“Stars, Kaede could probably wipe them out if they spark his temper,” Qran chuckled.
I studied the Senior Healer as his coloring rapidly turned a worried orange and panicked bright yellow. “If you want your home planet to stay intact, tell your Queens that they shouldn’t anger someone who has little left to lose.”
Oeta accompanied Qran to the storage garage to help load his healing lotion into our shuttle, while I remained behind to chat with Chyox and Kaica.
I stared at Selena’s comatose Favored and wondered how she would feel if she were standing in my place, watching her loved ones struggle to survive.
“Do you think they will ever heal fully?” I asked the room.
“It’s hard to say,” Chyox began, stepping closer. “During the war, Circuli rarely survived losing one appendage, and they’ve both lost all of theirs. If their nestqueen were here, their chances would certainly improve, but even then, there is only so much trauma a body can take before it’s unable to regenerate. Their wounds, combined with the massive blood loss, spell disaster . . .”
“And Selena’s absence narrows their chances down to nothing,” I concluded. “Although Qran has been hurt badly too, he will heal as long as he continues to apply lotion. It’s not fair that they must suffer like this.”
“I won’t lose faith, sister,” Kaica swore. “This is my chance to prove that I’m capable of making a difference. I’ve already made contact with Odelm’s fathers and told them that their timeline has moved forward and that they need to bring Xylo’s fathers to Destima as soon as possible. Xylo’s fathers wanted to finish training their senior replacements, but with the life of their only son dangling by Fate’s thread, they have already officially retired from their positions. Their ship should be arriving tomorrow, about the same time you are scheduled to leave.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Perhaps together, you will find the answers to help them.”
“Xylo’s fathers are well-known on our home planet,” Chyox explained. “If anyone could find a way to save them, it would be them. I had the privilege of studying under them as a junior healer.”
“They’re that old?”
Chyox shook his head and grunted. “I keep forgetting how young all of you demi-humans are . . .”
“We may be young, but at least we keep things entertaining around here,” I mumbled.
I hadn’t missed the shy stares Kaica and Chyox had given each other all night. Perhaps this assignment would work out well for Kaica in the end.
Approaching her, I pulled her into a tight hug as her arms wrapped around my lower back. Resting my chin on the top of her shimmering, iridescent hair, I squeezed her, sending a silent prayer to the Stars for my return.
“I’ll miss you, K.”
“I’ll miss you too.”
“Promise me you will send updates through our network.” I pulled away, locking eyes with her. “I want you to keep me informed about Destima and everyone’s health. Do you think you can do that?”
She smiled. “I will try. If we make a discovery, it may delay my updates, but things have slowed down some since that initial hectic day. I will try and make sure to read all reports and update you daily.”
“Thank you,” I whispered before I leaned down and kissed her forehead.
Letting go, I shot a glance at the Senior Healer, who was staring at us in confusion.
As soon as he noticed my attention, his tentacles rose as if he was trying to defend himself . . . from me? Selena must’ve struck deep fear about strong demi-human females into this male.
“Hey, Chyox!”
“Yes?”
“Take care of my sister. It’s up to you to make sure she doesn’t overwork herself. Do you understand?”
He nodded and continued to stare, bewildered.
I turned to leave but paused at the threshold. Looking over my shoulder, I called out to Chyox, “Remember to feed her. If you don’t, I heard her favorite delicacy is fish.”
Eleven
Bryeca
The first sun rose in the distance, covering the ocean in bright light and signifying the dawn of another day.
I sat strapped into my Captain’s chair, and Qran sat next to me in his newly-claimed spot as Co-Captain.
“Are we ready to take off?” I asked, though I already knew the answer.
Something was making me nervous.
I didn’t know if it was the mission itself, leaving Kaica behind, or finally having my dream come true and mating with him.
Whatever the cause, I couldn't shake my nerves.
Qran leaned over and took my hands in his, his talons creating a cage.
"What's wrong?"
“I don’t know,” I murmured, feeling my hands tremble.
“You’re shaking!” His eyes bulged, studying my fingers. ”Why are you so nervous? You are never nervous.”
“Qran . . . I don’t know,” I looked away, toward the sunrise, ashamed at my weakness. “This is new.”
“Look at me, B,” he urged, gently squeezing my hands and drawing my attention. “Everything will be alright. This is new for me, too,” he chuckled, his pale-green eyes sparkling as his golden beak reflected the sun’s rays. “I’m used to directing a full crew. Now I’m your second half—for once, I’ll be following rather than giving orders. But I’m happy because we are in this together.” He shook our intertwined hands. “We will face whatever is out there together as a mated pair. So, take a deep breath and focus on the takeoff. Just know I’m here right beside you whenever you need me. You accepted me, and you won’t get rid of me ever again.”
“As if I could ever get rid of you,” I chuckled. “It took you—what—sixteen attempts to finally win me over?”
“Who’s counting?” He shrugged. “I have you now.”
“Yes, and no other female is going to take you away from me.”
“Never,” he swore, giving my hands one
