by Jade Waltz
Qran was my unknown.
My future would come with or without him. Deep down, I wasn’t sure if he was genuinely ready to commit to me and all my flaws.
I knocked on the door and instantly started fidgeting with my feather crown, hoping I looked presentable for what was to come.
The door slid open, revealing Qran, wearing a sheepish smile as his eyes traced the length of my body. His gaze heated every inch it passed, leaving me smoldering from within.
“You are simply the most gorgeous thing I have ever seen.”
Balling my hands into fists, I battled the sudden wave of nerves that coursed through me.
“May I come in?”
He cocked his head to the side as if my question confused him.
“It’s your base. I’m only a guest,” he replied. “How could I deny you access to a room that isn’t mine? We both know if you wanted to enter, you could override the systems and walk in without trouble.”
“That may be true, but I’ve offered you this room for your stay. It would be inconsiderate to intrude.” I walked past him through the doorway and spun to face him. “Just because I have all the power doesn’t mean I’ll abuse it.”
“I didn’t say you would,” he countered, stepping closer to me. “But I also know that of the two of us, you wield all the power and then some.”
I rolled my eyes. “My AI doesn’t make me invincible, and you know that.”
“But it helps.”
“It does have perks,” I smirked. “Now, can we talk? I have a promise that I need to fulfill. Oeta told me I would regret it otherwise.”
“She said the same to me,” he chuckled, picking up the lotion I’d given him and inspecting the bottle as if it was the most interesting thing in the room.
So he was as uncomfortable as I was with serious conversations about personal matters like relationships.
I sat on his bed and studied my clasped hands, not knowing how to begin. Closing my eyes, I cringed. “I can’t have offspring.”
“What?”
Peeking through my lids, I watched him stand frozen, staring at me in shock.
“I. Can’t. Have. Offspring. At least, not naturally. Kaica believes that Kaede might be able to if he ever decided to try, but my sisters and I are infertile.”
Qran slowly walked over and knelt before me, grasping my knees as his gaze locked with mine.
“Is that the secret you’ve been keeping from me all of this time?”
Nodding, I fought back my tears. “Kaica has been trying to design a serum that would allow us to if we ever decided to settle down and have a family once the galaxy stops trying to fight against Z.”
“But how are you unable to reproduce when Selena is . . . fully capable of doing so. The six of you are from the same generation of demi-humans.”
“While that may be true, we were part of two different projects. My siblings and I were designed to kill anything presented to us, and that included invasive matter in our bodies.”
“Including sperm,” he murmured, nodding. “That makes sense.”
“The nanobots within Selena’s body were designed to absorb sperm cells and alter her eggs to fit her lover’s species. Our bodies reject all organic matter we take in—including any pathogens, foreign blood, or sperm.”
“Your bodies were built with a natural form of birth control, only you can’t control it.”
“Exactly.” I shrugged. “The older generations don’t have the same problem, but they can only reproduce with the species whose DNA they carry. That’s why there are no children on Destima other than Selena’s cubs.”
“Why were you keeping this secret?” Qran asked. “Were you afraid that I would reject you as soon as you told me?”
“Qran,” I sighed, licking my lips. “You are Quaww.”
He flapped his bare wings. “I know, everyone keeps reminding me.”
“I know how Quaww males treat their females,” I hissed. “You keep telling me that you want me to be a part of your flock. You want to become my flockmaster.”
“And?” he challenged, his pale-green eyes hardening. “Flocks are the fundamental social unit of my species.”
“Well, I don’t want to be just another female in your flock, Qran,” I shouted, shoving his hands off my legs. “I know how important fertility is for your species; females who can’t deliver get tossed to the side as pleasure fodder for the lesser males in the flock. I feared how you would feel once you learned I can’t give you the offspring you yearn for? Do you want to know why I keep resisting you? I don’t want to be just a number in your flock. I don’t want you paying attention to any female other than me!”
“B . . .” he muttered, his eyes softening as he reached for me.
I shook my head. “No, Qran. I am not Selena, nor am I Circuli. I’m a jealous person and possessive of what’s mine,” I snapped. “You could blame the Quaww in me, but that isn’t the problem. I shared everything in my sad excuse for a life before Z found us. I don’t want to share you with another female, nor do I want another male. I don’t want anyone else to come between us.”
“Me neither,” he mumbled. “I have always said I want you and only you. No one understands me as well as you do . . . at least, I thought you knew me. After hearing how you expected me to react, I’m not so sure.”
“You know that isn’t fair, Qran,” I begged, cupping his face, tracing his angular cheekbones with my thumbs. “You are a gorgeous male, intelligent, and full of life. I can’t understand why you would be willing to limit yourself to only me.”
“I could say the same thing to you, B,” he sighed, closing his eyes as he leaned into my hand. “You could lead a harem of males completely devoted to you, and yet here you are, declaring that you only want me but are too afraid to commit due to a function beyond your control. If only you had told me sooner . . . we wouldn’t have wasted all this time.”
“So, Oeta was right after all, huh?” I tried to laugh but only managed a strangled cough. “We would’ve ended up as miserable as Selena and my brother eventually. Both afraid to confess, fearing rejection.”
“Some assassins we are,” he muttered. “Fearing such a simple action.”
“I can blame my fear on how I was raised,” I chuckled.
“If you’re blaming your upbringing, then I’m allowed to blame my instincts.” He rubbed his beak along my wrist. “How many times have you rejected me? Yet here I go again, begging for another chance.”
“I believe I’ve rejected you fifteen times, unless you count that show you put on while dancing with Selena—then it’s sixteen.”
“You still doubted my intentions after sixteen rejections?” he feigned a gasp. “How have I persevered without dying from a broken heart?”
“Your heart is incapable of breaking,” I said gently, scanning his bare body. “It must be since you’re lying happily before me as if nothing traumatic has ever happened to you.”
“I stuck it out because somehow, deep down, I knew that you would one day accept me. I just had to persist until you fell for my charm.” His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I want nothing more in my life than for you to join my flock. I would wait until my feathers regrow and groom them to your liking; whatever it takes to convince you to wake up in my arms every morning like today. Earning your love drove me to fight for my life, and I will wait as long as you need. I’d travel the stars to be with you.”
Tears flowed from my eyes, blurring my vision.
“You already have my love,” I sobbed. “I’ve just been too afraid to give it to you fully.”’
“Are you still afraid?” he whispered, his melodic voice like a gentle caress across my skin.
Shaking my head, I leaned forward and pressed my lips to his. “No, not anymore.”
He gripped the back of my head and surged forward, smashing our lips together. He drilled his tongue into my mouth, twirling it expertly around mine like a mating dance.
His hands fell to my
sides, guiding me backward until my back hit the bed. Placing his knee between my legs, he ground it against my juncture.
Pulling his mouth away, he combed back my hair and stared deeply into my eyes.
"Tell me, B," he begged. "Tell me that I am yours, that you will join my flock. You are the only female I want to treasure for all time."
"Yes, Qran." I nodded, tracing his face with my fingers. "I love you and only you. There’s no one else I want by my side for all time."
"I love you, B, and I'll do anything to prove that to you."
Nine
Qraniebi
I was the happiest male in existence.
Nothing could ruin this moment. I would forever remember her declaration of love and pledge to join my flock. Our flock would only hold us two until Kaica developed a fertility cure for her sisters. Then we could grow our flock with as many hatchlings as she wanted. I was happy to make sacrifices for science and test the treatment’s success rate.
And if we never produced offspring of our own, I was perfectly willing to take in any of Selena's children and help raise them. Whenever Kaede found Selena, I was sure those two wouldn't be able to keep their hands off each other. I suspected they would quickly fill the rooms of the children's wing. Z may need to think about expanding the villa once his Nova was safely returned.
If Selena and Kaede returned as mates, then they would become my siblings. By extension, so would Selena's entire clan.
Just like that, I would have a family. I didn’t need a large flock when Selena was unintentionally building one for me.
Best of all, Z would be my brother.
Once the danger passed and my loved ones were home safely, I couldn't wait to walk up to Z, grip his shoulder as Prince Royak did, and call him 'brother' in front of his subjects.
The Aldawi Sovereign would be my brother. Who would've thought an Aldawi and a Quaww could get along?
I chuckled to myself.
"What are you thinking about?" B asked while resting her hands on my shoulders, sitting above the base of my tail.
"Once we are done teaching the galaxy to stop picking fights with Z and his empire…. I will be loosely related to him through my bond with you."
"Wow," she muttered as she continued to rub in the healing lotion, she found for me. "I never realized that."
"It all started with Selena. She was the reason Z searched for Yaarkins ships. Instead of finding her, he found you, your siblings, and your fellow demi-humans. Through Kaede's unusual stalker abilities—and addiction, we both know how obsessed he is with Selena—he was able to hunt her down. But Selena had other plans. She escaped the Yaarkins’ exploding ship and landed on the Destiny, where she collected her Circuli mates."
"And now she is missing once more," B sighed. "When will the Quaww stop warmongering? The galaxy has just won a war, and now the Quaww and their supporters are about to force Z into another. All because they hope Selena and us demi-humans are the solution to all their fertility issues. Aren’t there enough beings in the universe? Why are certain species willing to risk everything for the chance to fill the galaxy with their spawn?”
“They wish to become the largest and most powerful species in the galaxy until no civilization can resist their rule.” I turned my head to the side and glanced at my new mate. “The Aldawi have almost reached that goal with Z’s technological advancements and access to the demi-humans. Their biggest rival, the Quaww, cannot allow the Aldawi Empire to grow unchecked. While we know Z is a fair leader compared to most, some species fear the power he now wields.”
“So, a civil war within the CEG is inevitable?”
“Unfortunately. I hate to admit it, but we will most likely face war soon,” I sighed, closing my eyes as she worked a tight knot between one of the wing junctures along my spine. “Z’s best bet moving forward is to collect indisputable evidence that the Quaww are attacking his border unprovoked. He also needs to file an official complaint to the Assembly about the wealthy Quaww merchant who hired my crew to kidnap Selena. The Assembly will force Quaww politicians to contact their four governing Windlords and find the criminal responsible. If they refuse or cannot provide evidence that they performed a search for the merchant, then Z should present his evidence against the Quaww and state that any more acts against his empire would constitute a declaration of war. The Aldawi would gain the upper hand by proving they don’t want a civil war but will protect their territory by any means necessary if the Quaww make another hostile move. Z simply needs to demonstrate that they’ve been the aggressors all along.”
“Few would want to join the Quaww’s side after finding out they were the ones who instigated the war. All parties interested in defending the CEG would join the Aldawi, adding to Z’s allies.”
“Exactly.” I winced when she pressed a little too hard on a sore spot.
“Sorry!”
I shook my head. “There is nothing to be sorry for. I appreciate you taking the time to do this.”
“I’ll do this every day if I have to to help you return to your former glory.”
And I believed her.
B was as loyal as she was fierce, and I was ecstatic to finally be able to call her mine.
Her wristband chirped, signaling that Z was checking in like he’d said he would.
B hurriedly swung her leg over my wings and dropped onto the bed, leaning her back against my side.
“B here.”
Glancing around her arm, I caught sight of her screen.
Z’s dark amethyst gaze met mine. “I see you’re in the same position I left you in.” He turned his attention to B. “Please tell me that I have nothing to worry about, and you haven’t decided to start nesting now that you’ve captured your lovesick fool.”
“You haven’t gotten rid of me yet, Sire.”
“I hope not,” he quipped. “Kaica just turned in her official resignation from active duty.”
“And will you allow it?”
“What else am I supposed to do? We both know she never wanted to be an assassin and only joined your missions as a healer. Now that you mostly conduct solo missions, keeping her active would only distress her. Besides, I need her more than ever on Destima to help Xylo’s research team, and the villa’s healing staff stabilize my nestbrothers as they heal until my Nova returns.”
“Kaica did petition to resign before you sent us to hunt for Selena’s stalker. Now that our objectives have changed, it makes sense to allow her to settle since she will be close by if needed.”
“Exactly,” he purred, the echo in darkening his voice. “I granted her request with the stipulation that I would call on her if I needed her on the war front or during a special mission.”
“Sounds reasonable,” B said. “Did she accept your terms?”
“Yes, she did. I made sure she knew that she was still a member of the Fab Five. I would welcome her return into active duty anytime.”
“We both know this is for the best.”
“Speaking of the best,” I interjected. “I heard you had an opening in your ‘security squad.’ That’s the most original name for it, right? It turns out I was just declared innocent and am available for upcoming missions. The only problem is, I am without a ship or a crew.”
“Qran,” B hissed, glaring at me as she smacked my side. “Can’t you tell I’m in a meeting?”
“I’m trying to get rehired,” I purred, shooting her a smirk. “Our Sovereign here is down one soldier, and here I’m fully capable of keeping up with you and your sisters.”
“But not Kaede.”
“No one can keep up with your brother.”
Z growled. “That's why I assigned him to guard Selena at all times until…”
Sorrow crossed the Aldawi ruler’s face as he closed his eyes and grimaced.
B had told me it had been Zirene’s order that sent Kaede from Selena’s side, giving her kidnappers easy access to their target. That one mistake had cost him his Nova’s safety and wellbeing.
“How is she?” B whispered.
Z sighed and opened his eyes. “The ringing in the back of my head has dimmed but not disappeared, which means that she is still alive. She sleeps dreamlessly in her Cryopod. I will be waiting for her to meet me in our void chamber so I can make sure she’s alright. I’m hoping she can tell me who kidnapped her, so I can send you and your sisters to retrieve her.”
“Hopefully, for everyone’s sake, Kaede finds her first,” I said, squeezing B’s shoulder. “He followed shortly after sending her away; Oeta claimed that he’s already on her trail.”
“I don’t understand why he disconnected from our network,” B growled. “He knows how important and useful that connection is—it allows us to track each other across the galaxy. If anything has happened to him, we wouldn’t know. At least you can keep tabs on Selena’s wellbeing. It’s impossible to check on Kaede until he rejoins the network.”
“Which leads me back to you, Agent Qraniebi,” Zirene said, turning his attention to me. “Do you truly want to join the Fab Five’s ranks and pair up with B on missions?”
B crossed her arms. “Shouldn’t you be asking me if I want him on my squad? After all, I am its leader and—”
“And we both know that I would be wasting time and breath asking you that,” Zirene growled. “It is clear by the way you are comfortable touching that you’re officially bonded and no longer lovesick fools yearning for the other to make a move. About time. However, if I assign you to the same mission, I don’t want either of your performances to drop because you are too busy fucking and staring into each other’s eyes instead of the control panel. Do I make myself clear?”
“Crystal.”
“Affirmative.”
“Then you may work as a paired team, though B remains the sole leader of the squad and all its missions. Will that be a problem, Agent Qraniebi?”
I shook my head. “No, Sire. I understand completely.”
“Good. Pack your things and gather your equipment; at dawn tomorrow, I want you to disembark on your first mission together. Your main objective will be to search for any signs of Selena or Kaede and parse through your sisters’ reports. It may be a long journey, so don’t hesitate to ask the academy for help and pack well.”