“He’s gotten worse over the most recent years,” Kaede sighed, attaching his vidscreen to his side. “The CEG won the war against the Yaarkins. Then Zirene and Royak did their part to cleanse the galaxy of any traces of the enemy. Their father insisted both sons come home and find Seedbearers so he could condition the next generation into suitable heirs. Royak continues to delay the inevitable, while Zirene spent these last years searching for you,” he said pointedly, staring me down. “Now that he’s found you, your prince never wants to leave, caught between his duty and destiny.”
“What do you want from me, Kaede?” I pleaded, grabbing his wrist. “How can I keep my Shadow safe? Keep my clan safe? Because I swear, I will not allow him near my cubs. He can’t have them!”
“Has he summoned his other sons as well?” V’dim asked.
“You think he cares about Pavryn and Vagren?” Kaede chuckled, his voice dark and sinister. “They are lucky they’ve survived this long. There’s a reason why they kept their mother’s name and not the Darcaw name, so they couldn’t taint the royal lineage with blood that wasn't his own.”
“Kaede, listen to me.” I shook his arm. “There has to be a way to keep my cubs here. Can’t you hide them somehow?”
He stared into the distance, silent as the room waited.
This was my worst nightmare.
Just as we had started to settle down into a routine as a clan, little by little, everything was falling apart. Why couldn’t the Stars give me a break? What had I done to deserve this fate?
“There is one thing we can try, Selena.” Kaede knelt before me, placing his hands on my knees as he held my gaze. “You must do exactly what I tell you. Can you do that?”
I nodded. “Anything. I don’t want my innocent cubs to go through this trauma. I don’t want them to be taken away from me—or worse!”
“I can page Masmi—” He squeezed my knees as soon as I opened my mouth to object. “No, Selena, listen to me. Masmi is a female Aldawi and a Darcaw Princess. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about the Aldawi, it’s that their two sexes can’t stand each other ever since a dispute many generations ago. The Sovereign won’t contact his daughter, not even to reach your cubs. Let me page her, explain the situation, and ask her to house your cubs until you return. They can take Pavryn with them since he’s family. Masmi has a private villa like yours, within a desert oasis.”
Xylo wrapped one arm around me, pulling me against his side. “They will be safe amongst their kind, Selena,” he assured, his deep voice rolling through me. “I’m sure Kaede wouldn’t suggest this unless he trusts Zirene’s sister absolutely.”
“Xylo is right, Selena, but the choice is up to you,” Kaede said in a comforting tone as he squeezed my knees. “Masmi and I are more than business acquaintances . . . you could say she’s the closest thing to a mother figure my sisters and I have. Zirene allowed us to practice our profession in her community, protecting them while he was away. Masmi let us stay in her private guesthouse until he returned. You have absolutely nothing to fear from her. You’ve acquired a mild version of Aldawi motherly instincts; the natural instincts are far more intense. Masmi and her colony will fight tooth and claw to defend your cubs until you return, not because they are Zirene’s, but because they protect their young as a community.” He shrugged. “I know the separation will be difficult, but think of it as a vacation for your children, where they can spend some time with fellow Aldawi cubs. This can be a learning experience for you all. Would you rather risk taking them to the palace and spending the whole time worrying about their safety, or rest easy knowing they’re safe with their aunt on an all-female Aldawi colony?”
“There’s an old law dating back to the beginning of the Darcaw dynasty,” Xylo added. “As long as the female Aldawi planets pay their tribute, no leader shall set foot on their land.”
“Why?” I asked Xylo, trying to resist false hope, then waved him off before he could respond. “Kaede, if this is my only option, then as much as I’m going to hate being apart from my cubs, I will push my doubts aside to make sure that they’re safe. But I swear on the Stars above Kaede, if anything—and I mean anything—happens to my cubs, I’ll make sure to cut off your own cock and have you choke on it, and even that might be the least of your worries.”
“My own cock, huh?” he chuckled. “I’m glad that you can find some humor in this situation.”
“I learned from the best, didn’t I?” I tilted my head, shooting him a cocky smile. “Page Masmi. Let her know that I’m in her debt for this.”
Kaede stood and pulled out his vidscreen. He pushed some buttons, and a 3D projection appeared with the Aldawi royal crest floating before us. He tossed the screen beside me on the nestbed, making my nestmates recoil.
“Why so jumpy?” he chuckled.
Before anyone could respond, the familiar female Aldawi with mauve eyes appeared, scanning the room.
“Congratulations, Kaede!” she beamed. “I knew it was only a matter of time before you found a female willing to take your sour—”
“Princess Masmi Darcaw,” Kaede growled, and her expression instantly transformed into a stern frown. “We are in dire need of your assistance, if you’re willing to aid us.”
She snarled, locking her gaze on mine. “What did my brother do this time?”
“It wasn’t Prince Zirene, Lady Darcaw—” Z’fir started.
“Just ‘Masmi,’” she snapped before sighing, her eyes softening. “I’m sorry. I hate being connected to my sire, and there’s no need for titles among us—rumor has it, your nestqueen prefers informality as well. However, I can’t help but
