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  Gemini the Heir

  the Gemini Series Book 2

  by Kristen DaRay

  Gemini the Heir

  Copyright© 2013 Kristen DaRay

  All Rights Reserved

  Published by: Kristen DaRay

  All of the situations and characters in this novel are fictional. Any similarities to actual people or situations are completely coincidental and unintentional.

  No Part of this book may be reproduced in any form or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is the reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

  Editing done by: Red Adept Publishing

  Cover Artwork done by: Regina Wamba|MaeIDesign.com

  Formatting done by: Kristen Billingsley|DaRay Studios

  Kristen DaRay

  I dedicate this book to everyone who encouraged me to keep writing no matter what. These people included family, friends, acquaintances, readers, professors, and my husband. I thank you all; even the smallest bit of support is a spark of strength to keep the story alive. I hope that all of you will also continue to follow your own dreams and let this be a reminder to keep going. Fighting!

  Contents

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  EMRÉIAN GLOSSARY

  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 safe 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.

  CHAPTER TWO

  “What we have found is a single Bremoir ship that slipped through our radar,” Radeon, the fleet’s admiral, said on the wide screen in the Honure room, a conference area within the palace.

  “Just one?” I leaned forward onto the desk. Many times we met there to discuss attacks and defenses. Over the past year, we’d had two attacks on the planet. One air attack, but the ships never even made it into the atmosphere. The other was an inside attack: a hired immigrant who took out one of the Dianie buildings. It didn’t make sense for them to send just one ship.

  “It didn’t even put up a fight when it was found. It let us take it out,” Radeon said, confused.

  Suspicion lingered in the air. Everyone was thinking the same thing: this was not an ordinary attack.

  “Did anyone survive the crash?” Aaronmon asked.

  “No, there were no survivors.” Radeon cleared his throat. “We are looking within the craft now for any evidence about the attack. It’s almost like suicide.”

  “Either way, I don’t like it,” Aaronmon said. “We need to know what was behind this attack—make sure it wasn’t a decoy.”

  “Yes,” Radeon said. The screen shut off.

  “Do you really think it is a decoy attack?” I turned to Aaronmon.

  “I don’t know.” He tensed. “There is something else going on, though.”

  “I believe so too. I should go tell Krea Mannnannala,” I said.

  “I’ll go tell her. You should get some rest.” Aaronmon put both hands on my shoulders. His scent, vanilla and cinnamon, captured my sense of smell. I got the urge to be closer to him. My stomach fluttered, and my body heated. We were dangerous alone together. Because of the bond, my control almost got lost in the emotions.

  “I won’t be able to sleep anyway.” My voice came out low.

  His hands cupped my face. “You will have a media meeting in the morning about this. You should sleep.”

  He leaned in and pressed his lips to my forehead. When he pulled away, I tilted my head up to meet his eyes—those beautiful hazel eyes. His gaze stayed on mine. The atmosphere around us shifted to our wants—our bond’s need. My body grew warm, and my hands quivered slightly. He leaned closer to meet my lips. I closed my eyes. I was ready for this.

  “Krea Mannannala wants a report—” An officer walked in. Aaronmon stepped back quickly. “I’m sorry,I—”

  Aarronmon cleared his throat. “What is it?”

  “K-k-krea Mannannala wants a report on the attack,” the officer stammered, looking at the floor.

  “I’ll be there right away.” Aaronmon turned to me. “I’ll see you to your chambers.”

  We walked quietly through the hallways. My cheeks were still warm from earlier. I was disappointed that after a year nothing had changed between us except for the strength of our bond. Emréians have a pheromone that pulls them together—the bond. It starts out subtle and grows. Once it is sealed by bonding—making love—the couple’s pheromones will intertwine them for the rest of their lives. That is what the bonding ceremony is for. Not only does it celebrate that two Emréians have found each other through the bond, but it also gives the couple a chance to seal the bond after the ceremony.

  “So I’ll be going back to taeu annonun,” I said, breaking the silence. Taeu annonun was a school that taught the history, customs, and language of other planets. There are many of these schools on different planets, including Emréiana. I had been attending since my arrival on the planet.

  “On the next Raegon moon,” Aaronmon confirmed.

  Five days. “Will you be joining me as a garnix on this term, or will you stay here again to help my mother with Elaeye matters?” Last term he had stayed behind.

  “I’ve actually been informed by Krea Mannannala that someone else will be replacing me as garnix.”

  “Why?” I clenched my fist in anger.

  “Because we are to be bonded. I will still protect you, but I’ll have to be involved in Elaeye matters once we are bonded. I can’t do both.”

  “Oh.” It was the most we had talked about our bonding since I had come back from last term’s taeu annonun. When would the bonding take place? What would it be like once we bonded physically? I felt my cheeks warm again.

  “I’ll be honest with you, Carsona, it has taken a lot of strength for me to resist the bond this long.” It was as if he could read my mind.

  I didn’t say a word. I’m sure my embarrassment was washing over him. As much as I could control my empathy, I struggled when my emotions were strong.

  “I think we should have the bonding ceremony once the Krea steps down,” Aaronmon said.

  “Huh?” I turned to him.

  “It may be sooner than we think.”

  “How soon?” My heart raced.

  “Maybe another amona.”

  “You want us to wait another year!” I stepped back, surprised at my outburst. A slight smile rose on Aaronmon’s lips.

  “I want you to adjust, first. Then you can take on something as big as bonding.”

  “You could at least just kiss me once.” I smiled, nudging him in the shoulder.

  “I’m sure if I did, we would have to bond right away.” Aaronmon smiled, but I knew that he wasn’t kidding. I wasn’t sure that I could control myself around him.

  We stopped at the door of my chambers.

  “Sleep pleasantly, Lenai Carsona.”

  “You as well, Aaronmon.” I turned and entered my chambers.

  After changing out of my Emréian attire and into bloomer-like pajamas, I lay down and stared at the ceiling.

  A whole entire year—how was I to manage such a wait when the bonding pheromones kept tempting me? I could not have had a better bonding partner than Aaronmon; he was a perfect gentleman.

  I smiled, thinking about the past year with him. When I was in taeu annonun, we did not see each other in person the whole time, although we kept in contact through the abula. I always picked on him by calling him by his Earth alias, Aaron. I got evil stares from him when I did.

  The Emréian media always covered any new details about the ceremony. It was only one Hurmon moon after my arrival before they learned that Aaronmon would be my partner. I figured it would not be long before they found out that the ceremony would be taking place in a year.

  I wondered what our physical bonding would be like. Would I truly be so wrapped up in him that any other man I cared about before would be of little interest to me? A slight pain ran through the scar of my heart. I did not want to forget about the love I’d had with Kyle, but to be able to make his death hurt a little less would not be so bad.

  CHAPTER THREE

  “The Dianie are split about whether or not you should rule,” Elise said. Elise, Dianie of Kraeu, updated me on the latest word around the kingdom. She was my eyes and ears of the Dianie, who ruled over the planet’s coven. They were in charge of keeping a check on the Eleaye, preventing any corruption within the palace.
Her support comforted me, but what she told me about the others made me feel I was chasing false hopes.

  “Has it not been this way since I arrived last year?” I reminded her.

  Elise slumped slightly in the chair across from me, her small stature and dainty limbs weak with exhaustion. My mother, sitting to my left at the round table in the Honure room, was becoming more stressed. I sent vibes of ease to settle her nerves.

  “More people are being lured into believing that you won’t rule by our customs,” Elise told us. “They fear that the influence of Earth might impair your judgment regarding Emréiana’s wellbeing.”

  “Do you think her completion of taeu annonun would strengthen the numbers on our side?” Krea Mannannala asked.

  “It would be a start.” Elise turned to me. “It would probably help if we get you more involved with the public. For the past year, we have tried to keep you out of the media. We didn’t want your lack of knowledge of our planet to influence the way the media portrayed you. I think we are getting to the point where we need to do less hiding and more proving to Emréiana that you are capable.”

  I pursed my lips and took a deep breath. I nodded. I couldn’t help feeling nervous about trying to prove myself to the world. How could I even be sure I was ready?

  “What will happen if I cannot persuade them?” My question made the room go silent. My mother gave Elise a hard look before turning to me.

  “There will be a vote on your eligibility as heir to the throne.” My mother’s words caused fear to creep inside me.

  “Who will take the throne if they decide I’m not eligible?” I asked, my tone hardening in anger.

  “Your cousin,” Elise told me. “Colamous, Dianie of Borondton.”

  Of all the Emréians, of all the Dianie, it had to be Colamous. My fists tightened. I would die before I let Colamous take the throne. He was a pain in my side during all the meetings between the Elaeye and the Dianie. Colamous did not want me to be Krea or part of the Elaeye, as he pointed out in my first week in Emréiana. But it was the fact that he wanted Earth to have fewer resources for our weaponry that put him on my bad side. Earth would not be able to defend herself from the Bremoir if we pulled back. Earth’s technology just wasn’t strong enough to defeat such a technologically advanced race.