Kaden and Carina met prince Nal near the entrance of the pavilion
Nal smiled, acknowledging Kaden as he and Carina walked towards him. “Kaden it's been a long time."
His gaze shifted to Carina and he rolled his eyes over her pleasing form, wordlessly giving her a very appreciative appraisal
Kaden's body tensed.
Nal immediately averted his eyes, obviously sensing the Dreg's possessiveness over his Breeder.
Carina blushed under the close scrutiny of the tall blond man standing before her. His skin was ivory almost ethereal. His brows were finely arched above almond shaped eyes that were black with a flash of bluish white light in the middle
With the exception of the eyes, Carina thought he looked like an elf with his long straight white blond hair and pointed ears. This elf however was above six foot eight with a muscular body that could rival any Dreg warrior. By the confidence he exuded, it was obvious this was one bad ass of an alien, and Carina felt a bit intimidated by his presence
She held onto Kaden's hand a little tighter. His dreads wrapped around her shoulders comforting her, and letting her know she had nothing to worry about
"Something must be wrong for you to show up here without prior warning."
Nal shrugged his shoulders, the corner of his mouth lifted in a half grin. “I wish I was here for a visit. However, I fear that I may already be too late."
His face turned somber when he indicated the remains of the East Commune with a glance
Kaden stepped forward, “You knew about this attack! Why did you not send word sooner! We do have communicators!” The ire in Kaden's voice was hard to clamp down. Every muscle in his body clenched and his locks started to lift and hum with deadly intent.
They had lost hundreds of lives in the Trellian attack. The Dreg numbers were low as it was that losing a single member of their race was painfully demoralizing
Carina grabbed hold of Kaden's hand. Once he realized she was still present, his body relaxed slightly and he was able to calm enough to speak with Nal without snapping the Elvin's neck for something that he truly had nothing to do with.
Bowing his head down, Nal put his hands on his hips before he met Kaden's eyes again. His expression was full of remorse for not having gotten to Yor in time. “Kaden I am truly sorry for what the Trellians did.
However, I tried to tell the Council what I suspected. One of my scouts infiltrated a meeting between the Grub's King Grath and a Trellian General.” He took a deep breath and shook his head
"The communication holo-file was blurry at best, but we were able to make out several bits of conversation. I brought what I believed to be true to the Governing Council and was denied the right to investigate the matter."
He cast his eyes away from Kaden. “I did not believe that the attack would happen so soon. I'm sorry."
Kaden let the words sink in. “We have the recording, however the last part of it was cut off.” His chest tightened when he realized that the Grub were behind the attack. The last part of the holo recording, this must have been what Grath was going to discuss with the Trellian. It meant that they were waiting for news from the Trellians as to whether or not the attack had been successful
Obviously Grath had not anticipating the possibility that the Dregs were technologically able to defend themselves. Keeping that part of their civilization a secret had been a wise move on their part
The devastation would have been greater had Grath thought they could defend themselves, no doubt he would have sent more than a single Trellian war ship
He turned and pierced Nal with a penetrating stare. “Why?"
It was a simple question, but Nal looked as though he was debating whether or not to disclose the information. He glanced at Carina for a moment; the worry in her face was enough to convince him that Kaden had a right to know
To keep him ignorant of the Grub intentions or the Council's decision in the matter would be dishonorable. “The Grub have demanded you release your Breeder to the mantra. Since they do not have any alliance to the Three Galaxies, the Mantra are representing them."
Kaden regarded Nal as he absorbed the information.
"The Mantra claim that your Bre ... eh Carina, was deposited on Yor in error and the need to bring her to the correct location, since she has already been claimed by the Grub."
He looked back at Carina and sighed, “I believe she is to be used as a host."
"Why do they need Carina, I'm quite sure they have other hosts” Kaden spat the word host with total disgust at its implications.
Nal placed his hand on Kaden's shoulder and stared him straight in the eye; so that he didn't miss anything that was about to be said, “Carina is Grath's host, the Grub King himself."
Kaden's eyes narrowed, his indignation and hatred of the Mantra blazed through him. How dare they think to do such a thing, and how could the Council agree to this. Did they?
"And the Council? Did they agree that I am to turn Carina over to such a fate?"
Nal didn't say a word but the look on his face was confirmation alone
"I will not give Carina to the Grub. She is now a citizen of Yor, and should be treated with the same consideration as any other citizen of a Council represented world."
Carina stepped forward. She was worried and tired of being left out of the conversation especially since it was about her. “Kaden what can be done? I have no idea what you two are talking about, but I can certainly put two and two together. The attack was because of me wasn't it?"
Tears flooded the backs of her eyes and she fought to keep them from falling. Now was not the time to break down and cry like a baby. Both men turned to look at her
Nal's expression was sympathetic, while Kaden looked determined and undaunted in his decision to keep her from the Grub
"Please Kaden tell me!"
"It is not your fault you were taken from your home against your will. Nor is it your fault that the Council allowed Yor to be attacked, when it should have protected us."
He pulled her into his embrace. “Never fault yourself Carina for the misguidance of others."
He held her face between his hands and placed a soft kiss on her lips. “I need to accompany Nal to the Galactic Governing Council's command center. I believe that since I know they could have prevented the Trellian attack, it will be in their best interest to acknowledge your Breeder status on Yor."
Nal took a step forward and stood next to Kaden. “The Council will have to listen now. Kaden is right, if they do not at least give Kaden the right to plead his case they would be breaking one of the most important laws that govern all the planets represented. Every planetary government has the right to air their grievances if they feel the Council failed to protect it from threats against its people."
Carina nodded her understanding, but inside she still felt responsible for much of the trouble Kaden and the Dregs have been through. She hoped that Kaden and Nal were right and the Council would at least step in and help Yor get some justice. Helplessness was definitely not a feeling she wanted to add to her already frantic emotions
Kaden and Nal left that evening to meet with the Council. He had assured that he would be back in three days’ time. The minute he left, Carina felt an inexplicable sense of abandonment. She spent the next two days keeping as busy as she could, in order to keep her mind off her current dilemma. Alura and Zya had been her constant companions and she found refuge in their friendship
Thoughts of leaving Yor hadn't really been at the forefront of her mind. Instead all she could do was wonder about how Kaden was handling the Galactic Governing Council and whether they would lift their decision to turn her over to the Mantra. It sent shivers down her spine at the thought of being a host for the parasitic Grub
Still her worries fell mostly with Kaden and his safe return. It was ridiculous, to think that anything was going to happen to him. After all, this was a political mission not one where he was sent off to war. The truth was she missed him the moment he stepped aboard Nal's shuttle
A slight flutter rolled in her lower abdomen; she had just gone to the bathroom not even a half hour ago, yet she felt like she needed to go again
God she hoped that she didn't have some type of urinary tract infection. It had taken her some getting used to the bizarre bathroom facilities which were more like backwoods out houses back on earth only much more cleaner, advanced and thankfully less smelly.
Maybe she just had some indigestion
"Hello Dara Carina.” The friendly voice came from a Breeder that Carina had met while she tended to the wounded after the attack. Natali was her name. She was a pretty Zen Breeder the same one who had introduced the tiny Dreg children at the harvest celebration
She walked hand in hand with one of the little tykes and waved as she passed by. He looked over at Carina and blew her a raspberry before flashing a semi-toothless grin
Carina winked at him and blew him her own raspberry. A warm feeling settled in her chest and she pictured a little boy like that walking between her and Kaden while they swung him back and forth as he giggled delightfully
Love had crept up on her the moment she set foot on Yor and saw Kaden standing at the top of the hill before the Mating Hunt. Her decision was becoming more and more clear. Although she would miss Earth, Yor had much more to offer her
A sudden feeling of relief as if a heavy weight had been lifted off of her, fell over her. She smiled up at the sky just before nausea hit and she made a beeline to the bathroom shack.