When I’d finished getting ready, I saw Xylo had beaten me to the common room of the suite. He was standing next to the glass wall, staring into the terrarium.
“I’m ready to go. Are you?”
Xylo glanced over and smiled. “Yes.”
We left the suite and headed down the hallway toward the lift. Turning the corner, I saw Kaede leaning against the wall across from the bank of lifts, tapping away at his armband as usual.
“Breakfast?” I asked.
Kaede glanced up. “I was wondering if I was going to have to force you guys out of bed again.”
The three of us entered the lift and headed to my favorite café. Once we’d settled and I’d taken a few bites, I surreptitiously looked up at Xylo and Kaede, trying to judge their mood. I needed to tell them what I’d decided but had to have them on board to make it happen. Both looked relaxed... I nodded and set down my spork with a decisive click.
Xylo looked up at me in surprise. I met his gaze.
“I’ve decided I need to prepare myself for this new life. Depending on others to fight for my rights while I know nothing about what I face is not my style. I’ve always had to rely on myself, gather knowledge wherever I could, teach myself anything I wanted to know, so I’d like your help to learn as much as I can before we get to the space station.”
Kaede started coughing as he placed his beverage on the table. “You want to study?”
I nodded emphatically. “Yes. Well, no—Ineedto study. Would you two help me find information about the Aldawi and about CEG—culture, laws, system of rule? I want to determine my rights, understand what I am getting into.”
I glanced again at Xylo, hoping he’d support me in this. Kaede appeared to be struggling with the concept.
“I don’t want to cause trouble. I just need to feel informed. Plus, you’ll know I am safely out of trouble while you’re working if I am cooped up doing research. I know there isn’t nearly enough time to learn everything I might need to know, but I need to dosomething. Please, Xylo. You’rea scholar. You know how powerful arming oneself with knowledge can be...” I trailed off when an answer did not seem forthcoming.
Xylo shared a glance with Kaede, then stared down at the table for a moment before meeting my gaze. “Okay. If this is what you need to feel safe, to feel in control, I will help. And you are right, it will put my mind at ease while I am at work, knowing we won’t have a repeat of what occurred in the terrarium yesterday. I will load my spare tablet with the material I believe you want and need. It’s at the infirmary.”
I leaned over in the booth and wrapped my arms around Xylo, hugging him tightly. “Thank you.”
Letting him go, I grabbed my spork, appetite roaring back with a vengeance nowthatwas settled.
“You’re seriously fine with this?” Kaede asked Xylo in disbelief.
“She is in the last stages of her pregnancy. Her stamina is going to decrease, her hunger will increase, and she will start having pregnancy pains. I am surprised she has not already.” Picking up his glass for a sip, he continued, “This will serve multiple positive functions—put her mind at ease, allow her to rest, and keep her somewhere we know she will stay out of trouble. Do you really not see the benefits?”
I wanted to protest but kept my mouth shut. He was helping me get what I wanted after all.
Kaede chuckled, then turned his visored gaze on me. “Well, when you put it that way... Okay, I’ll drop whatever information I have onto Xylo’s spare tablet. You sitting around reading will certainly make my job easier.”
“Then it’s settled. Thank you both!”
I struggled to sit still through the remainder of our meal.
The excitement continued to bubble through me as we walked to the infirmary, my arm once more linked with Xylo’s as Kaede trailed behind us. Though it had only been a fewdays, I had been feeling aimless—having a goal reinvigorated me.
I smiled at every crew member we passed. To my surprise, most either nodded or returned my smile.
That made me think about the announcement the princes had mentioned. Perhaps that was all that held back the Circuli? Maybe they didn’t look down at me as the other humans aboard the Yaarkin vessel had. Maybe I just needed to be brave enough to introduce myself to a few of them, but I also didn’t want to make a social misstep. What if by speaking to a claimed nestmate I offended their nestqueen? What if I gave an unclaimed male the wrong idea?
I sighed.
Information. Knowledge. Research.
I would add learning about Xylo’s culture to my list—it was just as important.
I clutched my new tablet to my chest as I hurried into the terrarium. I’d known precisely where I’d find inspiration and quiet to explore the information they’d given me. I plopped down against the tree at the edge of the forest and turned on the tablet. I scrolled through the options, settling on Aldawi culture, and dove into an exciting new world.
Sometime later, a tap on the bottom of my foot startled me, and I dropped the tablet, looking up in surprise.
