Now, for the first time in his life, Odelm had no desire to play music. The earlier argument unsettled him. He was worried about losing Selena and their fledgling bond. He didn’t feel like expressing himself to the world.
Odelm finished his hasty meal and went to the stage to uncover his Ulepo and begin his performance. But it was a rote performance, his hands and tentacles moving along the keys on autopilot as he checked out. Closing his eyes, he focused on the faint golden thread that connected him to Selena. He took in a deep breath and sought out her emotions along the bond.
To his surprise, he felt happiness coming down the bond. It instantly lifted his melancholy mood. Hope filled him. Perhaps she would be willing to accept his apology.
His mood lightened, and he dove into his music. The tempo brightened as the music matched his lifted spirits. He smiled in enjoyment.
Performing music was what he lived for.
Time sped by, and before he knew it, his time slot was over.
He covered the Ulepo and glanced at Selena’s favorite booth, hoping to see her. While both Kaede and Xylo sat at the booth, Selena was nowhere to be found.
He walked over and sat down next to his nestbrother.
“Where is Selena?”
Xylo got a faraway look in his eyes as Kaede answered, “She is still with the princes in the Royal Suite.”
“I thought she was supposed to be here.”
“Are you two going to solve whatever is going on between you before she does get here?” Xylo said, eyeing them both.
Odelm sensed Xylo was disappointed in him.
Odelm turned to Kaede in apology and looked into his visor. “I am sorry about earlier. I understand where you are coming from and agree.”
“That is it?” Xylo questioned in disbelief.
“We had a discussion earlier and worked things out. All three of us want the best for Selena. It’s best if we work together,” Kaede said, dismissing the issue. He returned to tapping at his armband.
A disorienting wave hit Odelm, and he tipped over onto the table. A groan sounded next to him, and he rolled his head on the tabletop to look. Xylo lay on the table next to him, his eyes closed and his face pale.
“What’s wrong? What’s happening?” Kaede barked as he leapt to his feet and looked at them in concern.
Xylo opened his eyes and looked at Odelm. He looked stunned as he moaned again in agony.
But Odelm had felt this before. This disconnect. The hollow feeling that had been his constant companion for years had returned.
The feeling of a severed courting bond.
“Selena. Something has happened to Selena.”
Chapter Thirty-One Selena
The familiar tropical paradise of my dreamscape surrounded me.
Bright yellow sun. Bright blue sky. Vibrant and colorful plant life. The sound of the lilac waves crashing onto the white sand beach below my villa. The sea breeze blew my silver hair across my face as I sat on the porch railing, hugging my legs.
I felt two strong essences appear beside me.
“Selena?” V’dim asked in shock.
“Is this what I think it is?”
I smiled, delighted to share my dreamscape with someone else. I gestured expansively, encompassing the entire island.
“Welcome to my dreamscape. I’m assuming this isn’t normal, and something went wrong when you entered my memories.”
I turned to face them.
They were looking at their surroundings, their faces a mixture of awe and disbelief.
I gave them a few moments to absorb everything, then repeated, “So, what happened?”
Z’fir stepped up beside me and leaned over the railing, looking at the island spread out below. “One moment we were searching through your memories, the next we woke up here.”
I looked down at my feet and wiggled my toes as I wondered what exactly they’d seen. Somehow, having the princes in my dreamscape seemed more intimate than allowing them into my mind though I wasn’t sure why.
Peering up at them, I finally asked, “So, what did you see?”
Z’fir turned and set his back against the railing, glancing at V’dim. “We saw everything.”
“Some horrible things. Some things I wish I could unsee. Little good. I feel traumatized just witnessing it.” V’dim sighed. “Selena, how did you survive everything we witnessed? And how are you able to lock it away so completely, to remain such a compassionate and kind person?”
I gave him a sad smile. “This place. Every night I came here to escape. It was my one respite from the monotony and cruelty of my daily life. I don’t think I would have survived at all without it.”
I looked around my island, allowing the serenity of the scene to leech away the pain his words dredged up.
“Do you know what this is, Selena? This place?”
“No. I just assumed it was something everyone did. A free place everyone had to escape to.”
V’dim glanced at Z’fir, who responded, “No. It is a rare ability, and it only manifests in those with strong psi gifts.” Meeting my gaze, Z’fir kept his tone gentle as he continued, “Selena, it is a mental construct that shields your mind from others. Usually, it only manifests under great stress—your situation certainly qualified—and even then, only sometimes.”
I looked away from him, back to my island view.
“If you’re asking why I brought you here, I don’t know. I don’t even know how I did. I wouldn’t even have considered it possible.”
Something cool gripped my ankle, grabbing my attention. I looked down to see V’dim’s hand cupping my ankle gently. “We know, Selena. It is our fault for not being prepared. Xylo had told us you had a strong shielding ability, but it just did not occur to us you had the mental strength to create a dreamscape. Nor to pull us in with you. Both Z’fir and I have witnessed how unique your bond is with both Odelm and Xylo. It is as if your shields spread to them across the threads of your bonds. Xylo told us he no longer needed to maintain his shields around
