Page 11 of Compile (Project: Adapt #6)

11

V’dim

“ C an’t you do something?” Kaede demanded from his seat on the floor as he held Selena’s head on his lap. Their nestqueen was still unconscious and had taken both Mwe and Ryzen with her.

V’dim sensed nothing amiss, so he wasn’t going to waste energy worrying. He glanced at Z’fir, who gave him a slight nod, agreeing with his thoughts.

For some reason, Selena had pulled the three of them into a psychic construct. Perhaps, because she didn’t want any fighting to happen between people she’d grown to care about, especially within the walls of her villa.

He knew how much she hated blood being spilled on her behalf. The last thing he wanted was for her to be reminded of the day her Favored had lost their appendages.

It had been about a month since Selena had returned and awakened them all. The clan had used the time to simply exist —to be in each other’s presence while they healed. Not only physically, but mentally and spiritually as well.

“I told you once, and I’ll tell you again if I have to, in order to get through that thick horned skull of yours,” Oeta growled. “I can’t do anything. If I even attempt to enter her psychic construct, I could harm her in the process. There’s a reason why we only enter the minds of criminals. That kind of invasion isn’t a trivial matter.”

“So why did she do it?” Odelm whispered, from his position on a lounge chair nearby. His gaze was fixated on Selena’s peaceful form. “She could’ve gotten hurt!”

His aura was a worried orange, tinted with a stressed black. The musician was always the most sensitive one out of all his clanmates, always hyperaware of her emotions, in a way that bordered on obsession.

V’dim knew Odelm was haunted by his history as a severed male, drowning in his self-doubts and insecurities. Even though their nestqueen had declared Odelm a Favored, it wasn’t enough for him.

At least he had to come to peace with his lack of appendages, even though their culture would look down on him for such a disfigurement. Circuli males who lost just one appendage were seen as a burden and often ordered to death by the queens…and both Odelm and Xylo had lost all of theirs.

V’dim knew the clan’s Favored was content with life, knowing that their nestqueen still loved and desired them even though it would take about a year for them to grow back to their full glory.

“I hope Odelm will take the time while we are gone to reflect,” Z’fir pathed, his tone filled with concern. “No dark thoughts have crossed Selena’s mind outside of misplaced guilt and worry for their health.”

“And her interest in two of the ambassadors. She feels a pull to them but she’s too…”

“Afraid,” Z’fir finished. “While I understand her needing time to settle back into a comfortable routine, especially after everything that happened to our clan, she’s a nestqueen. It’s natural for nestqueens to continue expanding their clans until they feel secure and have all of their needs met.”

“She doesn’t want any of us to feel inadequate or replaced, or even loved any less,” V’dim replied, hating the feeling that somehow they’d failed her to make her believe such things. He could place the blame on Odelm, but he knew deep down that his possessive behavior wasn’t the root cause. “We need to uplift her, especially while we’re at the Harvest Festival, away from the clan’s Favored. If Kaede is right, and we are all a part of some constellation, with Selena at our core, then she may feel a pull toward more stars. We must support her if—and when—she gathers more mates.”

“Like she did with Kaede.”

“Precisely.” V’dim nodded. “They were always drawn to each other, and even though he’s the most…feral of all of our clanbrothers—even more than Zirene—he gives her something that she needs. That her soul craves. We can’t stand in her way.”

“She pulled them into the construct to prevent bloodshed.” Xylo gestured toward the fallen emerald encrusted daggers, answering Odelm’s spoken question. “While I agree that her safety is always our number one concern, I believe she did what she thought was necessary to stop the madness before it escalated.”

“Ryzen drew his blades on the fraxing Chamber Master,” Kaede spat. “He would’ve been lucky if I ended him before the Nyaviel could wipe his mind clean. The male overstepped his bounds. Someone needed to put him in his place.”

“It wasn’t your job to do so.” Zirene growled and raised his hand before the lethal assassin could retort. “If you felt that the situation was getting heated, you should’ve grabbed Selena and teleported away until it cooled down. By stepping in, you made things worse and forced her hand. Now my Beacon is unconscious because of you.”

“My father is capable of protecting himself, along with the others on this moon.” Oeta paced around the room, arms crossed, as she kept her gaze on Kaede amongst the sleeping trio. “By coming between him and Ryzen, you question his power. I think you are forgetting who he is. He wouldn’t be Chamber Master if he wasn’t able to hold his own, especially when dealing with other psychics. You’re lucky he isn’t conscious, or he’d take your actions as an insult.”

“I know full well how powerful he is,” Zirene replied with a huff. “There’s a reason why I was hesitant to allow both of you on Destima. You’re too good at discovering information, especially when your curiosity is piqued. The last thing I want is my secrets spread across the universe and into the hands of my enemies.”

“I already swore my loyalty to Selena, and the rest of Aldawi Empire, for sponsoring me,” Oeta pointed out, turning to the Sovereign. She tilted her head to show her neck—a sign of submission and respect. “My father would not play favorites by swearing himself to you too—that would harm his standing in the Assembly. But I know one thing: He’s loyal. To Selena, and to me.”

“I have no choice but to believe you.” Zirene frowned, his tail whipping wildly, displaying his frustration. “I’m sorry if I’m skeptical, but between the Quaww poking and prodding at my borders, cleaning up my late sire’s mess, and some warning from the Stars themselves that there’s danger in my future—I can’t make mistakes.”

“I’m not your enemy.” Mwe groaned as he sat up, shaking his head. “If anything, what I just learned will earn you more of my support.”

“What did you learn?” V’dim peered at his bondbrother, who shrugged.

“Ryzen just warned me about what lurks beyond our galaxy’s borders,” Mwe explained as he accepted his daughter’s hand to help him stand up. “For that, I’ll be forever thankful.”

“Does that mean you’ll grant Selena her wish?” Zyxel inquired from his curled position beside the water, alongside the other ambassadors who stood on the sidelines.

“He needs more information before he makes his final decision,” Selena answered as she reached for Kaede’s face, cupping his cheek. “But he’s promised us an answer by the end of the Harvest Festival.”

“What other information do you need?” Zirene huffed, crossing his arms as he gazed at the Chamber Master. “I have the resources to gather the refugees and bring them here to settle. Selena has already had enough structures built to house the asteroid base’s population and more.”

“I need to determine what to do about Ryzen’s twin brother if he’s joining the refugees,” Mwe said. “His actions have made him a wanted male. Now I understand how dire a situation he was in, but I don’t understand why Selena was needed. That is what I’m trying to figure out.”

“So you’re going to punish the rest of the base for the actions of one of its leaders?” Luwyn spat, his wings fluttering rapidly.

“No,” Ryzen replied, sitting up as he brushed his hair back out of his face. “He’s agreed to allow Selena to take them in, but I have to prove to him that my brother isn’t a threat, especially to the Aldawi Beacon.”

V’dim peered at Z’fir, who mirrored the shock that he felt.

“Really?” Tori exclaimed, grabbing her Cosmic Soul’s hand. “Our wish has been granted. We’re going to save everyone.”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Selena muttered and frowned. She raised her hand for help, and Odelm grabbed it, pulling her to her feet. “Ryzen and Mwe will need to speak to Xenak about his crimes and how he will repent for them. Until that’s done, and the final decision has been made, no one will be sent to gather the refugees. At least, not until after the Harvest Festival is over. Then Zirene and I will travel to the CEG space station and announce our plans.”

“Without asking for permission?” Zirene cocked his head to the side. “What happened to taking the official route?”

“You didn’t want to do that, remember?” Selena smirked at her Shadow. “Anyhow, Mwe has granted us permission to provide the refugees sanctuary, as a gesture toward correcting the CEG’s wrongs against the pure humans among them.”

“Is what she’s saying true?” Zirene tilted his head toward Mwe. “The Aldawi Empire will be allowed to step in and rescue the base, provide them shelter, necessities, and above all—citizenship?”

“How can I deny Selena’s request?” Mwe let out a deep chuckle, as his aura flared. “She voiced her concerns regarding the Aldawi’s troubles and made a compelling argument. Ryzen has also addressed a few things with me. I’ve resolved to grant your Beacon’s wish.”

“Also, there’s going to be a new rule regarding my villa,” Selena announced, scanning the sanctuary, meeting everyone’s gaze. “No more peacocking —especially not with weapons, which includes any psychic powers. I don’t want any fighting. My children are coming home soon. They don’t need to witness adults at each other’s throats over petty displays of power. You can spar for training purposes, but I would prefer that all participants leave in one piece.”

“Z’fir and I may be warriors, but we haven’t fought or even sparred since the war. There hasn’t been a need to,” V’dim stated, glancing at his nestbrothers. “Xylo and Odelm haven’t either, outside of your coming to your defense.”

“I’m not talking about self-defense.” Selena frowned as her gaze landed on her Favored.

“She’s talking about me. I’m the problem.” Kaede smirked as he wrapped his arm around her waist. “I promise I won’t start any fights. But I will end them.”

She sighed and rolled her eyes, shaking her head. “Small victories.”

“Do I need to scan you?” Xylo gestured to the infirmary. “I can make sure that you and our daughter are all right.”

“Honestly, I’m fine.” A shiver passed through her and she raised her hands, shaking her head as if pleading with him to believe her. “If something were amiss, Vowels would’ve let you know.”

Pinching his lips, V’dim narrowed his eyes as he studied their nestqueen. Her golden aura appeared dim, slightly tainted in a panicked yellow and a stressed black. Something was wrong, and this tense exchange was only making it worse.

“Something happened in the psychic construct that triggered dark memories,” Z’fir pathed, concerned. “She’s trying to keep herself together, but I can sense how tired she is from the ordeal.”

“Xylo. Odelm,” V’dim called out. “I need you to take Selena to her room. Our nestqueen is trying to put on a brave face in front of our guests, but I believe the stress of hosting has gotten the better of her, and she should rest.”

“I’m fine , V’dim,” Selena ground out, but the spots on her skin told him that wasn’t the case. She gave him a pointed look. “Let us have some refreshments in the dining hall to tide us over for our evening meal.”

V’dim peered at Zirene, hoping the Aldawi leader would step in. The Sovereign’s gaze flicked between Selena and him, and then he nodded.

“Nova, I can take over hosting for the night.” Zirene’s tone was reassuring but left no room for debate. “Listen to your Circuli mates, and don’t test your limits.”

“But Mwe is here to visit me.” Selena frowned and gave the Head Chairman an apologetic look. “I don’t want to disappoint—”

Mwe raised his hand to halt her words. “You haven’t disappointed me, Daughter. I can see how keeping two strong minds in your psychic construct has taken a toll on you. Please don’t risk your health for my sake. I can spend time with Oeta, go on another flight, and get to know everyone here. You got what you wanted from me. Now go rest .”

“I would like to have you in top form when we leave in two days,” Zirene added, cupping her cheek. “Your children miss you dearly and will want all of your attention.”

“Oh Stars, I miss them too.” Selena sighed, closing her eyes as she pressed her cheek against his paw, while Kaede pulled her tighter against him. “I can’t wait to see them again.”

“I’ve got this.” Zirene dropped his paw as he shot a glance at Xylo and nodded. “Leave with your Favored without any worries.”

“Fine.” With a sigh, Selena opened her eyes and looked at her Shadow, then extended her hand to Xylo. “But you must promise that you won’t call Royak without me.”

“I’ve already told you that we would call him together,” Zirene grumbled and frowned. “If that is what it takes to get you to go rest, then yes, I will keep my promise. Now go.”

The sanctuary remained silent as everyone watched her Favored escort Selena out.

V’dim felt Xylo’s teal mental thread brush against his shields and accepted him.

“Thank you for your observation, nestbrother. But I have to ask, why did you suggest that Odelm and I take her?”

“The timeline has been pushed up slightly. We will be departing in two days. I assumed that the three of you would benefit from as much quality time as possible prior to our departure. If anyone can calm her, it’s you two.”

Xylo peered over his shoulder at V’dim as the door opened and nodded, meeting his gaze. “We appreciate it.”