Page 13 of Compile (Project: Adapt #6)

13

Selena

T he night sky stretched above us, a tapestry of stars twinkling against the dark expanse. The purple, black, and silver hues of the familiar planet Lunkai cast a surreal glow over the gazebo, always watching Destima no matter the time of day.

While I was happy Zirene was in the process of relocating the Aldawi capital—for it meant I would see him often and be able to rule alongside him—I wondered if I would be able to maintain the Circuli mental web when I was on Lunkai. I would need to test that out before I made any permanent decisions regarding my presence there.

I knew my Circuli mates would gladly hold the mental web while I was with the Sovereign—they called it an honor—but I didn’t want to force it upon them. I wanted all my Circuli mates to have the freedom they deserved.

Only time would tell. But it seemed that Fate always had plans for me. I hoped the Stars were right—and this was the correct path for the best future for my clan, and people.

The peaceful afternoon had somehow passed by quickly and swiftly turned into night. I blamed Xylo and Odelm for keeping me distracted from what was going on inside my villa. I’d spent the day rubbing the healing balm Zyxel had made all over my Favored, and in return, they’d made sure my skin was well moisturized and my hair combed and oiled.

I lay with my head on Xylo’s lap, his fingers petting my hair, and my legs rested comfortably across Odelm’s as he gently massaged them.

Xylo brushed my hair back, his fingers soft against my scalp, and cupped my cheek, directing my eyes to him. “Are you ready to talk about what happened?” he asked, his voice a soothing murmur.

I sighed, unsure where to begin. “I don’t know how I did it,” I admitted, “but I managed to place Mwe and Ryzen in a psychic construct…and something weird happened.”

Xylo’s eyes narrowed with concern. “What was it?”

Frowning, I stared up at the stars, memories flickering like shadows at the edge of my mind—haunting and vivid. A shiver ran through me. “I saw…glimpses of my past. From my earliest moments in that cold, clammy test tube to waking up and meeting you for the first time, Xylo.”

Xylo glanced at Odelm. “What do you think happened?”

Odelm’s hands moved to massage my feet, his touch skilled and comforting. A soft moan escaped my lips, the tension melting away under his expert fingers.

“I’m not sure,” Odelm said thoughtfully. “I’m an empath, so this isn’t my expertise. Psychic constructs are…complex and not in our species’ repertoire. I can only imagine the Circul queens accessing such a powerful ability, but I wouldn’t know. They rarely leave their royal villas.”

I closed my eyes, trying to piece together the fragments of my memories as I allowed the comfort of their care to wash over me. “I was reliving everything. The cold, the torture, the fear…and then, how it felt when I first woke up to find you, Xylo. Then everything stopped. It was overwhelming. Also embarrassing, because I didn’t have any control. Ryzen and Mwe experienced all of it.”

Xylo leaned down, his lips brushing my forehead. “You’re safe now.”

“They seem to be respectable males.” Odelm’s hands continued their gentle massage, his touch grounding me in the present. “They won’t abuse your privacy by sharing what you showed by accident, nor judge you for it. If anything, they probably view you with a newfound respect.”

Xylo continued to stroke my hair, massaging my scalp. “Maybe your psychic abilities are evolving as you gain more mates. But we can’t rule out that your new strength could also be due to your Oetsae, now that it’s a part of you—as your Circuli mates are with our bonding spores.”

“Or her strength could be tied to her pregnancy,” Odelm suggested. “You’ve stated before that it’s common for expecting mothers of some species to grow stronger during pregnancy, due to their bodies’ instincts to want to protect their unborn young.”

“Are you saying that every time I get pregnant, I will instinctually become stronger?” I sat up and peered at both of my Favored. “What if I can’t control myself?”

“Whatever happens…” Xylo cupped my cheek and turned my head toward his, his pupilless gaze meeting mine. “We’ll face it together, Selena. You won’t be going through this alone—not when you’re surrounded by a clan that loves you. And friends and family who have been drawn by your brilliance, wanting to live their lives on Destima in your vision.

“You’ve moved from a cold and detached world to one filled with love and support,” Xylo murmured, his thumb caressing my cheek. “Don’t shut us out, not when we’re here to live with you. Through the good times and the bad. That’s what a clan is for.”

“I don’t want to accidentally hurt you.” I frowned. “That’s what I’m afraid of. Not knowing my own power and injuring those I love because of it.’

“We’ve already lost our appendages and returned from the brink of death, about to become stardust,” Xylo pointed out. “What else could happen to us?”

“Dying by my hand,” I whispered, tears swelling. “Because I couldn’t stop myself. I have Kaede’s mating venom—what if I gain his lethal one and accidentally use it?”

“Then I would die, as Primary to the finest nestqueen in the universe,” Xylo soothed. “Only to be born again in another life, to love you all over again.”

“Don’t talk like that.” I shook my head. “I don’t want to think about anyone dying when everything is still fresh.”

“It’s the truth, Selena,” Odelm replied. “You’ve already given us a life we never thought we would have. If anything happens to us, we will meet again in the next life.”

“You two have been hanging out with Kaede too much,” I said shakingly, wiping the tears from my face. “None of this is comforting to me.”

“How about this instead?”

Xylo pulled me close, his strong arms encircling me and offering solace to my vulnerable heart. His mossy chest was soft against my cheek as he held me close, his glowing teal eyes radiating love and concern.

“Our beautiful nestqueen,” Xylo murmured, his breath warm against my cheeks. “We’ve got you. Always.”

Odelm pressed closer, wrapping an arm around my back as the other settled on my stomach. “You’re everything we ever wanted—and more. You’ve given all of us things we could never fathom,” he swore, his jade gaze filled with tender devotion.

“I love you both so much,” I whispered, clutching them. “You both taught me how to love and gave me the courage to love others.”

“Let us show you how much we love you,” Xylo soothed.

“Together,” Odelm added with a warm smile. “Let us take care of you, whisk those old memories away, so all you can think about is what we are about to do to you.”

“Tell us what you need, Selena.” Xylo placed gentle kisses on my face. Odelm joined him, his soft violet lips trailing along my neck, leaving goosebumps in their wake.

“Your touch…your love,” I breathed, feeling the heat of desire building within me.

Their gentle hands began to roam my curves, tracing patterns meant to relax and to arouse. Xylo’s fingers skimmed along my spine while Odelm caressed my hip.

Slowly, Odelm’s fingertips traced the curve of my waist, then ventured lower, brushing against my sensitive inner thighs.

Delicate kisses rained across my face—on my forehead, my cheeks, my lips, and along my neck. Each brush of their lips conveyed pure adoration.

“Like this?” Xylo whispered, his breath hot against my ear.

“Yes, more,” I pleaded, nodding.

Xylo’s mouth crashed against mine in a fiery kiss, his tongue twisting and tangling with mine as he pulled me tight against his hard body. One of his hands delved into my hair, holding my head to his, while the other slid down my back to cup my ass.

Clawing at him, needing to feel more—to feel closer to him—I moaned into the kiss, my body coming alive under his touch.

Odelm pressed against my back, his lips warm on my neck as his hands roamed over my sides. “Our beautiful nestqueen,” he murmured reverently, his breath tickling my skin. “Let us worship you.”

They worked together to slide the straps of my dress down my shoulders, slowly pulling them down my arms. The silky fabric slipped away, revealing more of my body to their hungry gazes.

Cool air washed over my exposed skin but was quickly replaced by the heat of their hands and mouths as they caressed every newly bared inch.

I gasped as Odelm’s hands cupped my breasts from behind, kneading and molding the sensitive flesh. At the same time, Xylo ducked his head to capture one aching peak between his lips. He swirled his tongue around the stiff bud before drawing it into his mouth to suckle.

Pleasure zipped through me, making me moan.

Not to be outdone, Odelm pinched and rolled my other nipple between his deft fingers, sending another bolt of bliss straight to my core. My head fell back against his shoulder as they both lavished attention on my breasts until I was writhing between them, my body thrumming with need.

“Please,” I whimpered, not even sure what I was begging for, only knowing I needed more. More of their hands, their mouths, their love.

I wanted to drown in the passion igniting between us, to surrender myself completely to their possessive touch, knowing soon we would be apart.

I wanted to make sure they knew how much I loved them—how much I desired them.

Xylo released my nipple with a wet pop , his glowing teal eyes dark with desire as they met mine. “We’ve got you, Selena,” he promised, his voice a low growl. “We’ll give you everything you need—and we know how much you need us.”

With that, Odelm dropped to his knees in front of me, his strong hands sliding down my stomach and over my hips to grip the fabric of my thong.

With a gentle touch, he carefully slid off my underwear, tossing it to the side carelessly. Slowly, he opened my legs, revealing my dampness and desire for them.

“You’re so wet for us,” Odelm whispered in awe, his jade eyes filled with appreciation. He reached out and brushed both hands along my legs. My breath hitched as he traced along my inner thighs, making me shiver with anticipation. “I can’t wait to taste you.”

I was already slick with arousal, my entire being throbbing with need for him. A moan erupted from my lips as his fingertips brushed my swollen clit.

“Please, Odelm,” I pleaded, my voice a breathy whisper. My cheeks flamed.

“Patience. Let me touch you,” he replied softly, his devotion shining through as he began to kiss up both of my legs, each tender touch sending tingles across my skin. My body squirmed, unable to contain the pleasure that was building within me.

When his mouth reached the apex of my thighs, he gently licked my folds, teasing my clit with his split tongue.

I jerked in Xylo’s embrace. I felt like every nerve ending in my body was being set aflame by his light touch.

“Odelm, please,” I whimpered.

“Patience, remember?” Xylo murmured, caressing my cheek and capturing my lips once again in a heated, hungry kiss.

I moaned, granting his tongue entrance. Odelm continued to tease me, circling my clit with his talented tongue while he dipped one finger, then a second one, inside me.

Growling, I grabbed a fistful of Xylo’s hair as I rocked my hips forward, wanting more.

“You’re so greedy, Selena,” Odelm chuckled, sliding his fingers deeper inside me. I arched my back, gasping, each movement sending a wave of pleasure crashing over me. “I think our nestqueen needs to be taught a lesson in patience.”

“Give her what she wants.” Xylo growled, his mental voice rough with need. His tongue plundered my mouth, twisting with mine as his hands massaged my breast and held my head to his. Odelm obeyed, laving my folds with long, leisurely licks that had me writhing beneath him. The dual sensation was so intense that I could hardly breathe. I felt like I was floating as my consciousness blurred with theirs.

I loved these males, loved how they treated me, and I would do anything for them.

Give and receive. Love and be loved. Worship and be worshipped.

It was all consuming.

But still, it wasn’t enough.

I needed more. I needed to be filled by my mates—to feel their love and devotion in the most primal way possible.

My arousal warred with the lingering worry for my injured mates. A spike of guilt pierced through the fog in my mind. I didn’t want to make their condition worse. Tears welled in my eyes, even as my heart swelled with love for these two incredible males who had become my Favored—who’d defended me so honorably.

Xylo broke the kiss, panting, his teal gaze boring into mine. “Kaede!”

I gasped, eyebrows scrunched in confusion. “But…I…”

I felt the shift of my assassin’s mental thread before I heard it. He teleported from inside the villa—where my other two nestmates’ mental threads led—to right in front of me.

“Selena needs to be filled,” Xylo said, turning his head toward my lethal assassin. “Will you do the honors?”

“But—” I tried to protest but Xylo gently pressed his lips onto mine to silence me.

“You have a large clan, Selena,” Xylo pathed, his voice stern. “Odelm and I know you love us, but we also know our limits. We can’t fill you as primally as you desire, but we were able to comfort you this afternoon and give you pleasure this evening. Let us share this moment with Kaede, so we all can reach bliss…together.”

Reaching for Odelm’s mental strand, I pulled it to join with ours. “Are you sure?”

“We want nothing more than to make you reach completion,” Odelm soothed, with a long drag of his tongue between my folds, making me gasp against Xylo’s lips. “We just need a little help from a clanbrother.”

Xylo pulled his mouth away and gave Kaede a wide grin. “She’s all yours.”