“So, what do I have to do with all of this if you aren’t going to challenge him? Why is it so important I am protected?”
“Novas are scarce. Any knowledge about them has been lost over the generations, and the ones who are paired don’t speak about it.”
“Why? What happened for them to disappear? And why is it such a secret?”
“Because killing one dooms the other,” he said, trailing a claw along my neck, its sharpness dragging on my skin. “Ending your life would throw mine into jeopardy. If word got out how important you are to me, they would use you to get to me.”
“How do you know?” I whispered, trembling.
He pulled his claw away from my neck and traced my mark aimlessly. I tilted my head, confused by the way he was touching me, looking at me as if I was something precious… as if I was his. And in truth, even though my heart was still sore, I was.
“When you were being attacked in the dreamscape, I felt it, and it was something I never want to feel ever again. My body burned from the inside, and the tiny chime I always hear while you are fast asleep was loud and uneven as if you were struggling. I knew something was wrong—something was trying to take you from me,” he snarled. “Our life-essences share a void chamber. That is how I was able to create a world like this and add you to my dreamscape whenever I joined you.” He gestured to our copy of Destima.
“When we mated, you must have gained the Aldawi dreamscape ability, making you capable of unconsciously forming your own. I haven’t joined you since you requested space. I feared if I slept while you did, we would be together in the void chamber, and I would be tempted to enter your dreamscape world, so I haven’t. I changed my sleep schedule and slept when I knew you were awake.”
“If this void chamber holds our life-essence while we sleep, how was I attacked?” I asked, confused.
“Perhaps it has to do with us not sharing our time together? Or maybe the closed paths along one of the chamber’s walls that connect you to your nestmates are compromised? Whatever the cause, somehow our void chamber’s wall has weakened enough for it to crack and allow a foreign cyan thread to attack you,” he growled, pulling me close.
I gripped his mane, playing with its soft strands. “So, what are you saying?”
“Selena.” He threw back his head and sighed. “Fates connected us for a reason—even though you aren’t an Aldawi. I would be the first one to admit I messed up. I was too cautious for my own good and in return, turned you against me and somehow caused this… this damage.” He met my gaze. “But I believe us fighting our connection is only going to permanently harm us. Something about you being with me—both in reality and our void chamber—brings me ease.” He covered my hand with his paw. “I am asking if we could try again.”
“Really?” I asked, dumbfounded. “I should just accept everything you have said and move on as if you didn’t do everything you did?”
“I know I have done irreversible—”
“I am a mother, Zirene. A mother,” I hissed, pulling my hand away from his.
“We have gone over this, and I am trying to rectify that. It was poor judgment on my behalf—I know this—but also give me some credit. I am only used to Aldawi ways. I am trying, Selena, I really am. Please give me… give us another chance?” he pleaded, gripping both of my hands. “I swear to you, I won’t make that mistake again. I know I have to share you with others and have accepted it without difficulty or jealousy. I am asking you to allow me back into your life and your—our—cubs’ lives.”
I peered down at our joined hands, confused. He was the one I had looked up to, the one who gave me hope in the darkness. His nightly visits were the highlight of my days back on the Yaarkin ship and to throw it away so easily… felt wrong.
Yet did I really have a choice? Did he?
If we continued to ignore the connection we had, would our void chamber deteriorate even more? And would I be vulnerable for someone to attack me once again?
“I will not lie to you, Zirene. I still miss what we had.” I met the amethyst eyes I knew so well. “But I am afraid. I want you to be a part of our cubs' lives, but I don’t want to get hurt again—or be treated like I am a prized possession with no rights, incapable of thinking.”
“Selena… please… I know I have made many mistakes.”
“I hate this, Zirene.” I shook my head, refusing to let the tears threatening to form, to fall.
Zirene gently cupped my face, his eyes penetrating mine.
“All I ask is for us to start over. To get comfortable with each other and become friends once again. Allow me to be around our cubs. Let us share the same dreamscape together like before.” He sighed. “I understand if I ruined any chance I ever had to have a relationship with you as you have with your nestmates. I just don’t want to lose you—I can’t. We are in this together, no matter how much you may wish you weren’t.”
“No. You are right,” I sighed. “I have accepted my nestmate's culture and differences completely, knowing full well we may have misunderstandings. But with you, I have always held you to a higher standard since I’ve known you for so long. It would be wrong for me not to forgive you and make things work between us. Your actions—even though I may not agree with
