Zirene stepped next to his brother and looked down at Selena. The top of her head came up to the middle of his chest. Her small stature and fragility seemed like it couldn’t contain the fiery attitude that radiated from her. He gazed from her nestmates to his daughter, pressed against the side of her neck, then his eyes trailed up to meet hers.
They stared at each other in silence, her eyes saying many unvoiced thoughts.
She still didn’t trust him fully. He could see the betrayal, hurt, and anger swirling in them as she tried to hide the one thing he didn’t want her ever to feel—fear. She was doing this for their cubs’ future, not caring that it would put a target on her.
Zirene turned away from her and scowled at Karwyln on the ground.
“Selena is my Nova. Her cubs were sired bymeand no other. As I am your Prince, she is my Mate, meaning you treat her as you treat me. She is allowed non-Aldawi Consorts, and they are welcome to join her clan on the land I will provide for her to raise my cubs. You will treat them with respect, for they are hers as she is mine. Understand?”
“Yes, my Prince,” Karwyln mumbled.
He addressed the rest of the room. “Do you understand?” Each guard submitted and agreed when his eyes locked on them. Zirene turned to his brother and met his gaze.
“Will you honor me in witnessing our marking and confirm it for the Empire?”
Royak studied those behind him and nodded. “It would be an honor to witness such a bonding. The sooner it happens, the better. It will save us a headache later on.”
Zirene nodded and faced Selena. “I agree to your terms. When do you want it to happen?”
“Right now.” She jerked her chin. “Allow everyone in this lobby to witness to prevent any doubts.”
He would not demand that she allow him to take her in front of everyone, as tradition suggested. It would push her farther away from him. He wanted to love her and for her to love him back. He knew she was only doing this for their cubs’ future. He would have to make it up to her and prove to her he was to be trusted and wouldn’t hurt her again.
“If that is what you want, I accept.”
She nodded and pulled their daughter away from her neck, gazing down at the sleeping cub. His eyes followed, and he stilled at what he saw.
His daughter was tiny and could easily fit in one of his paws. She resembled a miniature version of his brother, Royak, but her fur was the same silver of Selena’s hair instead of Royak’s white. Unconsciously, he stepped closer and lightly traced his daughter’s tiny body with one of his fingers. A quiet purr sounded as she opened her eyes to focus on his finger. Her eyes matched his.
“Prince Royak, I believe your niece looks like you but has my silver color hair, instead of your white fur, and Zirene’s amethyst eyes,” Selena beamed. “Would you like to hold her as we complete some unfinished business?”
“I would love to, but typically male Aldawi don’t—”
“I am not an Aldawi, and I believe Zirene would feel honored if you held her while you witness our marking,” she growled.
Zirene felt like an adolescent once again at how Selena carried herself among them.
Even their other siblings and the royal guard had never been this comfortable around them. Was it the fact the Fates made her his Nova? Or was it that she was raised outside of society and was unaware of the social standards around her? Perhaps, after the last nine years, she had grown accustomed and comfortable with him, and being with him in person felt the same to her as if they were in their dreamscape.
“Yes. It would be an honor.”
Selena passed their daughter over and tilted her head, her fiery eyes locked onto his.
“Are you ready?”
CHAPTER THREE
Selena
All my preparation and studying worked. The trick to dealing with the Aldawi was not to show any weakness. They preyed on those who were weak or submissive. Being human—even with my enhancements—had me at a major disadvantage.
I felt it when both Aldawi princes asserted their dominance in the lobby. It rolled over my skin like a tingling sensation, but I couldn’t—and wouldn’t—budge. Submitting to him would only allow him to get his way. I was sick and tired of being in the dark about whatever plans he had for my clan’s future.
“Selena. Are you sure about this?”Odelm asked. Worry laced his mental voice, which matched his coloring.
“He can’t back down now. Not in front of all of his men or his brother.”
“Selena. You should not push yourself when your body is still recovering.”Xylo replied, his deep mental voice filled with concern.
