“I’ll help however I can,”Vowels assured me, his voice adding to my confidence that what awaited me within the base would resolve with time.“My specialty is energy medicine—that is how I was able to save you. It would take some time and a lot of energy from you, but I know through you how important your nestmates are to you. I’ll calculate the best way to help and proceed.”
“Thank you, Vowels.”
I released a sigh of relief as I grabbed Zirene’s mane and snuggled closer to his body. A pleased purr rolled through him as he tightened the arms holding me.
“I’ve summoned the best to help our clan,” Zirene told me, his tone smug as he glanced at me. The locks of his mane blew against the young night’s sky, softening his lethal demeanor. The dark, ethereal flames had nearly extinguished, humming like a thin layer above his fur as if my very presence kept them at bay. “Oeta has temporarily led Xylo’s medical team with Kaica’s assistance. Odelm’s fathers brought Xylo’s fathers as soon as they could, and they are working to keep their son and his clan alive. Through their efforts and the base’s Cryopods, we’ve kept them alive.”
“Cryopods?”
The word burned like poison on my lips. They were a blessing and a curse for all who were forced to use them. While the pods could keep a patient in stasis while healing, only those in critical condition were placed in them. Those inside were at the mercy of the Cryopod’s power and dead to the world. They had to trust they would wake up unharmed and in the same place—for the humans at the renegade base, even the same era—that they had gone under.
I had woken up in a different location each time I had recently used one.
“Is that why I can’t reach them?” My voice emerged as a whisper in the wind.
Studying the golden net that originated from me, I tried to expand my awareness toward the threads which led to inside the base like Mwe had taught me and yanked. It felt as if my mind’s hand passed through the mental threads, like Vowels passed through inanimate objects.
“I was told that was why you couldn’t reach them,” Zirene sighed, jerking his head in the direction we were going. “It’s beyond my realm of understanding, but I am sure the princes will be able to help you once we wake them up.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“If not, Chamber Master Mwe will soon be here to assist us.”
“This ismymoon—and these aremypeople,” I hissed, an electric tingle coursing through the fine hairs covering my skin. “I want to make myself clear now before anyone gets any ideas to reach out to them. Our enemies would use the opportunity to meddle, and I refuse to allow the Circul royalty, or anyone else, to take away what we’ve built here.
“They used their children as political pawns for their gain, then revoked my princes’ titles ,once they asked to search for a new world for the good of their species. Those princesses verbally attacked me when I was addressing the Assembly to gain citizenship. They questioned my value as a nestqueen and dared to offer my princes a place in their nests, so they could take over Destima’s mental network and rule over Destima.
“I don’t know why I own the moon’s Circuli web, but I will do my best for my people and protect them. Circul doesn’t have my people’s best interest at heart. I do, and even if I make mistakes, it’s because I am learning and trying to give them what they deserve: the freedom to be what they want to be, to love who they want to love, and to never worry about who will take care of them.”
“Spoken like a true Beacon.” Zirene chuckled, shooting a smirk my way. “You never have to worry about the Circul royals. If they attempt to claim Destima, they will have to defeat the Aldawi empire first. The Circuli Queens would be foolish to challenge me, especially when we are their Primary sponsor in the CEG.”
“You wouldn’t…”
“No, I wouldn’t punish their citizens for their rulers’ actions,” he huffed, shaking his head as his tail lightly swiped across my feet. “But that doesn’t mean I would allow the Queens the same freedom I’ve given them so far.”
“The sacrifices we make for the good of our citizens.”
Sighing, I scanned our surroundings.
I had never needed to venture this high before. The Fab Five’s base sat on the highest point of the moon, overlooking my villa’s property on the shoulder of the main island’s mountain and the remaining habitable islands. A magnificent waterfall erupted near its peak, feeding the small lake that gave my hatchery its water before descending to the deserted lagoon below.
Before Zirene carried me along the stone pathway connecting the landing pad to the archway base entrance, I’d never had a reason to be here.
The sudden realization that I hadn’t thoroughly explored my moon hit me hard. A good leader should know the territory they ruled. I had spent the majority of my short time here secluded with my clan in my villa and had only begun venturing outside my property on dates with my nestmates.
I still hadn’t visited the Aldawi academy or the newly built residential area of the main island. Once things settled with my clan and the new ambassadors, I needed to discover what I actually owned, what had been done while I was away, and what needed to happen to realize my vision for the people of Destima.
Zirene slowed as we neared the mountain cliffside. Outer structural supports were built with stone and metal, making the base sturdy and camouflaged against the rocks and foliage.
Kaica stood in the doorway dressed in a research jacket in Aldawi colors, fumbling with her hands. Her lips thinned with worry as she peered our way, dark circles surrounding her eyes. Her pulled-back hair mirrored her concern, changing between a nervous yellow and a stressed black.
“Welcome home, Selena.” Kaica bowed her head. “We’ve been anxiously waiting for your return.”
“Thank you, Sister.”
I gave her a gentle smile while gesturing for Zirene to place me on the ground. He grumbled but obeyed. Wrapping an arm around me, he possessively pulled me close, his tail tapping my leg.
“I can lead you to your nestmates right away, or”—her hands stilled, and her worried gaze flicked to Zirene—“I can order refreshments, or I can take you to your clan’s healing nestbed so that you can settle—”
