Odelm placed a hand on my thigh. A calming blanketsoothed my agitation. “You need to calm down. Stressing is not going to solve anything nor is it good for you.”
We wrapped up our meal and my nestmates kept the conversation light, knowing I was dreading the coming discussion. I appreciated their efforts and felt a little less stressed by the time we arrived at the infirmary.
The healers froze as we entered and eyed Odelm in shock.
“Another?” Chyox exclaimed.
I smirked and turned toward Odelm, reaching a hand up to his shoulder to pull him down to me. Standing on my toes, I leaned in and kissed my mark on his neck. He shivered under my lips. As I pulled away, I licked at the white ridges of my bite before releasing him.
Turning back to Chyox, I growled, “He’s mine.”
He looked shocked, bumping into the bed behind him as he tried to back away.
I giggled, then squinted and met each of the healers’ gazes. “I’ve claimed both Odelm and Xylo. They are mine. Now deal with it and stop acting like this is new or surprising. Got it?”
All three nodded.
“Good. Now, I’m here for my morning checkup.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Selena
I paused outside the main door to my suite, steeling myself for what was sure to be a heated discussion with Kaede. I wasn’t in the mood—or ready—to face him. But if this could help when we got to CEG, it needed to be done.
Squaring my shoulders and taking a deep breath, I opened the door. Kaede sat where we’d left him, a variety of drinks and snacks laid out on the table.
“I’ve been waiting for you to come to your senses.”
“And here I was, hoping you’d stop acting like anishing frax.” I rolled my eyes.
Laughter exploded from him. “Ishing frax?!”
“What of it?” I snarled, crossing my arms.
He chuckled, and I just knew he was smiling under that face drape of his. “Where’d you learn that?”
Walking toward my bedroom door, I retorted, “Asked Xylo for swear word translations. He said that was the closest to ‘fucking asshole’ in Galactic Common.”
“Yep”—he laughed again—“I’m just shocked to hear such words from you.”
I growled and allowed the door to close behind me, cutting off his laughter.
Grabbing my tablet off the chest and scooping up a blanket, I sucked in another deep breath and reentered the common room.
“Why are you doing this?” I asked as I dropped onto the couch opposite Kaede. I spread the blanket over my lap and leaned back against the armrest, my legs tucked beneath me.
“Explain what you think I’m doing.”
“I get that it caused problems and scared everyone when the princes read me. We should probably have thought it through more—but it didn’t occur to us that it might cause any issues to anyone other than us! It was an accident. I am thankful you stepped in and got theDestinyand her crew functioning again. But what you said about Xylo? That was completely uncalled for—and cruel. And threatening to follow me everywhere? I thought we were supposed to be friends. You’re acting more like a power-hungryfrax,like my prison guard instead of my Head of Security—or a friend.”
He fell silent.
I eyed him, uncertain of his response. Glancing at the table, I noticed a familiar light green hot beverage and smiled to myself. Grabbing it, I took a fortifying sip, comforted by the reminder of Xylo.
The couch cushion dipped beside me. I looked up to find Kaede sitting next to me, unreadable behind his impenetrable visor.
“Selena...”
