For two months, Celindria and the Progeny stayed in my castle. Xelan chaperoned his "children." I tried to broach the topic of Thailea once more, but my brother dismissed my attempt. "I am happy. You look happy. Let us never speak of it again."

Korac was back to his old self. Except I occasionally caught him spying on the Progeny. Specifically, Celindria. Still, we spent most evenings in comfortable places feasting and telling stories. It was nice to surround myself with family and enjoy their company.

"You and I recall that part of the story very differently." Xelan pointed accusingly at me.

I lurked from behind Celindria's chair, imitating the hulking beast. "Ferocious. Deadly. Almost four times my size. It landed on top of me. I was pinned! Helpless!"

I sat on her armrest and let my audience settle with Celindria shining up at me. "Well? What happened next?!"

I nodded to my brother. "Him. Tell her what you said."

He laughed, and the entire room basked in its warmth. "Mushrooms."

Andrius tilted his head with a scoff. "Mushrooms?!"

Merit glared at her maker. "Mushrooms..."

Devis grumped. "How can so many people lose their comprehension at once? He said, 'Mushrooms.'"

The male Progeny and Korac shared a silent, companionable nod.

Xelan sat down on the floor beside Merit, who beamed at him quite a bit. "I scavenged some mushrooms and brought them to Nox. You were lucky for the timing. Brother."

That word. Such an important one between us. I had to clear my throat twice to carry on with the story. All the while, Celindria smiled at me from the chair we shared--

"Oh! The baby kicked. Does anyone want to feel it?"

Xelan and Merit jumped from the floor. Andrius waited in line. Korac stayed behind. Devis as well.

The first Progeny snatched my hand and put it on her belly. "You first."

The "leash" depleted, and I clenched my jaw not to ruin the moment. The baby beat fiercely at my hand. I removed it quickly and beamed at her to cover it. "Strong child."

Celindria gazed at me. "I hope she will be as brave as you."

Two things struck me as odd. First, she never mentioned the father. Ever. I knew nothing of the donor as he was. Second, how did she know the gender? I chalked it up to wishful thinking. But now? I suppose I'll never know.

That night, after everyone went to their rooms, I wandered my castle. Eventually, I found myself in the throne room. To my surprise, I also found Celindria sitting on it.

That wicked smile again. "Am I encroaching, sire?"

I held up my hand to stave her from moving. "As far as I am concerned, you are a member of this household."

"I want to be."

I frowned, not understanding. "Pardon me?"

"I want to live here. Have my child on the planet where Savis birthed you and Xelan." She rubbed her stomach to emphasize her point. Then she peered at me with the wisdom of eons in her gaze. "I want to help you."

The shift in subject dizzied me. "Help me?"

"With your malady."

It was so similar to Bin's deduction that I instantly suspected her of malice. I folded my arms. "What makes you think I have any affliction?"

"How long until you destabilize, Nox?"

I balked.

"Never mind. I can see it in your eyes. The text. Sixteen days and twelve hours." Celindria stood tall and proud. "I am not an Icarus, nor am I human. And being made from an Icarus such as Xelan, I am unlike anything you can imagine."

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She approached. I was frozen to the spot, utterly captivated by her.

"Do you want my help or not?"

I looked down at her. So small, but a massive entity lurked inside her eyes. One of intelligence and creativity. "How can you help me?"

"Board me, provide me a lab, and I will discover the key to your freedom. It lies here." She placed her hand on my chest over my nacre, depleting the "leash" by half an hour.

I didn't care.

Those piercing blue eyes gazing up at me held my undivided attention. She continued, "Consider it an extension of my research on the Progeny experiment. I believe I can distill it from your nacre."

I looked down at her hand on my chest. Surely she knew it was sucking my time away. Was she that reckless? "What do you want in return?"

She kept her hand in place. "I love Xelan, but I want my own freedom. I want to live here, away from him. I need to learn things he refuses to let me experience--"

I shook my head. "I have no doubt whatever he prevents you from 'experiencing' endangers you in some way. He only wants to protect you."

"You know him. You know what he can be like. Everything is dangerous. Everything worth doing. If I never left on my own, this life inside me would not exist. These are the experiences I want." She licked full lips and glanced down at her hand on my nacre. "Are you never curious what the end looks like? When the clock strikes zero?"

I searched her eyes, expecting deception or even insanity. I saw nothing. A pure stream of clear waters free of pollution and obstructions.

What was it like living under Xelan's supervision? What was her life like? Her words rang of the truth. Her life should belong to her.

Stealing away Celindria to perform research that I couldn't divulge to him would divide Xelan and I once more. It was too soon after we'd built a bridge over the rift. Would there be any coming back?

I turned and walked away from her without a word.

The next morning, Xelan rounded up the Progeny to return to the Third. "We appreciate your hospitality, Nox." He patted me on the back.

A gesture I reveled in. Korac stood beside me, beaming once again. This was how I wanted it. This was the best of us.

"I promise to return in one month."

He led the parade of his Progeny to the conduit. They each bowed individually on the way out. But not Celindria. She was last. With those striking eyes, she implored me.

Xelan called after her like a pet. Like Many Feet. "Come along, Celindria."

She shut her eyes, but not before I saw the panic there.

Elden, curse me for my decision that day and every day since. "Celindria will stay with me."

She opened her eyes with gratitude shining in her tears.

Xelan frowned in confusion. "Did I hear right?"

I put some force behind my voice. "I want her to stay with me. She asked for lodgings, and I said 'yes.'"

Korac glared at the woman. I didn't understand the tension then. And maybe one day you can ask him for the full story. I'll only say that he saw the villain in her long before I did.

My brother put his hands on his hips and looked at the ground for a long time. Eventually, he looked back up. "You have no idea how little you know of the world, Celindria. Nox, how can you possibly guide a six-month-old adult? I, myself, lost track of her several times and, before I found her, that happened." He gestured at her pregnant state.

I winced at "lost track" and "that happened." I took that as evidence that she told me the truth. That Xelan was overbearing in his scientific parentage. Another truth I'll never know.

I gazed down at her. "Celindria, do you mind your pregnancy?"

She stared into Xelan's eyes. "No, I wanted it."

I encouraged her, "Would you like to tell my brother what you plan to do while living here?"

"Research Cinder and the Icari. I want to continue your work on the nacre, father. I want to make you proud."

Again, I winced. It was too similar to my own sentiments toward Xelan.

He glanced at Korac. "Will you look after her, General?"

"I will not take my eyes off her." The hard edge bordered on a threat.

Xelan hugged Celindria while glaring at me. "Behave yourself. Take care. We will miss you."

He didn't say a word to me as he returned to Earth.

While Korac flanked us like a shadow, I led Celindria to the royal wing. "This is your room."

After our conversation last night, I asked for books and furnishings I thought she might like.

She spun around the room with whimsy and gratitude. "This is perfect. I can create a lab here, easily."

"Anything you need, let Korac know."

The Icarus stiffened at my back. I was curious about his opinion of her, so I made sure they'd interact frequently.

"Thank you, Korac." She nodded to him.

I suppressed a laugh. No title. No curtsy. I could feel him fuming. It's good for him every once in a while.

"Leave us a moment, General." When the door closed, I pointed to a seam in the wall. "Through there is a tunnel to my chambers. You can use it for the research we discussed. Blood samples and such."

"This will do nicely. Everything surpasses my expectations. I cannot describe my relief."

I pointed a finger in her face so far below mine. "I will watch over you. Not as strictly as my brother, but I am unwilling to disappoint him with bad news regarding your person."

Celindria raised on her tiptoes. Her face closer to mine, she searched my gaze. I never knew what she was thinking. But she said, "I never tire of you watching my person."

Shocked, I frowned. Had I been so obvious? I intended nothing by my harmless observations.

She hopped down and opened the door. "Korac, I require shoes."

Oh, he wasn't happy. Silver eyes flashed as he assured, "As soon as his majesty finishes in here, I am sure we can arrange fittings for a wardrobe."

We talked more about arrangements for Celindria. All the while, I considered her forward nature. Her unusual way of phrasing things. Mostly, I thought of her eyes. Always holding an ancient wisdom, but otherwise nothing. Again, I told myself it was because of her shorter life. Or maybe just the shock of being the first of her species.

But we know better. Don't we, Rayne? If only I knew then what I know now.