I grabbed an appendage from both princes and pulled them to my chest, hugging them. Instantly, they both wrapped gently around my wrists.
“You shouldn’t torture yourselves.” I gave each of them a squeeze. “From what Xylo told me, I know how hard it must be on you both—especially when you have to manage your crew.”
I leaned into Odelm’s side as Xylo pulled up my feet and slowly started to massage them. Turning toward Mwe, I asked, “What does my connection with Zirene mean for him?”
He glanced at the two Aldawi princes. “It all depends on who wants to be the next Sovereign.”
“Prince Royak will be the next ruler,” Zirene said regally.
“Are you sure?”
“I have no desire for it,” he growled as his tail whooshed back and forth. “And Izyana would be a fool if he tried challenging for it.”
“Why? Who is Izyana?” I asked, confused.
“Our brother,” Royak replied, crossing his arms as he glanced at me. “He is full-blood, and it would be in his right to do so if he wanted.”
“He can try. We both know he would rather stay within his star system’s boundaries and do as little as possible,” Zirene grunted.
“How many more siblings do you have?” I scowled.
The lack of knowledge they had given me about their family was annoying. I knew Aldawi normally averaged three to five cubs, but rare occurrences of fewer or up to seven were possible. It didn’t occur to me that there were more siblings somewhere in the CEG.
“There were five of us born—Royak, me, Izyana, Vagren, and Masmi. The Fates did a disservice by making Vagren and Pavyrn the only half-blood,” Zirene hissed. “They both should have been full-blood, for Izyana is a worthless coward.”
“If what Prince Zirene said is true, then you should have nothing to worry about,” Mwe sighed, surveying the occupants in the room. “That is, if the Quaww decide to leave Selena and her cubs alone.”
“What are you implying?” Zirene growled. “Are you saying Selena won’t be safe in the Aldawi territory? On her moon?”
“It is not my place to say, but Selena is the center of many conversations on the space station.” His eyes locked onto mine. “It would be safer for you if you stayed with those whose job it is to protect you. The Quaww are highly interested in you, but they are smart enough not to try something that would easily be traced back to them. After their display in the Assembly, it would be foolish to do so.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Because I would not like to see the CEG divide and fall as a result of war over who can keep a woman in their territory.”He sighed and walked to their glass wall, flexing his wings as he stared into the darkness of space. “The Quaww are up to something. I want to make sure you don’t become…”
“Fodder.”
“Let the Quaww try something,” Royak taunted. “The Aldawi will be prepared.”
“And when they do, we would be the victors,” Zirene purred.
Silence fell in the room.
I grabbed my nestmate’s bond threads. They had delayed telling me what happened to me, and I needed to know why I woke up in Kaede’s bed without clothes.
“What happened to me last night?”
“You went out with Kaede’s sisters while we watched the cubs,” Z’fir answered, his vine twitching in my hands.
“You all know that is not what I’m asking about. Stop hiding it from me.”
“Selena, now may not be the best time to ask this,” Xylo whispered as one of his vines wrapped around my torso.
“Selena,” Mwe called gently, grabbing my attention. “Your nestmates are hesitant to respond to you because they don’t know what happened to you last night. They knew you would be returning late, so they all retired for the night, knowing you should be safe with your company.” He walked over and stopped in front of me.
“In your celebratory state, someone drugged you while the women with you had their guard down, believing their reputation would prevent anyone from trying something.” He bent down to his knees, his wings shifting behind him as a sad expression crossed his face. “While drugged, you attempted to convince the Quaww male you call ‘Q’ to… mate with you. Kaede realized his error in judgment in taking the night off and noticed you weren’t acting normal. When he gathered you, he analyzed your blood, confirming you were drugged and needed aid.”
“I refused to take you the space station’s infirmary, even though that was the nearest location for you to receive the assistance needed. I didn’t know the medical team there and wasn’t going to trust their aid to be completely for your benefit or if they were qualified to assist you,” Kaede barked from his new position leaning against the far wall, with arms crossed. “The nearest safe location was the apartments my sisters and I share. I rejected porting with you in such a state to your bedroom. Your nestmates didn’t answer their pages, and you were becoming more—”
