“Selena… Selena…” Odelm whispered, shaking my body gently.
I opened my eyes to familiar light speckles glowing in the darkness. Rubbing my eyes, I lifted my head off Odelm’s chest.
“What time is it? Do you have any news?”
“There was some damage to the spaceport, but everyone is safe and accounted for,” Xylo replied.
I jerked awake from the sudden reply, turning toward the source’s voice.
There on the edge of the bed sat Xylo and both princes, all three bodies glowing as the dim moonlight shone through the bedroom’s windows.
I crawled over and climbed onto Xylo’s lap, wrapping my arms around his neck, and gave him a quick kiss. “I am so proud of you.” Pulling away, I glanced over to the princes. Their faces were filled with worry and desire.
“Are you both well?”
“Now that we finally have a place to call home,” Z’fir breathed.
I gave Xylo another kiss, thanking him before I unwrapped myself from him and scooted myself toward the princes.
Placing my hands on top of theirs, I sighed. “I don’t knowwhat to say other than I am sorry for accidentally severing our bonds. I truly didn’t mean to—”
“We know,” V’dim replied, rubbing his cool thumb over the back of my hand.
“Xylo said I should be able to reclaim you both… how do you want to do this?”
“Just take them, Selena,” Xylo said. “Claim them right here in front of Odelm and me.”
“But…” I bit my lip and peered over at Odelm. “I don’t want to…”
“It’s alright, Selena,” Odelm murmured. “I am fine.”
I sighed, trying to dispel the nervousness coursing through me. This wasn’t a light matter. After tonight, I would have two more permanent members in my clan, allowing a total of four others access to my inner emotions and thoughts. My privacy would become almost nonexistent once I took them.
My nerves calmed; eyeing Odelm, I knew it was because of his guidance. He nodded, confirming my instincts.
Releasing their hands, I pulled V’dim’s face to mine and kissed him. Closing my eyes, I licked his slit and asked for entrance. He moaned as a familiar warm feeling washed over me, but this time, I could see the court bond’s golden thread as it formed. His tentacles rubbed up and down my body as I traced the inside of his mouth with my tongue. He tasted like the drink they served me back on theDestiny—the fruity creaminess of a “Mystic Nightfall.”
Slowly, I pulled away and pressed my forehead to his, feeling the coolness of his scaled skin. Opening my eyes, I stared into his half-lidded ones.
“Welcome back.”
“Thank you, nestqueen Selena.”
I turned toward Z’fir and smiled. “Your turn.”
He nodded and gave me a small smile. I reached for hisface as I closed my eyes, smashing my lips onto his fuzzy ones. I nipped the soft bristle as the same familiar warm feeling coursed through me as I tied my newest nestmate to me. He groaned in reply as our court bond snapped into place.
I pulled away and laid my head on his shoulder, breathing deeply as he held me.
“I did it,” I murmured. “I reestablished the court bonds.”
The bed dipped as cool hands gripped onto the zipper along the back of my uniform.
“Let us complete our bond,” V’dim breathed.
“So we never feel lost again.” Z’fir peered in Odelm’s direction. “I don’t know how you could live like that over the years. The four days away was torture of the worst kind.”
“Selena was like sampling fresh water on a hot summer day after going without for a long time, only having a small amount out of necessity but craving more,” Odelm replied. “Since she finalized our court bond, permanently binding our lives together, I have been feeling like I am constantly swimming in an ocean of water, never to be restricted from happiness ever again… Finally, I was free from all the pain I suffered, and wondering if I would be missed… if I mattered.”
