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“Korum,” Mia said tentatively, “what exactly is this non-interference mandate? Is that the reason why you haven’t shared any of your technology with us?”
He nodded. “Yes. The non-interference mandate was set by the Elders, and it supersedes any laws that the Council can pass –”
“The Elders?”
“The oldest Krinar in existence. There are nine who are known as the Elders; they’re the ones who have been around for millions of years. Lahur is the oldest among them, and it’s said that he’s been alive for over ten million years.”
Stupefied, Mia stared at him. “Ten million years?” Ten million years ago, humans didn’t even exist as a species. And there were Krinar around who were that old?
“It’s unimaginable for me as well,” Korum said, understanding her awe. “They had to have seen so much, learned so much throughout their lives. There’s nothing that can compare to the wisdom of the Elders.”
“Where are they?” Mia asked, goosebumps springing up all over her body as she tried to picture someone that ancient. “Did any of them come to Earth?”
“No, they’re on Krina. For the most part, they’re very reclusive; few Krinar have ever met them, and that’s how they like it. I’ve seen Lahur from a distance, but I’m one of the few who has.”
Mia frowned, perplexed. “So how did they set the mandate? How do they enforce it?”
“They don’t have to enforce it, Mia. The Elders are revered in our society; to go against them is an offense punishable by death.”
“But why did they do it? Why set that mandate in the first place?”
“I don’t know their exact motivations,” Korum admitted. “But I do know that two of them were part of the team of scientists that guided human evolution. They were the original creators of your species. If I
had to venture a guess, I would say that they are still overseeing that project.”
Mia’s frown deepened. “So why did they let you come to Earth in the first place?”
“Because the Council – specifically, myself, Saret, and a few others – was able to convince them that it was necessary for the ultimate survival of the Krinar. Your weapons, your technology were evolving so rapidly and in such a destructive direction that you were endangering your planet. And since we will ultimately need to call Earth home – when our star dies in a hundred million years or so – we couldn’t allow you to make this planet uninhabitable.”
Mia digested that quietly. She still didn’t fully understand this Elder situation. “So how is it that you were able to make me immortal despite this mandate?”
“By claiming you as my charl.” His eyes glittered at her. “We’re allowed to make exceptions for our charl.”
“I see.” Mia looked at him, remembering his assertion that being a charl was an honor. Now she could understand why he thought so. Yes, the charl may have few rights in the K society, but they had something no other humans could achieve – perfect health and an incredibly long lifespan. Even in modern-day United States, there were probably many who would gladly trade whatever rights and freedoms they enjoyed for a chance to live even a few extra decades, much less hundreds or even thousands of years.
“What about my parents and my sister?” Mia asked, holding her breath. “Does the mandate make exceptions for them?”
A look of genuine regret appeared on Korum’s handsome face. “No, Mia, I’m sorry. It doesn’t. I’ll do everything I can to keep them healthy and maximize their natural lifespan, but I can’t give them what I gave you.”
Painfully biting her lip, Mia looked away. She’d suspected that might be the case, but it still hurt to hear him confirm it. She would remain young and healthy, while everyone around her would age and pass away. The thought was unbearably depressing.
“My darling, come here,” he murmured, pulling her into his arms. “I’m sorry, I really am. For what it’s worth, I will petition the Elders on your behalf. I just don’t know if it will do anything.”
“Thank you,” Mia whispered, staring him in the eyes. “Thank you for that, for everything.”
“I love you,” he said softly, his hand stroking her back. “And I’ll do anything for you. You know that, right?”
Mia smiled, her heart overflowing with emotion. “I love you more . . .”
“That would be impossible,” he told her, and the intensity in his voice startled her. “I love you so much it hurts. If you had left me yesterday . . .”
Swallowing against a sudden surge of tears, Mia hugged him tighter. “I wouldn’t have,” she said thickly. “I don’t ever want to leave you. I thought you didn’t want me anymore . . .”
“I’ll always want you.” He sounded utterly convinced of that fact.
“How do you know that?” Mia asked curiously. “We’ve known each other less than two months. How do you know how you’ll feel in a few years?”
His lips curved into a tender smile. “That’s where experience comes in handy, my sweet. I know how I feel – I’ve known almost from the very beginning. The first time I held you in my arms, the first time we made love, I knew this was unlike anything I’ve ever felt before. I couldn’t think of anything but you – the way you tasted, the way you smelled, the stubborn tilt to your chin . . . I thought I was losing my mind because I was becoming so obsessed with a human girl – a girl who didn’t want to be with me, no less. I wanted to fuck you, yes, but I also wanted to keep you safe, to take you with me and never let you go . . .”
