“Step forward and state your name. This conversation is between the Assembly, myself, and you. We will address your company only after we are done. They are not to aid you in any way. Do I make myself clear?”
Burying the mixture of emotions swirling inside me while keeping my annoyance at the lack of warning at bay, I followed his instructions, refusing to glance at the offending males.
I stopped a short distance before him, ignoring the weighted feel from multiple gazes on me. If everyone believed I didn’t need help from the males who came with me, then so be it.
Thank the Fates and Stars above, I didn’t bring my cubs. This whole show would have been a disaster if they were here. The last thing I needed was for the Assembly to take them away against my will, in front of thousands, and to make a spectacle out of it.
So far, that is what this was—a show of power.
“I am Selena… Officially Selena Darcaw, now that I have agreed to be Prince Zirene’s Seedbearer and have claimed him as a mutual mate.” I tilted my head, exposing my mark. “I believe that should by default make me a citizen of the Aldawi Empire, therefore also a member of CEG. Unless I got that wrong in my understanding from my studies.”
Rumbles filled the room.
The Chamber Master waved his hand, and the room silenced.
He chuckled as he sat down.
“Prince Zirene of the Aldawi has already given us documents of his team’s findings and such claims. We have to determine if you will cause harm to any of CEG’s citizens if we allow you to go along your business unsupervised, and if you can deny any scientific research to help aid the fertility problems in CEG,” Master Mwe said, addressing the whole room.
“And how would you determine if I am fit enough to be a citizen? I am intelligent enough to have a conversation with you right now. I am not showing any signs of aggression or breaking any of your laws. The only thing different between the rest of you and me is that I developed in a tube while I am assuming everyone here was either hatched or born,” I said loudly, to make sure everyone could hear me.
“It was reported that you attacked the Senior Healer on the ship that rescued you.” Mwe looked down at his desk and lifted a tablet. “I believe the exact words were: ‘Patient is a primitive female. She was found unconscious, injured, malnourished, and pregnant. In her fragile state, she savagely attacked me as I was checking the work of the Master Scholar—who unknown to me at the time had started a courting bond with his patient. Must be watched at all times.’” He placed the tablet down on his desk and returned his gaze to me. “Are you telling me none of this is true?”
Fisting my cape, I tried to calm the anger brewing in me.
I should have known he would betray me. Everything had to follow protocol. I would show him protocol when I got back. Did he know he just ejected me out of an airlock with nothing but an empty tank?
“Temper. Temper. More like into a blackhole—but I agree.”
“Is this a game to you?”
Silence met me. I huffed and rolled my eyes. I didn’t understand how listening to my inner thoughts without my permission wasn’t abuse in his position of power—unless no one knew, and he had gotten away with it this whole time.
“Yes, it is true,” I projected. “If self-defense is a crime, then I am guilty. He walked into my washing facilities unannounced and surprised me. Instinctively, I attacked. After everything I had been through, I didn’t want to take any chances of someone trying to take advantage of me.” I smiled and relaxed, letting go of my cape. “Now tell me, did I do something wrong?”
“I am not your enemy.”
Chapter Thirteen Selena
“You could have fooled me,” I mocked. What happened to being a “neutral party”?
“Questionable. But I don’t see any more disturbances mentioned in the files, so I will let that one occurrence slide, due to the nature of your upbringing.” He sighed. “Now tell me, Selena—tell the Assembly and everyone watching—what do you want to do with your future if it is up to you?”
I took in a deep breath and collected my thoughts as I surveyed the room. Folks in the stadium were whispering to each other. Each Assembly member met my gaze, their focus never faltering.
“Answer truthfully, and I will do everything in my power to protect you,” Mwe’s deep voice rumbled.
“Protect me from what?”
“There are forces here that don’t like what you represent.”
“And what is that?”
“Change.”
“Truthfully? I want to have the freedoms any citizen has. I want to live my life with my clan and be left alone from outside pressures. I know by being attached to Prince Zirene, my status and importance will hinder any chance of privacy. Even so, my dream is to have the power to explore the stars whenever I want to,” I admitted, my voice filling the room.
“I see,” he replied softly. “What if I told you that you might be the key to unlocking all of our problems? That you could help interspecies couples, and all species which are having fertility problems?”
“Are you trying to guilt me into allowing myself and my offspring—current and future—to be your test subjects?” I barked, slashing the air with my hand. “You said they provided you with documents from Prince Zirene. I am sure between them and the meeting he had here, you know how I was treated. So why would I want to help? It was Prince Zirene and the Aldawi who hunted down the remaining Yaarkins. The rest of you said it was a waste of resources. Who cares that your withdrawal from protecting Earth resulted in the
