“Page me if you need anything at any time, Lady Selena.”
Zirene offered his hand and hoped Selena would grab it. He purred as she willingly accepted it without hesitation with a smile on her face. He pulled her close and wrapped his arm around her waist, leading her out of the room. He looked over his shoulder at her nestmates.
“Take your time. I will bring her to the dining hall for the evening meal.”
Xylo nodded as a smile crossed Odelm’s face.
Selena halted and gasped as they exited her bedroom into the glass-domed, climate-controlled room.
“What is this?” she asked, staring at her surroundings in awe.
“This is your sanctuary—the central gathering location of your villa. It has artificial hot springs that flow down into the pool. The plant life is native to this island. I wanted to provide an indoor paradise where you can spend time with your clan and guests while being with nature. A carpet-like grass covers the ground, so you can relax and sunbathe while listening to Odelm’s music.”
“Odelm’s music?”
“See those three large archways under the balcony?” Zirene pointed to the left. “The closest one was made into Odelm’s music room. All of his large instruments were unpacked there while the rest were transferred to his bedroom—”
“What do you mean, his own bedroom?” Selena hissed.
“Selena, calm down. I can explain,” he sighed. “Down the middle archway is a hallway leading to three wings—your mates’ wing, the staff wing, and the warehouse. I didn’t know how many mates you would accept into your clan, so I designed ten rooms equipped with a bathroom and office. I figured they would need their own private quarters where they can work, relax, or store their things. It wasn’t meant to hurt you.”
“Ten? You believe I will have ten mates?” she asked in disbelief.
“It’s better than Kaede’s suggestion of twenty. He believed you would take in any unmated Circuli with a story.”
“Twenty?” she choked. “Is that how he thinks of me?”
“No one knows with him.” Zirene pressed gently on her back, trying to change the subject while continuing their tour. “Selena. Think of it this way. What if one of your mates wanted some alone time with just you? They would have a private place of their own to entertain you. Or if you decidedfor some reason you wanted to sleep with one mate, the others would have their own bed for the night.”
“Yeah, but—”
“Things may be going well now, but no one knows how everything will be once you take in the princes completely and officially as a part of your clan. Or perhaps sometime in the future, you connect with a male who doesn’t share well. They would need time to adjust,” he explained as they came to the final archway along the left side. “Here is your dining hall. You have a head chef and a bartender capable of creating anything you wish. You see, Selena, I designed your villa to have an open location where your whole clan and guests can gather and enjoy themselves freely. There is an abundance of seating along the walls and dining hall to allow private conversations in the relaxing social atmosphere.”
Selena pulled away from him and took a few steps onto the grass, testing its texture on her bare feet as she stared at the ceiling.
“I can’t believe all the details you put into this, and somehow, it’s all mine.” She peered over her shoulder and shrugged. “It doesn’t feel real. I keep waiting for the dream to end and to wake up once again in my cell.”
Zirene growled and stepped toward her. “This place is real, and so am I, Selena.” Grabbing her hand, he placed it over his heart. “Feel that? That is my heartbeat.”
“Yeah, but—”
“No, Selena,” he breathed. “This isn’t a trick or a dream you will soon wake from.” He combed her silver strands as she stared up at him with her eyes full of doubt. “I made my mistakes and am trying to make it up to you, but I am not trying to trick you. Not again. This moon is yours to build whatever you want. If you want to make it an art capital or private resort destination where guests are invite-only, so be it. I have faith in you and your abilities.” He sighed. “I wantthe best for you… and this villa was my way of showing you how much you deserve to live.”
She licked her lips. “It’s beautiful.”
“And so are you,” Zirene replied gently. “Selena, you have sacrificed so much in your life, allow luxuries to spoil yourself.”
“I will on one condition.”
“Anything.”
“Can we keep doing this?” she asked, gripping his mane. “I like this… it feels like old times, only now I can see who you are.”
“It will be my pleasure.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Selena
