Selena gasped and grabbed one of V’dim’s tentacles, tugging it. “You don’t mean that.”
V’dim gave her an innocent smile. “He was offering.”
“I know Kaede is difficult, but you would not kill Kaede so Xylo can examine him,” she said, giving his tentacle another tug to prove a point.
“It was playful male banter, Selena. You have nothing toworry about.” He met Kaede’s gaze. “Tell her that what I am saying is the truth.”
Kaede chuckled. “It’s far from the truth,” he leaned against the arm of a nearby couch with arms still crossed. “If he had it his way, he would have tried to kill me already. But have no worries, Selena, since I am a ‘walking supply of gadgets,’ I am fully capable of defending myself from such threats.”
“Including finally answering my questions?” Selena challenged.
V’dim had to stop himself from chuckling at how fast Kaede’s smirk fell at Selena’s question.
Selena was an amazing female.
It didn’t matter that she wasn’t a Circuli nestqueen; her intelligence and ability to adapt to any situation to her fullest astonished him. Her ability to take in those around her and give them the drive to become better—to be more—was something unparalleled.
Odelm was a severed male, lost in his inability to fit in. He still needed a lot of reassuring, it seemed, but V’dim had faith Selena could help heal him. The male was a brilliant musician with a gift all should cherish, not kept away behind locked doors.
Xylo was a knowledgeable scholar, and even though his fathers were known for their work as healers back onCircul, he’d followed his own path and wanted to study the anatomy and culture of the other species in CEG. His desire to travel among the stars and meet the species he studied made him the perfect candidate to join theDestiny’s crew. V’dim was glad to have him on the journey, for he was a valuable member and helped maintain their relationship with the Aldawi.
Xylo was also the male who, by Fate's guidance, courtbonded with Selena and started the chain of events that granted theDestiny’s members a new home.
Selena would forever be remembered for her sacrifices.
And now, both he and Z’fir were a part of her clan, making history along with her.
“Yes, I promised,” Kaede confirmed. “And unlike other males, I will keep my promise.”
“You are still someone who I am upset with, so I wouldn’t get too full of yourself.”
“I can accept that, but I have reasons for doing so.” He sat down on the chair he was leaning on and kicked up his legs cockily onto the armrest. “What do you want to know?”
“Why did you leave me after…” Selena paused and watched Xylo walk over from checking on Odelm’s sleeping form and sit down on her other side. “Why did you leave me at my most vulnerable time? I didn’t know how the labor would progress or if everyone would survive. What happened to the male who would do anything to protect me?”
“I am not in your clan—you made sure I knew that—nor am I medically trained to aid your team with your delivery,” Kaede hissed. “Look at the males who surround you! They are the ones you need to go to when you need your hand held or to be examined. You were better off with them, while I was preparing for theDestiny's arrival. If anything was in dire need, I could have called for an emergency medical team to be sent from the CEG HQ, but everything went smoothly after I did my part.”
“So, you will only talk to me when you are forced to? Not because you want to?” Selena demanded, her voice a sharpened whisper—quiet enough to make her point without waking the cubs.
“I am a busy man, Selena,” Kaede smirked. “You have enough able males around you to keep you… satisfied.”
“I would hardly call your short performance satisfying.”
Xylo covered his mouth and coughed as Kaede’s smirk fell.
V’dim didn’t know what made Selena so aggressive today. One thing was for sure, he was proud to have her next to him as his nestqueen. Her newfound confidence was attractive and made it addictive to watch her work.
“That wasn’t what you were saying before I left you,” Kaede mumbled. “Besides, I accomplished what I said I would do and did my part to help. It’s not my fault you didn’t climax.”
“I hope you remember those words, because I will make sure I tell them to the sorry female who ends up with you.”
V’dim sent out a calming aura to try to defuse the tension that was building and stood. “Drinks anyone?”
“SomeOsso Tea,please,” Selena replied, eyeing Xylo.
“Xowyn,” the other two males said, their focus on each other, shocked they both picked the same drink.
V’dim stumbled, remembering why she lovedOsso Tea—it reminded her of Xylo’s taste. His tentacles trembled from the visions of her private time with her clan.
