“We appreciate being able to have one last fresh meal before we have to travel five days toDestima,” Z’fir said.
“We purposely didn’t purchase an overabundance of food product, knowing we would soon be landing on our new home planet. The fewer goods and supplies we have, the easier it will be packing and unloading everything on this ship for its disassembly,” V’dim explained.
“Disassembly?” I asked, looking between my Circuli princes and Zirene.
“Yes, Selena,” Zirene replied. “That is how our building technology works. We take the old, break it down, and reuse it. We do it faster than most species.”
“So, theDestinywould be no more?”
“Exactly.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Selena
Dinner wasn’t as smooth as I hoped it would be, but overall, after a few awkward moments of silence, everyone got along.
It still shocked me that theDestinywas about to go on its last voyage. It made me sad—the ship that rescued me would no longer exist.
Everyone thanked Mwe and Oeta for having them over for dinner before exiting his apartment. I straggled behind, needing to speak one more time to the male who helped me gain my freedom.
“When will I see you again?”
He tilted his head toward Oeta and wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer to him as their wings pressed against each other. “I will escort Oeta to Zirene’s ship to say my goodbyes and watch you on your journey.”
“And after that?”
His eyes locked onto mine. “I will make time to take the vacation I am owed and visit thisDestimaof yours.”
“How will I be able to contact you?”
He gently shook Oeta. “I will have her give you mycontact information. Before you go, I will teach you how to send your mental thread out, which will allow you to reach out to me and hail me whenever you are in the CEG HQ space.”
“Really?”
“Selena,” Oeta sighed, grabbing my hand. “It will take a lot of energy from you, which is why my father didn’t want to do it here in front of your crowd. Your nestmates will appreciate if my father taught you in the comforts of your assigned cabin on Zirene’s ship, so you can sleep right after.”
“But that means I won’t be able to say goodbye to you,” I said to Mwe.
“Being able to use this basic ability will be worth it,” he said. “It is my gift to you. We will see each other soon enough. You are an important person in the galaxy, Selena.”
Rolling my eyes, I let out a huff. “That is what everyone keeps saying.”
“I know, but it is true.” He gave me a gentle smile. “Just because you don’t want to hear it, doesn’t mean it isn’t true. I hope Oeta and your research team come up with a solution. The sooner it happens, the easier it will be for you.”
“That may be the case,” I sighed, “but it doesn’t mean I like it.”
“Father, leave her be. Let her spend the Circuli princes' last moments on the space station together. You can continue this boring conversation over the communicator if you must.”
“You are right, Oeta.” He grimaced. “Selena, I will see you again soon.”
The lift doors opened, revealing the busy common docks of the Aldawi Empire. Workers rushed by on their hovercraftsto their next job, and ship crew loaded or unloaded their supplies as civilians lingered out of the way of travelers.
A loud hum filled the air as a strong foreign smell assaulted me. I rubbed my nose on my shoulder, trying to get rid of the horrid scent.
Both Circuli princes laughed as their appendages gave me a reassuring squeeze along my torso. Since this was my last moment with them, I walked between my newest nestmates, knowing the next five days would be hard on them.
“You will get used to it the more you travel,” Z’fir chuckled.
