“I cannot believe she attacked him.”
Xylo ignored their dithering and turned to his computer.
Kaede had known how to use their equipment better than they did. Xylo did not know if he should be alarmed or relieved, but he was happy they now knew the correct number of cubs in her litter. Images Kaede had pulled up showed they looked exactly like Aldawi cubs at this stage of the pregnancy. Xylo wondered if they would prove to beenhanced with her as their mother and whether they would follow the typical coloring or patterns of the pure Aldawi.
A burst of emotion shot down the bond from Selena. She was hurting. Concerned, he listened in as Kaede reassured her. Kaede was right, Selena’s silver hair was unusual—no species had that color naturally—but silver was precious, many would find that beautiful. And Selena’s bronze skin, even her white spots, were very similar to the Wudox patterning. That did not make her unusual among his species. He knew she was insecure about her physical differences but hoped he and Kaede would be able to alleviate them with time.
Xylo had a feeling Kaede would always be a mystery to him.
He did not seem inclined to share anything about himself, though it was clear he had a care for Selena, which made him a useful ally. Kaede was a dangerous individual with a clear affinity for technology. To be able to run so many drones, all while monitoring Selena and interacting with others was an impressive feat. If Kaede proved he was trustworthy, that he had Selena’s best interests at heart, then a friendship was something he was willing to offer.
But he would not allow Kaede to hand Selena over to his client without her consent.
Comparing Selena’s scans with notes on both human and Aldawi gestation periods, he determined Selena’s stomach would expand at an ever-accelerating speed from now until her litter's delivery.
He needed to talk to the princes about these new developments.
Something touched the bite on Xylo’s neck, and he jumped, immediately on the defensive.
Chyox backed away and put his hands up in surrender.
“What was that?” he demanded of the Senior Healer.
“We were wondering if she hurt you, and if we could take samples of your mark.”
“Next time, ask first—”
Behind him, the infirmary doors opened, and a powerful presence filled the room. Turning, Xylo spotted the princes watching them.
“Is there a problem?” Prince V’dim asked.
Chyox jumped in, hastily explaining, “It seems Master Scholar Xylo and the human, Selena, completed their bond last night. Selena attacked Xylo, and he now has a bite mark that will not heal. A mark like that should have healed within an hour of receiving it.”
Xylo glared at Chyox.
“Prince V’dim, my nestqueen Selena fully accepted me—this is true—but she didnotattack me. Senior Healer Chyox is speaking out of turn. In the heat of the moment, as she received my spores, she bit me. Kaede has provided us with Selena's medical records. Given her body adapts to whomever she mates with—taking something from their genetic code to adapt and enable procreation—it seems logical the Aldawi sire of her cubs has gifted her with Aldawi traits. Female Aldawi are highly aggressive and bite a male if they bond and wish to mark that male off-limits to other females. I am not positive, of course, nor do I know why it would be white, but the theory is sound. As I think on it, perhaps her spots have affected the mark, and it is white because of it. Nevertheless, I was neither attacked, nor am I in pain. Other than feeling the effects of having my bonding spore accepted, I am fine.”
The princes approached, Prince Z’fir searching his face, assessing. Prince V’dim touched Selena’s bite mark. Tilting his head, Xylo gave the prince better access.
“And you are well?” Prince Z’fir asked.
Xylo felt Z’fir lightly request to skim his memories. Nodding yes to both questions, knowing his prince wanted tosee what had happened for himself, Xylo lowered his mental shields. If he resisted, it was likely the princes could brute force their way in—even with Xylo’s newly enhanced shields—and he did not know how that would affect Selena. Plus, he had nothing to hide. His only concern was the wish to maintain Selena’s privacy.
With a sigh, Xylo closed his eyes and felt the rush of memories. He shuddered a deep breath as he relived last night’s coupling. Feeling Prince Z’fir withdraw, Xylo raised his mental shields and opened his eyes.
Prince V’dim watched Xylo, giving him a moment to relax, waiting for permission to touch him.
“Go ahead. I am fine.”
Prince V’dim traced the bite mark with his fingers. A wave of calm blanketed the room—soothing both Xylo and the still tense and uneasy healers. V’dim withdrew his hand, allowing Xylo to straighten his head.
He could feel the weight of the others’ stares.
“Is there anything we should know about?” Chyox asked anxiously.
They eyed him before Prince Z’fir responded.
“I believe nothing is amiss. Master Scholar Xylo’s hypothesis appears to be correct. If Selena’s body adapts to those she mates, and that leads to an instinctual need to mark her mates, so be it. It is no different than the instinctual need of Circuli males to seek a nestqueen. Some have found companionship with other unmated males, but that is a mere spark compared to the flame of a bond. Other than Master Scholar Xylo’s mental shields being strengthened and the bite mark on his neck, I do not see any unusual changes resulting from their permanent bonding.”
