“Certainly,” I replied, tensing. I sincerely hoped he wasn’t going to ask for us to court.
“Nox briefly mentioned the first phase of adulthood when he had to take a call from his father, but I don’t get it. Noxisan adult, right?”
“He is.” Camden wasn’t the first human to be confused about this peculiarity in our culture. “We are physically and mentally grown at fifteen. I believe it’s the equivalent of you being around twenty-five. We enter the first phase of adulthood and gain some independence. However, we are not considered fully adults within our culture until we mate. It’s something many, like myself, are trying to change. But until the law does, our parents or a government-appointed guardian retain control of our lives while we are unmated.”
Camden blinked at me. “That sucks.”
“It can be unfortunate, yes.”
“But you live as long as humans, right?”
Was he concerned about losing Noxlyn? “Yes.”
He bobbed his head, humming.
“You can ask whatever you like.” I did need the practice. I hadn’t been mentoring Cencay long, but I needed to be used to answering even uncomfortable questions.
“I was curious about mates.”
I cleared my throat, tension ramping up. “How so?”
“I’ve heard about more than one type.”
My shoulders relaxed, and I started bouncing Bobbinvoxlyn, who was screaming, once again. “There are two. Bound and chosen. Bound mates are like Prince Kalvoxrencol and Seth. The Crystal found Prince’s soulmate and connected the two of them. Chosen mates are when we start to perceive someone as ourmate naturally. Both are permanent, as we only mate once. And we can wither and die if separated, rejected, or one of the mated pair dies.”
“Okay, wow. Wasn’t expecting that to end as morbid as it does.” Camden chuckled, shaking his head.
“I don’t find it so.” I smiled at him. “We love too fully. When we mate, we give our entire soul to the other person. How can you live without your soul?”
He pursed his lips and nodded. “Yeah, anyway, I heard about you and Monty. Are you alright? If you need help, I’m always happy to help.”
Another way to stay busy? “I’m healing fine. I return to light duty tomorrow.”
We stepped off the lift in the promenade. It was crowded as usual.
Camden asked, “Where are we going?”
“I was thinking of the atrium, but the point was to get Bobblinvoxlyn away so Prince Kalvoxrencol and Seth can rest.”
He wiggled his eyebrows. “Rest. Right.”
I chuckled. “That had been my thought as well, but I truly think they’re going to rest. Both of them looked exhausted, and Bobbinvoxlyn isn’t that old.”
“True.” Camden leaned closer to me and whispered, “If we stay away long enough, maybe they’ll do something other than nap.”
Turning toward him, I asked, “Helping again?”
He lifted and lowered his shoulder in that human motion. “What can I say, Babe, I like helping people with whatever they need. And I think Seth and Kal need a relaxing fuck.”
I laughed.
“Bobbinvoxlyn, Wyn, and Camden, what are you three doing?”
Monqilcolnen’s voice slid down my spine and fueled an urge for me to run away, but it also alerted me to how close I wasstanding to Camden. I took a step back and offered my throat to the commander. “Greetings, Commander Monqilcolnen.”
“Monty,” Camden said, waving. “Hey. We’re walking Bob. Apparently, he’s in a screaming mood today. I don’t know much about babies, but I assume that’s normal.”
“It is,” Monqilcolnen replied, but his gaze didn’t move from me.“I’m surprised Seth’s allowing Bobbinvoxlyn out of his sight.”
