Knadyn: A Terraneu Novel (Book Six) (8 page)

Ava watched as Knadyn swam in the ocean, his strong frame taking him
further out than she would have been comfortable going. She knew that they were
going to have to talk about what happened between them. There were a couple of
ways this could play out. She could just shrug off the kiss and insist that it
wouldn’t happen again. The problem with taking that stand was that she was not
entirely certain she would be able to refrain from kissing him again. The idea
of holding out for another three months was laughable really. Being in Knadyn’s
arms had ignited the most powerful attraction she had ever felt and she wanted
his arms around her again. She admired everything about him and the physical
pull to be close to him was almost painful.

Then there was the route of getting sweaty and doing nasty things to each
other, no strings attached. Her breasts got heavy, her nipples tightened and
she got wet at the thought of Knadyn naked. The only problem with that scenario
was in three months she would be returning to Earth, and Knadyn wouldn’t. Could
she enjoy his body for the time allowed then walk away? That was the million-dollar
question.

With a sigh of relief, she saw that Knadyn was swimming back. He had been
out longer than prudent and Ava grabbed some food for herself and extra water
for him. She swallowed hard at the picture he made walking out of the surf. The
water ran down his body in streams. When he reached to push the hair off his
face, his biceps bulged and flexed. Her mouth went from dry to watering as her
eyes followed the small lines of water. From his muscled shoulders, over
defined pecs, losing speed as they trailed over his taut stomach and
disappeared into his swim trunks. She could only imagine the path from lower
belly to mid-thigh.

Shaking her head, she hurried to bring the water out to the hammock area.
It seemed to be his favorite place and it gave her time to compose herself. Arranging
the food before her, she picked at some fruit and watched under her lashes as
he walked into the lounge area.

“I got you some extra water. You were out for a long time.” Her voice
came out slightly huskier than she would have liked. It was just hard to
concentrate with him this close. All that golden skin and masculine heat mixed
with the smell of salty sea pulled at her like a lodestone.

“Thank you for the drink.” He arranged his long frame in a seat next to
her. His knee was brushing against hers and she had the sudden urge to slide
her chair back before she jumped in his lap. “We need to talk about that kiss
and what it means.”

Ava had been told that it was part genetic traits and part upbringing
that all males from Terraneu were forward. They didn’t play games. If there was
something on their minds, they said it. Therefore, when Knadyn brought up the
kiss she wasn’t surprised. She was glad too because she didn’t want to sidestep
the issue either.

“I agree with you.” She pushed a piece of fruit around on her plate then
gave up and dropped her fork. “I think I should go first.” Placing her hands on
the table she tried to explain, “I am deeply attracted to you. That much is
obvious. We have become close friends and I feel more comfortable with you than
any male I have ever known.” When he broke into a huge smile and went to lean
forward, she held up a hand. “However. You are here to heal from your injuries
and there are events playing out that are going to take time to see how they
resolve. We can’t have a physical relationship until those things—”

“What are these ‘things’ and we will work on them.” He insisted. His
fiery purple eyes fixed on her intently.

Ava spoke softly, “I don’t want you to have any regrets when you fully
remember your life before me and what happened on Earth.” She was walking a
thin line talking about things he might not remember. She ran the risk of his
trying too hard to think and having a reaction.

Knadyn insisted, “What I feel for you is too deep. I don’t need to
remember my life before meeting you.” His brow was furrowing and Ava hurried to
change the subject.

“There is also the issue of our different futures.” Ava was again dancing
on that fine line.

“What could be so different about our futures?” his purple eyes were burning
into her.

Ava looked at him sadly, “This whole situation is an unknown. There are
some things I think we should put off talking about for fear they could impact
your health. You are going to have to trust me that we need to hold back on a
physical relationship until we are out of isolation.”

He looked aghast, “That is another three months!” His gaze raked down her
body, “I do not think I can keep my hands off of you for that long.”

Ava felt a thrill at his words, yet she knew that things would change in
three months. However, she was stubbornly determined to leave with as few
regrets as possible and right now that meant keeping Knadyn at arm’s length. If
things changed, she would figure it out as she went.

“You are stronger than you think Knadyn. Three months is nothing.” She
stared down at her plate again. She knew that she was going to have to play on
his honor. It was another thing she was told was genetically strong in Terraneu
males. “For my peace of mind, please let this drop for now.” She was pleading
with her eyes for him to understand. She knew he wasn’t happy about it and
maybe hurt as well when he abruptly stood up and nodded.

“I will agree to let it go … for now Ava.” He moved toward the dome and
looked at her over his shoulder, “I just do not understand how you think I am
so damaged that I cannot know that we are meant for each other.” Before she
could say anything else, he walked into their living dome and was quickly out
of sight.

Ava felt herself deflate like a balloon. The tension between them was
only going to get stronger and she didn’t know how much fight she had in her.
When he had said that he knew they were meant to be together she wanted to run
into his arms and never let go. She couldn’t do that because she realized
something he didn’t. They were from two separate worlds and being together
wasn’t written in the stars for them.

Ava was glad that Knadyn didn’t let the situation bother him for long. That
was one of the great qualities about him. Things were strained for a couple of
days then they seemed to bounce right back into their old, easy friendship.
When she asked him if he was okay with everything he had laughed. Then with a
mischievous smile warned her, “You do not want me to pressure you into anything
… that does not mean you cannot pressure
me
when you are ready.” Ava felt the familiar thrill at Knadyn’s words. Then he
had gone for his extended swim. Leaving her to cool her overheated body in the
waves by herself.

 
Soon enough it was time for her to
pick up her weekly food rations. When she walked into the transport dome, she
got a surprise. Knadyn’s uncle was standing at the controls waiting for her.

“Hello.” She smiled at Knollig. “Is there a problem in Terraneu?” she
always worried that something had gone awry. It came with growing up in a
bunker and living with constant turmoil.

“There is nothing wrong.” He assured her with a warm smile. Ava recalled
Brennae telling her this uncle was the diplomat. With that smile, and warm as
whiskey voice, she wasn’t surprised. “I am here to inform you that we are
having a council meeting tomorrow and you are requested to attend.”

“What could I possibly have to say that would be of value?” Ava was
puzzled that she would be invited to a Terraneu council meeting. She figured
they would make a decision and then tell her what they wanted.

“We are eager for your input into a few items that are concerning us.”
Knollig hedged his answer, “Advise Knadyn about the meeting and try to arrive
first thing tomorrow morning,” That said. Knollig moved toward the transport,
“and thank you Ava. For everything you have done for my nephew.” Then he was
gone.

Ava puzzled over when to tell Knadyn about the meeting and decided on
that evening when they were lounging on the patio.

“Knadyn, I need to talk with you about something.” She brought up her
impending trip.

“Okay.” He said without hesitation. He had been reading in the hammock
and placed the reader down to listen to what she was saying.

“I have to go somewhere tomorrow morning for a few hours.” She was going
to stick with the facts of the trip, without saying anything that might bring
on an episode. “It is a very important council meeting and I will only be gone
as long as absolutely necessary.”

“Is this meeting about my treatment?” Knadyn wanted to know.

Ava thought for a moment then answered honestly, “No…well not as far as I
know anyway.”

“If it is a council meeting, then I am sure you will want to attend.”
Knadyn ignored her amazed look and went to pick up his book again, “I will be
fine.”

Ava took a moment to regain her thoughts. Soon he would be released from
whatever Jeromy had done to him and could get on with a normal life. “Thank you
for understanding. I think I’ll head to bed. Good-night Knadyn.”

“Good-night Ava, sleep well.”

~*~*~*~

“The meeting will come to order.” Kniam hit a gavel on the table. “What
we decide today will be voted on by the community and we need to get started.”

Ava had been seated in the middle of a U shaped table. The male council
was on one side, the female council on the other. Kniam was in the middle. She
wasn’t sure what this meeting was deciding, but she supposed they were about to
tell her.

“Ava.” Knadyn’s father spoke directly to her, “We have talked with your
father and he suggested that Renee would be our best chance at getting the
release code for Knadyn, if there even is one. If we were to get a message to
him do you think he would meet at the portal?” Kniam was looking at her keenly
and it was slightly unnerving.

“I don’t know him well enough to answer that.” She replied honestly, “If
Renee was orchestrating things so that you would reach out, he should happily
show up at the portal if he knew you were willing to talk. He might even be
there waiting for you.”

“Do you think you would be prepared to go to the Earth government and
bring Renee to the portal if he is
not
already waiting?” he paused, “There is a small chance that the rebel faction
will have lost that area to the government. We asked your father and he said
that Renee would not trust him. He suggested that you might be able to do it.”

Ava thought for only a moment, “Yes. I would be happy to try. Will it be
safe for me to there? That area is crawling with military, both government and
rebels.” Her father must trust that they would keep her safe or he would never
have suggested her but she needed to ask anyway.

“You will wait on Antilles until it is safe. We will take care of the
military forces.” Knaleg spoke from his place at the table. “Knadyn was caught
because of the type of mission he was conducting. His team was tasked with
getting all of our equipment through the portal and off Earth. We did not want
to leave anything behind. There were a few atmosphere cleaners that were slow
to respond and even when attacked Knadyn had the sense to destroy the
satellites and when he saw he was cut off from the portal he sent his team
home.” Flexing his arm and shoulders, his voice gruff with emotion Knaleg
stated emphatically, “We are not on a mission of equipment retrieval.”

The white haired male that she had learned was Brennae’s mate spoke when
Knaleg paused, “We are going on a hunting mission.” All of the hair on her neck
stood on end at the utter lack of emotion in Marcael’s words. If she hadn’t
known that he was mated to Brennae and by all accounts…well by Brennae’s
account…he was a warm, passionate and incredibly loving person. She would have
pegged him as a stone cold killer. Go figure.

Ava knew who they were hunting. “I will get Renee to the port pad if I
can.” She knew she would do whatever it took. She would do it for Knadyn.

“Thank you Ava.” Kniam was quick to assure her, “For everything you have
done so far and might have to do later. You are saving my son and have my
eternal gratitude.”

Ava thought for a moment about all they had said then stiffened her
spine. It was now or never. “Yes, well how long is your ‘eternal gratitude’?”
She had surprised them with her outburst but she wasn’t done yet. “I am willing
to risk my life, but are you done helping the survivors on Earth?”

Amber seemed troubled when she said, “It’s complicated Ava. We have a
long history with Earth, but there is a lot of damage we can’t fix.”

Ava snorted, “I have seen what you can do. It’s not that you can’t fix
the damage. It’s that you won’t. Be honest enough to state the truth.”

“We have used our technology to return the atmosphere to its former
levels…probably even cleaner than when Amber and the others first came here.”
Kneus began to say more but she spoke first.

“That isn’t going to save everyone.” Ava was pleading for all of the life
on Earth and the responsibility was immense. “Yes we can breathe the air again,
but what about the soil? Most food sources are gone. The Earth government
faction, in Scotland at least, is going to smother out any other survivors they
find. To what end? They will eventually run out of food too.”

“I think that the oceans will still produce food. Our studies show an abundance
of life has survived in the water. I think you are over exaggerating the
problem.” Kneus spoke again. “As for the soil, it is not contaminated in many
regions. The ability to harvest food may take time, but it is not impossible.”

“So we are to be sucked into the life that the government faction lays
out for us, or be eliminated?” Ava couldn’t believe what she was hearing and
said so. Her gaze on the women she implored, “You used to be from Earth and
know what it would mean to leave us to our own fates.”

“Life before what you told us the survivors are calling the End was the
same. Governments controlled their territory the same way as you are describing
it is now. What would you have us do?” Mairi looked at her imploringly, “You
feel that we are treating this unfairly. If you were in our position, what
would you do?”

“I would help.” Ava insisted emphatically.

“We were helping and that is what got my son attacked and almost killed.”
Kniam broke in. “If we continue with giving aide to Earth we will be constantly
in battle. The females know this to be true as well. Earth factions are
continuously fighting with each other. They have been for thousands of years
longer than you could possibly know. If we stay connected to Earth to help, we
will be drawn into the endless bickering as well.” He paused to make eye
contact with everyone at the table, “Make no mistake, if we agree as a
community to assist on Earth we will be sending all of our males into the
fighting if it comes to that.” He looked at the female council, “The male
council members will be bound by honor to join in the fighting as well.”

His words caused the females to all start muttering and it was Catherine
who spoke up, “With our technology we would be able to defend any group we
chose to be allied with.”

“This is a Pandora’s Box if I ever heard of one.” Amber looked strained,
“This whole situation is primed to just get messier and messier.” She looked at
her fellow female council members. “When did it ever work on Earth for one
group of people to have more than others? It is like Kniam said. Even if we
somehow managed to stabilize all of Scotland, there is the rest of the UK. What
happens from there?”

“We could start by doing the change on them so that they don’t have to
fight over food.” When Jen stated this, the whole room went silent.

“Are you out of your mind?” Asteen looked pale under his tan. “Have them
live for a thousand years?”

“Earth was overpopulated and the environment in jeopardy and that was
when the average lifespan was seventy.” Everyone looked to Thian. “Imagine the
damage if the lifespan were equal to Terraneu.”

“We could adapt the genetics involved so that they do not live for a
thousand years.” Kneus rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “We would have to modify
it for the single sun anyway. The only reason we adapted our genetics to last
for a thousand years was our low numbers.” He looked around the room at the
incredulous looks on the male council members faces and shrugged, “What? I am
just saying it is possible and Jen is correct. It would take away one
motivation to fight if their survival was not bound by the food supply.”

“I think you are forgetting something important in all of this.” Ava
tried to get everyone’s attention, “The population is at a reasonable number.
You will not be dealing with that many people. The number of survivors is a
fraction of what you remember the population being. If you were to start in
Scotland, the government and rebel forces
combined
that I know of would be a similar number as you have in Terraneu. How many more
could there be in all of Great Britain?”

“We have a lot to think about.” Kniam stood up and inclined his head at
her. “We told the rebels we would help in some way. It will be voted on in the
community. To help the survivors of Earth, specifically the island of what you
consider Great Britain and thereby also repaying the rebels for helping us.
Alternatively, to completely pull out of any type of operations on Earth. If
the vote is to leave Earth to its fate then the portal will not be activated
again. If that is the decision we will find another way to repay the debt we
owe to the rebels.” Kniam looked at her and she saw the depth of concern in his
eyes. He grabbed his mates hand and Amber spoke next.

“No matter the decision made by the community regarding Earth. You and
your father will be invited to reside here in Terraneu. In the community of
your choice. What we call the original Terraneu is a group of the core domes
and are still for singles and industrial purposes. McPhersonville is the northern
community and New Haven is to the south and they are for mated couples.” Amber
stood up next to Kniam and Ava was shocked at what they were offering. “If you
choose to come to Terraneu, the medical unit will fix your body to our genetic
modification. You will live for a very long time, you will not eat solid food,
and if we have ongoing relations with Earth you cannot go back there for longer
than a six month period, when allowed.”

Stunned speechless at the ramifications of the choice before her Ava just
nodded her head. When she was able she whispered, “Thank you for the offer. I
will have to think about it.”

“Yes.” Kniam nodded. “We understand. The meeting is adjourned. Baylech
can you announce the two choices to the males and come back to me with the male
decision.” He looked at Mairi, “Can you get the women together and advise me of
their decision. We will convene again later when all votes are counted.” He
smacked his gavel on the table and the meeting was over.