We were relaxed, enjoying the warmth and soothing closeness of our bodies, when Jazzia drove us out of bed.

  — Get up — she ordered. — This is not where you’ll sleep tonight.

  — Melissa said we would all sleep together. — Tariel commented, slowly sitting up, still heavy with sleep.

  — It’s necessary — Jazzia continued. — You’ve all been exposed to the Sekvens for too long.

  I sat up quickly.

  — I’m exhausted…

  A brief wave of despair passed through me, but I quickly regained control. I still mixed love, affection, and sex — something common in my species. I had already realized, however, that the Selium dealt with it differently, closer to the Xerantos.

  They would be aroused, yes. But my presence, and simply being together, would be enough to calm that need.

  — I understand. — I breathed more calmly. — Melissa is clever. She knew that simply sleeping together would be enough.

  — If I were you, I would be very worried.

  Aninha and Fofinho surprised us as they appeared.

  — We’ve just met the Selium — she continued. — Do you really think we know everything?

  I fell silent. Small spasms ran through my right arm.

  — For your luck, they’re all exhausted. — said the fairy, interrupting the kiss she was about to give Anastácia. — Oops… almost.

  — You like kissing. — Tariel commented, trying to touch her.

  — Kiss me! — Anastácia asked.

  — No. — Aninha crossed her arms. — You need to sleep. Actually, I came to get you, William. Karen passed out. Her battery ran out.

  — I’ll go get her.

  — If you’re too tired, someone else can carry her. But ideally it should be you. Even asleep, she’ll feel it.

  I returned to the party.

  I found Karen asleep, supported by Elvinia. I carefully lifted her into my arms and looked around.

  The smiles and joy were still there, but the fatigue showed in the Renascidas’ eyes. Even so, they held the same shine I had seen in Tariel.

  Predator’s eyes.

  — It’s time to rest. Come with me.

  It would still take time before they could keep up. Sekvens and Xerantos were used to celebrations that could last for days.

  The Fairies, who normally sleep with the sun, left with us.

  — Thank you for taking care of Karen. — Elvinia said as we walked toward the Corner of Love. — She’s still just a child who was forced to grow up.

  — I know… — I replied with a calm smile. — On Earth she would be a teenager. Protected and loved.

  I stopped for a moment.

  — It’s strange to see someone so young carrying such a heavy weight in her eyes.

  — She’ll overcome it quickly. — Elvinia replied. — She’s very strong… and very, very stubborn.

  A few of them laughed softly at that.

  We entered the structure and found ourselves facing a Sekvens room.

  Large. White. Circular.

  A wide opening replaced the door, and the entire floor was padded. Along the wall there were cabinets and an empty counter.

  — How beautiful… — Tariel said quietly.

  She had already taken off her shoes and let herself fall onto the padded floor.

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  — This feels wonderful.

  — Make yourselves comfortable. — AX said, suddenly appearing. — Touch the walls to open the compartments. There are cushions, pillows, and blankets. The kitchen is not ready yet, so ask your Observers for whatever you need. The bathroom is on the right and the bath on the left, but there is no water yet.

  — If you want to take a bath, you can go to your homes and come back later — I commented, carefully laying Karen on the floor. — But there’s no need. You cleaned yourselves before the party.

  Aerin had already found the bedding. She brought a blanket and a pillow, and we settled Karen down. She had gone through the regenerative capsule. Her energy must have been at its limit.

  Karen groaned softly, shifted a little, and fell back asleep.

  — Should we sleep naked? — Even whispered. — Like the Sekvens do?

  — They need to sleep touching, skin against skin. It’s a physiological need. But sleep however you feel most comfortable.

  — In that cabinet — said an Observer with a feminine voice who appeared on the other side of the room — there are nightgowns, pajamas, and underwear. They’re comfortable for sleeping.

  — I like the pajamas. — Anastácia said as she walked to the cabinet. — They’re soft on the skin… and warm.

  — And you, Tariel? — Elvinia asked.

  — I sleep holding William. I only wear panties. — She laughed softly. — The nightgowns are… sensual. I like wearing them to tease him.

  The laughter spread through the room, though softly. No one had forgotten Karen.

  Within moments I was surrounded by beautiful women, many still naked, animated by Tariel’s words. They chose nightgowns, observed one another and, between quiet laughs, threw me playful glances.

  I had already seen them all naked, but it was the first time I had seen them together.

  And it was also the first time I allowed myself to look at them as a man.

  It was then, with my heart warm in my chest, that I realized the scale of what I held in my hands. I did not think about responsibility.

  I simply felt the desire to embrace them all, as if my arms could hold every one of them at the same time.

  For a moment I lost myself in that enchantment — divided between human desire and that different way of loving that the Sekvens understood so naturally.

  Kane could love like that. Not only Melissa and Sacha, but all Sekvens women. He could embrace — and even share pleasure — with more than a hundred thousand who would open their arms to receive him.

  I laughed quietly.

  I was being greedy. And envious.

  I was being exactly what I had always criticized in my own people. We always want more. We are never satisfied with what we have.

  — What is it? — Tariel wrapped her arms tightly around me.

  — I wish I didn’t want. — I murmured.

  — You want all of us? — Aerin asked, revealing the sensitivity of Selium hearing.

  — I want to have more… to make you happy.

  — You already make us happy. — Nissi said calmly. — We don’t need more.

  — I know. But my blood asks for more. That’s what destroyed my civilization. I count on your help to keep that feeling under control.

  Nissi stepped closer and touched my lips with a brief kiss, as if to say I would think less if I were busy with other things.

  — No mischief. — Tariel laughed. — Lie down and sleep.

  The order was received with smiles.

  I lay down beside Karen. Anastácia settled on the other side, hugging her, and Tariel moved closer to me.

  Ana, whom Lira had brought almost asleep, settled down and ended up falling asleep on top of her. That caught my attention.

  Half of the room remained empty, yet they had all chosen to sleep close to one another. The most curious detail was Ana sleeping on top of someone.

  Sekvens children usually sleep on the adults’ abdomen, as if they wanted to maintain the umbilical connection. Many continue doing this even into adolescence.

  Was it Sekvens influence?

  Or something deeper, written into the DNA of species?

  Perhaps it was simply the basic desire not to sleep alone.

  I woke in the middle of the night because Tariel was crying in her sleep.

  — What happened to her? — Karen had woken as well. — And… why am I here? — she asked softly.

  — From now on we’ll all sleep together. — I explained, pulling Tariel closer to me.

  Karen frowned.

  — I’m not your wife.

  — You were asleep. I wasn’t going to leave you alone. As long as you live with us, you’ll follow our customs. — I answered calmly. — Tomorrow, if you want, you can sleep on the other side.

  She seemed to consider that for a moment.

  — Hm… why was Tariel crying?

  I whispered Tariel’s story.

  When I noticed Karen’s expression grow sad, I tried to soften it:

  — But now she has all of us. It may take time, but the day will come when those memories will stop hurting her.

  Karen remained silent for a few seconds.

  — No one told me anything… and I didn’t ask either. — she said. — She’s so beautiful… I never imagined she had been a slave.

  — The only person here who hasn’t gone through extreme suffering is me. The Selium here were slaves from Bona Vista. I stole them. I wanted them.

  I took a deep breath.

  — Maybe because I wanted to show them they could be loved. That they would have my love.

  A tear ran down Karen’s face.

  — Someone told me something about that… but I was so focused on my own pain that I ignored everyone else’s.

  — The Selium are extraordinary. When I met them they were broken by pain. All it took was telling them they would be loved for something to change inside them.

  I looked around.

  — Even so, if you watch closely, you’ll see many of them have nightmares. They’re only sleeping well because they’re medicated. It will take time before everything they lived through becomes small.

  Karen fell into thought.

  — Will you really be able to take care of all of them?

  — I’m not alone. You’re part of this too.

  She looked at me in surprise.

  — How? I can barely take care of myself.

  — And we will take care of you.

  She smiled.

  — That’s not just a thought. It’s a Sekvens law. I’m not alone in caring for you. Hundreds of billions will help us.

  I looked at her.

  — Wasn’t that what you saw today? Or do you think the Xerantos and the Sekvens came just to have fun?

  Karen grew serious.

  Then, to my surprise, she rested her head on my chest, sharing the space with Tariel.

  I ran my hand through her hair.

  On the other side, Anastácia watched us with a quiet smile.