There wasn’t a female in the universe that would want to be with me now, no matter what punishment I may soon face. After I’d escaped my species’ tyranny, I’d spent years managing my feathers to make sure they looked their best because I knew had to be presentable at all times in case I met a female Quaww.
Females hardly ever left the comfort of their flocks. If one wasn’t already tied to a flockmaster, she had either been recently dismissed or had decided to look for a better flock to join. Few traveled beyond the Quaww boundaries, in fear they would swiftly lose their rank. Those who did travel either came from smaller flocks without a support system to delegate responsibilities to or lost their fertility and were deemed worthless to the flock’s future.
B had teased me that she would give us a chance if I did her bidding and gave Selena her first dance. I’d done so willingly, as we both knew I wasn’t romantically interested in her new adopted sister. It had been a simple request—show Selena a good time and coax her brother Kaede from the shadows—and my reward would be discussing our future together.
But the Stars had other plans.
The waiter had been paid by a mercenary to slip a drug into her drink. While I assisted the Fab Five in dealing with the mercenary and waiter, his crew slipped away from the space station to report their failure to the Quaww merchant.
Deep down inside, I suspected that this Quaww merchant was the same one who had hired my crew. What had driven them to go against the Assembly’s wishes and risk starting a war with the Aldawi, all over one female?
The sound of the door sliding open pulled me from my thoughts.
Instantly, an aura of dominance fell upon the room, crippling me until I fell to my knees, unable to glance at who had entered. The cold, hard ground felt odd against my bare skin. I'd always had a protective layer of feathers shielding me from the elements. This was the first time I was uncovered, and the experience was unsettling.
There remained only two Aldawi so powerfully dominant in the universe. One I had never met in private, and he rarely used his aura when we crossed paths. The other always used his dominance.
“I read the report Agent Bryeca sent me and have discussed it with her,” the Aldawi Sovereign growled, his voice deeper than I last remembered. “Tell me the truth, now. I won't give you a second chance if you aren't honest with me. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Sire,” I muttered, flicking my gaze to the bare, clawed feet halting right before my face.
“I will consider Agent Kaede’s judgment while determining your future, knowing full well how harsh and impartial he is toward others. Now tell me: Did you have anything to do with the kidnapping and torture of my Nova?"
"Never," I gasped, the heavy weight of his aura pressing down upon me, making it hard to breathe. "I swore myself to you and you alone."
"I needed to hear those words from your mouth before sending you away to Destima. Oeta has agreed to scan your memories to prove your innocence. If she sees anything hinting that you lied, she has permission to end your life immediately."
"I understand," I sighed. "But I have nothing to hide."
"Good, because I am ridding this universe of all who dare to challenge my rule or test my limits." His aura lifted, and it became more comfortable to breathe. "If the Quaww want a war, I will give them one. The longer they take to return Selena to me, the more they push me to conquer their territory."
Rising to my feet, I risked my luck with the Stars and met my new ruler’s gaze. His narrowed amethyst eyes seemed darker, perhaps even wilder, and a snarl escaped his lips.
My featherless wings instinctively clenched, as if bracing for further damage, as I averted my gaze toward the floor.
“Once Oeta declares I was a victim and had no part in their scheme, I wish to join the Fab Five with their search. I no longer have a ship or a crew.”
“First, let me hear what Oeta has to say,” he growled, his voice an odd, rumbling echo I had never heard before. “If she clears your name, I will discuss with Agent Bryeca whether she is willing to take you in.”
“I understand,” I said, nodding.
“What use will you be to me—to her—in your current condition? You were already a rarity outside the Quaww territory, but now you are even more distinguishable without your feathers.”
“I will support them from the ship if I must, staying hidden from the universe until I return to my original self.”
“And how long will that be?” he asked, his voice seeming softer.
I hesitated, flicking my eyes to his. Surprisingly, his darker amethyst eyes had lost their edge.
Did he pity me?
“Honestly, I don’t know,” I muttered, averting my gaze in shame. “Males never lose their wing and tail feathers except as a punishment for harming their flockmaster’s females or failing an important mission. Even then, I have never heard about a Quaww being fully plucked like myself. I am guessing a year, maybe two will pass before I can fly.”
“If you were indeed loyal to me, I will find a place for you, even if you must remain on Destima to guard Selena’s villa. I’d rather send someone I trust than leave her nestmates unprotected against those who dare challenge my rule.” A rumbling growl rolled through my prison quarters. “But before we speak any more of this, you must see Oeta.”
“I hope to speak with you again soon.”
“Indeed,” he replied. “May the Stars guide you along Fate's path.”
“May the Stars and Fates smile upon you.”
His tail swayed as he turned to walk away. Letting out a deep breath, I watched him leave my room.
Somehow I had survived.
The whispers I’d overheard in the
