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“What queens are you talking about?” I asked Taelen while they worked.

“They are bigger than the Kalrin drones,” Taelen explained. “They usually nest at the top branches. All of their trees have been moved from the forest.”

I frowned. “The reports say that all the trees that had been moved were returned except for a handful once they realized that they needed a specific type of soil to thrive.”

“That is correct for many trees. But none of the ones that housed the queens,” he countered.

“Then we need to check with Pirenei what they have done with them,” I said firmly.

“They were required to keep track of every single tree they interacted with. So they will be able to tell us where they were moved to,” Mares said with confidence.

“Then please get that information quickly so that they can start mending the land,” Taelen said, his worry audible. “The soil in our territory is severely depleted, but it’s not the case here. Something happened, but we don’t know what yet.”

“Would you allow a team to come scan the land to see if we can detect the cause?” I asked. “Our technology would give us extensive details that could help us quickly pinpoint the issues.”

“No,” Taelen said in a tone that brooked no argument. “We do not want any off-worlder teams roaming around our lands. But you may come.”

To say that stroked my ego and tickled me pink couldn’t even begin to do it justice. But I forced myself to keep a cool and rational head.

“I will need permission to travel to that area,” I said.

He gave me a ‘don’t be silly’ look that had my cheeks burning with embarrassment.

“The land gave you permission the moment it claimed you. Off-worlders lost any say about your comings and goings the moment the Great Mothers welcomed you.”

“In that case, I’m more than happy to tag along,” I said sheepishly.

“Good,” he said in an approving tone. “Let us finish tending the trees, and then we can depart.”

Nym climbed the tree with amazing dexterity, then sat on the thick branch next to another dormant Kalrin. That one didn’t look like it would stir on its own without major coaxing.

To my surprise, Mares joined the two Syllen males as the groundskeeper led them further into the garden to fertilize the soil of the other Kandra trees. I wanted to follow, but Kayog stopped me.

“Mirella, I don’t know if you fully appreciate the importance of what just happened here,” he said in a serious tone. “Your interactions with the Syllens and the land exceeded all my hopes. The future of our relations with the Syllens is in your hands.”

“No pressure whatsoever,” I said with a nervous laugh.

“You’ve got this, Mirella,” he said with extreme confidence.

“Really?” I said in a dubious tone.

“The Enforcers spent the entire night thoroughly investigating you,” he said forcefully. “So on that front, we’re confident that you have what it takes. But more importantly, you belong to this world. You belong with him.”

My back stiffened as I stared at him. He held my gaze unwaveringly.

“What are you saying?” I blurted out, despite already knowing his response.

“You know perfectly well what I’m saying,” he replied, unimpressed. “He claimed you more than once. Or have you already forgotten him saying you were his?”

“Did you tell him that?!” I asked, my mind reeling, torn between disbelief and elation.

The Temern chuckled.

“Actually, he told me, although I already knew. Did you not see his eyes glow when you first arrived? It is a Sikarian’s physiological reaction to meeting their soulmates for the first time.”

“So they truly have Sikarian DNA!” I exclaimed.

He nodded with an amused expression.