Placing our orders, we made small talk as we waited for their arrival. When the dishes arrived, silence fell on the booth as we fell to our meals.
Odelm straightened and glared over my head at Xylo. “You need to take better care of your nestqueen, Xylo. If I had not been at the terrarium, Selena could have had been in trouble—”
“You’re forgetting I was keeping an eye on her, Odelm. I knew you were headed her way, but if you hadn’t been, I’d have stepped in myself,” Kaede interrupted mockingly.
“I still don’t—"
“Silence!” Prince V’dim barked, not allowing Odelm to continue his harangue. I felt a calming blanket descend over the group. His turquoise eyes focused on me. “Selena, can you tell me why Odelm is so angry at Xylo?”
Everyone turned to focus on me, making me want to shrink away from their stares. Xylo slid his hand into mine and squeezed, reassuring me. Grateful, I gave his hand a squeeze in return.
“I wanted to relax in the pond and got lost looking up at the stars, so I was surprised when three Ulax appeared. That’s all. I didn’t know how to respond, and hadn’t realized I’d drifted into deep water, so I was relieved when Odelm came to my rescue.” I looked at up Odelm and smiled. “Speaking of which, I didn’t get a chance to thank you properly. Thank you, Odelm.”
“I am glad I was there to help you.” He tossed another irritated glance over my head at Xylo.
“And I’m glad we became friends.”
Odelm startled, looking back down at me in bewilderment. “You are one strange female.” He shrugged, then returned my smile.
“What Selena isn’t telling you is all the Ulax were unmated males. They were questioning why she made Master Scholar Xylo her nestmate instead of choosing someone like them, members of the Warrior Class,” Kaede interjected.
Prince Z’fir looked irritated. “They should have known better than to pressure a female, especially when she is pregnant and alone. We will have to make another—stronger—announcement.” His expression softened. “I am sorry that you had to deal with rude warriors, Selena, but I am glad you came to no harm.”
“Another?” I didn’t hear the rest, still stuck on his previous comment. “What announcement?”
He blinked in surprise. “We made a ship-wide announcement that you were a special guest and Kaede your personal bodyguard. The crew was ordered to give you space, so you would not become overwhelmed, especially with your history. We told them to only engage you in conversation if you first addressed them.”
“So that’s why everyone has been ignoring me?” I tilted my head at Odelm. “Other than Odelm, but I believe that’s more my fault than his.”
“Yes. We wanted to allow you the freedom to explore the ship without risking miscommunication or causing anxiety if you were uncomfortable being approached. We wanted to give you time to settle in.”
“That was kind. Thank you Prince Z’fir, Prince V’dim.” I nodded to each of them in turn. I was grateful, but I wondered if they were simply being polite, or if they really thought me so fragile.
As I thought about what had happened, about who the males were that had approached me, I blurted, “How can I tell who is a part of the Warrior Class and who isn’t? Other than everyone at this table, I haven’t talked to many others. You don’t wear clothes or anything to indicate your rank. At least, not that I’ve seen.”
Xylo set his drink down and faced me. “Our names and titles mainly. All members of the Warrior Class have their names shortened when they pass from the Academy to the Caedrel, where they choose their specialty and enter the appropriate graduate program. So, Head of Security K’dyth, who you met during that unfortunate encounter in the infirmary, was called Kadyth before entering the Caedrel. Even the princes chose shortened forms of their given names. All other classes—Artisans like Odelm, Scholars like myself or Chyox, or Merchants—retain their given name.”
“So, the princes had a different name when they were born?”
“No, not born. We are not named until we leave the hatchery—either claimed by someone who wishes to pass down their knowledge or sent to the Academy to become Warriors. But yes, he was given a different name when he was claimed from the hatchery—”
Prince Z’fir interjected, “Zafir. I was called Zafir before graduating to the Caedrel and shortening it to Z’fir.”
I nodded, smiling over at Prince Z’fir, returning my attention to Xylo when he began speaking again.
“The majority of the crew aboard ship are members of the Warrior Class, other than a handful of Artisans, Scholars, and Merchants. And, of course the nestqueens—”
Prince Z’fir broke in again, “Technically, Circuli nestqueens are members of one of the Classes—but in most cases, it is in name only. Once they choose nestmates, their sole focus becomes about the procreation of young, and their nestmates are expected to support them. Those who have joined us on the Destiny are different. They do not wish to live such circumscribed lives. They want to be able to choose their lives. And some of them want to ensure they do not lose their nestmates—” Prince Z’fir cut himself off with a weighted look at Prince V’dim.
I looked back and forth between them, wondering if he would continue. An uncomfortable silence fell upon the booth.
After a moment, I abandoned the wait and simply asked, “Why would they lose their nestmates?”
Prince Z’fir paused for a long moment, then Prince V’dim answered, “Circuli society does not tolerate unproductive members of society. A number of the nestqueens who joined our voyage had favored Warrior nestmates who were maimed in the Yaarkin War. Alive and healed of their wounds, but unable to fulfill their duties in the Warrior Class. So, they were lost...”
“Wait, what? What do you mean they were lost?”
“They were killed. There is no such thing as charity, welfare, or caring for the aged or infirm. When Circuli are unable to contribute, they are lost
