As they slid against my thoughts, I felt my consciousness drift away.
Chapter Thirty Odelm
Hostility faded to dismay as Odelm watched the lift door close, sealing Selena away from him. He could feel agitation, annoyance, and frustration as they flickered across their bond thread to him.
Odelm did not know what had possessed him.
He was rarely an aggressive person and had never provoked a fight before. He was an artist—words and music were his tools. Perhaps it had been a combination of being startled so soon after the indescribable pleasure of tasting Selena? Or maybe Xylo’s oblique warnings about Kaede last night?
It did not really matter.
What mattered was he had upset and disappointed Selena. He had to talk to her. Make things right. The sooner, the better. He hoped she could forgive him. He would not want to lose her as new as their bond was.
Would she sever their newly formed courting bond? He did not think he would survive another severing.
A grunt sounded next to him, pulling him from his thoughts. He glanced over, seeing Kaede—a look of fury in his eyes.
“I’m no threat to Selena. Get that into your head right now. You’re now bonded to her—temporary or not—so I must extend my protection to you also. But when it comes to choosing to protect you or her—or anyone on this junk of a ship—it will always be her first—even if that means protecting her from you. Your lives mean nothing to me. She does,” Kaede barked, his voice steely.
“What would she say if she heard you threaten me?” Odelm mocked, still angry.
Kaede huffed. “I’m not threatening you. I’m not your enemy. The only person you need to be mad at is yourself. I was stating the obvious.”
“And what is that?”
Kaede stepped closer, cloth drape rubbing against the side of Odelm’s face as Kaede leaned in and whispered, “I control this ship. Nothing gets past me. And I will use every bit of that control to protect Selena. From anything or anyone.”
Taken aback at the aggression, Odelm leaned away. “Then why did you allow Selena to walk away and get on the elevator without you?”
Kaede stepped back and faced him. “Even I know when someone needs privacy to process things. She is overwhelmed, and though she might not be conscious of it, her pregnancy is heightening her emotions, making it harder to think clearly.” Kaede tilted his head as if in thought. “Plus, she just accepted an offer to eat lunch with the princes in their suite. Give her some time away. Let her process. Smothering her will make things worse.”
Odelm stared straight into Kaede’s visor. “Why does she mean so much to you?”
A lengthy silence fell between them, and Odelm began to wonder if Kaede would answer. Why did Kaede act so devoted to her when they had just met? It seemed odd for a hired bodyguard. Was Selena only a part of his mission? Was something else going on? Or was there more about Selena Kaede had not told them? Surely no one would expend so much effort unless it were vitally important. Maybe his client had offered a reward that was important to Kaede? Credits, freedoms, something...
It unnerved Odelm that not only were Kaede’s mental shields impenetrable, but his visor and garb made it impossible to read his expressions.
Even more worrisome—how had Kaede taken over the ship? Did the princes know?
Kaede paced a few steps away, looking tense. He halted, squaring his shoulders, and turned to face Odelm. Leaning forward, he ground out, “I’ve dedicated the last nine years of my life searching for her. I’m the one that found her. I was on the failed mission to rescue her from the Yaarkin ship, she escaped on her own. Selena is the key to major changes for the Children within CEG, but she deserves to choose her own life. I refuse to allow pompous politicians and their scientists to strip away her newly found freedom. Believe me when I say, between my client and me, we will make sure nothing harms her or her family. And like I said the other night, it would benefit Selena if you and Xylo worked with me instead of against me.”
“You love her.”
Kaede jerked back, shocked. “No! No, I’m just doing my job. The Aldawi made it my mission to protect her—and protect her I will. Know that. Decide whether you’ll work with me or against me.”
Before Odelm could respond, Kaede turned and walked away.
Odelm watched him disappear into the crowd.
Kaede had lied to him.
His senses had given him that information. The question was why did Kaede deny his feelings? Was he even aware of them?
Odelm made his way to the café alone. He didn’t have much time left for lunch before his performance, but he would grab a quick bite.
“Peacocking?” Xylo’s deep mental voice questioned as he sat down at the bar.
Clearly Xylo had heard some of what had occurred—or had talked to Selena.
“I almost got into a fight with Kaede. Selena said we were peacocking,” Odelm explained as he ordered his lunch.
He was not particularly hungry anymore—Selena’s disappointment weighed on him—but he knew he should eat. Performing on an empty stomach would be unwise.
“Why did you do that? He is her Head of Security. I thought we had come to an agreement last night?”
“I do not know, Xylo. Something aroused my protective instincts when he surprised me. His attitude just amped that protective streak. I have never reacted that way in my life...”
“I get it. I have had similar reactions to Kaede, and I am still trying to figure out why. But fix it. Soon. I am getting mixed thoughts from her that are distracting me from my work. She does not need any added stress right now. It could be detrimental to her health.”
The bartender delivered Odelm’s order, and he ate his lunch in silence. Selena was supposed to be here. He had prepared a piece to play
