“How did you know? Not that it’s any of your business....” Setting my glass down with a snap, I turned to face him. “He doesn’t need to be following me around all day.”
“I know because I can see it. We can see your connection to him”—he paused and scrunched his face—“because you are his nestqueen. He should be doing everything in his power to encourage you to accept his bonding spore and make the bond permanent. Are you going to sever the bond? Is that why you ejected him from your room last night?”
Malice dripped from Odelm's voice. His mood swings were making me dizzy. I had no idea why he’d flipped from protective to cruel in the space of a heartbeat.
“Back off. I don’t owe you any explanation,” I bit out, scowling. I pushed my bowl away, prepared to climb off the stool and leave this unhinged male to his own devices.
He leaned toward me, his eyes furious as his skin shifted to an angry red.
“I am concerned because I do not want him to end up likeme. I would rather never know the joy of a courting bond, than have had one severed out of jealousy. This feeling is something I would never want for anyone—not even my greatest enemy. You rejected him. Kicked him from your room after initiating a courting bond—accidental or otherwise. Bonded males stay with their nestqueens and sleep on the edge of their nest until they are fully accepted or rejected. It is unheard of to have a courted male not share the nest with their nestqueen. It only happens if they are about to be rejected.”
My mouth fell open in shock.
Why had Xylo not told me? I never meant to inadvertently hurt him.
We needed to talk, be more open. I had to fix this as soon as possible.
“No one told me... I had no idea that was how Circuli courting bonds worked. I know little more than they exist—and I somehow accidentally triggered one with Xylo! I know next to nothing about your culture. Last night, I was simply hurt and angry when I learned I was pregnant. I needed some time alone to process. I certainly didn’t mean to hurt Xylo. Severing the courting bond wasn’t even a thought. I just needed time to think about it and adjust to everything,” I whispered raggedly as my eyes filled with tears.
He stared at me in confusion as his color returned to its usual violet. I wiped away my tears with the edge of my napkin.
“Selena, I did not mean to be so harsh. I am sorry. I jumped to conclusions, assuming you must have been told about our culture.” His pale green eyes widened as they roamed my face. “Why are you leaking? Should I summon Xylo?” Odelm’s now-gentle tenor voice was full of alarm.
I shook my head and sniffled, scrubbing my nose with the napkin before placing it back on the bar.
Shaking my head, I said, “No. No need to call Xylo. Humans sometimes leak from their eyes when they’re sad. I don’t want to alarm him. He has important things to do. We can talk later.” I sighed and locked my eyes with his. “But I would like to go for a walk. Can I take you up on your offer to guide me through the terrarium?”
He glanced over at the glass wall that overlooked the terrarium, then turned back to me, his eyes roaming across my body. “Do you think that is wise? Should you not be resting in your condition?” he questioned, unsure.
“Xylo didn’t mention any health restrictions. I don’t feel tired, and I really do want to see the terrarium. I promise if I get tired, I’ll tell you.”
Odelm picked up his glass and guzzled the rest of the beverage before placing it on the counter. He scouted the room, then his eyes landed back on mine and he smiled.
“It is a deal. I think I have something you would enjoy.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Selena
The terrarium was a vast glass-like dome in the center of the ship. The uppermost part of the dome pushed out into space, providing for breathtaking views of the stars. Odelm said every interior room—mostly public spaces, some crew’s cabins, and the Royal Suites—onDestinyhad a glass wall overlooking the terrarium. Between each level, a ring of lights illuminated the terrarium, simulating day and night to keep the crew attuned to the Galactic Standard day. The terrarium felt like an indoor version of the huge parklands I’d read about in my Earth studies.
We wandered about as Odelm identified the different plants and their uses. All had a purpose—some were used for dyes and inks, others provided fresh fruit or nuts. The ship had about three years’ worth of food for the crew stored in the storage bay. The terrarium was designed to supplement those stores. They also provided the seed stock if they were able to locate a suitable planet to colonize.
He explained theDestinywas an older vessel, gifted by the Aldawi for their assistance in the Yaarkin War. While the Aldawi were upgrading their fleet with their newly acquiredtechnology, Prince Zirene had asked the Circuli princes what they’d like as a reward. The princes had requested a vessel to allow them to search for a habitable planet to establish a colony. All told,Destinyhoused about a thousand Circuli, half not bonded to a nestqueen.
The lake—okay, probably more like a deep pond—was a favored recreation spot.
It was the perfect temperature for a swim and had a submerged cave system for exploration. In addition, it was fully stocked with fish—again helping supplement their stores as well as providing a hunting ground to keep the Ulax warriors sharp.
As Odelm led me across the grassy field toward the pond, I looked up at the dome. Lights from distant stars and the immensity of space amazed me. Perhaps because I’d had few opportunities to look out at the stars—my cabin on the Yaarkin ship didn’t have a porthole. I’d been fascinated by the views ever since I boarded theDestiny. I’d be able to come back and lie on the soft grass and stare out at the passing planets and never be bored—
I slammed into something hard and gasped as I fell backward.
Before I could hit the ground, a strong cool hand grabbed my wrist and four tentacles wrapped around my torso, halting my fall. I was yanked upright and cradled tightly against Odelm’s body, my hands pinned between our bodies. Blinking hard, I stared up at him, willing my stomach back down out of my throat.
Worried, Odelm looked down at me, scanning my face. As he saw me relax, his lips tilted up in a small smile.
“You have to be more careful. What distracted you?” Odelm queried, his light tenor voice laced with humor.
