Instantly, Karfic threw off his bandolier and kicked off his boots, smiling at Selena as he gripped his trousers.
She averted her gaze, rolling her eyes at the display.
“Is this how males typically act?” She pulled one foot closer, working her boot’s buckles. “He reminds me of Q, but he doesn’t understand when to lay off. At least Q has a sense of charm to him, but this guy is just trying too hard.”
Xylo grabbed her other foot, aiding her in removing the boot. “Honestly? Most males are worse.” His fingers unbuckled the last snap, then he gently yanked off her footwear. “Selena, look at me,” he begged. She snapped her face toward his, locking her gaze with his. “If he does anything, and I mean anything that makes you uncomfortable, let me know.”
“Xylo,” she whispered, her mental voice caressing him like morning dew on his back petals. “Let me handle him, and if he doesn’t accept my rejection, you can step in. I know the Circuli way. While I understand you’re trying to adjust to the norms of other species within the CEG, please don’t change to try to please me. I already have Zirene, who is very stubborn, and Kaede, who loves to voice his bitter thoughts on everything.” She leaned over and cupped his face, giving him a loving smile. “Karfic is nothing compared to you, so don't allow him to ruin our time together.”
Xylo shook his head. “Just promise me that at the slightest sign of danger, you will listen to me and run. Call your nestmates as you leave this cave and summon Kaede, who we both know is out there pacing. But whatever you do, don’t wait for me.”
“What do you think is going to happen?”
Xylo shrugged, a foreign gesture he’d picked up from spending time with his nestqueen and other demi-humans. “I believe they either aren’t telling us everything they know, or they actually don’t know as much as we wish they did. I haven’t missed the way they ogled your necklace, as if they long to take it.”
“I won’t let them,” she promised, standing. Swiftly, she undid her black pants, wiggling her hips as she pulled them down to reveal her emerald lingerie underneath, matching the half-shirt she wore. “Are you willing to wade in with me?”
“You know that I can’t swim.”
His nestqueen took a few steps into the lavender pool and looked over her shoulder, smiling brightly. “Who said anything about swimming? Maybe I want someone to hold onto?”
Xylo sucked in a quick breath at the perfection his nestqueen radiated.
Her silver braided crown reflected the brilliance of the chamber, only adding to the beauty of her glowing purple spots, which clearly showed the love she felt. The gem upon her chest flickered slowly, making her appear ethereal.
“If you can’t swim, I can be of help,” Karfic offered, joining her along the shore.
Selena shot the young geologist a glare that could rival Kaede’s. “No, thank you.” She shoved him, surprising the male so much he fell backward into the water. “I was asking my Favored, not you.”
Xylo pulled off his sling and tossed it on the ground next to Selena’s clothing. Slowly, he waded into the water, feeling the cool rush upon his feet. His root hair drank from the pool, absorbing its nutrients. A refreshing shiver passed through him. It had been a while since he’d allowed himself to absorb from the bottoms of his feet. Lately, he had always fed while Selena was busy with a nestmate—not because she thought his ways were odd, but because he didn’t want to waste any valuable time with her on communing with nature.
Xylo leaped further in to lead his nestqueen into the pool’s depths. Feeling the rush of the water upon his petals as his buoyant body rushed to the surface brought him joy, for once. He had always hated floating; compared to his Ulax brethren, he’d felt useless in a body of water. However, since Selena had become his nestqueen, he’d grown to love the water.
Screaming with joy, she ran a short distance before jumping into the pool beside him.
Waves smacked him, swaying his body along the surface. She grabbed onto his arm, and his vines instantly sought their nestqueen, securing them to float together in the luminous underground lake. He watched his nestqueen beam with joy as she stared at the swirling gems above, pointing out the ones she liked best.
In moments like this, his nestqueen always brought enjoyment to his life, brightening it like the sun chased away the darkness.
Selena’s head rested upon his mossy shoulder, lolling whenever the shuttle hit turbulence in the air.
He knew he should be worried about his moss’s mating pollen as she rubbed against his teal blossoms, but he didn’t have the will to wake her. This is where she belonged, by his side, using him as support. A sense of honor beamed through him as he glanced down at her sleeping form.
He would brave the solar winds of the most deadly planet in hopes of showing how much he loved her.
The shuttle lurched slightly as it settled onto the villa’s landing pad.
Selena jerked awake, gasping as she looked around. “Where are we?”
“You have nothing to fear,” he soothed, swiftly unbuckling himself from his seat to aide her with hers. “We just landed safely at home.”
“I’m sorry I fell asleep,” she mumbled, reaching for her eyes.
Alarmed, his vines instinctively reached for her wrists, preventing her from rubbing the pollen smeared on her cheeks into her eyes. “Selena, you need to stop for a moment.” He gently stroked her closed eyelids for her as his spare vines kissed along her cheeks, suctioning the teal pollen from her.
“There is nothing to apologize for. It’s only natural for you to be tired after a long day.” Cupping her chin, he leaned forward and gave her a gentle kiss upon her lips. She sighed and opened her beautiful blue-green eyes as he pulled away, finishing his task
