Aha, I got another chapter up! Wow! I don't think I have edited this fasted. I tried my hardest not to make any major mistakes in this one. hopefully I succeeded. Anyways, looking forward to Outcast tonight on in 1 hour, and three minutes exactly. Enjoy!

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Trials

Two days, five hours and thirty two minutes later…

I am setting at the small round table waiting for Michael. Time passes slowly. About twenty minuets later when I am just about to go to Michael's lab another male wraith sits down at the chair across from me. "You would not be leaving now my queen?" he says cordially. I do not wish to make small talk but, Thayex, is a high-ranking warrior and my military adviser so it would be wise to entertain him.

"No, just lost in thought." I say smiling falsely. He glances at my face exploring my features with his eyes though I can tell he would rather be using his fingers.

"The humans on the last planet seemed to be more militarist than normal." He says absently.

"Bow and arrows are not exactly that dangerous." I laugh back.

"Can I get you something to drink?" he asks moving his hand closer to mine.

"No thank you," I say sweeping my hands under the table, "I need-"

"You look so beautiful today." He interrupts trying to hide his true intentions.

"Thank you for your complement, but I must be leaving." I say standing up before he can stop me. I turn to leave but Thayex catches my arm. I glare back at him as he steps out of line challenging my authority.

"I will see you again today, yes?" he says smiling but his eyes glower back.

"There is a meeting later today I will see you then." I say lifting my head to flaunt my authority.

"Good." He says slyly lifting a finger to burnish my face. I tense but try not to show it. He lets me go and walks off. I painfully notice that the normal hum of conversation has died; the silence of stares replacing it. I file out of the room upset heading to Michael's lab determine to find out why he did not meet me.

I find Michael's lab deserted, but equipment is left everywhere as though he was interrupted in the middle. My foot causally bumps into something on the floor. I reach down to retrieve it. Once there, notice several more of his instruments on the ground as well a small drops of a dark liquid. I touch it cautiously. The burgundy liquid sticks to my finger and has a pungent odor. Blood! As I had assumed. I clean my finger on a cloth leaving the lab. I walk briskly to Michael's quarter hoping to find him there.

I press my hand in the lock. A small clinch announces that it is locked. "Michael, are you in there?" I ask. No reply. I glance around to see if there is anyone there; good, no one. I pry into the door system revealing a mess of cables. I quickly slip a small pin from my hair and situate it between the third cable to the right and the one nearest the left edge opening the door. I smirk satisfied since the lock opened so easily. I slowly enter Michael's quarters, not wanting to disturb or surprise him. The door slides shut behind me. Michael is not in the first room and nothing seems to be amiss. I walk down the short hallway, ears and eyes ready for anything. The door to one of the smaller rooms is closed and I can hear some noise coming from behind it. I do not want to invade his privacy, but I do need to know if something is wrong.

"Michael," I say kindly, "Are you alright?"

"Leave me!" he growls back pulling in a sharp breath at the end.

"I found blood in your lab, are you sure you are alright?"

"Do you give your subjects no peace! I know I was supposed to meet you but something came up. Just leave." He growls back, but by his tone and voice I can tell that things are not as they seem. Yet what can I do? I turn to leave, but then change my mind.

"Michael, please come out. I need to talk to you. I'm not angry if that is what's worrying you." I say trying to calm and convince him. The door clicks open. I suck in my breath in shock. Michael's face is battered and bruised and his clothing is torn.

"Is this what you wanted to see?" he snarls pushing pass me.

I turn sharply and demand "Who did this to you?"

"Why should you care?" he berates glaring fiercely, "You can't do anything, girl." Normally he would have been groveling at my feet the next second, but I retain my composer. Michael grabs a bag and begins shoving things into it.

"Michael, something has happen and need to know what happened to you, as your queen." I respond.

"No! I won't take orders from a little youngling who calls herself a queen. You lied to me. So, I'm leaving. You won't have to worry about me anymore." He yells in my face eyes glaring with hundreds of emotions; hurt, hate, fear, and many I can not interpret.

"Alright, I just ask this. Read this book," I say handing him my worn journal. "Read it. Decide for yourself who I am and what my rule is. You leave tomorrow at five." I trudge out of the room with a heavy heart wiping the tears of hurt from my eyes before anyone can notice them.

I rush to the meeting with my council members already late. I walk in calmly as though nothing has happened. "Please pardon my absence, I had a few things to be taken care of." I say smiling falsely. I despise the fake smile I wear daily but I can do nothing about it.

"Of course my queen" says Noral, my second-in-command and close friend, "It is understandable. Now, I believe the first order of business is-"

"Excuse me again, but something has come to my attention and needs to be addressed." I interject.

Four of my five council members, Norlan, Chasex, Koylan, and Caresh all cock there heads to the right in that distinct wraith way when interested or trouble. Yet Thayex stares at the ground and moves uncomfortably in his seat.

"I believe you have all met Michael, the geneticist, I brought on the ship a little over two weeks ago." I begin my argument. They nod in response. "Today when I went to his lab to check his progress, I found him not there and his lab in disarray. Later when I found him, he was injured and upset. Now, I believe Michael was hurt maliciously by Thayex because Michael was stealing my affections." The council members gasp and stare at Thayex.

"What proof do you have?" growls Thayex trying in vain to remain calm.

"This," I say revealing a brass rank pin worn only by the high ranking military officers like Thayex, "I found it on the floor of Michael's lab, and I see you are not wearing yours."

"So what of it? This is no evidence to prove I am guilty of the crime I have been accused of." Thayex snarls back the vein in his left temple throbbing, a sign of stress.

"I have more evidence, but first let us consider timing. I was to meet Michael at twelve but he did not appear. Twenty minutes later just as I am preparing to leave Thayex appears and continually stalls. I leave and find fresh blood in Michael's lab not more than a few minutes later, then within ten minutes I find Michael. Coincidence or something more?" I ask smirking. I always did like debate.

"But what could I have against this Michael?" asks Thayex smugly.

"As I said before, my attention. Do not think I do not see the way you look at me, the way your eyes scan my body every time I am near you, and you touched me earlier today leaving theses." I say pulling back my hair to revel four finger marks across my upper arm.

"How dare you harm the queen!" growls Norlan, "She can choose whom ever she wishes for her mate. That is up to her and flaunting you desires does not help her in this choice."

Thayex scowls then jumps up from his seat going directly for me. He wraps his hands around my neck squeezing hard before I or the others can do anything.

"I could snap your neck even now, but then I would lose such a pretty thing." He says stroking my face. I have more control over him than he knows. I work my way into his mind redirection his thoughts. His grip loosens. I pull away forcing him to his knees with my mind.

"See even now I control you" I hiss trying to keep some composer. Two guards quickly escort him out.

"Are you alright my queen?" asks Norlan coming to my side.

"Yes, I'm fine just shaken." I say softly rubbing my bruised neck, "In light of these events perhaps we should reconvene tomorrow. Norlan I will need you to take over Thayex's duties for the time being. I'm sorry to put so much work on you."

"We will help as we can to my queen." Says Caresh. I smile at him as I turn to leave.

Out in an empty hall way, I feel a soft touch on my arm. I turn to see Norlan standing behind me bowing slightly. "I'm sorry to disturb you my queen, but may I speak with you?"

"Of course Norlan, what is it?" I ask.

"Let's keep walking," he says softly before motioning me down the hall. "My queen, I'm sorry I don't know how to put this tactfully."

"Then try untactfully." I laugh.

He chuckles, "Very well then, Matia do you think it is wise to spend so much time with this scientist? However, I was certainly opposed to Thayex's methods."

"Are you vying for my attention as well, Norlan?"

"No, my queen, I am merely warning you. I know you want a mate, Matia but think of the empire. You must choose a mate that will be good for it as well. Michael certainly cannot be a good choice."

"How would you know whether or not Michael would be a good choice?" I ask coldly.

"Matia, how can an unknown, odd-looking geneticist be a good choice for you? You need a mate that is well-known, strong, and intelligent."

"Well, those three requirements do not go together very well, do they? Besides Michael meets two of the three requirements, and IF he becomes my mate, which is a big if, then he will be well-know also. As for his looks, I like his short hair."

""A queen's job is to rule her people fairly and protect them even at the expense of her own life." And desires. Need I remind you, Matia? You owe Michael nothing for saving your life, it was his duty."

"Where did you here that?" I ask defensively.

"How else? Rumors, and from your reaction, true."

"Get to your point, Norlan." I hiss stopping in front of him and crossing my arms.

"Just be careful, Matia. You are like my daughter I do not want to see you hurt. But I'm also your second-in-command so it is my duty to keep the empire safe. Watch yourself Matia, and think of the good of the empire, that is all." Norlan advises then bows and leaves.

I head to my cambers where my drawings of myth and legend transport me to a world unknown. There, I sit on my bed ready for rest after today's hard trails. I slip under the blankets of fur happy for its comforting warmth. As I make my self comfortable, I glance towards the forever made side of the bed and the portrait of Michael hanging on the organic wall. I quickly roll over to the other side pulling the fur closer to me.

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