Xizi watched as Ashley approached the twin commanders, Xenak and Ryzen, her face filled with uncertainty.
“Excuse me,” she said, her voice soft and hesitant as she peered between the two of them as if she was unable to determine who she should address. “I was just curious if I was expected to share sleeping quarters with Xizi. I’m hoping to be able to share a room with my best friend, Dia.”
Xenak and Ryzen looked at each other, seeming to consider her question.
“We can certainly arrange for you to room with Dia,” Ryzen said. “But we would encourage you to get to know Xizi as well. This is a new future for all of you, and it’s important that we build strong relationships with one another.”
“It’s up to you,” Xenak added. “We can assign you to the same cabin, or we can place you elsewhere if you prefer.”
Xizi felt a wave of disappointment wash over him as he realized Ashley did not want to be with him. He had hoped that they could continue their connection, that they could explore each other on the journey to determine their future.
Ashley hesitated, seeming to weigh her options. And then she turned to Dia, her best friend and roommate.
“Can I room with you?” she asked, her voice hopeful.
But Dia shook her head, her face filled with determination. “No,” she said. “I want to get to know Fybl. And you should get to know Xizi. This is our new future, and we must embrace it by establishing trust and understanding with them.”
Xizi felt a sense of appreciation wash over him, as he realized that Dia was right. They were all in this together, and they needed to work as a team, to support each other through this strange and unfamiliar time.
They needed a strong relationship if they were to survive and thrive at the new sanctuary.
While what the Verya commanders had said seemed too good to be true, he needed to concentrate on keeping those who meant something to him close, to ensure that they would remain together as a unit whatever happened to them in the future.
Their future was unknown, but as long as he had his remaining clutchmates and theirenaxsby his side, he was willing to face whatever else the Fates had in store for them.
The Stars had led them here for a reason, and he needed to reconcile with his fated one—Ashley.
And so, he smiled at Ashley, his face filled with warmth and reassurance. “I look forward to getting to know you,” he said, his voice calm and steady. “We’re all in this together, and we need to make the best of it.”
Ashley smiled back at him, seeming to relax a bit.
“Okay,” she said, her voice hesitant but willing. “I think I can handle that.”
“We will send clothing and food for your humans,” Ryzen explained, readdressing what he had said earlier. “And each cabin is equipped with a beverage dispenser, so you can have something to drink while you wait.”
“And when can we explore the ship?” Rylyx asked, his voice eager and curious.
“I understand you want to keep busy to distract yourself from your guilt over what happened,” Ryzen explained, nodding to his unmated clutchbrother. “It’s critical that we don’t bring any unwanted illnesses with us and spread them like a solar flare across the ship. Once everyone is clear, we’ll let you roam until we arrive.”
“We’ll let you know when it’s safe to do so,” Xenak added, his teal runes flaring in time with his annoyance. “In the meantime, please remain in your cabins and make yourselves at home. We will keep you updated on any developments, and we will do everything we can to make this journey as easy and comfortable as possible.”
Xizi nodded, grateful and appreciative of what the twin commanders were doing and having set up for everyone they’d rescued.
He had the impression they were in good hands, and that these commanders would do everything in their power to assist them.
The Verya were known for being the justice bringers of their galaxy, and being here on their vessel was a nebula of a difference than being trapped underground, being tested, and awaiting death or the arrival of the Yaarkins for Earth.
Xizi turned to face his companions, a sense of determination and optimism filling him. “Let’s go to our cabins and get settled.”
Thirteen
Ashley
“Here we are,” Dia said, stopping in front of one of many closed metal doors. “They already had our handprints when they ported us into the ship. You can use it to open your newly assigned quarters.” She walked to the door across the hall and placed her hand on its scanner, a green light turning on as the door opened. “This is Fybl and my quarters. Before you woke up, I had the opportunity to check out the accommodations they made for us. If you need anything, we’re just across the hall.”
“We’re?” Ashley couldn’t believe her lifelong best friend and longtime roommate was leaving her for some alien male she’d just met and had a one-night stand with.
Dia bit her lip and looked at the two males standing a short distance down the hall, heads together, murmuring to each other.
