He cupped my face, locking eyes with me as determination filled his features. “The universe may try to break you and turn you into its puppet. As your mate, I refuse to allow others to control you. You can only bend so far before you shatter and cannot pull yourself together regardless of the help you receive.
“I will protect and shelter you from the evils of the universe, but I will not make decisions for you. Not after what I’ve done. If I did, I would become like your enemies, and I refuse to control you ever again. If I ever suspect you’re losing control, or that something will break you, then I will take the brunt of the fallout. I need you to know I am only ever acting out of love and determination to help you become the queen you want to be. I see underneath all that you are now and are struggling to be.”
“Kaede, I promise, no matter how harsh you may be or how your words may sting at that moment, I will continue to love you,” I swore, wrapping my arms around his neck. “Only you are willing to do this for me, and I trust that you have your reasons for every action. You always do, and they are usually good. Just don’t ever lie to me.”
“I never will.”
I believed him.
There had to be a reason why Kaede and Zirene wouldn’t tell me the finer details of my mates’ conditions, so I would not pressure either of them. If my Circuli mates were stable, then I needed to trust that everything would be fine once we arrived. The entire clan would need some time to reboot after everything we had been through.
“That’s all I ask.”
His eyes held mine as we stood in silence, as if he were absorbing this conversation into memory. Sighing, he closed his eyes and released his hold.
“Thank you, Selena.”
Dropping my arms from his neck, I turned toward the galley. “Food?”
“Yes, let’s get you something to eat. Then I need to head to the bridge.”
He wrapped his arm around my side and led me to the galley doors. They opened with a whoosh, revealing Zyxel sipping a drink with the emerald medical Oetsae, LIU. He rested on his tightly coiled tail at the end of the galley’s large display table. LIU sat across from him, his glowing robe lighting the surrounding area.
It was fascinating to see him act as if he were a physical being instead of an ethereal manifestation.
“We enjoy watching the crew and passengers. The social dynamics on this vessel are interesting.”
“Why don’t you ever appear?”
“While the other Oetsae are integrated with the ship, I am a part of you,” Vowels replied. ”I do not need to take physical form or speak with others, for your safety is my primary concern.”
“You don’t speak with the other Oetsae?”
“Don’t worry about me, Selena. I often converse with the others,” Vowels reassured me, his mental voice ending on a playful chuckle. ”The Oetsae on this ship share a private mental network, and they have welcomed me as they have done with REI. It is you who I am worried about.”
“Why are you worried about me?”
“If Kaede had his way, you would be lying on his lap in his commander’s chair,” Vowels explained. ”He would rather have you alone on this ship. Since you insisted on bringing your ambassadors, he feels that he needs to constantly watch over you, but he can’t.”
“I thought he has always watched everything I’ve done.” I eyed the male in question.
“Correct, but things have changed.”
“How so?”
“Why watch you from afar when he can now stay close?”
“It is odd to see the two of you together,” Kaede announced, pulling me closer against him. “Should I be concerned?”
“You know there’s no reason for concern.” LIU frowned, staring at us from beneath his hood. “We were discussing the health of the vessel’s personnel and trading notes on Selena’s medical records.”
“And?”
“I am concerned about her Oetsae,” Zyxel replied, twisting his torso toward me as his fiery slitted eyes landed on my chest. “He purposely hindered me from examining her. Whenever I took a sample of her blood, he destroyed all evidence before I could scan it, rendering the sample unreadable.”
“He was wondering if I could convince Selena’s Oetsae to allow me to scan her,” LIU explained. “So we can establish an updated record for her.”
“Why are you so interested in my health?” I crossed my arms as I eyed the two conspiring males. “Vowels is fully capable of managing my health and safety. I don’t see why you are interested unless you believe he is incapable.”
“It’s not that, Selena. Please, don’t take offense.” Zyxel placed his cup onto the table to slither closer. “We are concerned about what happened to you and want to make sure everything is accounted for and working as intended.”
“I would rather wait until we arrive on Destima,” I countered. “I feel completely fine, and Vowels has indicated that I have nothing to be concerned about.”
“Is this true?” LIU phased through the table to stand before me.
Vowels manifested in front of me in his updated appearance. His golden hooded cape was down, revealing his short hair and abyssal eyes.
“My host is completely healthy. My primary concern is the effect of her stress on her body and
