“It seems that Zirene—accidentally or not—injured my arm as he tried to prevent me from leaving. His nails rippedmy coat’s sleeve and dug into my arm. When I slapped him, my hand was injured. I believe it’s only bruised, but I still would like you to look at it. If you would, please?”
His eyes softened. “You don’t need to ask, Selena.”
His cool hands lightly grabbed my arm as he examined them. The others hovered nearby, ready to assist when needed.
“I will go get your cubs for you, Selena, and bring them here.” Kaede glanced at me, his eyes covered once more. “I assume that you will feel better once you are surrounded by your clan.”
I nodded. “Thanks, Kaede, I would appreciate that, but that doesn’t mean you will get away from answering my questions.”
“Of course not,” he chuckled with a smirk before leaving.
“I told Chyox that Kaede was coming to bring the cubs back here.” Xylo turned to Odelm. “Can you gather my med kit and scanner from our room? I want to make sure, even though nothing looks serious, and they should heal fairly quickly.”
“Is it possible for us to go there instead?” I asked, staring at my shredded outfit. “I would feel better if I could take a quick shower, change into a fresh set of clothes, and perhaps have dinner since the trial went on for so long.” I looked at Xylo for confirmation. “I mean, if you believe that is okay.”
He glanced at the other three Circuli before returning his gaze to mine.
“Let us take care of you, Selena. You have been through enough.” He released my arms. “Odelm will help you get undressed and shower. Let me get my equipment ready and prep your bed. V’dim and Z’fir will get food ordered to our room and help Kaede with the cubs when he arrives.”
My heart swelled at how they were already working together. Yet in the small dark corner of my mind, there was apart of me that wondered if they were like this because their biology told them to—because they needed to—and not because they wanted to. Had I doomed them to become biological slaves with me as their master?
Had I become what I ran from?
How could they keep secrets from me, knowing it would upset me?
A gentle kiss pressed against my forehead, its coolness bringing me to the present as my worries drifted away,
“Don’t think such dark thoughts,” Xylo said as his teal eyes drilled into mine. “If I were a slave, I would want you as my master. Never compare yourself to the Yaarkins.” He stepped away and led me to Odelm. “Enjoy yourself as you freshen up, and we will explain everything over dinner.”
Odelm carefully wrapped an arm around me as he nodded at Xylo. I glanced at my princes and noticed they were watching me. I halted and turned to them, needing to address the sudden sour feeling in my gut.
“I am sorry our court bonding was in front of an audience… and Stars, now I think about it, probably recorded and cast galaxy-wide. I don’t know how Circuli nestqueens traditionally do it, but I wanted to apologize anyhow. I just wanted to help… and make sure both you and your crew got a new home. I understand how it feels to be severed, but if either of you doesn’t want me as a nestqueen and want someone else, I wouldn't have any hard feelings. Just let me know before we arrive on my moon, so you both can start leading with no major changes.”
Shocked expressions filled their faces. V’dim glanced at Z’fir.
“We are both honored to have you as our nestqueen and do not wish to sever our bond with you,” Z’fir replied.
V’dim nodded and faced me, his face full of confusion.
“We are honored we were chosen to be a part of your clan,but we don’t understand why you are comparing yourself to Circuli standards when clearly you are not Circuli. While we understand there will be challenges ahead, we know to aid you as our nestqueen in a place to call home will be worth it.”
“I still wanted to apologize for how everything went.” Surveying the others in the room, I sighed. “I am sorry for what happened today as well. I hope to ease any fears and answer questions once I am done. I want some answers of my own.”
“Of course,” Xylo agreed. “But first, go and relax.”
Listening to him, I turned and allowed Odelm to lead me to our shared Royal Apartment. I didn’t see Zirene on my journey to the master bathroom. A weight lifted from my shoulders as I realized I didn’t have to face him. I wasn’t in the mood to deal with him—again—when I needed to fix things with my nestmates first.
Odelm walked into the master bathroom beside me in awkward silence. I didn’t know what to say to him or how he felt about today’s events. He was the more sensitive nestmate in the clan.
I watched him as he let go of my waist and backed away. His eyes seemed to dim when his focus fell on my ruined sleeve.
“Odelm?” I whispered.
His pale green eyes looked up at mine before falling onto Zirene’s mark. “Yes, Selena?”
“What is wrong?”
“I don’t know how to answer that,” he murmured.
