The three of us had lunch in the cafe. Sadly, there’d been no sign of Odelm or anyone else I knew. Then Xylo had insisted on a trip to the infirmary. The four healers had inspected me, discussing how to get a more accurate image of the offspring growing inside me. They had explained Circuli had no need of imaging technology since their pregnancies lasted only three days. The sexual organs didn’t develop until after they were born. Gender was known from their birth color—females were born a pure white while the males were pitch black.
As they huddled in the corner and Kaede paced, I pondered my pregnancy. They kept referring to offspring, but I wasn’t sure that felt right to me. I wasn’t sure what term to use for whatever was growing inside of me. Children is what I had read about in my Earth studies—but they were not entirely human. Cubs, as the feline Aldawi used? I would need to give it some thought.
Xylo’s voice broke into my thoughts.
“Kaede. Can you come over here?”
Kaede strode over to the group clustered around a display panel and looked at the screen. He tilted his head to the side as the room fell silent. I couldn’t see what they were looking at—were they intentionally blocking it from my view?
My anxiety started to climb.
“What’s wrong?”
Kaede disconnected from the group and walked over to me. Xylo followed while the other three males simply stared at me.
“Congratulations are in order. I was clearly correct about this ship being outdated—or more like, they weren’t fully trained on its equipment.”
“What does that mean?” I squeaked, trying not to panic.
Kaede placed the large, thin, transparent screen they’d used yesterday over my stomach and turned it on. The digital image I’d seen yesterday appeared. Kaede’s black-gloved hand moved across the screen and the image disappeared. A moment later, the room dimmed. A colored three-dimensional projection of my womb appeared above my bed.
“Looks like the size of your litter is three—not two. Your twin sons were blocking your daughter in their initial scans, which detected only two heartbeats. Aldawi identical twins are a rare phenomenon—not much is known about them—but it seems the hearts of your sons beat in unison.”
My mouth hung open as I stared at the projection.
I reached up, trailing my fingers through the image of my unborn children. My other hand rubbed my growing stomach. I blinked. For the first time, the fact I was pregnant—that I was going to have children—hit me hard.
I was going to be a mother—to a species so very unlike my own.
I glanced up at Xylo in panic.
The understanding in his gentle teal gaze steadied me. Looking down, I placed both hands on my belly in wonder.
“It looks like you’re going to be the father of three.”
“F-F-F-Father?” Chyox stammered.
I glanced up at the group still standing on the far side of the room. Their faces ranged from shock to confusion.
I smirked.
“I accepted Xylo last night. He is mine. He agreed to co-father any children I may have—no matter the sire—and I have given him the freedom to continue his job at his discretion. We are bonded, but I do not want everything to revolve around me. I want a large family based on affection and mutual respect. Equality.”
Kaede pressed a few buttons, and the projection disappeared. The lights came back up. He pushed aside the display and offered me his black-gloved hand. Taking it, I climbed off the exam table and straightened my shirt.
I joined Xylo and slid my hand in his.
“A large family?” Chyox queried.
“She is not against having multiple mates but will not be actively pursuing them. I believe cohesion and a healthy family dynamic is what she is seeking. All she wants is love and acceptance for who she is.”
I looked up at Xylo in shock. How could he know my thoughts so intimately? Had completing our bond strengthened our mental connection so much?
“I’m surprised none of you mentioned the bite mark on his neck,” Kaede laughed.
A flurry of questions ensued amidst surprise I’d attack Xylo. Chyox snidely remarked he’d known I was a savage. They all wanted to examine Xylo for diseases. I wanted no part of this discussion.
Since their attention was firmly occupied, I turned and snuck out of the infirmary. I was almost to the terrarium doors when Kaede caught up with me.
“Thought you could get away from me?” Kaede matched my stride across the grassy field.
I shrugged. “It couldn’t hurt to try.”
“Nothing gets past me, Selena.”
I stopped and looked down at the white spots on my arms. “Surely, you can’t be perfect.”
“I try hard to be.”
Ignoring him and pushing thoughts of my uncomfortable differences aside, I hurried across the field to the beach. I needed a swim. I didn’t care if Odelm wasn’t here to supervise. Shucking my new shoes, I dug my toes into the black sand, feeling its cold wetness.
“Selena...”
Staring at the water, I refused to look at him. “What?”
“You know you shouldn't feel ashamed of your spots, right? Especially here. Other than Xylo and the few crew members who’ve read about humans, they wouldn’t know they’re abnormal. All Circuli—along with many other species in CEG—have spots and patterns on their skin. Your silver hair may arouse interest but not in a negative way. Silver is a precious metal everywhere in the galaxy. Not to mention, many now alter their looks with tattoos or other modifications. I wouldn’t waste any more time feeling self-conscious.”
I looked down and kicked at the sand as I struggled to hold back tears. Swiping at my eyes, I turned to him.
“Thank you, Kaede. You’re right. I’ve been self-conscious about them. I’ve been trying not to let it to rule my actions here—trying to start over—but it is hard to let go of so many years of prejudice all at once.”
“I figured I should say something to you. Both Wudox and Ulax males admire inner
