“Selena,” he breathed. “If you believe, you can do anything. Your clan will be beside you the whole way. If you run ahead, we will follow right behind to catch you if you fall. I saw what you built in the dreamdome and how easily your wishes become a reality. Don’t let a fear of failure stunt your dreams.”
His vines gripped my face as he pulled me against him and pressed his lips to mine.
I was so surprised by his outburst that I gasped, and his tongue took advantage. Xylo kissed me feverishly as if trying to drive his point home. His feather-soft lips pressed hard against mine as his tongue explored my mouth like he owned it.
He wasn’t an Ulax; he couldn’t send his emotions to me as Odelm could. However, he could dive deep beyond my mental shields and search for any fear, thought, or memory he wished. Would he? Never without my consent, because he respected me and my autonomy.
I was his nestqueen, his love, his savior from a lonely life.
Leaning into him, I kissed him back and sent all of my love through our bond. I dropped all my inner shields and allowed him to see everything. Though we lived as two separate beings, at this moment, we were one.
He moaned as a burst of his herbal flavor assaulted my tongue while it danced with his.
I didn’t need to have sex with this male to melt within his arms. I surrendered myself to him and allowed him to worship me as a nestmate did his nestqueen.
Xylo was mine as much as I was his.
Suddenly, he stopped and jerked his head away, looking over his shoulder toward the pool, where golden strands led to my other mates.
“I’m assuming your nestbrothers are wondering where we are?” I teased, trying to ground myself after the unexpectedly raw turn of our conversation.
“You’re correct,” he sighed, releasing his grip on me to coil his vines behind him. “I have delayed you enough as it is.”
I placed my hand on his cheek and directed his face towards mine. “Thank you for this, Xylo.” Leaning forward, I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, stunning him. I smiled. Something so simple, after the passionate moment we just shared, could make him react so strongly.
“I will look forward to whatever you plan for us,” I murmured, holding his gaze. “Just promise me not to overwork yourself to try to impress me.'' Smirking, I shot him a wink. “You don’t need to worry about finding a nestqueen like your crew because you already have me.”
His glowing teal eyes held mine. “I won’t worry about our outing if you don’t stress about tomorrow.”
Chapter Three Selena
Holding hands, we rounded the corner, where my golden threads showed my nestmates had gathered. Surrounding the pool, they all sat with their eyes locked on mine.
“I was starting to think you weren’t going to show up, and we wasted all of our time here,” Zirene chuckled as he lay spread out on one of the outdoor couches. The table before him held a variety of snacks and glasses of Xowyn, the silver-colored fruity alcoholic drink my nestmates loved so much.
“It’s not Xylo’s fault,” I grinned, squeezing my escort closer. “I became sidetracked by the night lamps and wanted to inspect them.”
“We discovered that her necklace’s orb reacts to the night lamps, making it swirl faster and give off a brighter glow,” Xylo added confidently, in his usual scholarly tone. “I offered to schedule a meeting with a geologist at the gem cave to see if they had any answers.”
Zirene pursed his lips in thought, his tail flicking idly. “Those night lamps are powered by the crystals that form around each spherical gem. Most of those gems power the robots we use to construct the structures of this moon and the starships of my new fleet.” He glanced at my necklace. “The ones that aren’t compatible with the builders are stored away to be used for something else.”
Gripping my necklace, I felt the warmth that radiated from within. “But why give me something so valuable, when so few in the galaxy know about the gem’s power and rarity?” I flicked my eyes to Odelm. “You remember how the old Caurg female was attracted to my necklace and thought that I’d made you spend your life savings on it?”
Odelm’s pale-green eyes narrowed as his face contorted into a scowl. “How could I forget that old shopkeeper? I made sure she paid the price for her rudeness with her wallet when I purchased those elegant pieces that you wanted.”
“News about our discovery has already reached the space station?” Zirene asked, stunned. He immediately sat up, his focus jumping to each clan member, willing one to answer. “What exactly did she say?”
“She stated that she’d heard rumors about a new gemstone, and she was surprised that I would have possession of one,” I replied, wondering why he seemed so interested in such a minor event.
“That’s not all. The merchant told her if she owned such an invaluable necklace, she should never take it off, because it brings its owner good luck.”
“This is alarming,” he growled, his tail whipping aggressively. “Why didn’t anyone tell me?”
“No one mentioned it to you because I took care of the problem.” Odelm dismissed him, pushing off the pool’s edge and sinking underneath its surface.
I watched in awe as he swam toward us in the golden-white marble pool. His skin almost matched the fresh lavender color of the water as his long, thin sea anemone hair trailed in his wake. The dark speckles along his back glowed under the shallow waves.
His elegance spoke to me and attracted me. Being in the water came as naturally to him as playing music.
Odelm launched himself out of the pool, rising onto the pool’s
