I snorted. “Rhyming? That seems like it might get silly and possibly confusing.”
“I think that is the point.”
Kaede laughed.
I squeezed Xylo’s hand underneath the table and leaned against him, bringing his attention back to me. “What do you think? What should I name them?”
Xylo looked at me, shocked. “You are asking me?”
“Of course. You are to be their co-father. And I know nothing about naming children. I mean, I’m sure no one at this table does”—I spotted Ayces across the table—“Ayces! You’re the Hatchery Manager. Do you have experience naming males?”
Ayces looked shocked, then stammered, “Y-Yes, I name the males left at the hatchery when they are sent to the Academy.”
“So, how do you come up with names? You can tell me your naming secrets!” I asked with excitement.
He looked over at both of his prince. “Do I have to answer this question?” he pleaded.
The table laughed, and Ayces took a long sip of his drink as if trying to hide behind the glass.
Once the chuckles died down, he responded. “I look up the name of the exact shade of their skin and rearrange the letters. If more than one has the same shade, I just add the first few letters of something that describes them.”
I paused, then nodded thoughtfully. It might not be appropriate for my children—no, my cubs—but it gave me something to think about.
Odelm excused himself to perform, and Ayces took the opportunity to escape. The other healers followed soon after.
I leaned against Xylo, his vines wrapped loosely around my waist and back. The princes nursed their drinks, a few of their tentacles and vines entangled. Kaede focused on something on his personal armband, minding his own business.
Contentment flooded through me as I closed my eyes and listened to Odelm’s performance.
I could get used to moments like this.
Chapter Twenty-Two Selena
The sway of my body woke me.
Opening my eyes, I noticed I was no longer in the café. Xylo had returned me to our suite. My head rested on Xylo’s chest as he cradled me against his body, both arms and vines supporting me in incredible comfort.
I sighed and rubbed my cheek against his chest, breathing in his scent. He smelled like the green tea he’d given me last night—a sweet herbal scent.
“You are awake.”
“I’m sorry I fell asleep. You should’ve woken me instead of carrying me all the way here.” I nuzzled his chest in apology.
“You had a long day, and your body needs all the rest it can get. It was not a problem. You are not heavy, and I liked being able to do this for you.”
He carried me to the L-shaped couch and laid me down gently, untangling his vines, then wrapping them around his torso.
“Why do you do that?”
“Do what?” Xylo asked, looking confused.
“Wrap your vines around your torso. Everyone keeps their tentacles or vines wrapped tightly—I’ve been wondering why.”
He looked down at his vines before meeting my eyes again.
“Habit, mostly. It is both instinct and considerate. We are taught as younglings how to shield—that they are an added layer of protection for our important organs. And it enables us to move freely in confined spaces without becoming entangled with one another. Even out in the open, they can interfere with quick movement.”
“You don’t have to keep them wrapped when we’re alone if you don’t want.”
He simply smiled.
I sat up and reached for one of his vines, tugging it free from his torso. I cupped it between my hands, trying to gauge his reaction.
He shivered and swallowed audibly.
The cool vine slid in a gentle dance through my hands, its movement tickling my palms. The flowered tip pressed gentle kisses to each of my fingertips, tiny suctioning kisses. I remembered how incredible they had felt on my body last night when we’d bonded. I traced my fingers along the vine edge and felt it vibrate.
“Is this all right?” I asked, looking up at his face.
His eyes focused on my hands as though he were in a trance. He didn’t seem to hear me. A mischievous impulse made me pull his vine to my mouth, wondering if he tasted as good as he smelled, and whether a kiss would snap him out of his daze.
I focused on his eyes as I traced my tongue along the petal edge of the flowered tip of his vine.
His body jerked.
Smiling inwardly with delight, I wondered how far I could push him. I slid the entire tip into my mouth, tongue caressing the center of the flower, and sucked lightly.
He tasted even better than the drink he’d given me last night.
His eyes rolled back in his head, and his knees buckled as he collapsed.
I gasped and dove to catch him, managing to direct his fall onto the couch. His head landed on the cushion.
“Xylo! Are you okay? Xylo?”
For a moment, there was no reply, then he stiffened with a grunt and struggled to a kneeling position.
My eyes filled with tears. I hadn’t meant to hurt him with my playful tease. Climbing off the couch, I knelt beside him and placed my hand on his mossy shoulder.
“Xylo, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you!”
He flinched as I squeezed his shoulder.
I jerked back and stood, blindly feeling my way to the bathroom as the tears overflowed. A hiccupping sob escaped me as I tried to dash the tears away. I collapsed on the edge of the tub, trailing my fingers in the water and cried.
How could I have been so stupid? We were only just getting to know one another... I should’ve asked first, but I hadn’t meant to hurt him... and now, he wouldn’t even talk to me... flinched away from my touch.
I hiccupped again, then peered at the tub, noticing the soothing comfort of the water for the first time. I shucked my clothes, dropping them in a heap on the floor, and slid into the bath. It felt divine, and my sobs slowly eased as I let the
