by Jade Waltz
It was all overwhelming. Never in my life had I believed I would be on a leisure stroll with not one or two but four mates on a space station.
The rush from being able to roam where I wanted without a care, freely—and without people staring at me—was indescribable. I was just an unknown in a crowd, and no one stopped and stared as I passed.
There were a few glances our way, but they were more curious about who I was under the cloaked hood the Fab Five gave me to match them. I was finally being treated as a person—not an experiment to be stared at—and respected. I felt empowered, surrounded by the males I’d grown to care for and love.
Something shiny at a booth caught my eye, halting me mid-step. V’dim crashed into me and grunted as he gripped my arms, preventing me from falling.
“What is the matter?” Odelm asked, concerned.
“I am sorry, Selena,” V’dim said, mortified as he let me go.
“Are you all right?” Xylo detached his scanner from the portable medpack he had conveniently had in his sling.
I rolled my eyes at his unneeded panic. “I am fine. Just startled.”
Xylo frowned. “Then what happened?”
Glancing at the four males surrounding me with either a worried or concerned expression, I giggled.
“Look, it was an accident. Nothing happened. I saw something gorgeous and wanted to look at it. I didn’t mean to stop so suddenly and have V’dim bump into me, nor did I mean to worry any of you,” I explained.
Odelm peered behind me. “You want something from that booth?”
Following his gaze, I turned around and saw the stand designed to appeal to females, full of exotic jewelry, fine clothing, and beauty supplies.
“Yes,” I whispered, rubbing my arm in embarrassment. I fell for one of the oldest tricks—place something glittery and shiny out in the open to attract wandering eyes.
Odelm placed his hand under my chin, lifting my face to meet his gaze. Determination filled his pale green eyes.
“There is nothing to be embarrassed about. You are our nestqueen and deserve to have things to call your own. We will have failed you as your nestmates if we don’t provide for you.”
I jerked my head out of his hold and glared at him.
“That doesn’t mean I want you to buy every little thing I glance at when we walk by.”
“Selena, we have enough funds between the four of us to make enough purchases to fill your closet if that was your desire. We each have our own careers, and while a couple may have a larger income than the others,” Xylo said, glancing at his nestbrothers. “It would be degrading if we didn’t provide for you.”
“Zirene said I had my own…” The words fell from my lips from the hurt expressions that fell on them.
“Yes,” Odelm agreed. “Prince Zirene installed your credit chip in the upgraded communicator along with your ID. The five of us wired you a percentage of our credits in hopes you would purchase anything you come across that you need or want.”
“But how is that fair?” I asked.
“How is what fair? We need to provide for you and the clan. All the funds you accumulate are for you to use how you wish to take care of the upkeep of the clan,” Z’fir explained. “If the clan house needs a new rug, you will have the funds to replace the rug whenever you feel like it. If you see a painting or artwork that catches your eye, you won’t have to worry about whether you can afford it. It is up to the nestqueen to decorate her clan house how she sees fit. Sometimes, a nestmate can help, but most of the time, she wants to do it herself because she spends most of her time there.”
“Selena,” V’dim said, taking my hands. “You are our nestqueen, the center of our lives. It is ingrained in us to make sure we take good care of you and keep you happy. Happy nestqueen, happy clan.”
“But don’t nestqueens ever want to work? I mean, you said the ones aboard the Destiny had professions.”
“Yes, they can, but it isn’t expected of them.” V’dim rubbed the back of my hands with his thumbs as our eyes met. “Let us splurge. Let us buy you trinkets and whatever is your heart's desire. Don’t worry about credits today, okay? It can be something we discuss once we all settle. But for now, can you just focus on being spoiled by us and not worry about where the credits came from?”
Closing my eyes, I sighed and nodded.
“Thank you, Selena,” V’dim whispered as he gave my hands a light squeeze, then dropped them.
I opened my eyes and turned toward the vendor, glancing over my shoulder at my group of males. “If we are doing this, who is buying?”
Odelm stepped in front of the others with a wide smile. “I am the son of two merchants. Let me be the one to aid you.”
I laughed and walked into the stall, looking at all the pretty items they had as I made my way to the piece that caught my eye. There were elegant scarves and cloaks made of gorgeous fabrics, which looked too expensive to touch. Next to them were slips and two-piece outfits with customizable ties that left little for the imagination, all in a wide variety of colors and patterns.
I paused at a lavender nightgown with lace and beaded details along the edges. It reminded me of the waters and sands of Destima, our new home.
Xylo walked next to it and inspected the garment. “Is this something you would like?”
Two hands gently grabbed my shoulders. “Tell us, Selena,” Z’fir said.
“I think it’s pretty. It reminded me of the islands of Destima,” I whispered.
“Then, we will purchase it for you.” Z’fir squeezed my shoulders, then let go.
“Was there something else you were looking at?” Odelm asked.
“Yes, it was over here.” I walked past the fragrant perfumes and scented items that assaulted my nose to the jewelry section. There, on a hanging display, was a pair of silver-chained armbands, woven together with white stones. They were a magnificent work of art. The others on display didn’t appeal to me. They were made from darker metals and stones or crafted in heavier metal in a way that made me think they were for something else other than display.
“Is there something that caught your eye?” a hoarse voice asked.
A tall, grayish-purple figure with taloned feet and large wings stood before us. She had a long thin tail that came to a sharp broken edge. It looked like, at one point in time, she had a blade at the end of her tail but lost it in a battle. The figure had long black hair and wore a more modest version of the two-pieces she was selling. She coughed into her taloned hands, staring straight at me.
“What do we have here?” the female shopkeeper said in a slightly clearer voice.
She walked over and reached for my necklace. I took a step back as Z’fir stepped between us, cutting her off before she could reach me.
“My nestqueen doesn’t wish to be touched,” Z’fir growled. “I would back away if I were you, or we will take our business elsewhere.”
She raised both hands in the air, signaling her surrender as her wings folded closer together.
“I mean no harm, Sire,” she apologized. “I heard rumors of the discovery of a new gemstone and was surprised to see someone walk into my shop with one.” She met my gaze as I peered at her from behind Z’fir’s petal wings. “Will you let me gaze at it?”
“Is it safe?” I asked my four nestmates, nervous about the situation.
“She is an old Caurg, probably too weak to fly—and if she could, not far,” Xylo explained.
“If she tries to take it, one of us could take her.” Z’fir stepped away from me but stayed close enough to help if needed. “It is up to you if you allow her to examine it.”
She eyed my nestmates nervously as her gaze kept landing on my necklace. Truthfully, I knew nothing about her species, but if Xylo believed she wouldn’t be able to get away, I didn’t see any reason why she couldn’t see my necklace. What harm could she do to it? It was just a gemstone.
“You can look at it, but I am not removing my necklace. If that isn’t good enough
for you, then forget it.”
A wide smile crossed her wrinkly face as her wings fluttered excitedly.
“Come here, child. Let me see this rare specimen,” she beckoned as she reached in her chest piece, grabbing a magnifying device attached to a chain.
I stepped closer and stood an arm’s length from her. She placed the device to her eye and slowly brought her other hand to the necklace, stopping before she touched it. Glancing up, she asked, “Can I touch it?”
“Go ahead,” I said with more confidence than I felt. I didn’t understand what was so important about this necklace. Sure, it was pretty, and I had seen nothing like it in our shopping trip, but I wasn’t purposely looking for rare gems.
I could sense my nestmates stepping closer as she reached out and tentatively touched the necklace. Her silver eyes opened wide in wonder.
“A beauty this is.” Lightly, her taloned hand lifted the chain off my neck, avoiding the jewel itself. “What a marvel,” she murmured as she examined the dangling gem. Meeting my eyes, she said, “You are one lucky female to receive such a gift.” Slowly, she lowered the necklace back to its original spot.
The old shopkeeper studied my nestmates as she tucked her magnifying device away.
“Which one of you gave her such a precious gift? I don’t want to know what you had to sacrifice to afford such a prize, but I hope she is worth it,” she criticized, eyeing me jealously.
“Wait, wait, wait,” I began. “You believe I forced them to buy such a trinket?” I asked, holding up the chain of my necklace to let the light hit the stone. “Not that it’s any of your business, but I didn’t beg for either of them to buy me this.”
Odelm stepped in front of me and wrapped his tentacles around me, preventing me from continuing to face off against the old shopkeeper. Xylo stood next to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
“For your information, that necklace was a gift from Prince Zirene Darcaw. He gave it to her, for she is Selena Darcaw of Destima, Seedbearer of Second Prince Zirene Darcaw. You are out of line, and if Selena wanted to, she could call offense since as a Seedbearer to Prince Zirene and the nestqueen of Prince V’dim and Prince Z’fir, she holds the status equivalent to a princess,” Odelm seethed. “Do you want to be known for being the shopkeeper who mocked and offended royalty when they did nothing but grant your wish after showing interest in your product?”
The poor woman dropped to her knees so quickly, it was as if she was stuck at the back of her knees. She awkwardly bowed her head to the ground, her old body refusing to cooperate smoothly as her wings knocked over a few products on display. “I did not know…”
“No. You did not know, but you assumed the worst,” Odelm mocked. “We wanted to spoil our nestqueen and show her a good time around the space station—maybe buy a few trinkets and outfits before taking her out for a meal. She wanted to have a relaxing stroll in public without others mocking and watching her, and the first time she showed an interest in something, you ruined the moment with your jealousy. What do you want to say for yourself?”
I wrapped my arms around Odelm’s torso, my hands gripping his chest, and he pulled me closer. Closing my eyes, I leaned forward and kissed him, sighing against his back.
“That is enough, Odelm,” I whispered, trying to calm him down. “I believe you have proven your point.”
“She is right, nestbrother.” Xylo squeezed his shoulder. “Settle down. Selena is okay.”
“You don’t understand—”
“I do understand, Odelm,” Xylo corrected. “I am just like you, as is Selena. Stand down.”
“I am tired of people judging before they know the whole story. Selena doesn’t need any more of it. She has already been through enough, more than any of us combined.”
“Odelm, I am fine,” I breathed. “I just want you to drop it, make our purchases, and leave.”
“I don’t want you to taint yourself with products from this stall. We will find something better elsewhere,” Odelm snarled.
“Please,” the old shopkeeper begged. “I am sorry. I was out of line. Please forgive me. I can’t afford to be reported and fined.”
“Odelm. Please drop it. Take your anger out bartering with her. Prove to me you are the son of two merchants and get me the two things I want. Continue acting this way, and you are the one ruining this day more than she is, no matter how right you believe you are.”
His shoulders sagged as his tentacles slowly unwrapped themselves from me. Xylo glanced at me and nodded his head as I stepped away from them toward the princes who were standing next to the exit. I took my spot between them and watched Xylo stand guard next to Odelm as he took in a few deep breaths.
“You are lucky today, for my nestqueen has not taken offense to your rudeness. If it were me, I wouldn’t have taken it as lightly. You owe her a great boon.”
She looked up at me from her position on the floor, her eyes full of tears. “I did not know…”
I nodded. “I believe you. No hard feelings.”
Slowly, she rose to her feet, grabbing on to the table to help her stand and balance herself. After a few moments of her settling upright, she glanced between Odelm and me and asked, “What pieces were you interested in… If you still are?”
“The purple one-piece nightgown with the white details… and that silver chain armband with white stones,” I replied, pointing to each piece. “Odelm will be the one paying.”
She jerked her head toward him and nodded tensely, her face panicked.
“Xylo, please make sure he doesn’t rob her of all of her profits. He is furious, and I don’t want him to take it out on her just because he isn’t fully acting like himself today.”
“I will watch over my nestbrother. If he punishes her too much, I will pay the difference to what I believe is a fair deal.”
“Thank you.”
He glanced over his shoulder at me and nodded.
“Nestbrothers, can you please take Selena outside the stall and see if there is anything else that might catch her eye? This may take some time.”
“We would love to,” V’dim said, placing a tentacle around my waist, guiding me away.
“Wait,” the shopkeeper shouted.
I looked over my shoulder toward her, just as we were about to walk out of the stall.
She maneuvered around her displays and tables, away from Xylo and Odelm watching her, confused.
She stopped in front of us and panted, “It is important not to lose that necklace. It is said to be invaluable and to bring its wearer great fortune.” She locked her silver eyes with mine. “If it were me, I would never take it off.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Odelm
After an easy bartering session with the rude shopkeeper, Odelm left with the armbands and purple nightgown Selena wanted—and a black version with metallic details, which included a matching robe and sandals. The quality was exceptional compared to the other pieces they’d viewed so far today.
He envisioned Selena smiling as she proudly wore the outfit, her silver hair bringing out the metallic designs as her spots glowed a variety of purples and pinks from how much she loved it. He wanted to bring joy into her life and make her feel beautiful for once—for she was the one who brought life back to his world.
As soon as he laid eyes on it, he had the sudden urge to buy it. It called to him. He rarely bought anything he didn’t need with his income. Most of it he saved and only spent whenever he came across an instrument or musical literature. Now that he had Selena as a nestqueen, he had an excuse to spend his credits on her and their cubs—and he would.
Clothing and jewelry weren’t something the Circuli wore—slings, packs, and utility belts that had carrying purposes, but not a fancy robe and matching sandals.
Odelm strolled along the bazaar with a smile on his face as he followed his nestqueen bond thread. Xylo walked beside him, stealing glances randomly at him as they passed other potential shoppers going on a stroll.
“Do you want to tell me what that was about?” Xylo asked a worried orange tint flooded their connection.
Odelm slowed down his steps, stalling their return to Selena and the princes.
“What do you mean?” he replied as his tentacles tightened their grip on the sling, securing his precious gifts for Selena.
“You know what I am talking about, nestbrother,” Xylo scolded, his orange becoming an angry red. “What has become of you? Since yesterday you have become different—needier… Has Selena done anything to cause this? It is like you are trying to prove something to her.”
He looked over a passing couple, meeting Xylo’s hardened gaze for a moment before returning his focus on where he was going.
“Has she ever mentioned offspring to you?”
“The only offspring we have ever discussed are our cubs,” Xylo replied, matching his stride shoulder to shoulder. “Do you honestly believe she would be in the mood to talk about more offspring while she was pregnant with cubs she didn’t plan for? She had her own problems to deal with, including not knowing what would happen to her and our cubs once we arrived here.”
“You never thought about siring offspring of your own? Don’t you have this itch, this drive deep down, telling you that you need to prove yourself to her?”
Xylo gripped his arm and pulled him to the side, out of the way of the passersby. They faced each other, standing next to a food stall selling sweet and tart treats.
Odelm jerked his arm away from his nestbrother, not needing to be touched.
Xylo studied him, and his vines loosening their default hold, agitated.
“I am not your enemy, Odelm. No one in Selena’s bed is,” Xylo snarled, the anger from him rolling off in flames of red. “Selena has no Favored and never will. Get that through your head. You have nothing to prove! She is your nestqueen, and it is too late to sever her bond with you. She isn’t that useless luwsk that ished with your head.” Xylo tapped his forehead with two fingers and stared at Odelm pointedly. “I am happy just being in her clan, whether I share the center of her nestbed with her or get picked to have a chance to sire her next offspring—if and when she wants. Just because she offered herself to others doesn’t mean she cares any less about me. I know where I stand and don’t need her to worry about me like she constantly is about you. Think about what you are doing to her before you act on it.”