Everyone peered at the stage before looking back at me.
“That is Odelm, our ship’s musician. Most males on Circul join the military. Very few study the arts, art considered a female hobby. However, Odelm is considered our most talented musician,” Prince V’dim said.
“I’m not remotely qualified to judge—he is the first musician I’ve ever heard—but he’s outstanding.”
“Would you like to tell him yourself?” Prince Z’fir asked, glancing at Xylo.
The three vines Xylo had curled around my leg—that had been teasing me since we sat down—tightened. I turned to Xylo, wondering at his reaction, but his face was void of expression. Was he jealous I was inquiring about another male when he was currently feeling me up under the table?
Refocusing on Prince Z’fir, I replied, “I’d love to if it wouldn’t be a problem.”
Prince Z’fir smiled, then turned to look at Odelm.
I watched as Odelm brought his song to a gradual close, then sat quietly on the stage for a few moments. He stood and covered his instrument, then headed toward our table.
Odelm skin could be called a cool-violet and was lightly speckled with both darker and lighter violet. His arm and thigh fins matched his skin but were edged in nearly white. His tentacles faded to the same pale, almost-white violet at the tips. When he reached the table, his pale green eyes met mine before he turned to Prince Z’fir.
“How may I be of service to you, Sires?” Odelm said, his light tenor voice tight with tension.
Prince Z’fir gestured at me. “Selena wished to tell you something.”
Odelm turned to look at me once more.
I could feel the others at the table watching me as Istared at Odelm. Xylo’s vines shifted along my leg as I fell silent.
Odelm was beautiful in a unique way. The princes both had traditional coloring, based on what I’d seen in the crowds as we walked here. Odelm’s coloring was lighter—elegant compared to the other Ulax. Of course, I thought Xylo was gorgeous in his uniqueness with his patterns that reminded me of space, but he was also self-conscious of how he looked compared to others.
I wondered if Odelm felt the same.
“I wanted to tell you I loved your music. I understand on your planet art isn’t greatly appreciated, so I am glad you spent the time studying it. Thank you for your performance. It was wonderful.”
Odelm’s face hardened before he bowed stiffly to me, breaking eye contact. His skin shifted to a dark red. “Thank you for your kind words.” Odelm turned to the princes. “Is there anything else you require, Sires?”
“No, that was all,” Prince V’dim replied.
“If you will excuse me, I have some pressing matters.” He bowed again before stalking away. I watched Odelm leave the café before turning back to the others.
“Was it something I said?”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Selena
As Xylo led me down the hall, I lightly stroked my new wristband. The idea I could go back to the café and order whatever I’d wanted to eat seemed almost unreal. I couldn’t wait. Or maybe I’d try one of the other dining halls...
I pulled myself out of my daze and looked up. Green markers—we must be almost to the infirmary. Eyeing Xylo, I finally broke the silence that had fallen between us.
“Do you want to tell me what that was about?” I questioned nonchalantly, looking away.
“What are you talking about?”
I stopped walking and turned to face him. I stared up into his pupilless teal eyes and poked him in the chest. “Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about. What was that at breakfast?”
Xylo looked away, refusing to meet my gaze.
“Now is not the time to discuss it,” he whispered, voice full of angst.
“And why not?!” I asked, teeth clenched.
