“We have worked alongside the Aldawi before, and though we have never seen your work firsthand, we have seen its effects. You are one of the Aldawi’s newer specialized units, are you not?” Prince Z’fir asked with a smirk.
“Yes. And I believe we were involved in a few of the same battles during the war though we never met in person. I generally work as far from allies as possible to prevent casualties from friendly fire—a quick-strike specialized unit, deadly to anyone who crosses the Aldawi and those they protect.”
Xylo’s vines had wrapped around me as I leaned against his back. I could tell he was still feeling protective, which made me smile. I gave him a squeeze as I dropped a kiss between his shoulder blades as a thank you. A shiver raced through the vines that were wrapped around me.
“It’s okay, Xylo. He was sent to protect me. I think we can trust him.”
“You are mine to protect.” Xylo’s deep mental voice sounded strained. “But it is not my place to gainsay the Aldawi, so I can do nothing about it.”
“Just because he’s here doesn’t mean you’ve been replaced. You can protect me in other ways,” I comforted.
“What ways?”
“My health... which includes my current hunger,” I joked as my stomach growled loudly.
Chapter Ten Selena
Not long after, goodbyes were said to Qraniebi, and we were all dismissed. We watched his ship pass through the hangar bay’s shield gel, then the princes invited us to join them for breakfast.
As the princes led the way to the dining floor, Xylo linked his arm with mine, playing tour guide, pointing out the features of the ship we saw along the way. Kaede trailed silently behind us, his drones nowhere to be seen.
The stares of the crew as we passed unnerved me, but I did my best to ignore it, focusing instead on learning more about my temporary home.
The ship, Destiny, was older than the Yaarkin vessel that had been my home for as long as I could remember. The walls weren’t as sleek, the technology wasn’t as advanced, but it had a warm feeling that had been lacking in my former prison. The floor was cold against my bare feet, but the air was warm. Most of what I saw in the halls was a dull metallic gray, save for a new-looking series of colorful labels along the walls. Each section appeared to be assigned with a different color, signifying the sector’s purpose—green for infirmary, red for hangar bay, and purple for general dining and entertainment.
We exited the transparent plexi lift at the dining and entertainment floor, and my mouth fell open in disbelief at the bustling crowd filling the hallway.
The kaleidoscope of color and cacophony of sound overwhelmed my senses. I didn’t know where to look first. Clusters of darker Ulax, tentacles entwined around a more brightly colored Ulax hustled down the hall. I assumed she must be a female. A pair of Wudox strolled past, their vines tangling so I could hardly tell where one ended and the other began. Individuals rushed by, intent on some errand. Loud bursts of laughter pulled my attention to two brightly colored Wudox—females I guessed again—surrounded by a ring of darker colored males. Color and life and energy filled the hall.
Dragging my eyes from the vibrant crowd, I studied the signs above the doors along the wall. Mess hall, café, bar—those were the few I could read from our position by the lift.
Prince Z’fir turned and smiled at Xylo. “Where should we take her first?”
I watched Xylo curiously as he surveyed the crowd. “I believe she would enjoy the cafe.” He turned to look indulgently at me.
My cheeks burned under his attention, but I couldn’t suppress the excited smile that kept bubbling to the surface.
“The café it is,” Prince Z’fir replied, also glancing at me with a smile before heading off down the hall.
The crowd made way for the princes, and we quickly arrived at the café entrance. A gasp escaped me as the doors slid open.
Dim light created an intimate atmosphere. A bar to the left stretched the length of the wall, stools filled with off-duty crew. The main floor was filled with black tables, surrounded by deep purple U-shaped booths. A few were occupied by chattering groups of Circuli enjoying a casual meal.
But what dominated my attention was the huge glass window that filled the back wall and looked over an indoor park. A deep blue lake covered about half the space. Its black sand beaches abutted a field of dark green and violet grasses. Opposite the water stood a forest-like collection of plants and trees. They varied in size and color but seemed to appear in pairs.
As I dragged my eyes away from the view, I noticed a stage in the back corner, to the right of the glass wall. On the stage sat a pale violet Ulax, playing an instrument with both hands and tentacles. The instrument resembled pictures I’d seen in my Earth studies of multi-tiered organs, but that wasn’t what caused me to freeze and close my eyes as a chill swept through my body.
The music.
Oh, the music. I’d only ever read about it until now.
“What is wrong?” Xylo questioned, pulling me from my thoughts.
“It’s beautiful. The room. The view. The music. Everything.” Awe laced my voice.
“The café overlooks the ship’s terrarium. We go there when we need to feel connected to the elements,” Xylo explained.
“Can we sit by the glass wall near the stage? I want to be able to hear the music and look at the terrarium.” I tilted my head toward an empty booth by the back wall.
Xylo grinned and nodded. “Of course! Whatever you want.”
The princes looked at me, then turned to Xylo with questioning expressions. They both nodded—more mindspeak. I sighed.
“Follow me.” Xylo led us to the booth I’d indicated and gestured
