“I need to forgive you and work things out.”
“Really? That’s it?” he asked, confused, dropping his hands.
“What do you want me to say? Do you want me to have you bow down to me and beg for forgiveness? Do you want me to demand something outrageous?” I rolled my eyes. “Zirene. You gave me an ishing moon. A water moon. Something that is already extremely valuable. It is the only moon to your star system’s capital, and it is equipped with a gem mine. What do you want from me?”
“I just thought…”
“Zirene, if what you said is true, it doesn’t matter what I want—or you, for that matter. The Fates put us together, and we have to deal with it the best way we can or face the consequences. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to go through what happened again.”
“Me, either.”
“Look. We had… have… something special. We have known each other for nine years.” I shrugged. “I can’t promise a romantic future with you, at least not right away. My heart is still raw, and I still need time to heal.” I closed my eyes as a feeling of relief flooded me. “Be a good sire to our cubs and treat my clan well. I know we need to share the same dreamscape—and that is fine—but if you keep pushing me, I am only going to pull away. Give me the space I need to heal, and things should return to the way they were.”
“Thank you, Selena.”
I met his gaze. “Don’t make me regret this. There is only so much I can take and let the Fates be damned.”
Chapter Thirty-Two Selena
Deep rumbles vibrated through me from the warmth that surrounded me. Heavy arms held me close as a steady breath blew along the back of my neck. I was lying with someone, and from the lack of appendages, it was safe to assume I was probably in Zirene’s arms. Dizziness assaulted me, my thoughts muddled as I tried to piece together everything that had happened.
“Are you sure they will be all right?” Odelm asked, worried.
“Are you seriously asking me this?” Mwe mocked. “I have been around longer than most citizens on this space station. They are fine. Does your connection tell you any different?”
“No, it’s calm, but they have been unconscious to the world for hours. How do we know what happened to her didn’t permanently damage her?” Odelm replied.
“I will make sure it doesn’t,” Mwe offered gently. “I know how much she means… to all of you.”
“And she is awake,” Kaede announced.
I opened my eyes to a dimmed room. For once, they got it right, not blinding me with their bright lights. Surveying the room, I saw we were no longer in the Dreamdome but in the Royal Aldawi Commons, placed on the large circular lounge chair. Familiar faces filled the packed room.
Royak was sitting with my nestmates in the circle of lounge chairs. The Fab Five were guarding the main doors, talking in hushed tones. Kaede faced me with lips pressed, standing next to Chamber Master Mwe and a woman who looked like a younger version of him. I assumed she was his daughter with the same abyssal black skin, dressed in a dark green robe like Mwe’s and purple glass-like wings. Her fuchsia mohawk and eyes radiated as her skin had the same humming glow Mwe had.
The room slowly brought their attention to me, relief filling their worried faces.
“Ummm… Hello,” I whispered.
Wiggling in place, I attempted to loosen Zirene’s hold on me as I tried to sit up. His arms pulled me closer in reply as he rubbed his cheek on the back of my head.
“Mine,” he grumbled as his purrs increased in volume.
My cheeks burned, embarrassed. Of course, he had to be territorial in his sleep. Twisting my torso around, I reached over and flicked his nose. He jerked awake and growled, his purrs becoming growls as his amethyst eyes focused on me.
“Wake up,” I said, gesturing to the crowd. “Now isn’t the time to sleep.”
His eyes softened and glanced behind me, letting go of my waist.
“I am sorry…” His eyes narrowed in Mwe’s direction. “What are you doing here?”
“My daughter, Oeta, was finishing her interview process for Selena’s research team, when Selena’s distress sent her nestmates into a panic. They canceled the rest of the day’s interviews to rush to her, and Oeta followed them, contacting me along the way.”
“But that doesn’t explain why you are here,” he quipped.
I smacked his chest. “You don’t need to be rude.”
Mwe chuckled. “Prince Zirene and I may not agree on many things, but he knows I don’t show up unannounced with no reason.”
“Unannounced? Is that what you are calling it? I didn’t think you were capable of doing such a thing,” Zirene grumbled.
“I have to make sure the space station operates smoothly. You know, when an unknown presence attacked…” he paused, studying the occupants of the room. “Selena. I wanted answers to what both Oeta and I felt, and to see if we could assist if needed.”
Xylo and Odelm rushed over, the rest of the Circuli quickly following. Zirene stood up and moved out of the way, allowing my nestmates to surround me on the chair.
“Are you all right?”
“What happened?”
I hesitated, biting my lip as I watched Zirene’s retreating form, hoping he would answer. He stopped in front of Mwe and his daughter and rolled his shoulders as his tail swayed
