Page 75 of Alien Prince Fake Fiancé

Aro’s smile faded, replaced by deep sadness. “I am very old. I was a child when Luma was destroyed. There were other survivors, of course, but no one from my family that I could find. Luma is many light years from Lumeria. I have not seen anyone from Luma in many centuries.”

Before Ashlyn could ask more questions, Zade spoke from beside her, “Aro, it is my honor to offer you a seat at our table. We have fresh fruits from our gardens and refreshments, as well. I know you have traveled a great distance. We would all love to hear your story, but if you are tired, we can wait until you have rested.”

Aro nodded. “Something fresh to eat would be lovely. Thank you.”

Ashlyn smiled at Zade and stole a quick kiss while Aro moved to the table. Luckily the oblong table was enormous and there was room for everyone. They’d put out trays of food and drink ahead of time, buffet style, so they spent several minutes filling their plates and glasses, chatting animatedly. “I love you so much.”

Zade grinned, his eyes full of mischief. “I’ll let you prove it later.”

Ashlyn winked at Zade and sat down across from Aro, at the head of the table. It was the only seat left. Apparently, everyone seemed to think she should run the show. Well, she supposed she was ‘Councilor Faro’, after all. She looked around. Was she the highest ranking person in the room? Holy shitballs. Technically, she was. Resisting the urge to laugh hysterically, she clasped her fingers together and waited for Aro to continue.

“My people colonized Lumeria after the A’Nua Na-KI destroyed our planet,” Aro said in between bites of a crisp yellow fruit that tasted a lot like watermelon. Ashlyn knew that because she had already eaten several that day.

One look at the Lumerians’ intense focus on Aro’s story told Ashlyn they’d never heard it before, either. She could only imagine what it would feel like to be in their shoes right now, listening to their planet’s origin story.

“There was already a primitive civilization there,” Aro continued. “Slowly, we integrated our species, gave them many of our gifts. The Lumerians thrived. Became powerful. Too powerful. They drew the attention of the A’Nua Na-KI once again.”

Zade handed Ashlyn a plate full of fruits and cheeses, but she was too nervous to eat much.

Aro cleared her throat. “Delicious. Thank you for that. Now, where was I?”

Bren spoke quietly from three seats down. “I think you were about to tell us the A’Nua Na-KI were responsible for the destruction of our planet.”

Aro nodded. “Yes, ultimately, they were. You see, they were bitter enemies of my people. We were at war for centuries before they found a way to destroy us. When they realized the Lumerians were our progeny, they devised a way to destroy them, as well, through political manipulations. We do not know who they bribed within the Intergalactic Council, or what was promised to them to order Lumeria’s destruction, but it is happening again.”

Ashlyn leaned forward, enthralled. “Again? How is that possible? I thought the whole planet was destroyed.”

Aro took a sip of juice, her eyes glazed in memory. “Lumeria was not the only planet we colonized. There were others.” She looked around the table, her gaze settling on Ashlyn. “We gaveLumeria all of our gifts. Even with the blending of the native civilization, they looked remarkably like us, had longevity like us, and maintained many of our traditions. They were so much like us, in fact, we were afraid they would become targets, so we colonized Caldor as well. They, too, have our gifts, but we partially hid them.”

Zade sat back in his chair, stunned. “How? How did you hide them?”

“Caldorians are fast, yet not quite as fast as the Lumerians, things like that, but mostly their psychic abilities were suppressed. Only a few have been able to tap into some of their gifts without them being activated by our superior technology.”

This time it was Dagan who spoke. “The Saltrec. They tapped in, didn’t they?”

“Out of necessity, yes. A survival instinct, deeply buried.”

Ashlyn looked at Sasha, realization dawning. “And Earth. You colonized Earth, didn’t you? That’s why the maju paste does what it does to us.”

Aro nodded sadly. “Yes, child. And you have been discovered.” She reached for Ashlyn’s hand across the table, her eyes hardening with determination. “I have spent millennia watching, waiting, getting close to the Council members, making myself indispensable, all so that when this day came, I could warn you.”

She looked around the table. “So that I could warnallof you. Be in a position to help. The A’Nua Na-KI have returned. They know who you are, and they have powerful allies on the Council. The Ubrions were one of them. Destruction is no longer their goal. They mean to enslave the people of your planets. Control your gifts. Feed from you.”

Heart pounding, Ashlyn asked the questions she knew must be on all their minds. “How? What can we do to stop them?”

Aro sighed. “The Dark One, Bone Crusher, has demanded the Council produce the Lumerians who killed his mate. This was no spur of the moment appearance. This was well thought out in advance. The threat of war with the Dark Ones means war with the A’Nua Na-KI and all their allies. The Council will want to avoid that. They will try to bargain. Offer up one planet to save many. They’ve done it before. First Luma, then Lumeria. The question now is which planet do the A’Nua Na-KI want most?”

This time Cam spoke up. “My lady, are you suggesting the Council is considering sacrificing an entire planet just to avoid conflict with the A’Nua Na-KI?”

“No. I am suggesting the deal has already been made.”

“Which planet?”

“Earth.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Zade

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