“I would like to take this last minute to address Alice and everyone I grew up with. I am sorry you had to go through this. I didn't even know about myself until over a month ago. I was hoping to be able to leave the planet before there was harm done, but I have failed. Every one of you are important to me."
After I finished the message, I walked quietly to my room. I knew there was no going back to Earth. Everyone now knew what I was.
The room was surrounded by white metal walls, and the floor was covered in a light shade of blue. There was a foam mattress resting on the floor. I guessed they didn’t use bed frames here. I rested on the built-in pillow and stared at the ceiling. I remembered Aaronmon telling me that the ceiling projected a hologram type screen. I could use my abula to connect with it.
I knew that my abula was programed to receive Earth's frequency, and I debated whether or not I should tune in and see what people were saying about the broadcast. I decided against it.
Instead, I turned it on and tuned into Emréiana's broadcast. I was actually curious about the news there.
Instead of seeing an anchor, there was a voice speaking in Emréian while video clips were being shown. There were Emréians with the aríenom symbols on their neck. The plant talented aríenoms had plants growing and dancing, while weather talented ones were forming grand beautiful ice sculptures. There were a group of people standing around a capritus in awe. I figured he was pressing visions into their minds. Vérigolés were dancing around like nymphs. One even walked over to a couple that was arguing and said something to them. They looked at each other lovingly and grasped each other's hands.
Then the video went back to an aríenom that was ice sculpting. It looked familiar. I took a closer look and paused it. It was me! I picked up the abula and pulled up the holographic menu. There had to be a way to have English subtitles. Finally, I figured it out. I pressed play.
"The crowd celebrates as the princess continues her trip back to Emréiana. The lost princess, who was thought to be dead, will be wildly celebrated. Princess Carsona was thought to be killed in the attack that took place eighteen years ago. Instead, she was sent with her Aunt Terishin to a planet called Earth. Earth has not accessed information to get around the universe on their own, but is no longer in the dark about what lies out there. Emréiana has provided Earth with protection. It is still unknown what technological information will be given to Earth, or if they can be trusted with it.”
"Emréiana has a lot to celebrate, despite all the political complications. Emréians and other worlds are eager to know how Carsona will rule or if she will decide to rule at all. It has been said by a garnix that she does not desire to rule the planet, but she is strong either way. If she decides to take the crown, she will have to bond. There have been a few speculations as to who this will be. Her father had plans to bond her with a close family friend if they took well to each other. Only the royals know of Dynamen Annut's choice of the Emréian who would bond with her. Rumors have surfaced that Lenai Carsona was close to a male human."
I shut the abula off. I couldn't bear to hear anyone talk about Kyle. I did what they wanted. I did it to keep him safe, but it still didn't matter.
I contemplated the crown. I still didn't know anything about ruling, but I knew we had to win this war. Could I trust anyone else to win it? Could I trust myself to win it?
I knew what the decision was going to be. Most royals were raised for this, but I wasn't. That didn't mean that I couldn't learn. Even though I knew that Aunt Trish had kept my origins hidden from me, I trusted that she raised me under Emréian beliefs and rules. I would take the crown. There was a knock on the door.
"Come in," I called out. The door opened.
"How are you doing?" Aaronmon stepped inside.
I shrugged.
"I thought we might go over some Emréian today, get your mind off things, and help prepare you." I took in his scent as he walked by. He always smelled so good. He sat at my desk.
"That sounds okay. I need to understand what everyone is saying." I pulled up a chair next to him and added, "Especially, if I’m going to help rule."
Aaronmon's surprise didn't shock me.
"You’re going to take it?" Aaronmon's eyes stayed on mine.
"Things are different now. I know that no planet is safe, including Earth. I can't sit back and watch what happens. I want to know that we are safe," I said firmly.
Aaronmon nodded in agreement.
"I'm going to need a lot of help though," I said.
"Don't worry. You have me and your mother. She is still the Krea anyway. You can learn while she is still in rule."
"That’s another thing." My heart began to race. "I know that the Lenai to be has to take on a husband..."
I could feel Aaronmon become uneasy. He shifted in his seat.
"I want to know who it is," I finished.
"Carson," Aaronmon said, his eyes never meeting mine. Then he cleared his throat. "I didn't want to tell you this before. I mean- I wanted it to be your choice."
I stood there in silence watching him. His embarrassment was growing and making it increasingly difficult not to make my own cheeks flush.
"I want you to know that even if it wasn't for this reason, I would still... I mean."
As confused as I was by his gibberish, I knew exactly what was about to come out from his mouth.
"Aaronmon?" I asked him.
"Huh?"
"It's you isn't it?"
His cheeks turned red, and he stood up.
"I meant to tell you before, but I didn't want to upset you. You love Kyle, and I know that."
"Aaronmon." I stopped him, but stayed sitting in my seat.
He kept quiet.
"Okay." The words from my lips almost felt foreign.
"Okay?"
"We will get married, or bond- whatever," I said after taking a deep breath.
Aaronmon regained his posture.
"I don't want you to bond with me just because you have to," He said sternly.
"What other choice do I have?" I asked, almost angry that he would go there.
"Don't get mad." He closed his eyes and sighed. Then he took my hand and helped me stand up. My heart raced being so close to his body. "We don't have to rush a bonding process. When we bond in a ceremony, we will later bond physically. Emréian hormones are different from Humans. When we bond it will be as if there were no other feelings for each other before it. There will be no stopping those hormones from over taking us. I know we are compatible, because even now your scent is..." We both blushed. I realized that his spicy vanilla scent that attracted me was his pheromones. Even being this close to him, his scent, his warmth, his breath, all made my stomach flutter.
I lifted my head to meet his eyes. I could feel his breath on my lips, and I knew they were inches from mine. I wished they were closer. I wanted to know if they were as soft as they looked. I wanted to be reminded what it was like to feel that kind of warmth again. Then, I thought of Kyle. How could I so soon? I started to feel guilty.
Aaronmon pulled away and quickly the room felt warm.
"You’re still in mourning. I won't push you." Aaronmon took a step back.
"I'm sorry," I said looking at the ground. I realized I had pushed my feelings onto him.
"Don't be. We will have a ceremony one day, but it doesn't have to been soon. There is still a while before you take the throne. I don't want any of it until you’re ready."
I looked up with a half-smile. I was thankful I would be bonded to someone like Aaronmon. He took a step closer and pressed his lips to my forehead.
"We will study tomorrow." He smiled and left the room.
I picked up my abula, figuring I would continue to study by myself, but I found it extremely difficult.
In two weeks, I would arrive at the planet Emréiana. I would announce that I was planning on taking the crown. It wouldn’t be easy. There was still a lot I had to learn, but knowing Aaronmon would be there by my
side soothed those fears. For the time being, my main priority was to keep every planet safe from the Bremoir. We may have lost the battle, but I would not allow us to lose the war.
Emréian Glossary
Abula: A computer device. It is silver, flat, and round.
Amona: Emréian term for year.
Arays: The voice.
Aríenom: Emréian evolved race. Can control plants, weather, and talk to animals.
Capritus: Emréian evolved race. Can inflict visions into beings minds while asleep or sometimes awake.
Dapler: A device to help ominus understand languages.
Dianie: The Emréian coven.
Dynamen: The king of Emréiana.
Elaeye: The royals.
Emréiana: The planet where Carson was born.
Galaxia lettering: A phonetic universal lettering.
Gemini: Emréian evolved race. Has the power of empathy and can inflict feelings upon others.
Helentania: The planet that the Bremoir and Borain warriors are from.
Hurmon: Identifies a month- two solonmon moons, twelve Raegon moons.
Krea: The queen of Emréiana
Lenai: The princess of Emréiana
Nighten: An Emréian light blue and white flower.
Nilva: The tattoo given to the Emréians to show their power.
Ominus: Emréian evolved race. Controls metal, electronics and power sources.
Puer: Shield that blocks the Urex’s blast.
Raegon moon: Identifies Emréiana’s weeks.
Solonmon: Identifies half months- six Raegon moons.
Urex: A weapon that uses waves to stun, knock out, and destroy.
Vérigolé: Emréian evolved race. Has the power to manipulate pheromones.
Vova: Emréiana’s star.
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank everyone who supported me while I was writing Carson’s story. I would like to thank my editor, Arielle, for helping to make the book the best it could be. I would like to thank my cover designer for the work of art that brought Gemini of Emréiana to life. The best for last, my loving husband who held my hand the entire way.
About The Author
Kristen was born in Alabama in 1991 and still resides there today. Kristen knew she had a talent for writing when she was in the 6th grade; however, she did not begin to write fiction until she was 15. In 2009, Kristen had an idea that would spark the concept for Gemini of Emréiana that she would later write in 2011. Kristen is attending The University of North Alabama. She is set to graduate in the spring of 2014. Kristen met her husband her freshman year on campus. They married in August of 2012. When Kristen isn’t writing, she is simming or fangirling over the latest k-drama. She is also a Doctor Who fan and proclaims the eleventh as her favorite doctor. Kristen continues to write the next and last novel in the Gemini Trilogy. She also plans to release a new series later in 2014.
Like: https://www.facebook.com/KristenDaRayBooks
Subscribe: http://eepurl.com/wRsEr
Blog: http://kristendaray.blogspot.com/
Gemini the Heir Excerpt
CHAPTER ONE
The dry night air kissed my skin. I relaxed on the balcony of my room, watching the Raegon moon that signaled the beginning of a new week—five Emréian days. It was so beautiful in person, and no matter how many Hurmon moons—Emréian months, twelve Raegon moons—I was there, I never tired of looking at it. Everything about Emréiana was like that. I had only been on Emréiana for one amona—an Emréian year—and still there was nothing I had grown used to. There was always something new to notice, something new to learn. From the culture of the Emréians to the unique breeds of life, the knowledge to be gained seemed infinite. The customs were very different. The media tore me to pieces when I waved to a crowd during a trip to a small village. No one had thought to tell me that waving was seen as an overly dramatic way to get someone’s attention. Instead, I was supposed to nod slightly. I was constantly watched by the media and council to see if I would make a mistake. I made plenty in my first few months there. Gradually, I was adapting.
I sighed and looked at the stars. I found the constellation that was home to the sun—the Emréians called it Maoy. I wondered how Earth was doing. I wondered how much it had changed. It still felt surreal to think about Earth while looking at it from afar. I felt so small in the universe. Unfortunately, the rest of the universe did not see me that way. To the universe I was important because of my status: I am Lenai of Emréiana, heir to the Emréian throne.
Emréiana was a strong planet in the universal war against the Bremoir. The choices I made would impact not only Emréiana, but also my home planet, Earth, and many other worlds out there. A heavy and dirty weight had been put in my hands. The Bremoir had taken over many planets, the latest being Mordeon. Their leader, Vemous, went to worlds that had not yet discovered life beyond their own planet and made promises to them, deceiving them. Without remorse, the Bremoir took over these worlds and forced the dominant species to kneel to them. The Bremoir’s belief was that they owned the sky—the universe. How was I supposed to stop that? Somehow, they feared me. They feared a prophecy. They actually thought that I would end them.
As for the Emréians, they saw hope in me—most of them, anyway. Those that want me as future Krea—the Emréian Empress—believed that if there was something the Bremoir feared, they should use it.
I rested my elbows on the marble balcony wall and looked down at the city below. It was slowly becoming quiet as the citizens went to bed. I could only pray that I could keep their hope alive. I wanted this war to end. Many feared an attack on our planet. While we held on, the Bremoir only gained strength in their new recourses. We had plenty of allies, but there were more planets to be taken advantage of by the Bremoir. We had been trying our best to protect them without disturbing their lives, allowing them to naturally learn of the universe around them.
“Are you not asleep yet?” my mother asked in Emréian. After a year of being in Emréiana, I had mastered the language. My accent was off, but the people could understand me.
“I was admiring the view.” I turned to face her, leaning back on the balcony wall and using my elbows as support.
“Are you thinking about Mordeon?” She stood next to me.
“I’m afraid of losing this war.” Sorrow washed over her after the words left my lips. I used my empathy and tried to soothe her. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t say such things.”
“We are all worried,” she sighed. I noticed the dark circles under my mother’s eyes. Had this war begun to wear on her?
“The stars are pretty here.” I changed the subject.
“You say that every night.” She smiled weakly.
“That’s because they are.” I breathed in deeply, releasing all my negative tension as well as my mother’s. I had become very dependent on my empathy to mask my true feelings from myself and changing the feelings of those around me. It eased the stress that had been plaguing me.
I looked back toward the sky, taking in the view before I started to turned around. Something caught my eye out in the far distance. A few lights zipped around, changing directions. Getting a better look, I realized that they were spacecraft.
“What is that?” It wasn’t like Emréiana to have several crafts flying around.
“Something is wrong.” My mother put her hand on my shoulder. Fear radiated from her.
I watched as three craft rapidly changed course and speed. There was a shot, and one craft sprouted flames. Was it one of ours or one of theirs? I could not tell because of the darkness and distance. The craft lost altitude until it was hidden behind one of the mountains.
I turned quickly, going back into my chambers. I hadn’t even made it to my door before it swung open.
“Carsona,” Aaronmon said, stepping into the room. “Go to the safe room until I come to get you.”
“I’ll take Krea Mannannala with me,” I said. This was the second time we’d had to go to the saf
e room since I had been on Emréiana. “What about you?”
“I’ll come and get you once I know it is safe, but I need to help guide this situation.” Aaronmon put his hands on my shoulders. It did not ease my worry at all. He may have been my garnix, but he was my betrothed as well.
“Don’t forget that once you are married to me, you will be a part of the Elaeye too.”
“I won’t be if my bride is dead.”
“Who will you joke with then?” I raised my brow.
“I hate to interrupt, but I think we need to be going,” my mother said behind me.
“I’ll see you in a little while.” Aaronmon nodded and left.
I walked over to my abula—a computer device—and pointed the round, silver object at my bed, opening the holographic screen. I punched in the code for the safe room, and the bed rose up to reveal a door. The door slid open with a whoosh. My mother started down the steps, and I followed. I used the abula again to close the door.
At the end of the room was a bed, and above it, the ceiling had a screen to enable the use of my abula’s holographic system. I considered watching the media. I wasn’t the only one who noticed the spacecraft. What was being said about it?
“Don’t stress yourself over it,” my mother told me.
“How did you know?” I asked, surprised.
“You are a lot like your father.” She smiled.
I was happy to know I was like him. On some level I could feel that I was, although I never got to meet him.
“He was always eager to know what the world had to say. He wanted to make sure everyone was safe.” She sat next to me.
“He was a really good ruler, wasn’t he?”
“Yes, and loved by all.”
I held my breath. My father had been not only the Dynamen—the male ruler—to the Emréians, but also a hero. Before he died, he saved hundreds of Emréian lives. On my return, many of those families came to me to express gratitude. I was of the blood of their savior. They believed great things of me, too. I could only hope to be as great a ruler as my father. I hoped I could keep everyone safe. But there was still so much I needed to learn as Lenai before I became the Krea. Maybe then I could give the people hope.
Gemini of Emreiana Page 14
