“She is done,” Odelm announced. “And on her way. You’re lucky, nestbrother.”
“Why?”
“You'll soon see.”
The movement of their golden thread confirmed Odelm’s warning; she was moving and only a moment away.
“Cheer up, Kaede.” Xylo walked toward the garage door, where she would soon appear. “She’s on her way.”
“Thank the Stars,” Kaede muttered. “I’m ready to get this mission over and done with.”
“Why? Your assignment is protecting Selena. Doesn’t following us only make your job easier?”
“I’d rather not witness you two paw at each other in person.” Kaede shivered. “Having to watch whatever claiming ritual you performed two nights ago will give me nightmares for a long time.”
“Then you shouldn’t have watched,” Xylo chuckled. “There were five of us with her. We could’ve protected her.”
“Perhaps I should protect her from herself.”
The garage doors slide open, revealing the female they had been waiting for.
Xylo’s breath caught at the beauty that radiated from his nestqueen.
Black hiking boots equipped with buckled straps covered her feet. The tight black pants she wore emphasized her fit legs, proving that she had curves, unlike Circuli females. Instead of an ordinary tunic, she wore some sort of strapped, tight, emerald half-shirt which exposed her stomach and bare arms.
Her hair amazed him.
Never before had he seen her hair done up in the style of females of her species—styles he’d only seen on the space stations he had visited. Her long, silver strands were tied in tight braids and styled into a twisted crown on top of her head.
He could only imagine how her hair would look glistening in the sunlight. She would be the definition of royalty, full of the confidence that sprung up whenever she needed to put a brave face on.
“Sorry for the wait,” Selena said, flicking her gaze between him and Kaede. “Is something wrong?”
Once again, in his life, he was lost for words.
Selena walked over and took his hands before leaning in for a kiss. As her soft lips touched his, an electric spark passed through him, snapping him out of his trance.
Pulling away, she tilted her head, her blue-green eyes searching his.
“Are you okay?” She flicked her gaze behind him. “Has Kaede said anything to upset you? Do I need to have Zirene hail someone else? Because I will, if you believe he’ll ruin whatever you have planned for us.”
“No... “ He winced, casting around for the right answer. “I mean, I’m fine. We are fine.”
She pursed her lips. “If you say so.”
“Are we finally ready to go?” Kaede called out.
Selena rolled her eyes and grabbed Xylo’s arm, hooking it with hers. “I don’t know, are we?”
“I’ve been ready,” Kaede scoffed. “We’re only waiting on you.”
“If you don’t want to be here, then leave! No one is dragging you along.”
“You think I can trust someone else to drive you two lost souls around?” Kaede opened the shuttle’s side door, which lowered a small ramp for them to step on. “Get on board, your carrier awaits.”
Selena giggled, shooting Xylo a wide smile as she gripped his arm with her other hand. In one swift move, she uncovered her bond to him, bombarding him with her excited thoughts as they entered Kaede’s personal shuttle.
Xylo helped her buckle in before he placed his sling bag in the cargo hold above and secured himself in the seat next to her.
Grabbing her hand, Xylo addressed Kaede, knowing he was eager to disembark. “We are secured and ready for lift-off.”
“Affirmative,” Kaede replied over the communications system.
“Thank you, Agent Kaede,” Selena teased. “What’s our trip’s itinerary?”
“We are to arrive on Base Island—”
“What kind of name is Base Island?”
“Stars, I don’t know,” Kaede growled. “They’ve always called it that. It is what it is.”
“It needs a better name than that!”
“Destima is your moon,” Kaede snapped. “Come up with a better name. In fact, name the triad, or Stars, rename the whole planet! I’m just here to serve you.”
Selena bit her lip, trying to hold in her laughter. If not for her contagious, playful attitude, Xylo would be concerned about Kaede’s aggressive attitude, but judging by the thoughts radiating from her, she was trying to get a rise out of the dark assassin.
“I can tell you the day’s plans if you want,” Xylo announced, trying to save Kaede from her tirade and pull the focus to himself. “Just act like we are alone.”
“I am only teasing Kaede, in the hope, he will leave us alone once we arrive at our destination,” Selena soothed, rubbing circles into his palm with her thumb. “He always wants to add his opinion in a situation when it’s not needed or requested. I’m trying to show him that I’m done putting up with his shit.”
“You’re the boss,” Selena added, winking. “I’m just here for our outing.”
“Vagren was able to assist me in establishing contact with Mafari, Destima’s resident geologist, and scheduling our visit today.”
“He was willing to take us so soon?”
“Rather, who wouldn’t clear their schedule to make room for a visit from the moon’s leader?” Xylo explained. “No matter how much you second-guess yourself, your presence is a big deal to the people of Destima. Just your influence alone can change your citizen’s lives.”
“I’m just doing what I believe is right,” she muttered, looking away.
Xylo followed her gaze and watched as they passed the new structures on the island.
“Kaede,” Xylo called out, hoping the male would reply.
“Kaede, reporting.”
“Can you please take us around the main island?” Xylo asked politely. Unlike Selena, he didn’t want to get on the male’s nerves. “I want Selena to see her creations in person from above.”
“Affirmative,” Kaede replied. “I will let Master Geologist Mafari know about our delay.”
“Thank you.”
Kaede didn’t respond, but, the shuttle banked into a tight turn as they backtracked over the island’s atoll, toward the residential district.
Silence fell as Selena became engrossed in their flyby. Nothing but thoughts of excitement and wonder flooded through to him.
He hoped this was a sign of a good start to their date.
Chapter Seven Selena
