“Selena.”
Ryzen’s voice stopped me. There was something in it—something I couldn’t quite name. I looked up to find him watching me with an intensity that made my breath catch.
“I would do it.” The words were quiet. Certain. “For you.”
Everything went still. The ship’s hum, the distant pulse of the engines, the stars wheeling past the viewport—all of it faded beneath the weight of what he’d just said.
“Ryzen—”
“You gave me hope when I had none.” He stepped closer, and the emerald runes along his arms pulsed faintly—responding to his emotion, to the spiritforce that lived beneath his skin. “You’re going to help me save Xenak. You’re risking everything—your mates, your children, your empire—to end a war that isn’t even yours.”
“It’s everyone’s war now.” My voice came out rougher than I intended. “The Verya won’t stop with your galaxy.”
“No. They won’t.” He was close enough now that I could see the flecks of gold in his green eyes, the way his runes pulsed in time with his heartbeat. “And you’re walking into neutral territory to face the Quaww and demand assistance to face both warfronts. If bonding with you means you can protect yourself—if sharing my spiritforce means you have a weapon they can’t take from you—”
He stopped. Swallowed. And when he spoke again, his voice was so quiet I had to strain to hear it.
“I’m willing.”
I stared at him. This male I’d known for only a handful of weeks—this warrior who’d spent centuries serving his refugees, protecting his people, following rules that had been carved into his culture long before he was born. He was offering me his soul. His forever. Not because I’d asked for it. Not because he owed me anything.
Because he believed in what I was trying to do.
“You barely know me.” The protest felt weak even as I said it.
“I know enough.” A faint smile curved his lips—the first I’d ever seen from him that wasn’t tinged with sadness or duty. “I know you’re stubborn. Reckless. Too willing to sacrifice yourselffor others. I know you collect warriors like some beings collect trinkets, and somehow they’re all better for it.” The smile faded, replaced by something more serious. “I know you’re the best chance my brother has of surviving what the Verya have done to him. And I know that if you fall, the galaxy falls with you.”
My throat tightened. Too much. This was too much.
“Are you sure you want to?” The words came out steadier than I felt. “This isn’t an easy decision that you can make in this short exchaneg.”
“I know, but the offer still stands.” He inclined his head—that formal gesture I’d seen him use with Mwe, with anyone he respected. “Maybe I’ve decided to stop fighting whatever is between us.”
My pulse thundered as my thoughts skittered.
He was offering his soul.
His forever.
And I had to decide if I was brave enough to actually accept it.
32
Selena
Istared at him—this Verya warrior. His emerald runes pulsed faintly along his arms, his spiritforce responding to the emotion he was trying so hard to contain.
He deserved more than silence.
“Ryzen.” I took a breath, steadied myself. Chose my words like they mattered—because they did. “I don’t take this lightly. What you’re offering… I need you to understand what it means to me.”
He watched me. Patient. Still.
“The pull between us,” I continued, “maybe the Stars and Fates made our paths cross for a reason. Maybe you were always meant to be part of this constellation.” My throat tightened around the word. Constellation. The web of souls I carried everywhere—secure and steady, holding me together when everything else fractured. “But I won’t pretend this is something it’s not. Not yet.”
His head tilted. Waiting.
“This would be a mutual bonding. Between friends. Between two people who want the betterment of those we love.” I met his eyes, letting him see the truth there. “I won’t demand you share my nestbed. Won’t ask you to be anything outside of what feels right between us. And if we never fall in love…”
