The Chamber Master clapped his hands.
“There have been no laws broken. The complaint against you has been deemed invalid. The Assembly has no right to interfere with the domestic relations of Selena’s clan or the management of the Aldawi Empire. I don’t believe there are any new complaints here. If I am correct, then I would like to end this session… which seems more like a personal attack on Selena than a respectable trial.”
“I beg to differ, if I may, Master Chamber,” a bright cyan and white male Quaww said.
A chill traveled along Odelm’s spine.
“Go on.”
“How is it fair for the Aldawi to keep all the new technology they gathered from the Yaarkin? We should have access to any new findings. Isn’t that part of the reason for the CEG?” the male Quaww representative asked.
“You are wrong,” Zirene growled. “Any new technology was shared among the CEG when we were all fighting the Yaarkin as a united front. When the CEG decided they had defeated the Yaarkin—even though there was evidence there were still stragglers in the galaxy—they disbanded their hunt. I had to spend both Aldawi and personal resources to finish getting rid of the Yaarkin because no one other than our secondary species wanted to help us clear what was left of them. Everyone believed they were no longer a concern because they were in the Aldawi territory, and not their own.” Zirene walked up and stood next to Selena and his new nestbrothers. “Now tell me, what right does the CEG have to anything we found in our own territory after the CEG abandoned us to handle it on our own?”
The male Quaww representative smirked. “That may be true, but we, the Quaww, believe it is odd you went out ofyour way to build a… sanctuary for the collection ofdemi-humans you have gathered, giving a select few free reins of the Aldawi territory as a super-soldier division, only to make one your Seedbearer and create offspring by her as an experiment, not knowing what the ramifications would be. What you are doing is dangerous to the safety of the CEG. You are allowing this female… Selena… to be the leader of the demi-humans by gifting her the moon they are stationed on.” He chuckled. “The one being who could help all of CEG’s troubles is tucked away with others like her, away from the rest of the galaxy. How do we know you would not create a super race to enslave and use the technology you discovered to conquer the galaxy?”
Zirene laughed, his deep bellows echoing through the chamber.
“Those are some accusations you have. Some could say they are war-declaring statements. I have no desire to rule the Aldawi Empire. Why would I want to start a galactic war only to govern? Makes no sense.” Zirene leaned over and grabbed Selena’s hand, bringing her to him and wrapping his arm around her shoulder. She flinched in response before he pulled her close. “I rescued those demi-humans. I created a home for them, with jobs they can be proud of—with no fear that we would take advantage of them. Selena will not be dragged into whatever you are trying to accomplish. I will see to it.” He stared at the Chamber Master. “I will not allow anyone else to bully Selena on this floor.”
The Chamber Master nodded and looked over to the Quaww representatives.
“Is there anything else you want to state regarding your complaint?”
The Quaww representative ruffled his feathers. “A war is not what the Quaww is looking for, but rather access to the new technology and a place on Selena’s research team. Wewant to help make new discoveries—and be present when they are made. I believe that is a fair request for the current circumstances.”
Odelm watched as Zirene looked down at Selena, who jerked her chin up.
“If you believe any of your healers and scientists can make my research team, then be my guest. But I am not going to hand out spots randomly to those who don’t deserve it,” she taunted, her voice ringing loudly in the chamber’s silence.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Selena
The doors couldn’t open fast enough.
As soon as they parted, I jetted out, not caring about leaving the rest behind me.
“Do you want me to unmute you from your nestmates? Or do you want silence?” Mwe asked gently.
“What do you think?” I shot back as I exited the chamber.
“I think you need some time to yourself after what just happened, but I won’t keep you locked down if you want to be free.”
“Wait until I tell you, please. I do not want to have to deal with four nestmates trying to read me and control my emotions. I know it’s a part of their biology to comfort me, but now is not the time,” I replied, walking into the General Assembly Lobby.
A wide variety of species made up the huge crowd, waiting for me. The sounds of multiple conversations filled the room as they made their way out to continue their daily lives… or whatever they would do for the rest of the day since the excitement of watching me scramble had long passed.
Multiple shouts of my name voiced behind me made members of the aimless mob pause and look toward me.
Great. Thanks for putting attention on me. Fucking males.
I pulled up the hood on my cape and changed directions, ducking between a few members of an equine species I had never seen before, trying to get away.
It would have been nice if I could, but my bond threads would lead them to me.
I could sense them gaining on me, and fast, but I didn’t know what else to do. I didn’t want to confront them in public. I needed time to think and go over what the Stars happened in the chamber before I could reconcile anything.
The nearest exit was in sight. All I needed to do was get to the Royal Aldawi Apartments, so I could be alone with the cubs and away from the males who had failed me.
