by Jade Waltz
“Me too,” I muttered, following his gaze. “Is it safe to assume that he escaped before we commandeered your ship?”
“Last I saw, he was slumped against the wall beside me, muttering to himself as he frantically worked his wristband. When my ship jolted as yours attached to the hull, I turned to tell him that we would be okay, but he was gone.”
“It worked?”
His pale gaze flicked to mine. “I believe that was how he boarded my ship, since there was no evidence of another ship until we came into combat. Somehow he was able to tether himself and teleport to our location.”
“The necklace.” I banged my hand on the table, frustrated with myself for not thinking of it before. “He must’ve embedded a tracking beacon in her gem’s casing, knowing she would always wear it. It all makes sense now.”
Qraniebi watched me with widened eyes.
“You mean that glowing orb?”
“Yes, why?”
“There are a lot of crazy, unexplainable things in this universe, but this tops them all.” He shook his head in disbelief. “Your brother placed the orb inside her open chest, and instantly, her spots came alive. As I watched, her injuries slowly healed and her skin sealed itself. It was like a miracle gifted by the Stars!”
Jerking to my feet, my chair fell over as I reached over the table, gripping Qraniebi’s soft chin. His eyes flew open as I leaned forward. “If you want to survive, don’t repeat what you saw to another soul. Do you understand me?”
He nodded slightly, struggling to move in my grasp. “I would never,” he swore. “Even though you’re questioning my loyalty due to the current circumstances, I have sworn myself to Sovereign Zirene and will always follow him.”
“Remember that.” Releasing my grip, I backed away and scanned his body one more time. “You are to remain detained until I can confirm your story, but I will make sure they treat you well.”
“What can I do to prove myself to you?” He stood and tried to take a step, but his bindings prevented him from leaving the table. “I’m willing to allow Prince V’dim and Prince Z’fir—even Chamber Master Mwe—to scan my mind. You know I can’t hide my memories or thoughts from them. They will be able to confirm that everything I’ve said is the truth.”
“You’re willing to do that?” I shook my head, confused. “Why?”
“Because I can’t allow Kaede to take all the credit for what happened on my ship.” He sent me a sad smile. “I’ll do anything to get in your good graces once again.”
Pursing my lips, I studied him as I tried not to jump to conclusions.
“Let me see what I can do.”
Three
Qraniebi
She was more magnificent every time she graced me with her beauty.
It didn't matter that she was currently angry at me; I would’ve been in her place. No, somewhere within those bright-blue eyes, I saw hope for our future.
B was the only female I wanted in my nest. No other could compare to her beauty and fierceness . . . well, perhaps her brother had her beat in the latter, but only because he never held back in a fight.
But no matter what I did, I could never convince her to be mine.
I had tried courting her like all Quaww males did, by flashing my feathers and performing a mating dance around her. However, I could only take so many rejections. After she had denied me for the fifteenth time, I had decided to try a different approach. . . I just didn’t know what yet.
Not that it mattered now.
Now I was stuck here, imprisoned until I could officially prove myself to B and the Aldawi Empire that I had been a victim of mutiny and had nothing to do with the terror my former crew had caused.
Praise the Stars, they were all dead now, for if they had lived, I would have personally seen that their life force were reduced to mere stardust.
I shook my head, unable to shake the nagging question of why she didn’t want me.
Was it because of Kaede or Z? Stars, I needed to remind myself that I could no longer refer to him as Z until I was declared innocent and in his good graces once more.
I had always wondered if Kaede and Sovereign Zirene had prevented B from pursuing a relationship with me. I had realized that Kaede was obsessed with Selena, fixated on her as more than an assignment, and addicted to protecting the one he secretly loved from those who meant her harm.
I respected the broody assassin more than I had before yesterday. In a way, I saw myself in him. We were both males working behind the scenes for Sovereign Zirene, assigned to protect his citizens and do his bidding. Though Kaede protected the one he had fallen for, I’d been blessed with missions that complemented the Fab Five’s.
No, something else still prevented her from uniting with me, becoming the first and only to join my flock. I wished she would just tell me why. I hadn’t missed the yearning in her eyes, how she’d struggled not to touch more than my chin.
I glanced at my pathetic display and sighed at the loss of the feathers that I had groomed into perfection. Now only my blue layer of down remained, leaving me looking like an overgrown fledgling, a mere fraction of the gorgeous male that I had groomed myself to be.
There wasn’t a female in the universe that would want to be with me now, no matter what punishment I may soon face. After I’d escaped my species’ tyranny, I’d spent years managing my feathers to make sure they looked their best because I knew had to be presentable at all times in case I met a female Quaww.
Females hardly ever left the comfort of their flocks. If one wasn’t already tied to a flockmaster, she had either been recently dismissed or had decided to look for a better flock to join. Few traveled beyond the Quaww boundaries, in fear they would swiftly lose their rank. Those who did travel either came from smaller flocks without a support system to delegate responsibilities to or lost their fertility and were deemed worthless to the flock’s future.
B had teased me that she would give us a chance if I did her bidding and gave Selena her first dance. I’d done so willingly, as we both knew I wasn’t romantically interested in her new adopted sister. It had been a simple request—show Selena a good time and coax her brother Kaede from the shadows—and my reward would be discussing our future together.
But the Stars had other plans.
The waiter had been paid by a mercenary to slip a drug into her drink. While I assisted the Fab Five in dealing with the mercenary and waiter, his crew slipped away from the space station to report their failure to the Quaww merchant.
Deep down inside, I suspected that this Quaww merchant was the same one who had hired my crew. What had driven them to go against the Assembly’s wishes and risk starting a war with the Aldawi, all over one female?
The sound of the door sliding open pulled me from my thoughts.
Instantly, an aura of dominance fell upon the room, crippling me until I fell to my knees, unable to glance at who had entered. The cold, hard ground felt odd against my bare skin. I'd always had a protective layer of feathers shielding me from the elements. This was the first time I was uncovered, and the experience was unsettling.
There remained only two Aldawi so powerfully dominant in the universe. One I had never met in private, and he rarely used his aura when we crossed paths. The other always used his dominance.
“I read the report Agent Bryeca sent me and have discussed it with her,” the Aldawi Sovereign growled, his voice deeper than I last remembered. “Tell me the truth, now. I won't give you a second chance if you aren't honest with me. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Sire,” I muttered, flicking my gaze to the bare, clawed feet halting right before my face.
“I will consider Agent Kaede’s judgment while determining your future, knowing full well how harsh and impartial he is toward others. Now tell me: Did you have anything to do with the kidnapping and torture of my Nova?"
"Never," I gasped, the heavy weight of his aura pressing down upon me, making it hard to breathe. "I swore myself to you and you alone."
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"I needed to hear those words from your mouth before sending you away to Destima. Oeta has agreed to scan your memories to prove your innocence. If she sees anything hinting that you lied, she has permission to end your life immediately."
"I understand," I sighed. "But I have nothing to hide."
"Good, because I am ridding this universe of all who dare to challenge my rule or test my limits." His aura lifted, and it became more comfortable to breathe. "If the Quaww want a war, I will give them one. The longer they take to return Selena to me, the more they push me to conquer their territory."
Rising to my feet, I risked my luck with the Stars and met my new ruler’s gaze. His narrowed amethyst eyes seemed darker, perhaps even wilder, and a snarl escaped his lips.
My featherless wings instinctively clenched, as if bracing for further damage, as I averted my gaze toward the floor.
“Once Oeta declares I was a victim and had no part in their scheme, I wish to join the Fab Five with their search. I no longer have a ship or a crew.”
“First, let me hear what Oeta has to say,” he growled, his voice an odd, rumbling echo I had never heard before. “If she clears your name, I will discuss with Agent Bryeca whether she is willing to take you in.”
“I understand,” I said, nodding.
“What use will you be to me—to her—in your current condition? You were already a rarity outside the Quaww territory, but now you are even more distinguishable without your feathers.”
“I will support them from the ship if I must, staying hidden from the universe until I return to my original self.”
“And how long will that be?” he asked, his voice seeming softer.
I hesitated, flicking my eyes to his. Surprisingly, his darker amethyst eyes had lost their edge.
Did he pity me?
“Honestly, I don’t know,” I muttered, averting my gaze in shame. “Males never lose their wing and tail feathers except as a punishment for harming their flockmaster’s females or failing an important mission. Even then, I have never heard about a Quaww being fully plucked like myself. I am guessing a year, maybe two will pass before I can fly.”
“If you were indeed loyal to me, I will find a place for you, even if you must remain on Destima to guard Selena’s villa. I’d rather send someone I trust than leave her nestmates unprotected against those who dare challenge my rule.” A rumbling growl rolled through my prison quarters. “But before we speak any more of this, you must see Oeta.”
“I hope to speak with you again soon.”
“Indeed,” he replied. “May the Stars guide you along Fate's path.”
“May the Stars and Fates smile upon you.”
His tail swayed as he turned to walk away. Letting out a deep breath, I watched him leave my room.
Somehow I had survived.
The whispers I’d overheard in the hallways about how Zirene had acquired his new position and the darkness that had overcome him were true.
The new ruler’s voice held an echo, a darker undertone that had unnerved me. Even without my feathers, I’d been continuously battling the urge to puff my chest and stilling my wings’ nervous twitches. My instincts had ruled our conversation. Zirene didn't seem to notice my lack of control, possibly because the down feathers still covering my skin had hidden my actions. Perhaps he hadn’t reacted because he simply didn’t consider me a challenge.
I was just glad he wasn’t taking his rage out on me. If Bryeca were missing, kidnapped by a deranged crew looking for a quick profit, I would search the galaxy for her furiously.
I was lucky that she was an exceptional soldier and leader to her crew. I didn’t have to worry about her losing a fight like the nestmates tied to Selena did. I pitied the males bound to her—she wasn’t an unworthy female, but she was more of a nurturer than a fighter. While I respected Selena, I was attracted to Bryeca and her talents.
If only the Fates had made other plans for me, I could stand by her side instead of being trapped here.
The sound of the door sliding open filled the room once more. I averted my gaze, hoping not to offend the new arrival, but by the lack of dominant aura, I knew they weren’t Aldawi.
Something soft brushed my face and draped over my whole body.
“Cover up,” Bryeca barked. “I’ve been granted permission to take you to Destima, so let’s go.”
Yanking the silk cloth off my face, I shot a glance at her. "What was that for?”
"If you want to travel down the palace hallways naked, be my guest. However, if I were you, I would be begging for a way to disguise myself on palace grounds."
Holding the long black-and-purple cloth before me, I noted it was a royal robe with exceptionally detailed design.
"Am I too hideous for your liking?" I asked as I pulled the robe over my head, securing its hood. "Do you need me to cover up so you won’t be seen with the likes of me?”
Her eyes softened. “Nonsense, Qran. I was only thinking of your wellbeing. You are a defenseless Quaww in the middle of Aldawi territory when we are on the brink of war, and here you are thinking about fashion sense.”
“I didn’t say anything about the garment,” I said, feeling the fabric between my fingers. “I was only trying to understand your reasoning. You have never given me a gift before, and suddenly you’re giving me this robe to hide from the universe.”
“I know how much your appearance matters to your kind, so I thought you would appreciate the robe.” She crossed her arms. “I’m sorry if it doesn’t meet your high standards.”
Her words struck me.
I hadn’t meant to offend her with my curiosity. Foolishly, I had hoped the gesture meant more than a guard giving a prisoner an outfit, especially after she had called me ‘Qran.’ She was the one who had come up with the nickname, and it had stuck with her crew. Selena had first called me ‘Q,’ and the others adopted that name, though Bryeca kept calling me ‘Qran.’
My heart had leaped when she’d called me that name once again.
Maybe she believed that I was innocent. One could only hope.
“You misunderstand my intention, Bryeca,” I sighed, dropping the beautiful fabric. “I only wish to know whether I need to thank you or Sovereign Zirene for thinking of my feelings and safety, especially since I am still considered a suspect.”
She stared at me with bright blue eyes, the same look she used whenever she was trying to determine whether someone was telling the truth.
Stoic and judgmental.
Something about her gaze always lit up my skin, as if her eyes burned me wherever they looked, drawing me to her.
I didn’t know what I liked about her most. The long, thick black hair that flowed down her shoulders like an Aldawi mane whenever she wore it down? Or perhaps the emerald-and-sapphire plumage that started between her eyes and formed a crown around her head? Each feather was tipped in gold, giving her the appearance of a royal wearing an exquisite headpiece.
The Yaarkins must have spliced her genome with Quaww DNA because no other avian species had such a vivid pattern of feathers. The few other avian species were minor, each absorbed into a major territory within the CEG’s government. Their coloring was duller than the Quaww’s, sporting more earthy tones along their feathers to help them blend into nature. While other avians could easily camouflage, my species was all about bright, flashy colors.
Why not show off what one was born with?
I often wondered how those minor species performed mating dances. How did a male attract a mate without beauty? By showing off his home? Few males I knew owned a home planetside anymore.
I’d given mine up to join the Aldawi, living in my ship’s quarters ever since.
A ship that I no longer possessed.
“The robe was my idea, Qran,” she sighed. “I want to believe what you said is true, especially since my brother let you live. I explained the situation to Oeta, and she has agreed to scan you. She told me that she felt Kaede’s mental signature appear on
Destima for a short time. She never made contact with him, so his mental shields didn’t recognize her. She didn’t want to harm him by breaking past his walls to ask him why he was there without Selena. He was clearly handling an emergency because the Circuli princes instantly felt distressed through their connection with Selena.” A look of annoyance crossed her face. “Shortly after he appeared, a sleek black ship burst out of the waterfall on top of the island’s mountain, carrying his mental signature.”
I dared to smirk at her envious tone. “I’m assuming your brother didn't tell you about his hidden spacecraft?”
“I knew he was hiding something from us, but not something of that magnitude.” She flicked her hair behind her shoulder, yet another sign of irritation. “I understand he has sworn to protect Selena by any means necessary, but that doesn’t give him the right to own a secret spacecraft!”
“I am sure he has a decent reason.” I shrugged, a gesture I picked up from spending so much time with demi-humans in recent years. “You know as well as I do that he hates boredom and always needs to stay occupied, or else he may go mad and kill someone.”
“You’re right, but still,” she sighed, sounding defeated. “Who knows what else he is hiding from us? We are supposed to be a team, but he doesn’t act like it.”
“You haven’t been treating him like a part of the team, B.” I paused, testing her reaction to me using her nickname. When she didn’t seem to notice, I smiled despite myself. “Ever since Selena was discovered and Z pulled Kaede from leading the Fab Five, you two have been butting heads more often than you used to. To be honest, I wouldn’t be surprised if he is keeping more secrets from his sisters.”
“I hate to say it, but you might be correct,” she replied, her eyes scanning the length of my body. “Other than your feet, you are covered. Just keep your face hidden, and I believe you’ll be fine.”
“Even with the bulge along my back from my wings?” I asked, turning to the side.
She pursed her lips. “I won’t lie—it does look odd. However, there are plenty of winged species within the CEG, so no one will assume you are Quaww. We may get some curious stares because everyone knows that avian species keep their wings unbound, much like the Circuli do with their appendages.”