The Quaww waitress from earlier showed up with a cart filled with our order. She scrambled to pass everything and asked what Odelm’s fathers wanted. When they replied they would have what we had, she hurried away.
“I am sorry, Selena,” Odelm said. “My fathers… they are usually more polite than this.”
“It’s not your fault. I’m not going to hold their actions against you.I understand it is a lot to take in… I just wish people would stop asking the same questions.”
“Introductions.” Xylo wrapped a vine around my shoulders. “This is Selena Darcaw—”
“You are mated to someone who bears the royal Aldawi name?” Odelm’s Wudox father asked, grabbing his arm.
“Yes, father.” He jerked his arm away. “It was a recent event.”
“And you are okay with it?” Odelm’s Ulax father questioned, studying him.
Odelm growled. “Does it matter?”
“No. It doesn’t,” I mumbled. “It doesn’t matter anymore. It can’t be changed.”
A heavy calm fell on me, traveling to the other members.
“That is enough,” V’dim barked. “Selena has been through enough. I am sure you heard rumors about her trial yesterday. If not, look it up in your spare time. It will open your eyes.” He sighed. “Look, we are here because we wanted to treat our nestqueen without worrying about judgments or responsibilities. Selena saved Z’fir and me from our mothers' wishes and agreed to establish a politically-arranged bonding to give theDestiny’s crew a new home. She is both intelligent and kind and cares very much about your son. I would think you would be proud your son joined a clan with a nestqueen who loves and cares for him.”
“You are right,” Odelm’s Wudox father said, glancing at me. “I am sorry, nestqueen Selena. It seems my partner Odevlyn and I have gotten ahead of ourselves.” He bowed his head. “I am Elmynx, Captain of my merchant ship, Abyssal Fire.”
“Our ship, Elm,” Odevlyn corrected.
“Right.Ourship.” He nodded apologetically at Odevlyn before turning toward the princes. “We heard rumors you were granted a place to settle. A moon. In the middle of the Aldawi territory. I assume the rumors are true, and this was granted to you by your new court bond?”
“What is it to you?” I asked as I leaned back, crossing my arms as I studied them.
Odevlyn met my gaze. “We always told Odelm that once theDestinysettles, we would return to be with him.” He sighed. “We may not look like it, but we are getting old. We can’t keep traveling the stars full-time anymore.”
“We hoped to help the settlement by doing supply runs until they are well established. Then we wanted to open a shop of our own, selling off-planet items at a fair price. Someone has to.”
“Xylo. Could you please contact Vagren and tell him to meet us here?”
“Selena… What are you doing?” Xylo asked, concerned.
“You should know. Can’t you read me?”I teased.
Xylo was trying to be polite and give me privacy by not focusing on reading my thoughts all the time, and I appreciated it. It still bothered me I couldn’t read their thoughts or feelings like they would do naturally with me all the time. That was the main disadvantage I felt of not being a Circuli nestqueen—being able to read what my nestmates were thinking about or calming them naturally at times of need would make communicating easier. I still felt there was an invisible wall between us. They could read and sense thingsfrom each other, yet I needed to discover and confirm them.
“He’s on his way,” Xylo announced. “Do I need to be worried?”
I smirked as I picked up one of the colorful drink samples off its tray and took a sip. I hummed in approval of the slightly tart, fruity drink.
“Keep up.”
At that moment, the waitress returned with the extra orders, but this time, she wasn’t alone. Trailing her was the same crimson-colored male from outside, equipped with a tablet. He surveyed our group with a pleasant smile as the waitress unloaded the extra samples.
“Sires…” he stuttered when his eyes landed on mine. “And lady. I am Erluh, owner of all this.” He raised his arms, gesturing to the room. “How has your time been so far here at Zero G-Spot? Is there anything I can help you with?”
“I believe we are fine. Our food and drinks are amazing. We are just catching up with each other,” Z’fir said, gesturing to the table.
Erluh leaned over to his waitress and whispered something in her ear. She nodded and left, taking the empty cart with her. Erluh watched her leave before turning to us. He opened his mouth to say something and cleared his throat.
“I was wondering why your group was at an establishment like this.” His eyes widened as he raised his hands, waving them as his tails moved wildly behind him. “Not to offend anyone, but I wondered why a group of males would take a female here instead of all the other places available. I mean, usually, males don’t come in here as a group… much less with a female.”
“Why is that?” I asked, curious. Perhaps he would be the one who would give me insight into this place. I saw nothing wrong with it.
