Baylech obviously greatly admired Marcael and Kneus wondered at what ‘more’ there was to him. Maybe it wasn’t just Knuan they needed to worry about. From the looks on the other male council member’s faces they were thinking the same thing.
“So it comes down to the fact that there isn’t anything stopping Knuan.” Kniam stated. “The males can’t defeat him on the Elyon without their numbers dwindling and another clone would result anyway. So that gives us twenty-five or so years to come up with adequate defenses. What damage can the Elyon do to us from space?”
Baylech thought for a minute, “The ship’s weapons are purely defensive. To knock space debris out of the way and things like that. They won’t be able to fire on us from space. If they found us the only damage the ship would be able to do is if it literally landed on Terraneu. Though I don’t know you could even do that. The ship has been programmed to survive and keep Knuan alive at all costs. Our fight will come from the men on board who follow Knuan, and of course Knuan himself. The males left from the original mission, those loyal to Marcael, will help if they can. They will want sanctuary here if we are able to survive Knuan...some to reunite with their brothers if possible.”
Everyone gaped at Baylech and it was Knollig who finally asked. “Some of the men on the Elyon might have surviving brothers here on Terraneu?” He clarified to make sure, “As in your mother is my mother...not brothers in arms?”
“Yes biological brothers. As the King and Queen had children so did their nobles, and we were all raised together. We played together, were schooled together and even went off to war together.” Kneus noted he looked around the room again, “Nobles and servant alike were chosen to leave with the Princes only if the King had absolute trust in them.” He paused again. “I have a brother that was assigned to you, that is one reason Marcael chose me...and several others. We had additional motivation to keep the Princes safe. In doing so we were keeping our brothers safe.”
“Who?” Kniam asked leaning forward in his seat.
“Baylech...why didn’t you say something?” Amber jumped up, “We have to find him for you.”
“You should be reunited. We shall start the search immediately.” Knollig promised.
“There is no need to search. My brother is in this room.” Baylech whispered.
Chapter Thirty
Gwen’s mouth dropped open in shock. She almost forgot she was holding Kneus’ hand when she jumped up with the others. Then she realized she had pulled Kneus along with her and felt the color rise up her cheeks.
“I’m sorry.” She whispered to Kneus and went to drop his hand.
“I’m not.” He whispered back softly, stubbornly holding her fingers entwined with his. “Why didn’t you tell us Baylech?” He asked loud enough for the male to hear him.
“You weren’t sure of my intentions when I sent you off to find the ANT and I didn’t think I was going to survive.” He paused, “When I woke up I still wasn’t sure of my welcome here. I didn’t want to cause strife within your group by announcing I have a brother among you. I wanted your decision to accept me to be without prejudice.”
“Of course you are welcome here!” Amber ran around the table to him, “How could you think that we wouldn’t accept you here after all you have done to help us?” She threw her arms around him.
Kniam cleared his throat, “Amber...he may not be comfortable with you hugging him.” Gwen had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. If anyone was uncomfortable with the show of affection it was Kniam.
“What?” Amber broke away from Baylech. “Oh sorry. I’m a hugger.” She laughed and backed away. “You have to tell us who he is.”
“My little brother was so perfect that our parents named him after the Angels. I was so proud of him! He was smart, honorable and trustworthy. He was on his way to becoming a great man of Hedal.” Baylech’s voice broke again. “Now a great man of Terraneu instead. I know you don’t remember me, but I would be honored if we could try to be brothers again...Ailech.”
Every eye in the room swung to the ‘Adonis’ of Terraneu. Now that Baylech had said the name it was obvious. Baylech had snow-white hair and Ailech was blond but they had the similar facial features: eyes, nose, mouth, cheekbones and lips. There were only with a few variations from each other to keep them from being twins. Their body builds and the way they held themselves was almost identical too.
“This might be a good time to call it a night.” Kniam tried to give his friend a way out of this public reunion. “We all know where our duties lie, and for now I don’t think we need to increase our meetings. Once a week should suffice. Baylech I can show you to your quarters and arrange for a tour.”
“No.” Ailech interrupted. “I can show him where he needs to go.”
“As you wish.” Kniam inclined his head to Ailech. “Please be sure to cover the rules of conduct with him.”
Turning to Baylech he stressed, not unkindly, “There are a lot of changes in store for you my friend. A lot of changes.” With the crack of his gavel the meeting was adjourned.
Gwen turned to leave and realized that her hand was still entwined with Kneus’. “Uh...” She licked suddenly dry lips, “Kneus...” she looked at her hand then back to his face and realized his gaze was locked on her mouth. That only made her lips even drier, and the need to lick them again more pronounced. She tried to look away but couldn’t.
“See you tomorrow at the swimming pond Gwen?” Amber was hurrying to the door with Kniam. Gwen stared in envy as Kniam held Amber close against his side.
“Yes. Sure Amber, see you tomorrow.” Gwen replied distractedly, still staring into Kneus’ eyes.
“Good-night Gwen.” Mairi called out leaving hand in hand with Knollig, “See you at the swimming pond as well.”
“Yes.” Gwen called, “See you tomorrow.” She didn’t know what hit her but suddenly her eyes started misting, and still she just held Kneus’ gaze. Neither of them trying to break contact or say anything to each other. The trauma of the last few days was suddenly too much. Kneus not remembering their time together, the idea that an insane killer was coming for them, the incredible loss of life to Elyon’s madness.
“See you tomorrow Gwen.” Catherine called out, heading to the door with Knaleg. “
“Yes.” Gwen’s voice broke. “Tomorrow.” She barely got out as tears welled in her eyes.
Kneus must have had enough, with a growling sound at the back of his throat he pulled her toward the door. Half running along and half pulled she couldn’t even see where she was going. When she stumbled in her haste to keep up with Kneus’ he pulled her into his arms without breaking stride. Gwen was honest enough to admit that this might be a nervous breakdown. Once she had that thought it was like a damn bursting and she couldn’t stop the flood of tears.
She felt them enter a dome, rather than saw it. The light difference was just a bit different.
“Gwen.” Kneus’ voice sounded next to her ear, and she felt him sit down. “Please stop crying.”
“I...can’t...” she sobbed helplessly, “Elyon’s madness. Your crazy brother is coming for us. The amount of life lost all those years ago on Terra. But the worst of all and I know it’s selfish, but I’ve lost you...only you’re still here to tempt me!”
“You haven’t lost me.” Kneus started to say.
“I know because you are not mine to lose?” Gwen wailed and couldn’t stop herself.
“Not because I am not yours.” Kneus vowed, “Because I have always been yours, just too stupid to see it.”
Gwen calmed slightly and tried to wipe her face. Kneus beat her to it taking the edge of her gown and wiping her tears. The pull of her dress revealing her upper thighs as he tried to get her face dried.
“You could never lose me. We are in this together.” Kneus dropped her gown and put his hands deep into her hair. His fingers digging in and pulling her head back. “I refuse to waste another six months trying to ‘remember’ what my heart and body are already
telling me...we are meant to be together.”
Done talking Kneus fused his mouth to hers. It was a frantic pressing of lips, a rubbing of tongues. Gwen couldn’t get close enough. She twisted in his lap so that she had her knees on either side of his hips. Her hands were frantically tugging at his vest until it was gone. Then she moved to the buttons on his pants. Her fingers working their way between the material and what she sought. His hard shaft was trapped between her hand and the leather of his pants. The moist tip told her Kneus was enjoying her touch. She moved her fingers as much as she could, up and down trying to reach as much of his length as she could. She remembered how good he felt, she needed to feel him again.
Breaking her mouth away from his kiss she gasped, “My underwear.” Then she kissed him again. Putting all the desperation and longing she felt into their kiss, all the love and passion she needed him to feel too. Her mouth moved on his as her fingers worked his shaft. She felt cooler air on her backside as Kneus felt for her underwear. Since it was a thong and rather fragile he was able to tear the material with little effort.
With her underwear gone his fingers were able to explore exactly where she needed his touch. First one finger, then another until he was stretching her, the pleasure so intense she broke the kiss and moaned his name. Riding his fingers she gasped again when he used his free hand to move her dress out of the way. Without warning he latched onto first one nipple then the other lashing them with his fevered tongue. When he got tired of licking, he sucked her breast into his mouth. His tongue was working to roll around her nipples lazily.
Gwen was franticly riding his fingers hard. “Kneus.” She moaned his name, her fingers working on the clasp of his pants she opened them enough to free his shaft. Her hand was working him harder, his excitement making him wet so that her fingers were slick on his skin. “Kneus.” She rode his fingers even harder, he was pressing and rubbing his thumb against her skin. She knew she was close, grabbing his balls she rolled them as she rode his fingers. “Deeper.” She gasped out, “Harder.” Kneus complied letting his fingers go deeper, his hand driving her harder. “Yes.” Gwen started to break apart. With one final thrust she climaxed. Her muscles squeezing his fingers still deep inside her. The hand working on his shaft had clasped harder in her frenzy.
Her eyes flew open to see him watching her. “Beautiful Gwen.” He whispered. Taking his hand from between her legs he licked his fingers. “Tasty.” His purple eyes were smoking with promise. Pulling her forward he kissed her eyes, her cheeks, her nose. Finally he kissed her lips. She tasted herself on his mouth and she didn’t care. He tasted like ambrosia to her. She felt him pushing against her hand and in shock she realized she had ridden his fingers and he hadn’t found release. “I have a lot to make up for.” He laughed. Grabbing her at the lower back with one arm and wrapping the other around her shoulder he asked. “Will this hurt?”
She had forgotten that he wouldn’t remember them having sex before. “No.” she gasped when she felt the tip of him against her wetness. “No. It will feel like heaven.”
“Good.” Kneus purred, then pulling her sensitive chest into his he thrust up, just as the hand on her back pushed down.
“Kneus.” Gwen groaned his name as his entire length stretched her. She had forgotten how big he was. When he reached as deep as he could go he pulled her against him. Rubbing her sensitive skin against him, he was merciless...pushing and pulling her against him. When she thought she would go mad, he lifted her up until just the tip was inside her. Then slowly pulled her down his length again. Again and again he withdrew, then pulled and pushed her, grinding her on his shaft. She didn’t know which was worse. The way she could feel his entire length stretching and filling her, or when he was deep inside and her sensitive flesh was pulsing against the base of his shaft.
“Kneus, please.” She couldn’t take much more, he felt too good.
“Anything for you.” Holding her hips steady, her breasts rubbing against his chest he thrust as hard as he could. Pulled free to the tip, and thrust again. Without mercy he pounded into her welcome flesh. Her muscles clasped at him as she gasped and moaned. Trying to kiss and nip any part of him she could reach, his neck, his shoulders, and his fingers. She was lost in the sensations. He was thrusting into her so hard she was bouncing on his thighs without having to move herself.
Harder and deeper he went, holding her steady until with on last thrust he shouted. She felt the warm pulse of his release inside of her, his shaft gaining girth if that was even possible. The incredible fullness, along with his mouth on her breast caused her to spin off into oblivion. “Kneus.” She managed to gasp before she flexed around him in her release. She collapsed against his chest her breathing as erratic as his, both of them drawing in deep breaths.
Kneus was trailing his fingers through her hair, “I don’t need to remember the time I lost as long as I have you to help me forget that I forgot.” He laughed softly at how that sounded.
“I will always be here with you Kneus.” She kissed his chest, her fingers playing around his nipples. “I will help you in any way I can.” She flashed him an impish grin.
Finding herself in his arms as he stood up, her legs went around him automatically. “Let’s start with my forgetfulness in the bathroom then.” Kneus took long strides and they reached the indoor oasis the men here on Terraneu called a ‘bathroom’. Turning on the waterfall he stepped into the water.
“Now what do I need to forget?” Kneus asked. Gwen smiled lovingly into his face. His laughing purple eyes widened in shock when she lowered her legs then slid down his body to land on her knees.
“Well there is this one thing you should definitely forget...” She smiled wickedly up at him.
Chapter Thirty One
Epilogue
Years Later
The flavored water was a huge success. Working with various processes Gwen and Emma had finally come up with a way that the water didn’t make you retch. They could use various leaves and seep them like tea for different flavors. Her favorite was a rather nice one that taste like cherries. The males seemed drawn to the one that was licorice flavored. Emma had kept experimenting and had gotten over ten flavored waters, with new ones every so often. Her mate Jax was her favorite guinea pig to experiment on.
“You made it!” Gwen was happy to see that Catherine was back in time for the dance tonight. She was currently at The Watering Hole, the name of Emma’s dome, with Amber, Mairi and Jen. “I’m guessing Knaleg and that beast you call a pet are with the men.”
Catherine just laughed, “Yes. Knaleg went to search out his brothers as soon as we got back and of course Titan went with him.” She pulled out a seat, “Any new water flavors to try?”
“There is a really good one that you would almost swear was chocolate!” Amber sighed happily. “Mmmm, chocolate!”
Catherine laughed, “That sounds good to me. Can I please have a glass of the chocolate one Emma?”
“Coming right up Cat.” Emma called out.
“So are you done exploring Terraneu?” Mairi asked.
Knaleg and Catherine been asked to travel farther and father away from the community in the hopes of finding a place that would serve if Terraneu had to be abandoned. They hadn’t requested for Knaleg’s sterility to be reversed since they didn’t want to have children until they had finished their scouting missions.
“We found a few new spots that may work. If not as refugee locations then as possible expansion sites once the problem of Knuan is dealt with.” Catherine said, “Knaleg is reporting to the males, and we can decide after that if we need to go back out again.”
“You have gone out searching enough Cat.” Amber looked around and Jen and Mairi agreed at once. “You need to come home and give yourselves a chance at having a family.” She hurried to add. “If that is still what you want. The last time we had two seconds to talk, you said you were getting tired of all the roaming around Terraneu. That the excitement was wearing off.”
“It is getting old.” Catherine sighed, “But we agreed to scout as far as we could, and I would never ask Knaleg to back out of something he felt honor bound to do.” She took a drink of her ‘chocolate’ water and smiled. “That is good.” Then looking around at her friends sad faces she said, “We have talked about it and Knaleg knows I am ready to settle down. When it is the right time we will join you in the ‘parenthood’ club.”
“How are the personal cloaking devices working?” Gwen asked. She knew that Kneus would be interested in how the individual units had been holding up. The units cloaking Terraneu hadn’t shown any signs of deteriorating power. Terraneu, the expansions of New Haven, McPhersonville and the park and swimming pond were all “hidden”. If Knuan used the Elyon to look for them, all he would “see” on a scan was a large jungle. If Knuan used scouts to try to find them, the cloaking could be discovered but it would take a lot of men many years to eliminate all of their possible locations.
“As far as we can tell they are holding up fine. The solar battery doesn’t show any signs of failing. Kneus and Baylech came up with a good design.” She smiled. “Speaking of Baylech how are the ‘Adonis’ brothers of Terraneu faring?”
“They are fine.” Jen laughed, “Same as the last time you were home! I don’t know who is more proud of the other, Ailech or Baylech. You would think no one else had ever fathered children or been an uncle on Terraneu before!”
“I would have thought they had toned it down by now.” Catherine laughed with the others, “The way they tried to out-praise one another and catch up on thousands of years of ‘brotherhood’ in a just a few years was funny.”
“Well you know those girls of theirs are something to see.” Mairi smiled, “They are giving both brothers fits. That identical platinum blond hair and beautiful heart shaped faces. I knew when the brothers had children they were going to be beautiful, but now I know why Ailech was named after angels. Those girls are gorgeous.”
Kneus: A Terraneu Novel (Book Four) Page 14