“Then it’s settled. Thank you both!”
I struggled to sit still through the remainder of our meal.
The excitement continued to bubble through me as we walked to the infirmary, my arm once more linked with Xylo’s as Kaede trailed behind us. Though it had only been a few days, I had been feeling aimless—having a goal reinvigorated me.
I smiled at every crew member we passed. To my surprise, most either nodded or returned my smile.
That made me think about the announcement the princes had mentioned. Perhaps that was all that held back the Circuli? Maybe they didn’t look down at me as the other humans aboard the Yaarkin vessel had. Maybe I just needed to be brave enough to introduce myself to a few of them, but I also didn’t want to make a social misstep. What if by speaking to a claimed nestmate I offended their nestqueen? What if I gave an unclaimed male the wrong idea?
I sighed.
Information. Knowledge. Research.
I would add learning about Xylo’s culture to my list—it was just as important.
I clutched my new tablet to my chest as I hurried into the terrarium. I’d known precisely where I’d find inspiration and quiet to explore the information they’d given me. I plopped down against the tree at the edge of the forest and turned on the tablet. I scrolled through the options, settling on Aldawi culture, and dove into an exciting new world.
Sometime later, a tap on the bottom of my foot startled me, and I dropped the tablet, looking up in surprise.
Odelm’s concerned face stared down at me.
“You missed lunch. I checked with Xylo, and he said you were here studying.”
I scooped up the tablet and reached out my other hand to Odelm. He stared down at it a moment, then grabbed it to help me to my feet. I dusted myself off, then looked over at him.
“Why were you checking on me?”
He looked away.
“We had made plans for me to teach you how to swim. When you did not arrive for lunch, I wanted to make sure you were okay. Twice now you skipped lunch and our lesson. It makes me wonder if you are still interested in learning how to swim.” He sighed. “And I still do not agree with Xylo leaving you to roam on your own. You are his nestqueen and pregnant, he should be by your side to protect you and attend to your needs...”
Sensing Odelm launching into his favorite refrain—criticism of Xylo—I rolled my eyes and walked away. I was sick and tired of hearing it. I was neither Circuli nor an invalid, and I did not want Xylo putting his life on hold to wait on me hand and foot. Nor had I been doing anything dangerous. I was studying. What harm could possibly come from that? The most dangerous thing I’d done to date was swimming—and that was with Odelm to watch over me.
Though to be honest, I’d asked him to teach me more to foster a friendship than because I felt it necessary.
Whether he realized it or not, Odelm was trying to control me—the restrictive hovering chafed. Maybe it was instinct he was hard-pressed to control, but I was human—even as altered as I was—and didn’t need to be coddled by others. I didn’t want to give up even a small measure of freedom again.
Something smooth and slightly rubbery wrapped around my wrist, halting my progress. I stopped but tugged to free it from Odelm’s grip.
“Selena. Please.”
I turned around and stared him down. “What?”
“Tell me what I did wrong,” Odelm begged.
“Stop judging Xylo. It’s not your concern, nor do you have all the facts. His research is important to my health and that of my offspring. And while he’s busy, I’m doing my part to prepare for our arrival at CEG HQ. I’m not going to go in there blind, depending on others to fight my battles for me.”
“Is that what you were doing when I arrived? Studying?” he asked, eyeing the tablet in my hand.
“Yes.”
I tugged more forcefully at my wrist, and he looked down in surprise he still held it. He released my wrist, sliding it back around his torso in embarrassment. I decided to offer an olive branch.
“Look, Odelm. I’m sorry for not contacting you about canceling our swimming lesson. I should’ve been more thoughtful. I’d had a spur-of-the-moment idea over breakfast and got excited, but I should’ve contacted you before I dove into my research. I really do want to learn how to swim, and I didn’t mean to make you worry.”
“I forgive you. I know you have a lot going on at the moment. Can we forget it and go get you something to eat? I have a performance soon and would like you there to hear it. You can even study at the café.”
I smiled at him, glad we had cleared the air, and he wasn’t upset with me about forgetting our plans. “I’d enjoy that.”
Odelm escorted me to the café and kept me company for my late lunch. Nursing a drink, he quizzed me about my research and how my pregnancy was progressing. I enjoyed our conversation. As I finished the last of my meal, I decided to just ask him the question that had been burning in my mind since I’d learned about his past. Surely, we had become friends, and he’d forgive my nosiness.
“Odelm, can I ask you something?”
He turned from the wristband he’d been studying to look up at me. “What is it?”
“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want. Feel free to tell me it’s none of my business—I know it’s both personal and sensitive—but I’ve not been able to figure it out. Why were you released from your courting bond? What did you do that it was severed?” I whispered, trying to gauge his reaction.
He shut his eyes and took a shuddering breath. Grabbing his drink, he opened his eyes and gazed into the swirling
