It was all overwhelming. Never in my life had I believed I would be on a leisure stroll with not one or two but four mates on a space station.
The rush from being able to roam where I wanted without a care, freely—and without people staring at me—was indescribable. I was just an unknown in a crowd, and no one stopped and stared as I passed.
There were a few glances our way, but they were more curious about who I was under the cloaked hood the Fab Five gave me to match them. I was finally being treated as a person—not an experiment to be stared at—and respected. I felt empowered, surrounded by the males I’d grown to care for and love.
Something shiny at a booth caught my eye, halting me mid-step. V’dim crashed into me and grunted as he gripped my arms, preventing me from falling.
“What is the matter?” Odelm asked, concerned.
“I am sorry, Selena,” V’dim said, mortified as he let me go.
“Are you all right?” Xylo detached his scanner from the portable medpack he had conveniently had in his sling.
I rolled my eyes at his unneeded panic. “I am fine. Just startled.”
Xylo frowned. “Then what happened?”
Glancing at the four males surrounding me with either a worried or concerned expression, I giggled.
“Look, it was an accident. Nothing happened. I saw something gorgeous and wanted to look at it. I didn’t mean to stop so suddenly and have V’dim bump into me, nor did I mean to worry any of you,” I explained.
Odelm peered behind me. “You want something from that booth?”
Following his gaze, I turned around and saw the stand designed to appeal to females, full of exotic jewelry, fine clothing, and beauty supplies.
“Yes,” I whispered, rubbing my arm in embarrassment. I fell for one of the oldest tricks—place something glittery and shiny out in the open to attract wandering eyes.
Odelm placed his hand under my chin, lifting my face to meet his gaze. Determination filled his pale green eyes.
“There is nothing to be embarrassed about. You are our nestqueen and deserve to have things to call your own. We will have failed you as your nestmates if we don’t provide for you.”
I jerked my head out of his hold and glared at him.
“That doesn’t mean I want you to buy every little thing I glance at when we walk by.”
“Selena, we have enough funds between the four of us to make enough purchases to fill your closet if that was your desire. We each have our own careers, and while a couple may have a larger income than the others,” Xylo said, glancing at his nestbrothers. “It would be degrading if we didn’t provide for you.”
“Zirene said I had my own…” The words fell from my lips from the hurt expressions that fell on them.
“Yes,” Odelm agreed. “Prince Zirene installed your credit chip in the upgraded communicator along with your ID. The five of us wired you a percentage of our credits in hopes you would purchase anything you come across that you need or want.”
“But how is that fair?” I asked.
“How is what fair? We need to provide for you and the clan. All the funds you accumulate are for you to use how you wish to take care of the upkeep of the clan,” Z’fir explained. “If the clan house needs a new rug, you will have the funds to replace the rug whenever you feel like it. If you see a painting or artwork that catches your eye, you won’t have to worry about whether you can afford it. It is up to the nestqueen to decorate her clan house how she sees fit. Sometimes, a nestmate can help, but most of the time, she wants to do it herself because she spends most of her time there.”
“Selena,” V’dim said, taking my hands. “You are our nestqueen, the center of our lives. It is ingrained in us to make sure we take good care of you and keep you happy. Happy nestqueen, happy clan.”
“But don’t nestqueens ever want to work? I mean, you said the ones aboard the Destiny had professions.”
“Yes, they can, but it isn’t expected of them.” V’dim rubbed the back of my hands with his thumbs as our eyes met. “Let us splurge. Let us buy you trinkets and whatever is your heart's desire. Don’t worry about credits today, okay? It can be something we discuss once we all settle. But for now, can you just focus on being spoiled by us and not worry about where the credits came from?”
Closing my eyes, I sighed and nodded.
“Thank you, Selena,” V’dim whispered as he gave my hands a light squeeze, then dropped them.
I opened my eyes and turned toward the vendor, glancing over my shoulder at my group of males. “If we are doing this, who is buying?”
Odelm stepped in front of the others with a wide smile. “I am the son of two merchants. Let me be the one to aid you.”
I laughed and walked into the stall, looking at all the pretty items they had as I made my way to the piece that caught my eye. There were elegant scarves and cloaks made of gorgeous fabrics, which looked too expensive to touch. Next to them were slips and two-piece outfits with customizable ties that left little for the imagination, all in a wide variety of colors and patterns.
I paused at a lavender nightgown with lace and beaded details along the edges. It reminded me of the waters and sands of Destima, our new home.
Xylo walked next to it and inspected the garment. “Is this something you would like?”
Two hands gently grabbed my shoulders. “Tell us, Selena,” Z’fir said.
“I think it’s pretty. It reminded me of the islands of Destima,” I whispered.
“Then, we will purchase it for you.” Z’fir squeezed my shoulders, then let go.
“Was there something else you were looking
