“It’s not my main language. I taught myself English fromthe study materials my masters gave me. But I had some... help learning Galactic Common. There are still holes in my knowledge, but I can piece together enough to understand what’s said or written.” I looked away, embarrassed I didn’t know it as well as English.
“Do you understand how amazing this is? This will allow you to help me build the English-to-Galactic Common translation! It will help you communicate with everyone until Chyox can activate your translator,” Xylo stated, his deep voice laced with excitement.
“To prevent miscommunication, I’d rather speak like this until my translator’s activated. Since you said there are no language barriers here, I’d be more comfortable if we continued like this if that’s okay with you?”
“As you wish.”Xylo’s mental voice sounded pleased as he beamed a smile at me.
Steeling myself to broach the topic now uppermost on my mind, I eyed Xylo. I needed to know what this bond meant.“What did you mean when you said I triggered a courting bond with you?”
“I am a Wudox. We—and our sister species, the Ulax—share many characteristics though we have evolved into different species. Both Wudox and Ulax females are mentally stronger than males, and there are fewer females born, so they typically bond with three to five nestmates. The stronger the female, the more males she tends to bond with—though it is at her discretion. This is only important because either Circuli female species will create a courting bond with a male she is interested in—and one she thinks would work well with her other nestmates. The bond is temporary and only becomes permanent when the female accepts the male’s bonding spore. She can sever the bond any time before that.
He paused a moment, clearly hesitant to continue.
“Both Ulax and Wudox males yearn for a female to accept them and their bonding spore—to prove they are accepted and worthy.Reports state a severed bond leaves the male feeling he is forever missing something—much like an amputated limb. Like having a taste of heaven and having it snatched away. He is also viewed as a failure. Rarely will another female court him, nor do they often complete that bond with a formerly-rejected male.”His mental voice held a deep softness, and his lips curled up in a sad smile.“What I am less sure about is how you, a human, triggered the court bond. I have never heard of any outside our two species doing so.”
The weight of everything hit me in that moment.
I’d successfully escaped, and I seemed to have been found by a species that revered their females. Much to my surprise, I felt safe. Though I had only my limited interaction with Xylo to go on, I felt the knot of worry in my chest unraveling.
When I’d first seen Xylo, I’d been deeply attracted to him, and he’d treated me well thus far. I could see the benefits of being bonded to a male whose species allowed their females to dictate the relationships. I wasn’t interested in being controlled or having my life determined for me any longer.
A flash of guilt ran through me.
Even though I’d done it accidentally, it was my fault Xylo and I were now court-bonded. If we didn’t end up getting along, I could sever it before his bonding spores made it permanent, but it sounded like that would hurt him. Just the thought caused another surge of guilt though I couldn’t deny that it was tinged with relief I had the option. What would be the point of being bonded with someone I couldn’t get along with—or worse, one that wanted to control me?
Xylo seemed like a kind person, but before I trusted appearances, I needed answers. And I needed a bit more space.
I slid off the far side of the bed.
As I did, I noticed I was no longer naked. I looked downand eyed the dark blue nightgown. Whoever had dressed me clearly thought about my modesty—a consideration I’d never been given on the Yaarkin ship. It was a kind gesture, and it made my heart flutter. I examined the gown as I rubbed the soft fabric between my fingers.
“Who took care of me? This is beautiful. I’ve never owned any clothing.”My mental voice filled with awe.
“After we rescued you, I got permission to gather extra sheets and drapes from the storage bay to create a few simple gowns. We do not use clothing, though most of the other species in CEG do, so we didn’t have anything else aboard that might work. I am sorry the gown is so rudimentary.”
I grimaced at that confession and looked up at him.“No, please don’t apologize. I don’t want to be a bother or cause you any trouble. The nightgown is lovely. It’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. Thank you.”
Xylo scanned my body once before returning his gaze to mine.“It was no problem. Part of my job is to study and understand other species. I had read that humans cannot regulate their body temperature and need clothing. I wanted to make you comfortable. The gown is but a simple design. Once the ship docks at CEG HQ—a space station—I can acquire anything you need.”
I turned away, unable to credit how thoughtful he was about my needs—there had to be a catch. He said his job was to study alien species. Perhaps he intended to use our court bond to examine me? I shuddered at the thought of being the subject of further experiments. Would I never be free to live my life? Or was I destined to remain someone’s test subject? I just wanted to find a place to call home.
Build a life of my own.
Be my own person.
Maybe even figure out what it was like to love and to be loved in return.
The sound of movement pulled me from my thoughts.
“What is the matter? I thought my studies were—”
“What’s your plan? Are you going to keep me locked up to test and study? Hand me over to some lab? Return me to my old masters? Tell me the truth now because I’d rather be air-locked than become a test subject again—or worse, a sex slave...”The words spilled in a torrent from my lips, and I clenched my fists.
“Selena... calm yourself. I want only your return to health. I have failed in taking care of you. Please lie back down. I will answer all your questions,”he coaxed as he stood directly behind me, waiting.
I rolled my eyes, not believing he didn’t know all about me.
He was part of the team that had treated me. He’d all but said they’d studied my anatomy when they installed the communicator. They could’ve completed all sorts of experiments while I was unconscious, and I wouldn’t have a clue. Or worse, they could have installed something else in me without my consent...
