Gemini the Heir

by Kristen DaRay

  “I can’t let that happen!” I slammed my hand on the table.

  “Calm down,” my mother whispered.

  “Forgive me, my anger overtook my judgment. As you know, Colamous and I are not on the best terms,” I said. I used my empathy to calm down.

  “Of course, Lenai,” Elise said.

  “We need to do everything we can to ensure that it does not come to a vote,” I said. “We will discuss this further.”

  “Until next time,” Elise said standing.

  “Until then.”

  My mother and I left the room behind Elise. We walked together toward the garden behind the palace—the same garden that I was shown by Aaronmon just a year ago in a Memonai. We were both quiet. She was probably thinking the same thing: Will there really be a vote?

  We stepped out into the garden. The Volva star’s warmth caressed my back and shoulders. I looked up and saw the Solonomon moon in the sky. I inhaled the warm air and released my tensions.

  “I will never get over how beautiful it is here in Emréiana,” I said, breaking the silence.

  “I’m glad you find it a beauty. Earth was very pretty, too. Your aunt’s plants from Earth really flourished,” she said with a smile.

  A weak smile formed on my lips as well. The hurt from Trish’s death pained me less these days. Talking about her and the memories comforted me.

  A small animal crept out from behind the shrubs. I smiled when I realized it was Meak, a gigorgie. Meak was a light color with pale eyes. Her ears, large and perked, seemed bigger than her head, and her small body barely reached my ankles. Her fur and face resembled a meerkat.

  “Hey there, Meak!” I bent down to allow her to rub her head into my hand. Excited, she wagged her tail and then nipped my finger.

  “Ouch. Don’t do that,” I scolded the little critter. She scurried quickly back under the shrubs.

  “Meak, come out!” I said, sending out waves of trust. Meak poked her head out for a second before ducking back in.

  My mom laughed, and I stood up.

  “I guess she is immune to my powers,” I said with a small chuckle.

  “Carsona,” came a voice behind us. We turned to find Aaronmon.

  “Lenai Carsona, Krea Mannannala,” he said.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked. His feelings were mixing with mine.

  “Let’s go inside. It is about the attack from a few days ago.”

  We hurried inside. I’d known there was something wrong with that attack. But what did they have planned? When we reached the Honure room, I was anxious to learn what was going on.

  “What has happened?” I demanded.

  Aaronmon shifted toward both of us. “There has been a sickness in the city.”

  “A sickness? You mean biological warfare?” my mother asked.

  “The first people to have symptoms were two soldiers who analyzed the crashed Bremoir ship. We believe that was the plan—get people to come into contact with it and allow it to spread.”

  “What are the symptoms?” I asked.

  “Fever, delirium, vomiting, headache, and body aches, but the problem is once it gets settled in, the walls around organs deteriorate, starting with the stomach. Eventually the carrier will vomit blood and die from blood loss.”

  “When did the symptoms start?”

  “There were only minor symptoms until today. We thought it was just a common sickness, but it got worse last night. This morning the first patients were dead.”

  “So a little under a Raegon moon,” my mother said quietly.

  “How many people have been infected?” I asked Aaronmon.

  “We don’t know. Ten people have come in with symptoms, but we don’t know how many people have come in contact with the virus.”

  “We need to start quarantines. Find out who has come into contact with whom. Find a way to test people for the infection. If we let this spread, the Bremoir will succeed.”

  “Carson, there is something else.” Aaronmon used my Earth name. Something was not right.

  “I received confirmation that Earth had a similar attack on the same night as ours. The ships we had protecting the planet brought it down just as quickly. It was an easy take-down.”

  “Have there been any infections?” I asked.

  “Yes,” he said.

  I pressed my palm to my head.

  “Have every biological scientist looking for an antidote for both species,” my mother ordered Aaronmon. She knew it would give me comfort to know that Emréiana’s best scientists were helping the humans as well.

  Krea Mannannala left the room, leaving me and Aaronmon alone.

  “We need to think about canceling your stay at taeu annonun for the term.”

  I leaned on the desk at the front of the room and released a breath.

  “Aaronmon, I can’t cancel. I’m at risk of being voted out of the Elaeye.”

  Aaronmon walked closer to me. His feelings told me he was not surprised by my answer.

  “You don’t have to risk your life to satisfy the people,” he said, his voice growing louder.

  “What do you expect me to do? Give in? If there is a vote and the results turn against me, then the Bremoir get exactly what they want. I don’t believe in their prophecy, but any fear I can give them helps. Plus it’s not like Colamous will help Earth in any way—and who knows what plans he could have for Emréiana. No, I can’t let that happen.”

  Aaronmon looked at the ground before his eyes met mine.

  “You’re right. The virus hasn’t reached that far, so you may be safer there anyway. If you don’t go, there will be talk about it.”

  “There is always talk about me.” I laughed sarcastically.

  “Right now, we really can’t afford there to be even a vote. It would be too much for the citizens while we are at war.”

  “I agree, but we may not have a choice. If it does come to that, let’s just hope that it will be in our favor.” I rubbed my head lightly. “Right now, I am just worried about those people who are getting sick.”

  Aaronmon smiled. “I think you will be a great Krea. You worry more about the people than you do yourself. I’m so glad that your father allowed me to be your partner. I’m glad that the heavens allowed me to bond with you.”

  I looked at my hands, feeling my face turn pink.

  “I was thinking the same thing about you the other night,” I said quietly.

  “I wonder if we are the first couple to go without acting on our bonding,” Aaronmon said with a laugh.

  “Why? Can’t stand it anymore?” I teased, knowing that it was somewhat true.

  Aaronmon walked over and knelt down. His eyes level with mine, he leaned in. His breath brushed my lips. My chest thumped as my hands became damp with my nerves. I closed my eyes and tilted my head.

  I felt a change in the atmosphere. Aaronmon kissed my forehead and pulled away, laughing. Startled, I jerked back. “What was that?” I demanded.

  “I think you are the one that can’t stand it anymore.”

  I grew hot with embarrassment. “That is not funny!” I crossed my arms.

  “Hey, I’m not the one who can’t control my hormones,” he teased.

  “You’re the one who pushed the date back another year.”

  “Why? Do you want to bond now?”

  I cleared my throat and looked away. “No, I can handle my hormones for a year.”

  After the words left my lips, I felt conflicted. I could have just had my chance to bond, and I blew it. But I wasn’t sure if it was the hormones in me that wanted to bond or my actual feelings toward Aaronmon. I’m sure he was just joking anyway. But then why did he feel disappointed just now?

  CHAPTER FOUR

  I took in the beauty of Emréiana’s taeu annonun in the city of Chasai. The walls, a clear white, reached up to the sky. Emréiana’s beautiful plants stood out, covering the smooth walls and decorating green grass. The court yard, also colored by the plants, had a fountain spewing water that sp
arkled down into the beauty of the pool below. I had spent most of my last term sitting on that fountain gazing at the garden. It always raised memories of Aunt Trish. Strangely, that comforted me. Thinking about the woman who raised me gave me a constant reminder of who I was before I came there.

  “Are you sure you will be okay if I am not here this term?” Aaronmon said behind me, resting his hands on my shoulders.

  “I was without you the whole last term,” I reminded him. I turned to meet his deep hazel eyes.

  “Yes, but there wasn’t this much going on,” he pointed out.

  “The virus has not made its way to the campus. As long as we keep it contained, I think we can keep most of the planet safe. Besides, Inae”—the Emréian capitol—“has more infected people. I am probably safer here.”

  “Just keep to your garnix, and be sure to keep away from people. Wash your hands, and try not to touch too many objects that other people have access to.”

  “You sound like an obsessive mother.” I crossed my arms.

  “I was trained to be a garnix before I was your betrothed. It’s instinctive to make sure you are safe.”

  “Well, you do the same.” I looked down. I didn’t want to think about Aaronmon getting sick. I couldn’t even think about ruling the planet without him. Everyone kept talking about how I would rule, but I thought he would be the stronger ruler.

  “Lenai Carsona!” said a squeaky voice behind me. I turned to meet the pixie-faced girl. Her attire was odd compared to my Emréian clothes. While I wore a long skirt with a split in the side and a armored, silver-colored top, she wore a full-length white flowing dress that shimmered in the sun. I recognized her Amarian clothes.

  “Jase!” I smiled and bowed my head slightly in greeting. I tried to control the urge to wave.

  I had met Jase during the last term. She was my guide around the campus, and we were even in the same wing of chambers. She was the closest thing I had to a friend there on Emréiana, though she was not an Emréian. I had been excited to meet an Amarian because Aaronmon had gone to Amara for taeu annonun.

  “Are you ready for another term?” Jase asked. I smiled, realizing her Emréian had improved.

  “I am. I’m glad to be learning so that I can help the planet in the future.”

  “I believe you will be a great Krea! Don’t you think, Aaronmon?”

  “Of course, Lenai has been working hard this year.” Aaronmon changed to a more formal tone.

  “You don’t have to be so formal. Jase is my friend,” I teased him.

  “In public, I should always speak to you formally. I get too comfortable around you,” he admitted.

  “I won’t tell if you two won’t.” Jase smiled. “I think it’s crazy how much they expect of you. I know Emréiana and Amara are different, but we don’t expect our royals to be formal all the time. We just want them to be moral.”

  “We have to be extra careful because of the threat of a vote,” I told her.

  “I heard about that. I think you will be okay, but then again I would want to be on the safe side too.” Jase combed her fingers through her red curly hair. “The humidity on this planet is too much for me.”

  “I’ve gotten used to it now,” I said.

  “Lenai,” Nouse, one of my garnix, approached me. “We have checked out your wing, and everything is safe. We had the staff move your belongings in as well.”

  “Thank you.” I gave him a nod.

  “I wish I had staff to move my things in,” Jase said, shuffling her feet. I could imagine her trying to move with her tiny stature. I made a mental note to ask the staff to help her.

  “I think I need to be heading back.” Aaronmon turned to me.

  “You’re not going to come this term either?” Jase asked.

  “He technically isn’t my garnix anymore since we became officially betrothed,” I told her.

  “Ah, that makes sense.” Jase nodded.

  “I’ll escort you back to Inae,” another young garnix said to Aaronmon. It was weird thinking that he needed someone to look after him.

  Aaronmon sighed. I guess it was weird for him, too.

  “I’ll meet you at the onmore.” An onmore was one of Emréiana’s vehicles. “I want to say goodbye to the Lenai before we depart.”

  The garnix nodded and walked toward the hovering black onmore. The door opened, sliding up, and released stairs.

  “So I guess I’ll see you in a few Hurmon moons,” I said. Jase started to walk away. I could tell from my empathy that she didn’t want to intrude on our goodbyes to one another. Not that I expected anything private from him anyway.

  “Don’t worry. We will talk every day.” He smiled weakly. He put his hands in his pockets and sighed. I knew he didn’t want to leave. I didn’t want him to, either.

  I inhaled, taking in the scent that I knew I would miss and yearn for. I wanted more than anything to curl up in his arms right now, but displays of affection were seen as inappropriate among the Elaeye.

  I broke eye contact, knowing that the longer I gazed, the more I became lost in his eyes.

  He cleared his throat. “Goodbye, Lenai.” He bowed shortly.

  “Goodbye, Aaronmon.” I nodded back, and watched him step inside the onmore. The onmore’s door shut, then the vehicle rose into the air and turned. I felt empty when the craft left. The bond was always like that. Around Aaronmon I felt comfort, but when he left I felt alone.

  “Well, that was awkward,” Jase commented as she came back.

  “What?” I asked.

  “Nothing.” Jase smiled.

  We walked around campus with my two garnix, Nouse and Gabon, following close behind. I got used to their presence last year when Aaronmon couldn’t come to taeu annonun.

  Nouse was tall and muscular. Aaronmon chose him specifically because of his thoroughness and quick thinking. Gabon was my father’s garnix. He was awarded several badges for his courage and bravery. Supposedly, he was one of the oldest in the field at the moment, but I couldn’t tell by looking at him. My mother felt comfortable with Gabon being by my side, and I did too. Last term, when we’d had time to talk, he told me about my father. He reminded me of Aunt Trish and the way she used to tell me bedtime stories when I was a kid.

  “So while I was coming in on the ship, I heard about the virus the Bremoir sent,” Jase said.

  “We are hoping we can keep it contained. So far, it has only made it to five of Emréiana’s cities.”

  “How many people have survived the virus?”

  My eyes fell. “Five.” My voice was breathy.

  “How many casualties?”

  “There were eighty as of yesterday.”

  “Are you sure you are safe here?”

  I could feel Jase’s worry. “You’re not the first to bring that up,” I told her. “But I can’t risk not coming with talk of a vote.”

  “I do not understand politics.” Jase shook her head.

  “It’s better if you don’t,” I said, half joking. Sometimes I wished that I didn’t have to deal with it.

  “There was talk that if Chasai had a single case of the virus, they would shut taeu annonun down.”

  I wasn’t surprised by this news. Taeu annonun would do everything in its power to make sure more citizens didn’t become infected, especially since the campus was full of other alien species.

  “I pray that doesn’t happen.” I looked at all the people happily greeting their friends. “Not because the campus would close, but because that would mean more people would become infected.”

  “See, this is why you would make a great Krea.”

  I was just about to object when I started to sense excitement in the air from multiple people. I looked around and realized that a majority of the campus was staring at me.

  After being hidden away at the palace the last few Hurmon moons, I had forgotten how excited the citizens got when they saw me. I noticed both of my garnix had moved closer to me.

  “It’s the Lenai,” I
heard someone say.

  “The Lenai…”

  “She is so pretty…”

  I looked down. I had had gotten used to many things over the past year, but it was still uncomfortable to be known and talked about by millions of people that I didn’t know.

  “Ah, Carsona, you are so popular.” Jase nudged me.

  I rolled my eyes. I was glad that Jase treated me as if I were normal. Maybe it was because she was Amarian, but it made me happy. I hadn’t had a friend like her since I left Earth. I wondered how Meagan was doing. How was life for her after everything that happened? Then a knot grew in my stomach. Karlie. Was she still alive? The Bremoir’s Borain Warriors took her prisoner along with our principal, who actually wasn’t even human. I shuddered to think what they could be doing to her after seeing what they did to their victims in the auditorium.

  I released my tension and fed from Jase’s cheerfulness. I seemed to be feeding off of other people’s emotions too much these days. My empathy was like a strong dose of morphine blocking my painful memories.

  When we finally made it to my room, I was glad to see that everything was already put away neatly. My bed was covered in a blue silk and lace comforter, and the Emréian clothes were hung on clothing racks, surrounded by a canopy. The team was still present, placing the final touches. I asked them to also unpack Jase’s items, and they happily obliged. Jase stuck around to keep me company while they worked on her chamber.

  Jase sat comfortably on my bed. I could tell she was contemplating asking me something, but I couldn’t figure out what.

  “What are you wanting to know?” I finally asked.

  “Wow! That Gemini power of yours is really something!” She smiled, referring to my empathy. Emréians had evolved into five different races: Aríenom, Capritus, Gemini, Ominus, and Verigolé. Each one had powers associated with it. I was the first of a new kind, which I named Gemini. Scientists assumed that I evolved to adapt to living on Earth, but because of my status as Lenai they had been restricted from doing tests on me.