“We can discuss it at another time,” I hedged. “I have plenty of apartment buildings full of empty cabins with balconies, which would give you the capability to fly to and fro. But until the Assembly accepts you, there’s nothing I can do.”
“We understand,” Celyze replied, nodding. “But it’s hard not to voice the excitement from the opportunities that Destima would provide for us. That you and your Sovereign could provide for us.”
“This is true,” I agreed, leaning against Xylo. “I understand, but until the time has come, it’s better not to get too excited. We don’t know what the Fates have for our future. The best thing we can do is follow the path the Stars are leading us.”
“Tell your Stars not to lead us astray.” Luwyn wrapped an arm around the Cosmic Soul’s shoulders and pulled him close. “We need some good fortune for us for once.”
“You act like I can tell the Stars what to do,” Celyze snorted. “You got it wrong, brother.Theytellmewhat’s going to happen.”
“My father believes there shouldn’t be any issues,” Oeta announced. “His only concern would be connecting your galaxy to ours. The CEG just got done dealing with the Yaarkins invasion, and from what problems lurk within your galaxy, he doesn’t want it to travel over here.”
“I highly doubt anyone would conclude that we came here,” Ryzen said, stepping to the railing and peering at the view below. “My brother and I are the only two with the capability and range to reach the great distance, as you and your father have said. And we won’t do anything to jeopardize the future of our crewmates and those we have rescued and protected all these years.
“As it is, I have respected his wishes and have not reached out to my brother, despite being so deep within this galaxy. If we relocate here, there’ll be no reason for us to want to reach beyond Aldawi borders. Our loyalty would fall upon you, your clan, and the Aldawi Empire, for you’re the ones who are willing to take us in at our time of need.”
“Your clan has done so much for us,” Zyxel began. “I want to give something in return as a gesture of thanks to your clan for taking us in.”
“Oh, there’s no need.” Shaking my head, I lifted my hands and waved them. “There’s no need for you to give me anything. I’m the one who offered to help. I’m the one who wanted you guys to come as my ambassadors.”
“No, I insist,” Zyxel countered, lifting a bag made out of giant violet-colored petals the size of my hand. The strap was made of three different vines, each a different shade of green, braided together into a thick cord attached by a thick black thread. “I’ve made this for you. Inside is a healing balm crafted by a variety of exotic flowers from our galaxy. Ever since I was given access to the files, I researched the Circuli species and their regen capabilities. Using my new knowledge, I was able to craft this healing balm based on the ingredients I brought in my medicine chest.”
“You made this for me?” I asked, gently grabbing the bag.
Even though it was homemade, the bag had an elegance to it.
A fluttering feeling from deep within my stomach blossomed as my lips curled into a smile.
“Tori told me that females enjoy gifts,” Zyxel explained, glancing at the giggling female. “I wanted to give you something special that you could use to help your mates. So I spent a long time searching through the plant life around your villa estate’s property to gather the necessary materials needed to craft this bag. I believed you would need it to carry the healing balm wherever you and your Favored goes.”
“What is the healing balm for?” Xylo asked, glancing into my bag skeptically. “My kind typically don’t self-heal and don’t use medical resources to assist in the process. Unfortunately, it’s taboo to do so.”
“What is it for?” I asked, picking up the canister filled with a pale green balm.
“I made it in the hope to assist your Favored to regenerate their appendages more quickly.”
As my hand wrapped around the canister to open it, I stilled and locked eyes upon the crimson serpent.
“You made this in hopes to grow my Favored appendages faster?”
“You’re correct.” Zyxel nodded. “While I may not be a part of your clan, I still care for you and understand the importance your mates are to you. If I could give you this one thing to hope that it would make you happy, and it did, then I believe I have succeeded. I may not be your mate, but hopefully, you will consider me as your friend.
“How can I stand a short distance away and watch you and your clan suffer when there is something I could do to help ease the pain and improve your lives? This is my gift to you.”
“Thank you,” I whispered as tears started to form at the corners of my eyes. “Thank you so much. I don’t know how I’ll be able to repay you.”
“This is the reason I came. Your happiness is enough of a payment for me.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
Xylo
After Selena introduced everyone, their private backyard became comfortably crowded, filled with the largest gathering he’d ever seen. Xylo was happy to see his nestqueen surrounding herself with not only her clan but friends too. However, he wondered how they would handle the rest of the missing clan, the Fab Five and their mates, and their fathers in such an enclosed location.
Oddly, he wished there would be a time for it to happen—and often—for Selena was responsible for uniting such a variety of people who wouldn’t have anything to do with each other outside of their connection.
A feat that many leaders lacked—and feared.
The Swynemi enjoyed themselves as they stood with their wings spread, absorbing solar energy, circling Z’fir as he continued to collect nutrients from the earth.
