by Jade Waltz
As soon as he noticed my attention, his tentacles rose as if he was trying to defend himself . . . from me? Selena must’ve struck deep fear about strong demi-human females into this male.
“Hey, Chyox!”
“Yes?”
“Take care of my sister. It’s up to you to make sure she doesn’t overwork herself. Do you understand?”
He nodded and continued to stare, bewildered.
I turned to leave but paused at the threshold. Looking over my shoulder, I called out to Chyox, “Remember to feed her. If you don’t, I heard her favorite delicacy is fish.”
Eleven
Bryeca
The first sun rose in the distance, covering the ocean in bright light and signifying the dawn of another day.
I sat strapped into my Captain’s chair, and Qran sat next to me in his newly-claimed spot as Co-Captain.
“Are we ready to take off?” I asked, though I already knew the answer.
Something was making me nervous.
I didn’t know if it was the mission itself, leaving Kaica behind, or finally having my dream come true and mating with him.
Whatever the cause, I couldn't shake my nerves.
Qran leaned over and took my hands in his, his talons creating a cage.
"What's wrong?"
“I don’t know,” I murmured, feeling my hands tremble.
“You’re shaking!” His eyes bulged, studying my fingers. ”Why are you so nervous? You are never nervous.”
“Qran . . . I don’t know,” I looked away, toward the sunrise, ashamed at my weakness. “This is new.”
“Look at me, B,” he urged, gently squeezing my hands and drawing my attention. “Everything will be alright. This is new for me, too,” he chuckled, his pale-green eyes sparkling as his golden beak reflected the sun’s rays. “I’m used to directing a full crew. Now I’m your second half—for once, I’ll be following rather than giving orders. But I’m happy because we are in this together.” He shook our intertwined hands. “We will face whatever is out there together as a mated pair. So, take a deep breath and focus on the takeoff. Just know I’m here right beside you whenever you need me. You accepted me, and you won’t get rid of me ever again.”
“As if I could ever get rid of you,” I chuckled. “It took you—what—sixteen attempts to finally win me over?”
“Who’s counting?” He shrugged. “I have you now.”
“Yes, and no other female is going to take you away from me.”
“Never,” he swore, giving my hands one last squeeze before he released them. “Are you feeling better?”
I paused, inhaling a deep breath before exhaling slowly.
“I’m ready if you are.”
“Then let’s do this, Captain.” He winked before turning his attention to his controls.
“On my count, Co-Captain.”
As we cleared Destima’s atmosphere, I spotted an older merchant ship nearing the blue moon.
I hailed them, remembering that Chyox and Kaica had told me last night that the fathers of Selena’s Favored would be arriving this morning.
If it wasn’t them, it was our duty to question them and have them prove that they had business in Aldawi space.
A grey-green-striped Ulax and a dark-brown Wudox appeared on our vidscreen.
“This is Odevlyn of the Abyssal Fire approaching Destima. We have been granted emergency passage on behalf of Sovereign Zirene Darcaw,” the grey Ulax announced.
Qran leaned over and shot a glance at me, smirking. “Should I do this, or will you?”
The two Circuli stared at each other, confused.
“You can do the honors, Qran,” I chuckled. “I’ve always wanted to see you in action.”
“This is Agent Qraniebi of the Furious, working on behalf of Sovereign Zirene Darcaw, and we have the power to board any suspicious spacecraft within Aldawi space . . .”
The Circuli males' eyes bulged in panic as they realized who we were.
“We are here to shuttle Master Healers and their supplies,” Odevlyn replied urgently. “Please, we beg you. Our sons are dying and need our help.”
I smacked Qran’s shoulder, signaling him to let me take over.
“This is Agent Bryeca, Captain of the Furious and leader of the Fab Five. Please forgive our intrusion. We are patrolling Aldawi space and doing our duty by hailing you. Your sons are dear friends of mine and are mated to one of my sisters.” I paused and watched their stunned reaction as that information settled in. “You will be working with another sister of mine. Please treat her well.”
“Of course, Agent Bryeca,” the Wudox replied. “Any sister of Selena’s is a daughter of ours.”
Nodding, I smiled. “I hope we meet in person someday. Until then, may the Stars guide you to your Fate.”
“May the Stars grant you safe travels to your Fate.”
Qran ended the comms link and pulled back his hood, revealing a face full of excitement.
“Ready to begin our mission, Captain?”
“Let’s find Selena and bring her home, where she belongs.”
Author’s Note:
Thank you for taking the time to read my book!
I hope you enjoyed learning what’s going on working behind the scenes between the events of Develop and Failure.
I am happy that B and Q finally got together! Those two have been dancing around getting together for a while now.
Kaica’s novella is next, picking up exactly where this one ended – and then Failure before the year is out!
Please leave a review!
Reviews are important for indie self-publishing authors and they help us grow.
About the Author
Jade Waltz lives in Illinois with her husband, two sons, and her three crazy cats. She loves knitting, playing video games, and watching Esports. Jade's passions include the arts, green tea and mints -- all while writing and teaching marching band drill in the fall.
Jade has always been an avid reader of the fantasy, paranormal and sci-fi genres and wanted to create worlds she always wanted to read.
She writes character driven romances within detailed universes, where happily-ever-afters happen for those who dare love the abnormal and the unknown. Their love may not be easy--but it is well worth it in the end.
Website: www.jadewaltz.com
Facebook Group: Jade Waltz Literary Alcove
Newsletter link: https://jadewaltz.com/#newsletter
Email: [email protected]
Project: F5
Scaled Heart
I was supposed to be saving lives…
Not falling in love with my coworkers…
After one last mission, I was told I could retire and remain on Destima as a researcher if I so chose... But the Stars had other plans for me.
I have been urgently recalled to my base for an emergency to save those whom I have grown great respect for.
I have recruited help from the Circuli healers, but something about them is calling to me, making it hard for me to separate work from leisure.
Unable to resist their temptation any more, we have formed a clan with only one goal in mind: FIND THE CURE.
Now, it’s a race against their biological clocks whether I can save my Beacon’s nestmates.
I hope they will still be alive whenever SHE returns.
Preorder Now!
Release Date: October 30th
Project: Adapt
Failure
I had sworn to her that I would find her again... No matter what.
I would fix the mistakes that I had made and bring her home…
The Aldawi Empire is in chaos, with their enemies approaching from all borders. And none of that matters to me.
Unknown enemies have forced my hand into sending her away to save her life. And now that I have survived, I will do what I do best--hunt.
It has taken me eight years to find my master’s Nova, but now I am not searching for her on his behalf. This is my own pe
rsonal mission and I will not let others interfere with my quest.
Selena will always be my prey. And when I find her, I will make sure she remembers what I said before I had sent her away.
I refuse to be a failure.
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Release Date: Q4 2020
Project Universe Timeline:
Project: Adapt #1 – Found
Project: Adapt #2 – Achieve
Project: Adapt #3 – Develop
Project: F5 #1 – Bird of Prey
Project: F5 #2 – Scaled Heart
Project: Adapt #4 – Failure