Extraterrestrial Exploration

chapter 29

–Nala–

‘You did what?!’ Astaria snapped, making Nori flinch back and keep her head down. ‘I specifically remember telling you not to say anything in fear of a negative reaction that could harm Nala, and you told her anyway!?’ she narrowed her eyes at Nori who was slinking back.

I quickly stepped between Nori and Astaria. ‘Please do not be upset with her! she overheard my thoughts and realized there was a misunderstanding, she was simply trying to get the full picture and help me. In fact I'm glad she told me, yes it was a shock to find out about this…’ I put my hand over my stomach. ‘but it helped me to realize what was going on!’ I tried to rationalize.

Astarias gaze was still one of irritation but she knew that what had been said couldn't be taken back. with a sigh she sat back on her throne, removing her mask to pinch the bridge of her nose. ‘we were meant to ease you into it and make it easier for you to accept so you did not hurt yourself or react negatively… we planned to help you through it and allow you to decide what to do with your kit… should you decide not to keep it there's a number of other females here who would have been happy to raise the child as their own. we know it can't be difficult taking on a kit that was created in such…unfavorable circumstances.’ Astaria explained.

‘well that's kind of the reason I had to tell her…’ Nori chimed in as Astaria narrowed her eyes at her again.

‘Astaria, I appreciate everything you have done for me… all of you. I know you and your people have been through a lot and I would never wish to bring any misfortune upon you nor deceive you… that being said this child is not one created by forced copulation.’

Astaria lifted her head as she looked at me.

‘it's… a long story, and not even I have all the pieces to it, but those two men you brought back as prisoners– they aren't what you think.’

She sat up straighter, regarding my words carefully. ‘explain.’

‘Their names are Eiso and Eikan. As far as I know, they are brothers and they have been alone for a very long time. yes they took me from my companions, but I do not think it was out of intent. They seemed curious, unsure and gentle despite how strong they were. they never hurt me and seemed a bit at a loss as to what I was… not as a human but as a woman.’

Astaria listened intently as I told her what occurred between me and the brothers, everything from the sex, to them bathing and feeding me, to them protecting me from the rakthon and Drazinri even to the tree. I told her everything that happened between the three of us up until I fell from the cliff.

The room went silent as Astaria mulled over my story carefully, with Celeste and Estelle at her sides curious as to what she was thinking.

‘You believe them to be harmless but they still did things they never should have. kidnapping you and mating with you without any kind of courting– you also know nothing of what they were thinking during that time, you know not what their intent was or why they stole you away.’ she said angrily and Nori glanced at me worriedly.

‘These men may not be raiders but that does not make them harmless. had they done those things to anyone from our village, any other female– the damage they would have caused could have been irreversible. no true noble male would dare touch a woman without courting her first…’ Astaria hissed.

‘you cannot expect me to let them go when they still pose a threat to us.’

Swallowing hard, I regarded Astarias words, comparing them to Eiso and Eikans actions. she still believes them to be in the wrong, and perhaps they were, but I could feel there was more to it, more to them.