“What about you?” I laughed, shocked he didn’t think I was angry at him too. “You didn’t leave on good terms either.” I crossed my arms and winced from the pain.
Kaede glided across the bedroom and stood before me.
“What is it, Selena?” he asked urgently.
“My arm and my hand… Zirene’s claws stabbed my arm before I injured myself slapping him,” I gasped.
He knelt down and gently grabbed my arms, examining the damage. “You need to get these checked out,” he said, looking up.
An uneasy feeling bubbled inside me.
“I don’t want anyone I don’t know to look at me.”
Suddenly, Kaede’s visor split in the center and disappeared behind his ears. His eyes faintly glowed in the darkness as they locked onto mine.
“Will you trust me?” he whispered.
“Not this again,” I mumbled, rolling my eyes as I tried to pull away.
“Look, I know I am not your favorite person at the moment, but I am your Head of Security, and right now, you are injured. So, can you please yell at me while someone examines you?”
“Only if you promise a few things.”
“What are they?” he asked, annoyed.
“First, you need to agree to answer all of my questions about what is being kept from me. Second, I didn’t miss your new suit, and I assume you used that to get us here. So, are you going to tell me how? Teleportation?” I gave him a pointed look. “And third, you need to tell me why you have been an ishing frax, and why this is the first time we have talked since you left me in labor.”
“I can do all three. Now, will you let me take you to Xylo and the rest of your healer team?” He paused before glancing at the bedroom door. “Or do you want to meet my half-sisters and have them look at you? No matter what, I don’t have the equipment in my suite to aid you.”
I sighed. I was already over today. I wanted to just go to my bed and cuddle with my cubs. But all that needed to wait, I needed to fix things with my nestmates first. They didn’t deserve this friction in the clan because of Zirene’s actions and my outbursts.
“Let me get you something to drink while you think about it.” He glanced at his bed. “Have a seat there while you wait for me to return.”
“That sounds good.”
He nodded and gave my body one last look, then let go of my injured arms.
I watched as he left the room without a word before I sat down on the edge of his perfectly made-up bed.
“Mwe, I can’t say it’s been a pleasure meeting you today the way we did, but I would like to thank you for your help… and assisting me during my trial. I want to be unmuted, please.”
“I would like to invite you over for a meal with your clan. I hope to meet them formally and introduce you to my daughter.”
“That sounds nice, but it may be a few days before things settle down with my clan. How would I arrange a time to meet with you?”
“I know your mental signature. It was easy to memorize since it is the only golden thread connected to a bright golden shield and your—now four—bond threads. Have one of your nestmates assist you; that way, you can contact me whenever you need to while you are on the CEG Space Station. It would be a helpful ability for you to have.”
“Thank you, Mwe.”
“I shall be the one thanking you for your sacrifice for the future of the CEG species.”
A similar wave passed over me from before, but I was prepared for it. I felt my connections solidify, with Xylo’s and Odelm’s more vibrant than the princes.
Multiple mental shouts of my name came through as a feeling of comfort flooded my Ulax bonds.
I lightly gripped all four golden bond threads, grabbing their attention while I spoke to all four of them together.
“There is a lot to be discussed, but at the moment, I need Xylo to check my injuries and I want to see my cubs.”
Chapter Sixteen Z’fir
Z’fir watched his new nestqueen stomp away. Their golden courting bond thread became fainter as the distance between them grew. He took a hesitant step after her, conflicted whether he should follow her, but something wrapped around his arm, preventing him from continuing forward.
“I wouldn’t, if I were you,” Xylo scolded. “If Selena wants to be left alone, you are better off giving her the space she needs.”
Z’fir heard the words he spoke, but there was a nagging pull deep down in his chest that told him to be with her.
“There is nothing to see!” Zirene shouted, his paws opening and closing along his sides.
The crowd eyed Zirene warily as they dispersed.
A pair of Aldawi Royal Guards shoved their way through the thick crowd.
“Sire! Sire!” shouted one guard.
“Sire, do you want us to find her for punishment?” asked his partner.
It was clear by the dimness in his eyes, Zirene would not press charges. Z’fir didn’t need to be an Ulax to see how Zirene’s fight with Selena was affecting him.
“You are correct. His aura radiates an array of colors of emotions. Prince Zirene didn’t believe he was doing anything wrong and now regrets his decision,” V’dim confirmed.
“We weren’t the cause of the clan’s rift, but we should help our nestbrothers fix it before it gets worse. There is a multitude of big decisions about the future that need to be made. If the clan remains the way it is, I fear what would come.”
“No. Leave her be. What happened between us was between mates and nothing else,” Zirene growled. “I want her to be left alone. She has her own personal guard to handle her safety.”
“Understood.”
Both Royal Guards saluted Zirene and left.
The crowd had died down. The only beings around were stragglers. Some of which failed to hide their interest in Z’fir’s party.
“Secrets. They ruin everything,” Odelm murmured.
Z’fir glared
