Marcael: A Terraneu Novel, Book Five by Stormy McKnight Page A

you.”
    Another male stepped forward and before he could speak Marcael laughed,
“You are Knaleg.” He looked around for a bear of a woman that would be this
male’s mate and could not find one. When the smallest female he had ever seen
walked forward and put her hand in Knaleg’s he burst out laughing. “You two are
mates...when I warned you on Antilles...” he wanted to bite his tongue. He was
insulting the pair, and worse they were both council members. They were in high
standing positions in the community. “I am sorry, I meant no insult.”
    The tiny female with pitch-black hair and blue-purple eyes laughed,
“There is no insult. Welcome to Terraneu Marcael, you can call me Cat...all of
my friends do. Our twins, Knayon and Ella are being watched in our dome you can
meet them when you are on your feet again.” She leaned over and kissed his
cheek. “Without your help on Antilles we wouldn’t have been able to get away,
and our lives would have been very different. We all owe you a debt of gratitude.”
    Another male stepped forward, “Since you know I am Knollig, I will
introduce my mate Mairi. Our daughters Chloe and Celeste left with the others.”
He pulled the redhead close to his side. This woman had to be the other
redheaded female’s mother. If his friend had his sights set on dating one of
their daughters, he did not envy him the experience. All four of the heirs were
very fit men, and they all appeared protective of the woman. He knew from
talking with Brennae that protectiveness translated to their daughters. Just
then, his gaze fell on Brennae. Flanked on either side by her parents. Kniam
looked just like his father Kynan. Her mother was smiling around the room.
Maybe it would not be so bad to have to deal with the family to date the daughter.
    “You know I am Kniam. This is my mate Amber and Brennae is our daughter.
Her brothers Knadyn and Knacayn you met before at the oasis.”
    “It’s nice to meet you Marcael. Our daughter has not left your side since
we found you in the escape pod. You must have made quite an impression to
warrant such devotion.”
    “Mother!” He saw Brennae’s face turn fiery red. “Really?!”
    “What?” Her mother looked him over and he could tell there was more going
on. “I was just saying that you watched over him.”
    Hoping to draw the attention away from a topic obviously embarrassing to
Brennae, he hurried to say something. “It is nice to meet you… Kniam it is good
to see you again.”
    Another male pushed to the front of the group, “I am Thian, and my mate
is Jen. Our twins are on an off world assignment to Antilles or they would have
been here. They should return before the celebration dance.”
    On it went until he had been introduced to everyone. His friends remained
by his side of the bed and it was finally time for some answers. “Where I am is
obvious, this is Terraneu. I would like to know what happened.” He asked no one
in particular.
    “First let me assure you that Brennae has told us of your conversation on
the Elyon. When you left the oasis, we had been angry with you about what you
had said regarding our father. We understand now the circumstance’s leading up
to his death. Even though we carry no memories of him, we are grateful that you
were such a loyal friend.” All of the brothers bowed low to him for a moment
and he felt his eyes misting. Thankfully, Kniam continued before he lost his
composure completely, “We can let Brennae tell you about what happened on the
Elyon.” Brennae had been standing by his side and she leaned to half-sit next
to him as she talked.
    “We were talking in your chamber when Knuan found me there. You were
tasered and carried off. I didn’t know what happened to you until Star rescued
me.” Brennae told him of the STARR units rebelling against Knuan and that his
men had been allowed to leave the Elyon only because they had been kind to them
all these years. She told him of the STARR units plan to