clanbrothers can have more time to heal with you nearby, and then you can take a week-long vacation with your clan and celebrate the Harvest Festival.”
“So, we should keep to the original plan, then,” I muttered and sighed. My family was so close to whole, but once again, responsibilities were holding me hostage. “If it’s okay with my cubs, then I think I can handle it. It’s them I’m worried about.”
“I am sure Masmi has been spoiling them, and Pavryn has been keeping them busy with lessons,” Zirene assured me, rubbing my side soothingly. “Plus, they can play with cubs their age. It’s a completely healthy and educational setup for them.”
“Can we call them?” Xylo dropped his hand as I stared at the four live feeds on the vidscreen. They had just finished eating and were bathing now. “When do you usually speak with them?”
“Around this time,” Zirene replied in his usual business tone. “I usually speak with them then ask their caretakers for a report before I start the day. If I am lucky, I can catch them once again around my midday meal, but usually, they are settling down to sleep then.”
“As soon as we speak with them, I can summon Kaica and Oeta. They can confirm that the clan is healthy enough to spend the day outside,” Kaede offered as he waved his hand to bring up a live feed of my private backyard pool at my villa. “Tori has been demanding time with you, especially after Oeta told them that it might be possible to join your clan on your villa’s estate.”
“They had a small pond in the center of their base’s living space,” I explained. “It was much smaller than theDestiny’s and was where the refugees would playfight. Tori mentioned how she wished she could just enjoy the water and not be pressured into some competition.”
“Then let’s get ahold of our cubs so you can have some peace of mind,” Zirene said, nodding his head toward Kaede. “If they are fine with delaying your visit a few days for the Harvest Festival, then you can try on one of the new swimsuits your sisters have bought you, and we can spend some time out of this room for once.”
Chapter Thirty
Zirene
It pained him to see his Nova in such disarray.
What Kaede had said was true; if Selena went to pick up the cubs, Masmi would demand she remain there until the Harvest Festival was over. He loved his sister but knew that having her on their side would benefit them in the long run. She was the unofficial leader of all female Aldawi, and if he intended to unite both sexes in the future, he would need to stay on her good side.
This was the first of many decisions Selena needed to make not only as a mother but as Beacon.
She had cubs who missed their mother.
A clan that needed her.
A network of Circuli citizens who depended on her.
And Zirene, her Shadow, the Aldawi Sovereign.
If she could wait a few more days to welcome Mwe, she would be able to enjoy the Harvest Festival. By the time it would be over, his new capital would be finished and ready to settle.
He hadn’t told her that they would most likely perform a speech at the beginning of the Harvest Festival. That was the main reason he didn’t want her leaving yet; he couldn’t accompany her now and introduce her to the important females as he should.
Still, it was her decision. Too many decisions had been taken away from her. He wouldn’t pressure her either way, even though the original plan would be the easiest for all parties involved.
“Open the private channel and page Masmi,” Zirene ordered Kaede.
He was taken aback by the lack of bite in his tone, and the arching of Kaede’s eyebrow told him that he was surprised, too.
Zirene had felt subconsciously more in tune with the idea of Kaede being his clanbrother since he had submitted to him. He no longer saw him as a threat. Kaede may not be Aldawi, but he held Alpha Ezzaska genes. After reading over the reports, Zirene understood why the male had always acted dominant and lethal, a deadly combo with the AI—and now Oetsae—living within him.
But Kaede was faithful to Selena and would kill and sacrifice to protect her. That was an asset Zirene had yet to find in anyone other than his clanbrothers.
