“It seems Selena got your bioluminescent glow, nestbrother, and my ability to color shift. Her spots morphed from white to the purple of love and passion when she told us she loved us.”
I gasped, holding an arm up to look. Odelm was right. All my white spots were now purple.
“Is this permanent?” I asked, awed.
“It should not be. Ulax only change their color when intentionally camouflaging or involuntarily as a result of extreme emotion,” Xylo explained as he traced the spots on my right arm.
“This proves that you love us,” Odelm whispered, settling back onto his side with a smile.
“Did I need to prove it?” I asked in a shocked tone.
Xylo’s fingers stilled on my arm. “He is teasing you. If I was able to feel the emotion in your declaration, then he felt it even more.”
He settled back beside me, and a contented silence fell upon us as they cuddled me between them.
I felt my lids becoming heavy.
“I love you both for who you are.”
“You honor me.”
“You’re my everything.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Selena
The past seven days had passed in a blur as we’d fallen into a comfortable routine. Both Odelm and Xylo seemed to accept Kaede’s constant presence. I think they appreciated his help watching over me when they were busy. And it seemed Kaede had grown more comfortable around my nestmates, though he didn’t remove his visor again in their presence. Odelm fished in the evenings in preparation for the cubs’ arrival, since Xylo thought I might not be able to fully sustain three growing cubs on breastmilk. He planned to make a fish paste we could use to supplement my milk.
The princes often joined us for meals and were amusing and relaxing companions. I enjoyed their company—especially as it became more effort to be active and roam the ship.
I’d even grown more comfortable with Chyox, Ayces, and Usthu. I no longer worried they’d harm me or the cubs, they genuinely seemed to care about our wellbeing and were respectful of my wishes. Even Chyox had mellowed, though he liked to express his opinions and they often did not jibe with mine. But I appreciated his different perspective.
But now? Now I felt ready to pop. I hadn’t realized it waspossible for my belly to get this big without splitting, and I noticed Xylo and the other healers eyeing me from across the infirmary as they fretted over there being no signs of my labor yet. I’d been getting tired earlier and dozed off wherever and whenever I sat down, often waking to find Kaede or one of my nestmates had carried me to bed.
Today was my due date—at least based on Aldawi gestation. My body ached, and I was exhausted. The cubs were becoming more active. I was both ready for this idyll to end—and petrified of the change that signified. What would the cubs be like? How would it impact our now-comfortable lives? What would the future hold once we arrived at CEG HQ?
I currently floated in a warm floral-scented bath, taking the weight off my back and ankles. Xylo had run to the infirmary to grab a few essentials in case I went into labor in our suite. Odelm massaged my shoulders as I drifted, and for the first time since I’d claimed him, his magic fingers stroking my skin woke my arousal.
Odelm’s hands stilled as he felt my arousal through our bond. He slid beneath me, supporting my weight, anemone hair brushing my shoulders and whispered in my ear, “Shall I take care of you?”
He didn’t wait for my reply as his tentacles slid across my skin, exploring. Their suction tips trailed tiny kisses along my legs. His hands slid to cup my swollen breasts, dragging across my sensitive nipples.
I gasped, back arching involuntarily.
“Perhaps if I hurry, I can have you all to myself and leave none of your prized essence for Xylo.”
I was surprised by his dirty talk. It was unlike him—yet it also thrilled me.
I squealed as his tentacles tightened around me, his hands gripping my hips. He hauled me out of the water and set meon the edge of the tub, leaving my feet to dangle in the water. I leaned back against the wall, listening to the waterfall, trying to balance myself and get comfortable despite my pregnant stomach.
Odelm looked between my legs hungrily as his tentacles wound around my thighs, pulling them apart. My sweet and caring musician was on a mission—to make me climax before his nestbrother returned.
I smiled down at the top of his head.
The smile vanished and I moaned, my eyes drifting shut in pleasure as his writhing tentacles reached my inner folds. I squirmed as one crossed my clit, making my back arch as it sucked in a featherlight kiss then slid past.
Something slipped inside me and my eyes flew wide. I gasped as I saw Odelm’s face between my legs, his mouth slit tight against the entrance of my pussy. His hands kneaded my inner thighs, pressing them wider. His thumbs traced my outer lips while his tentacles spread their tingling essence.
