“Sounds reasonable,” B said. “Did she accept your terms?”
“Yes, she did. I made sure she knew that she was still a member of the Fab Five. I would welcome her return into active duty anytime.”
“We both know this is for the best.”
“Speaking of the best,” I interjected. “I heard you had an opening in your ‘security squad.’ That’s the most original name for it, right? It turns out I was just declared innocent and am available for upcoming missions. The only problem is, I am without a ship or a crew.”
“Qran,” B hissed, glaring at me as she smacked my side. “Can’t you tell I’m in a meeting?”
“I’m trying to get rehired,” I purred, shooting her a smirk. “Our Sovereign here is down one soldier, and here I’m fully capable of keeping up with you and your sisters.”
“But not Kaede.”
“No one can keep up with your brother.”
Z growled. “That's why I assigned him to guard Selena at all times until…”
Sorrow crossed the Aldawi ruler’s face as he closed his eyes and grimaced.
B had told me it had been Zirene’s order that sent Kaede from Selena’s side, giving her kidnappers easy access to their target. That one mistake had cost him his Nova’s safety and wellbeing.
“How is she?” B whispered.
Z sighed and opened his eyes. “The ringing in the back of my head has dimmed but not disappeared, which means that she is still alive. She sleeps dreamlessly in her Cryopod. I will be waiting for her to meet me in our void chamber so I can make sure she’s alright. I’m hoping she can tell me who kidnapped her, so I can send you and your sisters to retrieve her.”
“Hopefully, for everyone’s sake, Kaede finds her first,” I said, squeezing B’s shoulder. “He followed shortly after sending her away; Oeta claimed that he’s already on her trail.”
“I don’t understand why he disconnected from our network,” B growled. “He knows how important and useful that connection is—it allows us to track each other across the galaxy. If anything has happened to him, we wouldn’t know. At least you can keep tabs on Selena’s wellbeing. It’s impossible to check on Kaede until he rejoins the network.”
“Which leads me back to you, Agent Qraniebi,” Zirene said, turning his attention to me. “Do you truly want to join the Fab Five’s ranks and pair up with B on missions?”
B crossed her arms. “Shouldn’t you be asking me if I want him on my squad? After all, I am its leader and—”
“And we both know that I would be wasting time and breath asking you that,” Zirene growled. “It is clear by the way you are comfortable touching that you’re officially bonded and no longer lovesick fools yearning for the other to make a move. About time. However, if I assign you to the same mission, I don’t want either of your performances to drop because you are too busy fucking and staring into each other’s eyes instead of the control panel. Do I make myself clear?”
“Crystal.”
“Affirmative.”
“Then you may work as a paired team, though B remains the sole leader of the squad and all its missions. Will that be a problem, Agent Qraniebi?”
I shook my head. “No, Sire. I understand completely.”
“Good. Pack your things and gather your equipment; at dawn tomorrow, I want you to disembark on your first mission together. Your main objective will be to search for any signs of Selena or Kaede and parse through your sisters’ reports. It may be a long journey, so don’t hesitate to ask the academy for help and pack well.”
“Got it.”
“Understood, Sire.”
“Oh, and Q?” Zirene asked, a smug look on his face.
“Yes?”
“Just because you are now mated to B, doesn’t mean you can slack off,” he chuckled. “When Kaede returns and hears about you two together, be prepared for some brotherly love.”
“When Kaede returns with Selena, the only thing he’ll care about is ravishing her on every flat surface in the villa, not caring who feels or hears their mating,” I challenged, smirking.
His eyes darkened to pitch black, and a loud snarl ripped from his lips. “MINE!”
I knew I was pushing my luck by teasing him when his Nova had just been stolen. Shadows slowly lost hold of their sanity the longer they went without their Novas.
I was glad I lay in the safety of Destima’s base and not in his palace. I wouldn’t be as bold if I were.
However, Zirene had to be reminded of the truth.
Selena wasn’t just his; she was connected to four other males, and a fifth had recently declared his undying love for her. Zirene had to be missing her desperately and wondering if she was well, but so were her other mates. Once she returned, each male would need time to hold her and remind himself that everything was okay.
It was only fair.
B leaned over, blocking my view of the wristband and, more importantly, Z’s view of me.
“He was only teasing, Sire,” B pleaded. “He didn’t mean what he said.”
“Yes, I did,” I challenged. “It may not be my place since I am not part of your clan. But Selena currently has two nestmates in critical condition while the other two are struggling to manage the island. Then you decided that was the best time to kill your father and take over the throne. Selena will have much to process when she returns. I pray to the Stars above that the five of you make it, or Kaede will be picking up the pieces of her broken heart. Your clan has timers above your heads, counting how long each of you can survive without her. Rather than worrying about competing for time with your mate, you should be wondering how to keep your family alive until she returns.”
“Sire, I—”
“No, Q is right. These last few days, I have tired myself out with worry instead of taking care of my clan,” he sighed. “It’s just that the ringing never stops…
