They turned toward me with confused expressions. “But son, why here? And why is she wearing garments?”
“Why is she hiding?”
“That is none of your concern,” Xylo growled.
“She doesn’t feel… right,” Odelm’s Ulax father said.
“That is because I am not Circuli,” I announced. “I didn’t know it was a requirement to be naked all the time. I would have thought Odelm’s manners came from his fathers, but it seems he learned them on his own.”
I pulled back my hood, no longer caring who knew I was a female—and a trans-human at that. My nestmates, now four of them, should be able to protect me in this empty establishment. If they couldn’t, perhaps I should entertain adding Kaede to my clan; he was a one-man army by himself.
The males staggered back and tried to recollect themselves from my outburst, but I wouldn’t allow it.
“Both Xylo and Odelm are mine,” I explained. “The princes are as well—just not permanently yet. And no, I don’t have any Favored, but that doesn’t mean I don’t take what is mine.”
A wide smirk filled my face as I watched them try to piece together what just happened.
“Fathers,” Odelm warned. “Selena treats me well. I am accepted for who I am. Please show courtesy for who she is.”
“A human?” Odelm’s Wudox father asked, studying me. “They still exist?”
“It wasn’t a rumor after all.”
“Yes, I exist.” I inhaled a few breaths to help calm myself. “Now, I am assuming you want to catch up with your son, especially since it has been years since you have last seen him in person. How about you join us for our late afternoon meal, and we get to know each other a little better? It seems like you missed the show earlier, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a good time.”
“Thank you, Selena,” Odelm said.
Odelm’s fathers hesitated and glanced at each other. “We would love to.”
The table shifted toward the princes, leaving enough space for Odelm’s fathers to sit next to him.
The Quaww waitress from earlier showed up with a cart filled with our order. She scrambled to pass everything and asked what Odelm’s fathers wanted. When they replied they would have what we had, she hurried away.
“I am sorry, Selena,” Odelm said. “My fathers… they are usually more polite than this.”
“It’s not your fault. I’m not going to hold their actions against you. I understand it is a lot to take in… I just wish people would stop asking the same questions.”
“Introductions.” Xylo wrapped a vine around my shoulders. “This is Selena Darcaw—”
“You are mated to someone who bears the royal Aldawi name?” Odelm’s Wudox father asked, grabbing his arm.
“Yes, father.” He jerked his arm away. “It was a recent event.”
“And you are okay with it?” Odelm’s Ulax father questioned, studying him.
Odelm growled. “Does it matter?”
“No. It doesn’t,” I mumbled. “It doesn’t matter anymore. It can’t be changed.”
A heavy calm fell on me, traveling to the other members.
“That is enough,” V’dim barked. “Selena has been through enough. I am sure you heard rumors about her trial yesterday. If not, look it up in your spare time. It will open your eyes.” He sighed. “Look, we are here because we wanted to treat our nestqueen without worrying about judgments or responsibilities. Selena saved Z’fir and me from our mothers' wishes and agreed to establish a politically-arranged bonding to give the Destiny’s crew a new home. She is both intelligent and kind and cares very much about your son. I would think you would be proud your son joined a clan with a nestqueen who loves and cares for him.”
“You are right,” Odelm’s Wudox father said, glancing at me. “I am sorry, nestqueen Selena. It seems my partner Odevlyn and I have gotten ahead of ourselves.” He bowed his head. “I am Elmynx, Captain of my merchant ship, Abyssal Fire.”
“Our ship, Elm,” Odevlyn corrected.
“Right. Our ship.” He nodded apologetically at Odevlyn before turning toward the princes. “We heard rumors you were granted a place to settle. A moon. In the middle of the Aldawi territory. I assume the rumors are true, and this was granted to you by your new court bond?”
“What is it to you?” I asked as I leaned back, crossing my arms as I studied them.
Odevlyn met my gaze. “We always told Odelm that once the Destiny settles, we would return to be with him.” He sighed. “We may not look like it, but we are getting old. We can’t keep traveling the stars full-time anymore.”
“We hoped to help the settlement by doing supply runs until they are well established. Then we wanted to open a shop of our own, selling off-planet items at a fair price. Someone has to.”
“Xylo. Could you please contact Vagren and tell him to meet us here?”
“Selena… What are you doing?” Xylo asked, concerned.
“You should know. Can’t you read me?” I teased.
Xylo was trying to be polite and give me privacy by not focusing on reading my thoughts all the time, and I appreciated it. It still bothered me I couldn’t read their thoughts or feelings like they would do naturally with me all the time. That was the main disadvantage I felt of not being a Circuli nestqueen—being able to read what my nestmates were thinking about or calming them naturally at times of need would make communicating easier. I still felt there was an invisible wall between us. They could read and sense things from each other, yet I needed to discover and confirm them.
“He’s on his way,” Xylo announced. “Do I need to be worried?”
I smirked as I picked up one of the colorful drink samples off its tray and took a sip. I hummed in approval of the slightly tart, fruity drink.
“Keep up.”
At that moment, the waitress returned with the extra orders, but this time, she wasn’t alone. Trailing
