“Sadly, you have little time to get to know each other if we are to prepare you for the meeting at the CEG Assembly tomorrow. We have to go over our strategies and the plans for afterward. You asked me for a wish before everyone arrived, and I plan on fulfilling it. To do so, we need to have our meeting.” Zirene walked up and paused in front of me, locking his eyes with mine. They pleaded for me to understand.
“To make sure my plans are successful and everyone gets everything they want, we need to focus on making the politicians content to leave you and our cubs alone. Once I get our clan settled, you can get to know each other better.” He tilted his head toward his brothers behind him. “I am sure my brothers and all the folks I have waiting for you want to get to know the amazing female I have been talking about for the last nine years.” He leaned forward and kissed the top of my head before he brushed my hair back, glancing down at Meti feeding.
“I searched for you for the last nine years, with only our time in the dreamscape world to keep me sane. I traveled across the stars to find you. Things didn’t work out as planned, and instead of rescuing you myself, others brought you to me. But now I have you with me, I am not planning to let you go. You can have your freedoms and you will be safe in the Aldawi territory, but now you are my Mate, nothing will keep you away from me. I swear it.”
Chapter Eight Selena
Things settled down after my outburst, and I returned to my spot between my nestmates on the lounge chair. Xylo cleaned Meti up while Odelm and I fed the twins. When she fell asleep, Royak asked to hold her as she slept. He and Vikvez doted over her as if she was theirs. It was cute, and I felt no bitterness at the scene. I kept an eye on Zirene to see if he showed any signs of jealousy and was relieved when none came.
After the twins had their fill, my nestmates cleaned them up. Ayces and Pavryn each took one. I mentioned they enjoyed being near each other, and that caused a flurry of questions that overwhelmed me. Xylo and Odelm took over and answered them, for which I was thankful. Even though I was still upset about my breastmilk drying up, I realized the benefits of having an alternate feeding option. Having the ability to allow others to feed them when I wasn’t around gave me a sense of ease. Zirene said once the cubs were old enough to hunt with a mentor, things would be easier.
Over our delivered lunch, Zirene spoke of his plans to please the CEG Assembly during our appointment tomorrow. He felt if he gathered a collection of doctors and scientists whom he trusted to respect my wishes, it would force the Assembly to let everything be. I was an Aldawi Prince’s Mate, and the cubs were his. They might become future leaders in the Aldawi Empire, something that hadn’t crossed my mind until now.
“If you have Vikvex as our Primary Aldawi Doctor and Xylo as a Senior Scholar, why not hire Senior Healer Chyox and his Assistant Healer Usthu too? You enlisted Pavryn to be our cubs' mentor, but what about hiring Hatchery Manager Ayces also? Xylo has worked with his co-workers for over five years, and they all have worked well together since they found me. We both trust them. You trust Vikvex and your half-brother, Pavyrn.” I spun my body toward Xylo. “Aren’t your fathers well-known healers on your home planet? Couldn’t we enlist them to work for the Aldawi?”
His pupilless teal eyes widened as he looked between Zirene and me.
“Yes. They are famous for their work. They both stated they would settle wherever we colonized once I gave the word. That is, if they are welcomed.” His gaze landed on Zirene.
“That leads me to my next subject.” Zirene peered at the Circuli princes. “Selena told me you had something to ask me.”
Both Princes glanced at me with shocked expressions as they figured out what I told Zirene. I shrugged and snuggled closer to Xylo’s side as Odelm’s tentacles tightened around my legs.
Z’fir pulled his gaze from me and spoke up. “You stated there would be a reward if we brought Selena to you right away and kept her safe and healthy.”
“We request assistance to find a planet for us to settle on,” V’dim finished, his eyes still focused on me.
“Don’t shame Selena for telling me,” Zirene snapped, his voice laced with authority. It caused the room’s focus to shift to him. “She asked me for a wish earlier before everyone came together.” He paused, trying to soften the hardness in his voice. “She asked me to help you find a planet, so the Destiny wouldn’t continue to roam aimlessly once we finished our business here.” He glanced toward me. “What she doesn’t know is the place I built for her over these past years would also be perfect for your needs.”
“It can’t be…”
“Yes, Selena. Our dreamscape world is based on a real place. All those times I took you traveling along the island and asked you about your opinion on everything? That was my way to find out what you liked and what you thought I should build where. As my Seedbearer, I needed to give you something of huge value and elaborate in detail. I am giving you the water-based moon that circles Lunkai, the capital planet of my star system. She is yours to do with
