“Peacocking?”Xylo’s deep mental voice questioned as he sat down at the bar.
Clearly Xylo had heard some of what had occurred—or had talked to Selena.
“I almost got into a fight with Kaede. Selena said we were peacocking,”Odelm explained as he ordered his lunch.
He was not particularly hungry anymore—Selena’s disappointment weighed on him—but he knew he should eat. Performing on an empty stomach would be unwise.
“Why did you do that? He is her Head of Security. I thought we had come to an agreement last night?”
“I do not know, Xylo. Something aroused my protective instincts when he surprised me. His attitude just amped that protective streak. I have never reacted that way in my life...”
“I get it. I have had similar reactions to Kaede, and I am still trying to figure out why. But fix it. Soon. I am getting mixed thoughts from her that are distracting me from my work. She does not need any added stress right now. It could be detrimental to her health.”
The bartender delivered Odelm’s order, and he ate his lunch in silence. Selena was supposed to be here. He had prepared a piece to play for her—to express how she made him feel.
Now, for the first time in his life, Odelm had no desire to play music. The earlier argument unsettled him. He was worried about losing Selena and their fledgling bond. He didn’t feel like expressing himself to the world.
Odelm finished his hasty meal and went to the stage to uncover hisUlepoand begin his performance. But it was arote performance, his hands and tentacles moving along the keys on autopilot as he checked out. Closing his eyes, he focused on the faint golden thread that connected him to Selena. He took in a deep breath and sought out her emotions along the bond.
To his surprise, he felt happiness coming down the bond. It instantly lifted his melancholy mood. Hope filled him. Perhaps she would be willing to accept his apology.
His mood lightened, and he dove into his music. The tempo brightened as the music matched his lifted spirits. He smiled in enjoyment.
Performing music was what he lived for.
Time sped by, and before he knew it, his time slot was over.
He covered theUlepoand glanced at Selena’s favorite booth, hoping to see her. While both Kaede and Xylo sat at the booth, Selena was nowhere to be found.
He walked over and sat down next to his nestbrother.
“Where is Selena?”
Xylo got a faraway look in his eyes as Kaede answered, “She is still with the princes in the Royal Suite.”
“I thought she was supposed to be here.”
“Are you two going to solve whatever is going on between you before she does get here?” Xylo said, eyeing them both.
Odelm sensed Xylo was disappointed in him.
Odelm turned to Kaede in apology and looked into his visor. “I am sorry about earlier. I understand where you are coming from and agree.”
“That is it?” Xylo questioned in disbelief.
“We had a discussion earlier and worked things out. All three of us want the best for Selena. It’s best if we work together,” Kaede said, dismissing the issue. He returned to tapping at his armband.
A disorienting wave hit Odelm, and he tipped over ontothe table. A groan sounded next to him, and he rolled his head on the tabletop to look. Xylo lay on the table next to him, his eyes closed and his face pale.
“What’s wrong? What’s happening?” Kaede barked as he leapt to his feet and looked at them in concern.
Xylo opened his eyes and looked at Odelm. He looked stunned as he moaned again in agony.
But Odelm had felt this before. This disconnect. The hollow feeling that had been his constant companion for years had returned.
The feeling of a severed courting bond.
“Selena. Something has happened to Selena.”
