CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
ALEXANDRA
We had been in the emergency bunker for about thirty-three hours or so. I had slept, I had ate, and I had made sure that I stayed hydrated. But I could not stop worrying; it was constant. Knowing that Lisa had lost her husband in battle did not help. My heart went out to her, but it also made me realize just how real the danger was.
Then I noticed there was some commotion in the bunker at the bottom of the stairs. I stood up with everyone else, trying to see what was going on. Then, I saw her. It was my best friend.
“Camilla!” I ran to her. I hugged her tightly. She cried as she hugged me back.
“Oh, Alexandra. It is so good to see you!”
“I am so happy to see you. I am so sorry for what happened. Come! Come get some food and water and rest,” I said, taking her to the tables where I gave her food and water. She looked tired, but she did not look injured; that was a good thing. It did not seem like they tortured her, but I would not know. I was giving her the time and space to speak to me. I knew that eventually I would have to tell her my secret.
“Are you all right? What happened to you?” I asked as I hugged her again.
“After we were in the market. They took me. They took me out of the market to a building far away, in the desert. Then they locked me up in a room. That is all. I don't know why they had me or what they wanted me for. They left me alone except to feed me and bring me water. It was very strange. I am so glad I'm out of there.”
“So, they did not touch you?”
“No, in fact from the bits of conversation I picked up, they hate humans. They despise us. They don't want the humans and Draqua to be mating. I was very glad for that.”
I sighed. “Me too. I am glad they did not hurt you. But being kept prisoner is a difficult thing to deal with mentally.”
“Yes, especially after being abducted by aliens only two days before,” she said with a smile. I hugged her again.
“I am so happy you are here. I have so much to tell you,” I said, not wanting to tell her just yet.
“Whatever it is, it can wait a while. This craziness that's going on. I just really wish I could take a bath and get a change of clothes,” she said, looking at herself. She was still in the club dress that we wore in Mexico with the cloak over her that we wore in the market to disguise ourselves.
“Well, we can take care of that, all except a bath. But you will be able to once we are released from this place,” I said to her. “Come with me to the washroom, and I will get you some new clothes.”
“Oh good,” she said following me. “What is this place? Is this the way they live?”
“No, this is an emergency bunker. They thought the Aeriwanas might invade; that is why they went to invade them first. We are down here just as a precaution. The way they live is absolutely beautiful on the island. They live in tree houses high up in the trees that are linked together by bridges. There's a village with communal eating and fishing and beautiful beaches that look like Tahiti.”
“That sounds like paradise, like a vacation,” she said.
“It is, and there are bathtubs with hot water,” I said making my eyes wide.
“Oh thank God,” she said.
We walked into the washroom in the back so that she could wash up. I went to supplies and grabbed a fresh pair of under clothing in blue, the tube top and loincloth. Then I chose a yellow sheer dress to go over it. I grabbed ribbons for her hair and a shell comb. I rejoined her in the washroom with the items.
“Here, so you can brush your hair and braid it if you want to get it out of the way. Here is some clothing; it looks exactly like what I am wearing,” I said, looking down body.
“Yes, that is very beachy. I guess the beach vacation isn't over, is it?” She laughed. I helped her with her hair and the clothing. Then we went to sit in a communal area.
“How did you get here? What happened? Did you see Ineq?” I asked.
“Yes, he and V were the ones that rescued me. I was so happy to see them both. You cannot imagine what I felt at that moment. Then the captain insisted we take him to a battle that was going on. It was the last I saw of him. Then the commander brought me here to this underground place. Then he left. He insisted on going back and helping with the fight even though I begged him not to. So I am here now.”
“Oh my God. The captain is insane. I hope that he is well,” I said worried.
“What? What has changed? You were very adamant about not giving him any room to become your mate. Did you? Is he your mate now?”
“He is,” I said smiling.
“Oh, you bad girl, Alexandra! It’s the best, isn’t it?” she whispered to me.
“Yes,” I whispered back. I knew that I had to tell her now. If I did not, she would be mad at me for keeping it from her for so long, on top of being mad at me for doing it.
“Camilla, there is something that I have to tell you. I am not proud of it. I am so sorry. I hope that you will forgive me,” I said.
She got a serious look on her face and held my hand. “Alexandra, what is it? Are you all right? You are scaring me.”
“I am fine. But I did something that I am not proud of. I made a very big mistake, and so did V.”
“What? What are you talking about?”
“V and I got drunk one night. We were both in a vulnerable state and confiding in each other about being sad that we could not get you back. It was just a drunken crying mess and…”
“And what?” she said sternly.
“Things went too far, and we slept together,” I said.
“You had sex with V?” she said with her eyes watering.
“Yes, it was only one time, and it was not—”
“Are you kidding me? I was being held prisoner, and you decided to sleep with V? You know how I feel about him. I told you on the ship. How could you do that to me?” she said standing up.
“I know, I know, but please listen; it was not like I planned it. It only happened because—”
“I don’t care. Don’t talk to me. I hate you, Alexandra. You are not a friend,” she said. She stomped off to the other side of the bunker. I sat and cried. I could not control the tears in my hormonal pregnant state. But she was right to be mad at me. I would be mad too if I were her. I just wanted her to forgive me and for us to move on and get back to where we were. I missed her so much, and now it was like she was gone again. But I was glad that she was at least safe. It was all that really mattered.