“What limits?” Xylo asked.
“While we can teleport to any of our drone’s locations, we require our suits and their energy cells.” Kaede paused as a small sphere dome uncloaked and landed on his black-gloved hand. “The Aldawi’s shadowstep ability is limited to their line of sight and individual power. This is how they can sneak behind their enemy in hand-to-hand combat.”
“It is foolish to depend on an ability such as that amid battle,” V’dim warned.
“Of course.” Kaede tossed the drone and caught it. “That is why I am the only one testing the new tech. I don’t need to depend on it to win, and if things go wrong, I have no one—other than my sisters—left behind for it to matter.”
“You are quite the martyr,” Selena scoffed.
“Quite the opposite, really,” Kaede smirked and tossed the drone toward her. V’dim reached out to grab it before it could hit her, but it disappeared before impact. “Someone has to do it—it just happens to be that I was created to do so.”
“I was created to be a breeder, but that doesn’t mean I am going to open my legs to anyone who wants to repopulate a planet with a new species,” Selena barked.
Kaede’s visor came alive and unfolded over his face.
“I will take that as my sign to leave,” he said, standing up and turning toward V’dim. “I will return for my cape in the morning. The little warriors can have it as a temporary battle souvenir,” he chuckled with a wide smile. “Make sure Selena gets some food before bed; it seems she has forgotten to take care of herself once again. Good luck.” In an instant, he faded away.
“Of course, he has the last say before he runs away. Again,” Selena growled, jumping to her feet. “He is such anishing frax.I need to remember never to take him seriously.”
V’dim stood up and joined her. “It’s been a long day. Let’s get you fed and retire for the evening.” He gently took herhand and sent calming waves to her. “We can relocate Odelm to the nestbed since Xylo confirmed nothing is wrong with him. By the time you are done eating, Z’fir should be here to retire with us.”
Selena pursed her lips and glanced over to the sleeping warriors on the floor.
“The cubs…”
“If Zi—” Xylo cleared his throat. “If Prince Zirene wants to back out of his deal…”
“If he wants nothing to do with them, so be it,” Selena hissed. “I am done waiting for that male to figure out what he wants and how royally he fucked up.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Selena
I stared at the ceiling, listening to the soft snores from across the bed. Everyone in the clan was accounted for, sleeping almost soundlessly in the special bed, even though Odelm still hadn’t woken up after ravishing me in the shower.
I heard what happened from both the princes and Xylo. They made sure no details were left out—I’m not sure for whose benefit. I had gotten over the whole “being watched while getting pleasured,” and to be honest with myself, it was never embarrassing—just something I didn’t think I would ever take part in.
Xylo made it a sport to watch me be pleasured by a nestbrother—and in reality, it was part of their species' social dynamic. The nestqueen mates with her Favored as the others watch. I hoped he didn’t start feeling neglected or replaced—but he seemed to enjoy himself or at least enjoy riding my pleasure with me as he watched.
Perhaps the Circuli saw it was a way to bond as a clan. I would have to ask them about it sometime.
Nudity? Wasn’t an issue unless I got cold. Ipreferred to be skin-to-skin with my nestmates. It just felt more intimate and right.
From what I’d read, there were species in the CEG who kept themselves covered head to toe, while others, like the Circuli, didn’t wear any clothing. I could understand why they wouldn’t—they were more in tune with nature than most species and had no genitalia to cover. Whereas the Aldawi always covered theirs with flowy, loose clothing.
Odelm and Xylo had me comfortably sandwiched between them as the princes slept near our feet with the cubs curled up between them. I kissed the center of Odelm’s back and squeezed the arm I had wrapped around his torso.
Xylo mumbled something into my hair, his breath tickling the back of my neck. His vines squeezed the weighted blanket covering the three of us, enclosing our lower halves together. Each leg had multiple appendages wrapped around them. By their location, it had to be the princes trying to unconsciously seek comfort from me in their sleep as their nestqueen.
Xylo and Odelm had problems controlling their appendages around me until I permanently bonded with them. As it was, neither prince had an issue—yet—but I was betting when we reunited onDestima, they would have trouble. I wouldn’t postpone completing our bond any longer than that, knowing how painful it could be for them.
Our bond was all political, anyway.
There would be no way I could compare to the connection—and love—they had for each other. I was an outsider to their relationship and could never become equal. Not that it mattered—I didn’t want to force my way between them. What they had together was special and helped them survive all these years together.
That didn’t mean I would mind being between them. I wasn’t blind—they were both handsome in their own way.
Both princes were prime examples of what a male in their respective species looked like. They had a fuller muscular build than the other Circuli males in the Warrior Class, with more traditional coloring. I was told other males wished for their coloring—while nestqueens wanted them in their clan, it was the fact they were together that deterred them. The seriousness that radiated from them had been enough to make me question whether or not I should talk to them—until I bumped into them running off the elevator. It was then I learned they were kind and caring.
