"There are millions of protesters on the streets, demanding Nick's return. Most are his fans, girls in their teens. At the forefront of these protests is his family, requesting that we end these sadistic measures and save ourselves from the trouble of antagonizing many, many people."
Meina listened attentively during the cabinet meeting as they recounted the world-wide events of that evening. It shocked both her and the cabinet that Nick's little ordeal on the screen had led to a world-wide protest of their government. Although Meina and the others knew of Nick's popularity, they did not realize the extent to which he was revered by his fans. Meina smiled, knowing that she held captive the object of desire of so many girls.
"Perhaps we should return the boy before this little ordeal becomes a huge event," one of the cabinet members suggested. "He is of no importance to us, and we do not gain anything by keeping him here."
"Nonsense," Meina rebuked. "We are a race full of courage, pride, bravery and power. We will not allow ourselves to be veered away from our course of actions and goals just because we receive some petty threat from some harmless, brainwashed fans," Meina replied with ease. She wasn't going to let Nick go. What could a bunch of teenage girls do about it?
"But your highness, is Nick Carter related to our goals, our courses of action? He is of no use to us, and if you forgive my saying, a diversion to both the late Queen Feya . . . and you as well."
This struck a chord in Meina. "Counselor, I am shocked to hear such fearful words coming from you. I cannot believe that we, a mother nation, should let our attention be dissipated by a boy who has not touched politics. It shames me to think that you should rather spend time arguing over this issue than discussing our impending attack on the U.S. government."
The counselors were hushed by Meina's determination. She was an adept orator, and they were tongue-tied by her argument. Meina resumed, "We will dispatch a million of our finest warriors and aim for the White House at the break of dawn." Meina deftly veered the discussion so that the cabinet members were soon consumed in their plans for attacking the U.S. The meeting was quick, and after two hours of deliberation, Meina dismissed her cabinet. She returned to her quarters, where she had left Nick lying, unconscious.
When she entered the room, she saw him stirring. She approached him cautiously. "So boy," she began when she saw that he was awake, "you want to muster all your energy to convince me to shoot you again?" Her voice was cruel.
Nick looked in her direction, silent and sad. He then used his uninjured arm to push himself upright, but he was too weak from the past few weeks' events. Meina watched him struggle, offering him no help. Unable to bear his own weight, his arm slipped under him and his head pounded against the bed. But never once did he take his eyes off Meina. He yelped from the pain. Meina walked closer to him, bracing him with her strong arms. He yielded as she eased him up.
"Are you going to give me the silent treatment for the rest of your life?" she asked him.
"Why did you spare my life?" he uttered shakily.
Meina smiled. "The reason why Feya spared yours," she answered, more to herself. Then she eyed Nick. "Did you think I would kill you when you are still of so much value to me? Feya's still out there and alive. If I'm ever to catch her, I need some bait."
Nick shook in horror. She placed her hand on his thigh, making him feel uncomfortable. She then inched closer to kiss him. His heart skipped a beat, but he didn't jerk back. She forced him to lay back down as she climbed over him and kissed him harder. She reached down, ready to undo his pants when a guard suddenly rushed in. "Your highness!"
Meina snapped at her like a tiger. "What?!"
The guard quickly responded, "Queen Feya. . . some guards claimed they saw her in the palace near the guest quarters!" At this, Meina jumped up, leaving Nick panting from the kiss. Soon they disappeared and Nick let out a sigh, wishing for Feya's safety.