“That’s how I feel,” I breathed, my last memories with my loved ones on Destima resurfacing. “I had a terrible life until I was rescued and given the opportunity to thrive. Just when I thought I could calm down and spend time with my clan, I was kidnapped. When will it be enough?”
“When the Stars decide it is.” She jerked her head toward the far wall. Following her gaze, I saw a familiar crimson naga slithering across the lifedome’s grassy field. “It seems Zyxel is here to collect you.”
“Collect me?”
“Yes. He paged Auro before I came out here and asked if we knew where you were. When I told him that you’re staying with us while on the base, he got verbally upset.” She flicked her long blonde hair over her shoulder and shot me a smile. “He started on some tirade about how you’re his patient and it’s unsafe for you to be so far from the infirmary. When Celyze stated he was fully capable of taking care of you and that you wanted to stay the night, he just got angrier. He didn’t stop complaining until I told him that you offered to see the commander. He said he was on his way to get you before ending the call.”
“Why is he so angry?”
“Zyxel has been temperamental as long as I’ve known him.” She shrugged and pressed a few buttons on her wristband. “I messaged Celyze to join us. He’s going to fly you down and accompany you to see Commander Ryzen, to make sure nothing drastic happens.”
“What do they think will happen?”
“No one knows. Everything concerning the commander is a secret.” She stood and dusted off her pants before offering me her hand. When I took it, she pulled me to my feet, just as Celyze fluttered out of their cabin’s entryway. Wrapping an arm around his waist, she placed a swift peck on his cheek. “Make sure nothing happens to Selena, okay?”
“I will, for you,” he swore, combing her hair back. “Don’t wait up for us. There is no way to determine how long this will take.”
It was clear the two loved each other, but I couldn’t help but feel jealousy coil at the bottom of my stomach. While I was happy for them, I missed my clan. If I hadn’t met Zirene in the dreamscape last night, I probably couldn’t have gotten any rest.
“Page me if something happens, okay?” Tori grabbed his hand. “Let me know when you want me to prepare a meal and I’ll have it set out when you return home.”
He squeezed her hand with a soft smile. “I will make sure to do so.”
Releasing his hand, Tori turned and hugged me. “Don’t let those men bully you, all right?” She pulled back, gripping my shoulders as her bright-green eyes met mine. “Feel free to return tonight. You are always welcome to stay here.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, tilting my chin up. “You don’t know how much that means to me.”
“I’ll take care of you and I hope that you can take care of my boys in the future.” She smiled, releasing me to step back and turn toward her entryway. Leaning against the wall, she typed something into her wristband once more with pursed lips. “You better get down there. Zyxel just messaged me to ask what’s taking so long.”
The Cosmic Soul opened his arms with a sheepish grin. “May I?”
“If you promise not to drop me—or attempt to scare me like Luwyn did.” I approached him and circled my hands around his neck.
“I will do no such thing.” Scooping me off the ground, he held me in both arms. Turning toward Tori, he nodded before leaping off the ledge. “See you soon.”
I didn’t hear Tori’s response.
We spiraled down in a tight corkscrew. A scream erupted from my mouth at the sudden drop as he circled Zyxel before settling on the ground.
“We are here,” Celyze announced as if jumping off cliffsides was a perfectly normal thing to do. His grin fell as he stared at me. “What’s wrong?”
“Put me down!” Releasing my grip, I wriggled in his grasp until he placed me on the floor. Growling, I shoved him back. He hovered above the ground, barely budging. “How was that any better than how Luwyn flew with me?”
“I thought the shorter the flight, the easier it would be for you,” he replied, his brow wrinkled in confusion. “I didn’t freefall because I thought you wouldn’t appreciate it, which is why we took a slower route.”
“That felt worse, to be honest,” I muttered, grabbing my head to stop the world from swimming. “I need to sit down before I get sick.”
Just as I was about to plop down on the ground, Zyxel wrapped his tail around me and picked me up. Another scream escaped me when he dropped me into his arms, studying me with concern.
“What are your symptoms? Should we go straight to your private infirmary room or to Commander Ryzen’s suite? Both have the equipment I need to do a full scan on you.”
Why did I suddenly feel comfortable around him? Perhaps the knowledge that I would be leaving this base soon was lending me confidence.
Closing my eyes, I leaned into his arm, hoping the nausea would dissipate. I had only discovered yesterday how much I hated the feeling of flying. Today had just confirmed how badly it affected me.
“The commander’s room is fine. I want to get this
