Scaled Heart: A SciFi Alien Romance (Project: F5 Book 2) by Jade Waltz (ereader android .TXT) 📕

the galaxy in less than two weeks?” Suvax muttered in awe from the doorway. “We were glad to simply cross Aldawi space in that time.”

“There are many mysteries left in the universe; perhaps Kaede uncovered one of them.” Oeta shrugged, but her facial expression told me she knew more than what she was willing to tell us. “Nevertheless, we should thank the Stars that he is determined to recover Selena at all costs. If anyone can find her, it will be that male. Until she returns, the best we can do is slow down her nestmates’ decay as much as possible.”

“Our sons are in a stable enough condition to not worry about anything pressing for now,” Yuwal announced. “We need to be led to our rooms so we can unpack and rest from our long journey. Tomorrow, we will redo their stitching and try to fix any damage your poor handiwork may have caused.”

Kaica flinched and her grip on my shoulder tightened.

Our team knew she had done the best she could with the tools available to stop Xylo and Odelm’s bleeding. She had decided to prioritize stabilizing them to save their lives rather than their appearances.

She didn’t know that Circuli males, bonded or not, defined themselves by their appearances. Nestqueens didn’t want ugly or abnormal males in their clan. A freak accident that forever altered a male’s appearance often caused him to be cast to the outskirts of the clan; this unwritten rule didn’t protect even the Favored.

I frequently heard that bonded males who were sent to our infirmary left stripped of their titles.

Xylo and Odelm had not only retained scars that could forever mar their backs but had lost all of their appendages. Who knew if they could grow back after they were brutally severed?

I had prayed often to the Stars and Fates for Xylo and Odelm’s futures.

Selena wasn’t like Circuli females. Hopefully, she could look past their scars and see that the most important thing was for her clan to survive.

“I can show you to your rooms,” Oeta offered. “And summon the villa staff to aid with unpacking your ship.”

“That sounds excellent. Thank you.”

Five

KAICA

Of course, that old Wudox had to ishing bring up my handiwork.

Who cared if my handiwork had ishing saved their sons’ lives or that I had worked nonstop since to make sure that they survived?

They hadn’t thanked me once, and even if they did tomorrow, it would probably be some backhanded comment.

How did Xylo turn out the way he did while raised by them?

I understand that workers in revered professions had to be held to high standards but to criticize what I—we—had done to save their sons was another thing.

And here I had thought Chyox was the stuffy one. Little had I known that his mentors had taught by example.

Why was Chyox jealous of Xylo if his fathers treated others so poorly?

Clumsy footsteps on the marble floor trailed me as my AI, IZO, sent an alarm flashing yellow around the edges of my vision for neutral danger.

Amid my inner rant, I hadn’t paid attention to my surroundings. Why would I? These halls had to be among the safest in the galaxy. Nevertheless, new guests provided new opportunities for danger, even though they had been vetted. What had happened between Z and his late father was proof that even family could be willing to betray their flesh and blood to reign supreme.

No one should be on the second floor other than me. Z’s office overlooked the warehouse, and my siblings were the only ones who used this floor’s spare rooms from time to time. Other than us, there shouldn’t be a soul up here.

Rounding the corner, I pressed my back against the wall. My hand hovered over my hidden vibroknife’s hilt, ready to strike.

Steps neared as a familiar gray-striped green Ulax emerged around the corner, his body highlighted a neutral yellow and lips pursed in determination.

Hissing, I drew my blade and leaped in front of him.

“What are you doing up here?”

Instantly, his tentacles came alive, uncurling from his torso to spread in a defensive position around him. Fear flooded his face as he raised his hands in surrender.

“I followed you to apologize for my behavior earlier,” Chyox sputtered, eyeing the aqua-blue vibroknife in my hand. “I didn’t think you would attack me for wanting to talk to you.”

“There is a difference between trying to speak with me and stalking me through the hallways without making yourself known,” I growled, sheathing my blade. “I understand you may not be comfortable speaking to females, but don’t test my patience. After the most recent events, I never know who will try to betray me.”

“I would never,” he swore, lowering his tentacles. “I may be stuck in my old ways, but I have always respected you and your work.” His tentacles returned to their default positions as he dropped his arms. “Plus, I know Selena can be wild without any weapons, and I fear you would hurt me worse than…”

He snapped his mouth closed but I already knew what he was going to say.

Than our two patients.

“I’ve had enough of this conversation,” I said, turning back in my initial direction. “If you have anything more to say, then follow me to my temporary quarters. If not, I will see you between shift changes tomorrow.”

Chyox didn’t reply but heavy shuffling behind me told me he wasn’t finished. Hopefully, he would be quick. My shift started in a few hours and I had been up all night dealing with the fathers’ arrival.

My door automatically opened as soon as I approached thanks to my implant and the system we had installed in this villa. My family was capable of entering any room with a simple thought.

Unbuckling my lab jacket, I threw it into the cleaning bin so I could run my lavage machine with today’s outfit. Then I headed for the drink dispenser.

“Do you want anything?” I glanced over my shoulder toward the unsure male studying my