I snagged the book I’d been reading, but I couldn’t pay attention to any of the words. I kept peeking at the closed door. Seth. I needed to see him. Instinct curled in my gut, demanding I force my way into his room, wrap him in my embrace, and soothe him. Logically, I accepted such actions wouldn’t help, and that Seth didn’t want me beside him, but the knowledge didn’t dampen my desire.
A chime sounded, and I jolted, wings rustling against my back before settling into place.
NAID’s blank silhouette appeared on my screen. “Prince.”
“Yes?”
“Prince Hallonnixmin would like to speak with you.”
I gripped the screen, claws scraping the glass. Hallonnixmin was my eldest brother and heir to the throne. We’d barely left Earth, and he was already checking in. Not too shocking given all the mistakes I’d made over the cycles.
“Put him through.”
NAID vanished and was replaced by my brother.
“Pest,” he called out.
I frowned at the endearment but didn’t comment, as there was no point. All four of my older brothers and cousin had called me such since infancy. “Slob,” I threw back, and he grinned.
His green eyes searched the area behind me as he bounced an infant in his arms, my youngest nephew. My brother and I looked similar, though he was a shade darker than I and haddeep purple hair that hung to his shoulders in a perpetual mess. We shared the same wide forehead and long nose as our father.
“What?” I asked when he did not speak.
“Where’s your mate? I was hoping to meet him.”
How did I admit Seth couldn’t stand me? That he didn’t want this? My fingers gripped the screen. I couldn’t. Hallonnixmin wouldn’t judge me, but he would pity me and he would worry what Seth’s rejection might do to me.
My past was never in the past where my family was concerned.
Thank the Crystal, my eldest nephew Jonyontinlok appeared between the screen and Hallonnixmin. “Uncle, where are you?”
“I'm still on the Admiral Ven.”
He swung back and forth, his wings smacking into Hallonnixmin. Jonyontinlok was too young to keep his wings curled against his back when he was excited. “Why?”
“I’m bringing my soulmate home, remember?”
“Why does he live so far away?”
“Because he does.”
Jonyontinlok asked, “When are you coming home?”
“Soon.”
“How soon? Tomorrow?”
“No. In six months.”
My nephew's mouth dropped open in horror. “Why? You’ve been gone forever.”
“Because the ship can’t go faster.”
“Order Uncle Monqilcolnen to make it go faster,” he demanded, stomping his foot.
“Jonyontinlok,” Hallonnixmin chided.
“I want Uncle now,” he yelled, waking Farrittenmon, who immediately started bawling.
