Page 42 of Compile (Project: Adapt #6)

42

Kaede

R yzen stiffened but didn’t pull away. “She kissed me,” he said, his voice steady. He let Selena slip from his lap, his hands falling to his sides. “I didn’t force anything.”

Kaede’s jaw clenched, fury burning in his veins. He pressed the psydagger harder against Ryzen’s neck, the tip threatening to draw blood. “And yet, you didn’t resist either,” he snarled.

“Kaede, stop!” Selena’s plea cut through the haze of his anger, sharp and urgent. She stepped between them, her body pressing against his, eyes wide with panic, but it did little to calm the storm inside him. “He’s telling the truth. I kissed him first.”

That made him pause, but his gaze remained locked on Ryzen, his rage still boiling just beneath the surface. “He didn’t have to enjoy it,” he bit out. “You’re not his mate, Selena. He had no business letting this happen. If you needed comfort, you could’ve called me. I would’ve brought you back to your nestbed where you belong. Where your nestmates are waiting.”

Her eyebrows furrowed, and her lips tightened into a thin line. The pain was evident in her eyes, but she refused to look away. “It wasn’t like that, Kaede,” she explained, her frown deepened. “There was something instinctual about it—a pull. I didn’t even think. I just knew I needed to touch him.”

“Instinctual?” Kaede’s grip on his psydagger tightened, his knuckles white as he glared at Ryzen. “Instinctual or not, he didn’t have to let it go that far,” he spat. “He took advantage of your vulnerability.”

Ryzen’s eyes stayed calm, but there was a flicker of frustration in them. “I warned her things might blur, Kaede,” Ryzen said calmly, despite the blade at his neck. “I, too, was under the lingering effects of our session.”

“It doesn’t matter. You were supposed to be the more experienced one, teaching her how to expand her telepathic range.” Kaede’s grip tightened on the hilt of the psydagger, the urge to lash out nearly overwhelming. The red haze of anger had consumed him, and all he could think of was the sight of Selena in Ryzen’s arms, her lips against his. “You crossed a line.”

“Kaede, enough!” Selena growled, her hand gripping his arm. “He didn’t force anything. It was my choice.”

His heart clenched, but he lowered the psydagger even though the anger still simmered beneath his skin. “He should’ve known better,” Kaede muttered, his voice quieter now but still laced with bitterness. “You deserved better than this.” He cast one last glare at Ryzen, warning him to back off.

Selena stepped closer to him, her hand still on his arm, trying to calm him. “Kaede, please listen,” she pleaded, her fingertips digging into the fabric of his suit. “It wasn’t what you think. He didn’t... I wasn’t—”

“You don’t need to explain to me,” Kaede cut her off. “I’m not angry with you.” His gaze returned to Ryzen, his voice tense and laced with fury. “You should have known better,” he seethed, gesturing angrily at the bench where he’d found them. “We trusted you to teach her and instead, you let this happen. Is this going to happen every time there’s a lesson? What if it goes further next time?”

Ryzen stared back at Kaede, his face set in frustration. “You don’t understand—”

“I understand enough,” Kaede snapped. He looked at Selena, his expression softening just slightly. “Let’s get you back to your nestmates ,” he murmured, offering Selena his hand. “They’re waiting for you.”

She hesitated for a moment before taking it, her touch grounding him slightly, even as his frustration still simmered.

He wanted to trust that things could go back to normal, but he couldn’t shake the sense of unease that lingered—the feeling that something had shifted. Something had happened between those two during her lesson… and he didn’t like it.

Kaede turned to Ryzen, his eyes narrowing once more. “I’ll deal with you in the arena,” he growled. “For her honor. I’ll teach you a lesson you won’t forget.”

Before he let Ryzen get the last word, Kaede’s hand tightened around Selena’s, and in the blink of an eye, they teleported away from the balcony. The world blurred for a moment before they reappeared on their private nestbed.

Z’fir and V’dim were already there, waiting for them, their eyes full of concern as they turned their attention to their nestqueen. He let go of Selena’s hand, watching as she crossed the cushions to her Circuli mates, the weight of his anger finally easing.

But even as he stood there at the edge of the nestbed, watching his star amongst her princes, the image of Ryzen and Selena together burned in his mind, a reminder of the challenge that awaited him.

No matter how much he tried to focus, the sight of her leaning into Ryzen’s embrace burned behind his eyelids.

His blood still boiled with the thought, his possessiveness flaring like a roaring fire. For her sake, he’d make sure Ryzen never crossed that line again.

He quickly checked his mental connection with Selena, ensuring it was still covered by a veil. He didn’t want her to pick up on the furious thoughts swirling in his head, the violent urges threatening to surface.

Not now. Not when she needed peace and comfort.

Leaning against a pillar, Kaede licked the edge of his psydagger clean, the faint taste of Ryzen’s blood still on his tongue. He let the metallic tang linger a moment longer before storing the blood in his system. Now that he had a sample, he could hunt down that tattooed, smug, pretty boy whenever he wanted.

A predatory satisfaction settled deep in his bones, knowing he could track him.

The urge to return, to teleport straight to Ryzen and teach him the lesson now, was almost overwhelming. The pretty boy hadn’t moved, standing there as if replaying everything that had just happened.

Yet, Kaede knew he couldn’t.

It was a time of celebration, and he had to play nice for his clan’s sake.

But that didn’t mean he didn’t want to.

His star was being comforted by his clanbrothers, Z’fir and V’dim, and he had no doubt they’d take care of her. But Kaede was too much on edge. He needed to release this pent-up aggression, to take out his frustrations on someone—and he knew joining the three in bed wasn’t an option.

Not that he would ever harm Selena or his clanbrothers… She needed to be soothed—which wasn’t going to happen by him anytime soon.

He’d left Z back on the royal porch apologizing to both his brother, Royak, and Vikvez. Z had messed up badly by falsely accusing his brother alongside Selena. His clanbrother didn’t have the luxury of letting those relationships dissolve; Royak was more than a brother, he was one of their best allies. The Sovereign needed to fix it, especially if he wanted Royak to command his military without any lingering resentment.

As Kaede’s eyes scanned the nestbed, his anger began to dissipate just a fraction. Z’fir and V’dim were already comforting Selena, holding her securely between them as her breathing slowed and steadied.

A tight coil of protectiveness wrapped around Kaede as he watched them, knowing that deep inside Selena was their unborn daughter. The thought gripped him—how badly he didn’t want anything to happen to either of them.

All it would take was one lapse in judgment, one mistake, and everything could fall apart.

Selena’s gaze met his from across the room, and she furrowed her brow in confusion. “Why are you shielding me?”

Kaede pushed away from the pillar and stalked closer. “Because I don’t want you to overhear my dark thoughts,” he replied bluntly. “You don’t need to hear what I’m thinking about two males at the moment. What you need is comfort, not more stress and worry—especially from me.”

Selena frowned, her gaze never leaving his. “Kaede,” she said softly, “I know you’re a lethal male with a penchant for killing, but—”

“It’s for the best at the moment.” He cut her off, strolling toward the nestbed as he sheathed his psydagger. With a flick of his wrist, he disabled his living suit, feeling the disc collapse in on itself before placing it on the side table beside Selena’s discarded robe. He climbed into the nestbed, positioning himself beside her, his fingers gently brushing against her bare shoulder.

Selena let out a soft sigh, her body visibly relaxing as she felt his presence beside her. No matter how angry he was, he knew she needed him close, needed the comfort that he wasn’t mad at her .

Kaede wasn’t going to make her worry about his own anger—not when she was already so burdened.

With a fluid motion, he deactivated her living suit, watching as it swiftly collapsed and revealed her soft dark skin. He tossed it beside his own and then combed back her hair, his fingers lingering at the nape of her neck. “Relax,” he whispered, leaning close. “Explain to us all what happened.”

Selena sighed into his touch as she leaned back against V’dim’s chest. Z’fir wrapped an arm around her waist, tucking her securely between them. She closed her eyes, and all the tension left her body as she melted into their comforting hold.

Kaede felt a sense of relief as he saw her begin to relax. He kept a close eye on her, carefully running his fingers through her hair while he patiently waited for her to tell him what had occurred.

“It all started with a conversation on the balcony…”

She reached out for her nestmates’ hands, intertwining her fingers with theirs. As she gave Kaede a small smile, he continued to gently brush her hair with the back of his hand, stroking it tenderly.

They were all cuddled together in the nestbed, with Selena sandwiched between Z’fir and V’dim and Kaede sitting up slightly near her head, his fingers rhythmically combing through her hair, stroking it with care.

“I just wanted to relax before coming to bed,” she continued, leaning into Kaede’s touch with a soft sigh. “And then... Ryzen found me crying.” Her voice hitched, and Z’fir’s arm tightened protectively around her waist while V’dim squeezed her hand. “He wouldn’t leave me alone. He kept saying it was too dangerous for me to be by myself in a palace that wasn’t my own.”

Kaede scoffed and shook his head, dismissing the runed male’s foolish opinion. His fingers paused briefly in her hair before continuing their gentle strokes. “Technically, the villa is yours,” he muttered. “You’re the new Beacon. Masmi was managing it because she was the only daughter, and even though she was shunned, their late sire didn’t care enough to keep it maintained. Z protected her, giving her the right to keep the traditions alive until Royak took over, but the Stars had other plans. Now, Z is the Sovereign, which makes this place under your control.”

Selena frowned slightly, her brows knitting together. “I don’t want it,” she murmured, shaking her head. “I have Destima, and it would feel wrong to take this away from Masmi. It’s her home, and she’s taken good care of it.”

Z’fir pressed a light kiss to her temple. “What happened next?”

“We could sense your emotions spiraling before you teleported here,” V’dim explained softly. “Your distress was strong, but you refused our help.”

Selena sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly as she leaned deeper into their embrace. “Ryzen told me he was given permission to teach me how to extend my range,” she explained. “To be able to feel all of you, my mates, even when I leave you behind, instead of having our connections muted. It sounded... like it could help with missing you whenever we’re apart.”

Kaede’s lips tightened. He had known about Ryzen’s offer, but hearing it now, in this context, made his blood simmer again. “He offered to temporarily help her extend her range so she could speak with her Favored,” he explained, directing his words more to Z’fir and V’dim. “We all agreed that he would be the one to give her lessons, if she wanted it. The original idea was that she wouldn’t have to worry about losing connection with any of us, no matter the distance. But from what I’ve gathered, the hope is, with time, she won’t have to leave anyone behind—keeping Destima together as a whole clan and being able to hold the Circuli mental web from afar.”

“That would be amazing.” Selena’s face lit up—a smile spread as her eyes filled with excitement. “I miss Xylo and Odelm so much... even though I know why they’re not here. I want them to be with us, to experience this.”

Kaede gave her a small nod, understanding the weight of her words as he leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. “They’re experiencing everything through the drones I gave them.”

Selena rolled her eyes. “It’s not the same, Kaede. You know this.”

“I know.” He pressed his lips to her forehead again, and he lingered there, gripping a fistful of her hair with his fingers. “But it’s the best I could give you, for now.” He pulled back slightly, his gaze locking onto hers. “Now that you’re here, where you belong, tell me... what happened between you and Ryzen?”

Selena bit her lip, hesitating for a moment. “It wasn’t supposed to happen,” she admitted. “He guided me into connecting with Xylo and Odelm. I felt them, their love, their support. And then...” She trailed off, guilt flickering in her eyes.

Kaede tilted his head, analyzing her reaction, his heart pounding in his chest. “And then?”

“And then... I kissed him.” Selena whispered, her cheeks flushed with shame. “It wasn’t planned, Kaede. It just... it felt so natural, like I needed something, and I reached for him.”

Kaede’s jaw clenched, his fingers tightening slightly in her hair before he forced himself to relax. His anger wasn’t at her —never at her—she wasn’t to blame. He had always known how intense her emotions were, and how they occasionally overwhelmed her, forcing her to act before thinking.

No, his anger was directed at Ryzen.

“Ryzen didn’t have to respond the way he did,” Kaede growled. “He knows you’re vulnerable right now. He should’ve stopped it before it got that far.”

“Did Ryzen warn you before you reached out to Xylo and Odelm?” Z’fir asked, squeezing her hand. “How intense sessions could be?”

Selena nodded, her eyes flicking between the three males. “He did. He said we might experience shared emotions or memories, but I didn’t feel anything from him.”

V’dim tilted his head, his tentacles shifting slightly, wrapping around her torso. “Are you sure about that?”

Selena let out a grunt, frustration clear on her face. “I don’t know.”

“There had to be some kind of emotional mixing for you both to seek each other out like that,” Z’fir mused. “To kiss... there must have been some sort of lingering effects from him aiding you to open your Favoreds’ bonds.” His gaze shifted, scanning Kaede’s face. “I can tell by the way you’re reacting that the kiss wasn’t just a peck, was it? You felt her emotions—her desire, her love—for them. He must’ve felt theirs reaching for her.”

Kaede’s lips pinched together, his frustration simmering. “It was heated,” he admitted, running a hand through his hair. “I found her on top of Ryzen’s lap, straddling him. They were kissing deeply, their hands all over each other.”

V’dim chuckled softly, shaking his head. “Selena is a nestqueen, clanbrother. There must be something that Ryzen has, something that she needs, that she desires.”

“I follow the Cosmic Order, and if he’s part of her—our constellation—so be it.” Kaede proudly pointed to his mark—his star’s claim on his soul—the only scar that mattered on his body. “But until that male—or any, for that matter—has this on their neck, I will treat them as an outsider, not part of this clan.”

“Kaede…” Selena sighed, shaking her head. “I knew you were stubborn—”

“Protective,” Kaede corrected with a feral grin. “Trust is earned, and when it comes to you, our clan, and family, I don’t mess around.”

“Of course,” Selena agreed, biting her lip as she glanced between the three of them. “But there’s something else.”

Kaede snapped his head toward hers, alert and focused. “What is it?”

“Xylo figured something out. He told me what happened during our first night together.”

Kaede’s heart skipped a beat, his protective instincts flaring. “What did he discover?”

Selena took a deep breath, her hands trembling slightly in Z’fir and V’dim’s grasp. “It was Ryzen,” she said softly, her gaze flicking to Kaede. “That first night... when Xylo woke up in full defense mode, feeling something brush against my mental shields—it was him. Ryzen had reached out to me, when he used his spirit bomb, hoping I would catch him, and become his anchor.”

Kaede’s eyes widened, his mind racing. That night, he remembered it clearly. Xylo had explained that he felt a jolt of energy caress his nestqueen’s shields while they were sleeping—but it wasn’t a test or an attempt to shatter them—that had put him on high alert. It confused him because it was not a mental signature he recognized from Destiny ...

It had been Ryzen all along…

“So he’s been connected to you this whole time, even before he knew who you were,” Kaede murmured, his fingers resuming their gentle strokes through her hair. “That explains why you’ve always felt something from him. It was more than just attraction—it’s something deeper—and your first lesson with him just amplified that.”

V’dim’s tentacles brushed against Selena’s arm, offering comfort. “It’s not uncommon for nestqueens to gather different males for different reasons. You’re allowed to explore those connections, Selena, regardless of my clanbrother’s jealousy.” V’dim shot Kaede a pointed look. “It doesn’t mean you love us any less.”

Z’fir nodded in agreement. “We’re here for you, no matter what. But we need to understand what you’re feeling, what you need.”

Selena’s gaze returned to Kaede, searching his expression for understanding. She looked vulnerable, uncertain, but there was also a flicker of determination in her gaze.

Kaede let out a slow breath, leaning down to kiss her forehead once more, knowing full well what she was seeking—his permission. He was the last one in their clan to give it.

It wasn’t because of jealousy, like his clanbrothers’ assume. No, it was because he didn’t know them. He was unfamiliar with both males— despite the fact that Mwe, Oeta, and their Oetsae had vetted them— he disliked not knowing everything about them.

He also despised change—which was always present around his star, no matter how much he pleaded to the Stars to allow them to live in peace for once.

“You’re ours, Selena. But I can’t deny you the opportunity to explore whatever is between you and Ryzen, even if I don’t like it.” His voice softened, but his resolve was still there. “Same goes for Zyxel. It doesn’t mean I will make it easy for either of them. I’ll make sure they know their place—that you have the final decision. I won’t take anyone pressuring you when you aren’t ready—or interested.”

Selena sighed, leaning into Kaede’s touch, but she squeezed Z’fir and V’dim’s hands tighter, seeking their support. “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen, but I won’t deny what I felt in that moment. And honestly... I need time to figure out what I feel.”

“Take all the time you need, star. But don’t forget—he’ll be answering to me in the arena for that kiss.”

A soft chuckle escaped V’dim as he exchanged a glance with Z’fir. “Looks like Ryzen has quite the challenge ahead of him.”

“And anyone else who dares to fight for her mark.”