I pulled a lock of hair across my nose and sniffed. Wildflowers, light, slightly sweet, and floral—like the flowers in the terrarium.
I wondered what Xylo thought I smelled and tasted like—clearly, something he enjoyed. He’d lost control of his vines multiple times because of it, but he hadn’t mentioned what I smelled or tasted like to him.
His comment about needing help to provide for me—since he would have trouble letting me leave our nestbed when I started ovulating—surprised me. I didn’t realize he thought about sharing me already, that it didn’t faze him in the least even though we had just completed our permanent bond.
I stared at the empty spots along the raised edge of the nestbed and wondered if he was hoping I would start filling them. Personally, I wasn’t sure if I wanted that many nestmates... husbands... mates... whatever I was going to call them. At least not until things settled down, and we had a chance to get to know one another. I needed to get through this pregnancy and the whole Aldawi situation before I even thought about starting to fill my nestbed.
But Xylo... I thought of his strong hands kneading my body, the glide of the soap against my skin... My body clenched in arousal, and I could feel myself growing damp.
The lights flicked off and the tinted curtain lowered to cover the glass wall.
I blushed at the direction of my thoughts—and at the thought Xylo may have caught them.
“Selena?”
I looked toward the sound of his voice and saw him standing at the top of the nestbed stairs. My eyes greedily traced the patterns glowing along his body, noticing even my bite mark on his neck glowed white.
I swallowed.
“Selena?” he whispered once again.
“Mmm?” I mumbled, distracted.
“Do not be alarmed, but your spots are glowing.”
I jerked, snapping out of the erotic daze. Pushing the blanket aside, I gasped.
All my spots glowed brilliant white.
I ran one hand along my other arm, experimentally. Nothing felt different, and the glow did not dim.
“What does this mean?”
“At a guess? I would say in mating with me, in taking my essence into your body, you have adopted my bioluminescence, but I do not know for certain. Nor do I know if you only absorb one trait from each partner or multiples. Or whether you gain a new trait each time you mate with someone, only with someone new, or perhaps, with each new species you mate with. There are so many questions, and we have few answers thus far, but I do not believe there is any danger. I think this is a gift, an amazing and unique ability. However, it is something we should study to learn more, so we can determine the impact on both you and your offspring.”
I could hear the awe and excitement in his voice as he explained. He was right, and I trusted him. He would never do anything without my permission, nor would he allow my children to become experiments. I needed to put the past behind me and allow him to figure this out if not for my own, then for my children’s sakes.
I smiled.
“I agree, Xylo. We need to know, and I trust you to have my best interests at heart.” Glancing down at my hands in my lap, I whispered, “Even though it would be embarrassing to report to you every time I was intimate with another.”
The nestbed’s center cushion shifted as Xylo lay down next to me. He cupped my chin in his hand and turned my face to his, locking his glowing eyes on mine.
“My only goal is to keep you healthy, safe, and happy. Sharing a nestqueen is a part of my culture. I am happy you accept the concept of having multiple nestmates, but that you do not wish to dictate to any of us. That you will allow us to retain our jobs, our own lives as well as share them with you. I find great comfort in knowing when I am not around, you would have another to love and care for you. Right now, it is just the two of us, and we have not been together long. There is time to do this on your terms. When you are ready.
“I have noticed how drawn Odelm is to you and how good you are for him. You are healing him. He has been the most social I have seen him in the five years we have been on this mission. I read your thoughts about Odelm earlier—how wanting him embarrassed you. Do not be embarrassed. He is a good friend and would make a good nestbrother. He has already been protective of you and clearly cares about your wellbeing. We would work well together as a family.
“This is your choice, your decision alone, and I would never want to rush you, but I felt it was important for you to know it is okay to want to be with others. I do not feel threatened. I would not think less of you. And there is no need to be embarrassed.” He let go of my chin as he chuckled. “Besides, I would know whenever you are with another anyhow.”
My jaw dropped open in shock. “How?”
He lifted a loose strand of my silver hair and tucked it behind my ear.
“Because you cannot block me. We are permanently bonded, so I can read your memories and thoughts if I want.”
As I opened my mouth to speak, he placed a finger over my lips.
“Do not panic. I would never violate your privacy, Selena. Not without permission. Only ever in the direst emergency. Most of what I would pick up would be surface thoughts or thoughts you broadcast loudly. I cannot block those. So, of course, I would know when you are intimate with someone. I would
