“It seems too good to be true,” Luwyn mumbled. “How do we know this isn’t some trap? A lie to convince us to ruin what we’ve built here?”
“Ask Celyze. He’s your clan brother,” I demanded, pointing at the sapphire male. “Ask him about the moon I live on, the clean, open air, and the sparse population of citizens who are just like you—refugees who wanted a new life, safe from the evils they fled. He will tell you that I’m not lying to you. Why would I offer you something I don’t have, knowing he could catch my lie?”
“Is it true?” Tori covered her face with glistening eyes. “There is such a place?”
“Before Xenak kidnapped me, I was enjoying my life with my clan. There are white sandy beaches, lavender waters, and a community of folks who want nothing more than a peaceful life doing what they love and raising their families.” Shedding more tears, I wiped at my eyes in frustration. “My clan and I set plans in motion to make Destima a beautiful place, and now, I don’t know if I will ever set foot on it again. Xenak wasn’t fibbing when he said my mates would die without me. It’s a mental trigger engraved in their genes and the reason Circuli females never travel without their mates. If my clan dies before I can return to them…”
Arms wrapped around me, pulling me close as a hand guided my head to a shoulder.
“I am going to make sure you get back to your clan so your children can grow up with their parents,” Tori whispered. “I believe you. Celyze’s silence speaks volumes about what he saw and proves what you’re saying is true.”
Being held by her was more comforting than I had imagined. I had only allowed my mates and Kaede to hug me close, but for some reason, Tori felt safe. Maybe it was because she had stuck up for me since I had woken up or because she was human and a victim, like me. Whatever had brought us together, I didn’t want to lose this instant connection.
“Tori views you as the daughter she’s never had. The way Xenak ripped you from your family repulses her, and she feels guilty about how he treated you, especially since you wouldn’t be here if not for her mate. For some reason, she is taking responsibility for her mate’s reading of the Stars. By helping you, she feels she can clear her conscience.”
“And her mates?”
“They will bow to their StarPyre’s wishes. Celyze doesn’t plan on telling them anything you don’t want to share. He’s curious about the Oetsae connected with Kaede, but he won’t mention it. It’s not his story to tell. However, he is concerned about how they will be welcomed.”
“My mates will listen to me, I swear it.”
“I’ve seen it.”
“Let me know if they plan on changing their minds.”
“I can only pick up what they loudly project nearby, but if they alter their plans, I will tell you.”
“Thank you, Vowels.”
“I’m yours to command.”
“Now that you know help is coming for you, does this mean you won’t help Commander Ryzen?” Auro asked in sad tones. “He probably can’t make it much longer in his current state.”
Pushing upright, Tori grabbed my shoulders and met my gaze. Her face was blotchy and red from crying, but not a highlighted blonde hair on her head was out of place. I wondered if this was an ability she picked up from her mates, allowing the highlighted hair they had given her to always look as perfect as theirs.
“I know you no longer need to visit him, but please, could you try to help him anyway? The Stars led you here for a reason, and it would be a shame if Ryzen is punished for his brother’s actions like you have been.”
I could feel the weight of all their stares upon me as they waited for my response.
While they were willing to help me, they also didn’t want to leave their unconscious commander. He was a hero and deserved to be saved for the sacrifices he had made.
“Tomorrow,” I sighed. As soon as the word left my lips, I felt a sense of relief flood me. “I will see him tomorrow so his brother can leave me alone for the rest of my short stay here. I don’t want his presence tainting me while I’m already so stressed waiting for Kaede to show up.”
“Kaede?” Tori tilted her head toward Celyze. “Is that the name of the Head of Security you were able to contact?”
“The male is dangerous,” the Cosmic Soul spat. “It will be a miracle if anyone survives his wrath. He is coming for her—and soon. Pray to the Stars that we survive his arrival.”
“You led someone so dangerous straight to the base?” Luwyn hissed, clenching his hands into fists. “Are you insane?”
“He’s only about three days away,” Celyze snapped. “And somehow, he was able to track her this far. I would rather reunite them as soon as possible—not to spare Selena’s mates’ lives, but because I believe the more time it takes him to find her, the more aggressive he will be when he arrives.”
“He’s like that.” An indulgent chuckle escaped my lips. “Kaede has always been a fighter. That’s all he knows: fight and follow orders. Knowing him, he probably believes that it’s his fault I am here.”
“I can understand that.” Auro sighed. “I still blame myself for not listening to Celyze’s warnings when we were at the space station. Because of me, we were captured and almost used to breed food.”
“But if you had listened to him, you wouldn’t have met me.” Tori released me and faced her mates. “You know better than I do that the Stars willed
