“Ready for another swimming lesson?”
He looked down at our clasped hands before meeting my gaze.
“I am ready when you are.”
Throughout the swimming lesson, Odelm hovered.
His tentacles stayed just out of reach, directing me, almost as though he was afraid something would happen. Though I didn’t have the extras he had—blades, tentacles, or the toe webbing I was completely jealous of—we were able to figure out the basics. While I knew I’d never swim as well or as fast as he did, I was relieved to feel the beginnings of competence. It lessened my worry about how I would fare planet-side; I’d been stressing about what I’d do on a world with a lot of water.
Plus, I was enjoying just spending time with Odelm.
Stepping onto the black sand beach after I’d begun to tire, I twisted my silver hair to squeeze out the water. Odelm held my clothes out to me.
“Shit. I forgot to grab a towel from the suite before our lesson again! We really need some sort of box here with a few towels. I keep forgetting to bring one, and I don’t want to drag on clothes all wet, especially not before lunch.”
“Oh, I had not even considered that, since we do not have that concern. I am sorry, Selena. But I will see if it can be arranged for tomorrow.”
I glanced speculatively at Odelm’s tentacles before meeting his gaze.
“Think you could dry me off like you guys did before?”
His mouth dropped open in surprise, his eyes tracing the water dripping down my body. My clothes fell, forgotten, to the ground as his body pressed against mine. I gasped at the suddenness of his movement.
Odelm’s hands gripped my hips as his tentacles engulfed me. I leaned against his rubbery yet soft, violet chest as I felt his tentacles trace every inch of my skin, absorbing every drop of moisture. His anemone hair trailed across my shoulders as he tilted his head closer, checking my back. I closed my eyes at the sensual sensation, his tentacles’ strokes gentle and arousing.
A shiver traveled down my spine.
I gasped as something wet traced the edge of my jaw, then tilted my head to the side to allow it access. It caressed the side of my neck, following its line down to my shoulder, then disappeared. I opened my eyes to see Odelm’s head resting on my shoulder, his breath heavy against my neck. He held me with his eyes closed as his tentacles unwound from my body.
“You two putting on a show? If you thought these folks were confused by your kiss earlier, that’s nothing compared to now. Hey, Odelm! If you’re hungry, we’re about to go to lunch. No need to make a meal of Selena in front of everyone.”
At the sharply spoken words, Odelm jerked out of his daze and thrust me behind him. He lowered himself into a defensive crouch, his tentacles spread out between me and the perceived threat.
Kaede stood a short distance away with a mocking expression, holding his hands out to the side in a non-threatening gesture.
“You’re making a spectacle of yourselves. I just came from the café, where a crowd was lined against the glass wall, staring into the terrarium. As soon as I realized what they were looking at, I came to get you.”
I could feel my face flaming with embarrassment.
I knew many community spaces and cabins overlooked the terrarium, but I’d never considered anyone actually paid attention to what went on in here. Xylo and Odelm had dried me off just a few days ago, and no one had seemed to care.
“What’s the big deal this time? No one seemed to care the other day,” I muttered, bending over to grab my discarded clothes.
I scrambled into them, then turned to see Odelm hadn’t moved. He still crouched defensively between Kaede and me. I squeezed his shoulder.
“Odelm. What are you doing?”
He shuddered, then gradually relaxed. He stood straight again, wrapping his tentacles back around his torso as he turned to me.
His intense pale green eyes searched mine. “I am sorry. I do not know what came over me.”
“Kaede isn’t your enemy. He came here trying to protect my dignity. But can someone please explain why everyone is suddenly interested in what we do?” I demanded.
Odelm answered, frowning, “I do not know. It is common for nestmates to help dry their nestqueen. I can only think they were curious because you are not Circuli,” Odelm explained sincerely. He glanced at Kaede. “I am sorry for my reaction. I do not know why I went into attack formation at your presence.”
Kaede chuckled as he lowered his hands. “No worries, Odelm. I could’ve taken you. I just didn’t want to alarm Selena.”
“Really?” Odelm questioned, smugly crossing his arms. “With or without your drones? Circuli are natural fighters with our weapons a permanent part of our form. I cannot say the same for you... except perhaps for your horns?”
“Looks can be deceiving. I’m not worried about anyone on this ship. The drones are only there to ensure a situation can be defused with minimal bloodshed. If I wanted someone dead, I could kill them easily—without aid.”
I stepped between them before this ridiculous argument escalated further.
“There’s a term I read about in my Earth studies that never made sense… until now. Probably has no direct translation to Galactic Common since it’s named after an extinct Earth bird—the peacock. Apparently, male peacocks used to strut around, flaunting themselves to attract a female. They called it ‘peacocking.’ If either of you believe it a good way to impress me with your manliness, allow me to disabuse you of that notion immediately.”
I spun toward the door and stomped off, tossing over my shoulder as I pushed through the crowd that had formed, “Now who’s creating the spectacle?”
They called after me, but I didn’t stop. I was far too irritated. They knew I hated fighting and posturing.
“What is wrong, Selena?” Xylo’s deep mental voice asked.
I stalked out of the terrarium, feeling the weight
