Xylo wanted desperately to comfort her, to pull her close and wrap his vines around her, but he knew now was not the time. She was in a fragile state and would resist.
“I promise it was not my intention to keep the pregnancy from you, Selena. You fell asleep before I could to talk to you about it. We were distracted by other topics as you know.” Xylo paused to take in a deep breath. He pleaded, “Please, do not doubt me.”
Xylo didn’t care the others were still in the room. He needed to find a way to fix this before he lost her. A blanket of calm fell upon him—Prince V’dim manipulating their emotions—and he could see the others start to relax. The prince might not be female, but he was still royalty and a strong empath.
Selena closed her eyes and turned away from Xylo.
“Leave,” she whispered.
He could hear the raw pain in her voice.
“Selena, please...” Xylo begged, stepping closer to her.
“I said leave!” she yelled, wrapping her arms protectively around her torso.
He felt her block their connection again.
The princes looked at him and shook their heads before exiting the room. Chyox gave her a sad smile before turning to him with a nod and leaving.
Xylo walked to the door in defeat. He felt like he had failed her. He turned around for one last appeal.
“I will return with breakfast in the morning. Once again, I apologize for any hurt I inadvertently caused. Please forgive me. I did not mean for you to find out this way,” he murmured, hoping she would tell him to stay.
His hopes shattered when she did not respond.
Only the sound of crying and the low hum of the ship filled the room.
Xylo turned and left, the door sliding shut behind him.
He fell against the wall beside the door. Closing his eyes, he tilted his head toward the ceiling, in deep thought.
He needed to do better if she was going to accept him. Failure was not an option—for both his health and her wellbeing. If he was going to accompany Selena when she joined the Aldawi, he needed to be fully bonded to her.
But first, she needed a cabin with a nesting bed—a space of her own.
He would ensure she would have one to move into come morning.
Chapter Eight Selena
The darkness faded into the tropical paradise I’d grown familiar with over the years. I leaned against the stone railing of the porch of the villa that overlooked the island. As I listened to the peaceful sounds of the lilac waves crashing onto the white sand shore, I allowed their gentle cadence to soothe me. The island never ceased to amaze me, the kaleidoscope of colorful plant life glowing under the yellow sun in the clear blue sky.
My dreamscape was lonely tonight. But it didn’t matter, I needed to be alone to process everything that had happened.
Once again, there was someone keeping secrets from me.
Why did it bother me so? It’s not like I wasn’t used to secrets. The Yaarkins had certainly not been the sharing type. So why did I feel the need to trust both males I had somehow bonded with?
This was the spot he would always meet me in my dreamscape.
Memories of our time together rushed back to me.
Our explorations of the island as if it was our private playground. The Galactic Common lessons in the shade along the shore or in the garden that looked out over the island. Conversations about what I’d read and been through. Hikes through the colorful jungle.
This island, meeting him here, had been the one bright spot in my bleak life. It was the only thing that had gotten me through the endless days of captivity.
And now it was over. I felt hollowed out, empty.
A strong wind blew the strands of my silver hair across my face, blocking the view of the island. I felt a powerful and familiar presence behind me.
Closing my eyes, I took in a deep breath.
He came.
Brushing the hair out of my face, I opened my eyes and turned to face him.
A towering dark figure loomed over me, waiting. His amethyst eyes burning brightly, the translucent black tendrils that made up his body dancing like flames or smoke.
I felt a wave of disappointment he still didn’t show me his true form.
“Is everything all right? Only a few hours ago you told me goodbye.” Despite myself, I couldn’t repress a shiver as his deep raspy voice caressed my skin.
“No, everything’s not all right. I’m pregnant!” I shouted, clenching my fists.
A chuckle escaped him. “Yes, I know. No need to worry.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. He knew?
“You knew?” I screeched.
“You don’t understand. You mean everything to me. I could not mark my claim on you while the Yaarkins still owned you—doing so would jeopardize everything—but I needed a reason to be able to claim you later. I knew of the Yaarkins experiments and got access to all your files. They were foolish and blind—throwing you away because you did not look like their other human toys. I did not anticipate what happened after you became pregnant—that they would back out of their deal to sell you to me. But have no fear—the Circuli are loyal and are bringing you to CEG HQ. From there, you and our offspring will be transferred into my possession. Once I mark you as mine, no one will be able to deny you belong with me.” His voice rumbled in self-congratulation over his plan.
Wait...
He’d meant for me to become pregnant? He’d done it intentionally?
“How could you? Don’t you think I deserved to decide whether I wanted to become pregnant? Or at least be notified?” I demanded, rigid with anger.
He simply looked at me, unruffled by my anger.
“You miscalculated, badly. I’m not ready for children. Whether or not I want children or how many, these are things I haven’t truly considered. Given my life, they were no
