Selena stared down Head of Security K’dyth, who crouched a short distance from Chyox’s head, ready to attack. K’dyth’s arms were up, arm-blades out as he prepared to defend Chyox. His tentacles were poised to strike, glistening with toxin.
Xylo gasped. There was no sign of fear on Selena’s face—she clearly had no idea of the danger she was in. Both Ulax and Wudox toxins were deadly, and there was no antidote.
“Stop! K’dyth, stand down,” Prince V’dim ordered. “Chyox, let the human go.”
Xylo rushed to Selena, his need to protect her riding him hard when K’dyth did not immediately withdraw.
“Are you sure, Sire? This primitive female attacked the Senior Healer without cause. He came to check on her, and she jumped him when he neared the shower door...” K’dyth trailed off doubtfully.
Selena ceased screaming and spat out Chyox’s tentacle as soon as she saw Xylo. He grabbed her and pulled her off Chyox, then thrust her behind him, all six of his vines wrapping around her protectively. Selena yelped in surprise, then wrapped her arms around him from behind, pressing close to his back. He swelled with pride at her acceptance of his touch, sighing with relief when he felt her unblock their connection. All would be well.
Then he turned on Chyox. “Why were you in Selena’s room? This is my patient. She is neither Ulax nor Wudox.”
Xylo watched angrily as Chyox rose unsteadily to his feet. Chyox bowed his head to the princes, then thanked K’dyth before finally turning back to face them. Xylo felt Selena’s arms tighten in fright when Chyox glared at her. Chyox’s violet eyes narrowed, then locked with his.
“I was making sure you were doing your job since this savage is your first patient. And I needed to activate her communicator before she woke. Her bed was empty when I entered her room, but I heard groans coming from the wash facilities. I called K’dyth for backup, concerned, but before I was able to open the shower door to assist her, she leapt out and attacked me with no regard to the condition she is in. She is lucky I have full control of my venom and did not retaliate when she struck me. No matter how primitive, I did not want to harm her—especially not when humans are nearly extinct and may potentially be one of the Children.”
Chyox huffed and wrapped his four tentacles around his torso.
Anger boiled in Xylo. How dare Chyox disregard her privacy and question Xylo’s treatment of her. He narrowed his eyes at the Senior Healer, prepared to defend both himself and Selena’s honor.
“That is enough,” Prince V’dim snapped. “You two are supposed to be working together, not fighting each other. Chyox, you overstepped yourself and needlessly scared our guest. Xylo is the one in charge of this patient. If you had any worries or questions, you should have first spoken with him before barging into the human’s recovery room. Do you understand?”
Chyox broke eye contact with Xylo and turned to the princes. He bowed his head and replied stiffly, “Yes, my Prince, I understand. I was only concerned because of her importance... and with her pregnancy—”
“Pregnant? I’m pregnant?”
Xylo felt Selena stiffen behind him in shock. She released him and tried to pull away. His vines loosened, allowing her to step free, and he turned to face her.
“Xylo. Please, tell me he’s wrong.”
Xylo could hear the hurt in her voice and could feel her betrayal through their bond.
Silence fell upon the room.
“K’dyth, you are not needed any longer.”
“Yes, Prince V’dim.” K’dyth bowed, then added as he made his way to the exit, “But we should to discuss the security of the human female when you are available.”
“How does she understand Galactic Common? Why is she questioning her pregnancy, Xylo?” Chyox asked, his mental tone dismissive.
“She learned Galactic Common as a second language but isn’t fully comfortable speaking it. I had not yet had a chance to inform her of her condition, she was still weak, and there were other concerns when she awoke a few hours ago—”
Xylo was shoved aside, interrupting his diatribe.
Anger. Hurt. Frustration. Pain. Confusion.
Selena’s tumultuous emotions crashed through him.
“I don’t care who you guys are. Primitive... I can call you names also. A walking, talking house plant and squid-fish-men. Ha! For all their faults and casual cruelties, at least the Yaarkins respected my privacy whenever I used the facilities, so long as I came when called.” Selena locked eyes with Xylo, her voice as full of rage as her face.
“You can stop talking silently behind my back—I know you’re doing that secret conversation shit. You’re speaking telepathically—I see your eyes shifting as you address one another. Xylo... am I pregnant?” she demanded. For all the anger in her voice, her eyes were full of pain and hurt.
He glanced warily at the princes and Chyox before returning his gaze to her. Her blue-green eyes bored into his as he steeled himself for her reaction.
“Yes, Selena. You are pregnant with twins, though we have been unable to confirm your due date.” He paused, but she stood in stunned silence. “Do you know who sired them? What species they are? Any information you could provide would help us determine what to expect for the rest of your pregnancy, delivery, and how to provide care for both you and your offspring.”
Xylo watched with concern as she covered her mouth with her hand. A choked sound escaped as her eyes brimmed with tears.
“No. He never told me anything about himself. It’s all been some big secret... something about my safety and other issues.” Tears streamed down her face. “Why
