The new ruler’s voice held an echo, a darker undertone that had unnerved me. Even without my feathers, I’d been continuously battling the urge to puff my chest and stilling my wings’ nervous twitches. My instincts had ruled our conversation. Zirene didn't seem to notice my lack of control, possibly because the down feathers still covering my skin had hidden my actions. Perhaps he hadn’t reacted because he simply didn’t consider me a challenge.
I was just glad he wasn’t taking his rage out on me. If Bryeca were missing, kidnapped by a deranged crew looking for a quick profit, I would search the galaxy for her furiously.
I was lucky that she was an exceptional soldier and leader to her crew. I didn’t have to worry about her losing a fight like the nestmates tied to Selena did. I pitied the males bound to her—she wasn’t an unworthy female, but she was more of a nurturer than a fighter. While I respected Selena, I was attracted to Bryeca and her talents.
If only the Fates had made other plans for me, I could stand by her side instead of being trapped here.
The sound of the door sliding open filled the room once more. I averted my gaze, hoping not to offend the new arrival, but by the lack of dominant aura, I knew they weren’t Aldawi.
Something soft brushed my face and draped over my whole body.
“Cover up,” Bryeca barked. “I’ve been granted permission to take you to Destima, so let’s go.”
Yanking the silk cloth off my face, I shot a glance at her. "What was that for?”
"If you want to travel down the palace hallways naked, be my guest. However, if I were you, I would be begging for a way to disguise myself on palace grounds."
Holding the long black-and-purple cloth before me, I noted it was a royal robe with exceptionally detailed design.
"Am I too hideous for your liking?" I asked as I pulled the robe over my head, securing its hood. "Do you need me to cover up so you won’t be seen with the likes of me?”
Her eyes softened. “Nonsense, Qran. I was only thinking of your wellbeing. You are a defenseless Quaww in the middle of Aldawi territory when we are on the brink of war, and here you are thinking about fashion sense.”
“I didn’t say anything about the garment,” I said, feeling the fabric between my fingers. “I was only trying to understand your reasoning. You have never given me a gift before, and suddenly you’re giving me this robe to hide from the universe.”
“I know how much your appearance matters to your kind, so I thought you would appreciate the robe.” She crossed her arms. “I’m sorry if it doesn’t meet your high standards.”
Her words struck me.
I hadn’t meant to offend her with my curiosity. Foolishly, I had hoped the gesture meant more than a guard giving a prisoner an outfit, especially after she had called me ‘Qran.’ She was the one who had come up with the nickname, and it had stuck with her crew. Selena had first called me ‘Q,’ and the others adopted that name, though Bryeca kept calling me ‘Qran.’
My heart had leaped when she’d called me that name once again.
Maybe she believed that I was innocent. One could only hope.
“You misunderstand my intention, Bryeca,” I sighed, dropping the beautiful fabric. “I only wish to know whether I need to thank you or Sovereign Zirene for thinking of my feelings and safety, especially since I am still considered a suspect.”
She stared at me with bright blue eyes, the same look she used whenever she was trying to determine whether someone was telling the truth.
Stoic and judgmental.
Something about her gaze always lit up my skin, as if her eyes burned me wherever they looked, drawing me to her.
I didn’t know what I liked about her most. The long, thick black hair that flowed down her shoulders like an Aldawi mane whenever she wore it down? Or perhaps the emerald-and-sapphire plumage that started between her eyes and formed a crown around her head? Each feather was tipped in gold, giving her the appearance of a royal wearing an exquisite headpiece.
The Yaarkins must have spliced her genome with Quaww DNA because no other avian species had such a vivid pattern of feathers. The few other avian species were minor, each absorbed into a major territory within the CEG’s government. Their coloring was duller than the Quaww’s, sporting more earthy tones along their feathers to help them blend into nature. While other avians could easily camouflage, my species was all about bright, flashy colors.
Why not show off what one was born with?
I often wondered how those minor species performed mating dances. How did a male attract a mate without beauty? By showing off his home? Few males I knew owned a home planetside anymore.
I’d given mine up to join the Aldawi, living in my ship’s quarters ever since.
A ship that I no longer possessed.
“The robe was my idea, Qran,” she sighed. “I want to believe what you said is true, especially since my brother let you live. I explained the situation to Oeta, and she has agreed to scan you. She told me that she felt Kaede’s mental signature appear on Destima for a short time. She never made contact with him, so his mental shields didn’t recognize her. She didn’t want to harm him by breaking past his walls to ask him why he was there without Selena. He was clearly handling an emergency because the Circuli princes instantly felt distressed through their connection with Selena.” A look of annoyance crossed her face. “Shortly after he appeared, a sleek black ship burst out of the waterfall on top of the island’s mountain, carrying his mental signature.”
I dared to smirk at her envious tone. “I’m assuming your brother didn't tell you about his hidden spacecraft?”
“I knew he was hiding
