Page 24

Horek

The palace staff and its residents are buzzing with excitement, but none more so than the queen. She’s been planning for this day, and nothing and no one is going to ruin it for her. Or me.

Today is my mating ceremony with Quinn. Soon after her mother arrived, she agreed to become my bride in truth. An event I never expected to occur before I met her, but one that now I couldn’t imagine not having. My heart’s fire and I are finally standing before the entire city and pledging our commitment to one another, much to my mother’s utter revulsion and refusal to step foot in the palace.

It is better this way. She would only bring hatred and disdain with her, and I won’t subject Quinn to that. Once was more times than there should have been, but my mother chose to confront my heart’s fire when I wasn’t with her. She’s lucky, because if I had been present, I’m not sure I would have been able to control my rage. Even against the female who gave birth to me.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Alik strides into the room dressed in his most formal attire, but looking haggard.

The mating fever is burning out of control within him. I fear it’s only a matter of time before it consumes him, and I’ll be forced to do what I have to, no matter how much it will destroy me. I’m already imagining the devastating effect it will have on my aunt.

“There is nothing more I want in this world.”

“I am happy for you, cousin.” Alik claps my shoulder.

The urge to caution him about what he’s doing to himself rises, but I know it’s no use. No one on Bohna is more stubborn than my cousin, and it’s becoming clear he’s determined to let the madness take over. I don’t want this day ruined with an argument or harsh words spoken between us.

“Thank you.” I reach into my pocket and finger the item stowed inside.

“Are you ready to make Quinn your mate?”

“Yes.”

“Let us go then. Your heart’s fire awaits.”

Together, we leave his rooms where I got dressed and head to the coronation room where the mating ceremony will take place. Everyone from the High Council is in attendance, as well as all the human females and half the population of Preska. A few high-ranking officials from the various cities around the planet are also present.

While I’m not royalty by title, I am technically Alik’s heir, and nephew to the queen which offers me a few benefits the rest of the citizens don’t have. That includes a royal mating ceremony and all the pomp and circumstance that comes with it. If it were up to me, Quinn and I would have a private ceremony with only the two of us, Alik, Queen Veroneek, and Quinn’s mother. But this is for my heart’s fire. She deserves the best.

I might also want to present my mate in front of our entire population, so they know who she belongs to.

My fangs ache with the continued need to bite her. I’ve been holding off until we were officially mated, even though Quinn’s begged me more than once to mark her. It’s taken all I have not to comply with both our wishes, but I’ve also enjoyed keeping her on the edge of want.

Alik and I enter the coronation room and head to the front where the queen awaits. Conversation quiets, and a stillness falls over the room. Moments later, two guards open the doors at the back of the room, and in walks my heart’s fire with her mother at her side and the largest smile across her lips. Our eyes meet and everyone else disappears.

I can’t take my gaze off Quinn as she strides forward looking stunning in her traditional Bohnari garb. The shimmering teal and copper fabric encases her body perfectly and accentuates all her curves. Enough of her flesh is bared to tempt and tease. Her hair is plaited and coiled up on the top of her head in a fancy design that showcases her long, slender neck and taunts me by exposing the exact spot where I wish to mark her. My body heats and I can feel the fever’s effects, the feral need to mate, but I control it.

It takes far too long for her to reach me, but at long last, she does. Tears sparkle in her eyes, and if not for the fact she told me they are tears of happiness, I would be worried.

“You are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen.”

“So are you.”

I’m not, but she believes it to be true. My face is too harsh and severe to be beautiful, but Quinn has said it’s a face she loves to gaze upon, so I don’t refute her words.

Queen Veroneek speaks, but whatever she says is lost to me. My sole focus is on my heart’s fire. The ceremony continues until, at last, the queen clears her throat. I blink to attention and glance at her. She nods and I reach into my and withdraw the item I’ve had in my possession for weeks.

“My heart’s fire, please accept this mating gift as a sign of my devotion.” I reach forward and clasp the pikela stone necklace around Quinn’s neck.

She glances down at it and gasps. Her head snaps up and she lays her palm over the piece of jewelry she admired in the market square the day of her arrival on our planet.

“How?” She whispers. “When?”

“The moment I saw you staring at it, I knew it belonged to you. Like Olivia said that day, there is no one else it was made for. I went back later and purchased it, because deep down, I think I knew you were my mate and I wanted you to have it.”

The happy tears spill down her cheeks and she rises up on her toes to kiss me. “I love you so much. Thank you for the gift. I’ll treasure it forever.”

“As I will treasure you.”

With that, Queen Veroneek finishes the ceremony, and at long last, Quinn is mine. The crowd cheers and her friends and mother rush to embrace her and offer their congratulations. My aunt looks on with no small amount of affection and pride.

“Let us depart to the banquet room for the feast,” she calls out.

Everyone slowly disperses and a small contingent of guards leads the people out of the room and in the direction of the celebration. Quinn, her mother, and friends—each with happy tears in their eyes—all remain behind with the queen, Alik, and me. My aunt embraces my heart’s fire.

“I am so happy to have you as part of the family.”

“Thank you so much.”

The queen nods her head and then she and Alik depart as well. My hand finds Quinn’s, and I thread my fingers through hers. Olivia approaches and she fingers the necklace. She lifts her gaze to Quinn’s.

“You know, I’m not one to gloat, but I told you that you would look amazing in this thing.”

My heart’s fire shakes her head and laughs. “We both know you’ve been doing nothing but gloating the last few weeks.”

Olivia sucks in a shocked breath. “Not me.”

Quinn embraces her within her free arm. “I love you, Liv.”

“Love you, too, babe.”

Our group leaves the coronation room as well and makes its way to the banquet hall. Just as we reach it, Olivia stops short.

“Crap, I forgot something in my apartment.”

Their friend Devon gapes. “What in the world did you forget that you need this very second?”

Olivia fists her hips. “A mating present.”

Quinn lays her hand on her friend’s arm. “You didn’t have to get me anything, but since I know you’re going to say, of course you did, I won’t push the issue. Can you give it to me tomorrow?”

“Let’s just say it’s something you two are definitely going to want tonight.” Olivia does something entirely human with her eyebrows that makes no sense to me, but it must to the other humans because my heart’s fire turns red and glances at her mother before hissing at her friend.

“Oh my god, I’m going to kill you.”

Unrepentant, Olivia grins madly. “You can thank me later. Look, I’ll take a guard with me and be right back.”

Before anyone can argue with her, she waves and takes off, pausing only long enough to speak to one of the males. The two head down the corridor before turning a corner and disappearing from sight.

“She’ll be fine.” I reassure Quinn.

“I know.”

We finally enter the banquet hall where everyone awaits us. I guide my mate and her family to the head table where the queen and Alik are already seated. We all settle into our places while the staff serve us our meal. I can’t stop touching Quinn, like I’m reassuring myself she’s truly mine.

The musicians play and even while we eat, people come up to us and offer their congratulations. My mate smiles and accepts each one with kindness and grace, while I wish for them all to leave us alone. I want Quinn all to myself. She leans over and converses with her mother often. The happiness on both their faces is worth everything to me. I’m glad Cora chose to stay on Bohna. I know it pleases my mate as well.

We finish eating, although far too much food remains on Quinn’s plate due to the constant interruption by our people. I’ll make sure a meal is delivered to my quarters later because I’m sure we’ll both be hungry. Plus, I need her to keep up her strength for the night I have planned.

A commotion at the entrance of the banquet hall draws everyone’s attention. The doors crash open, and a guard stumbles in on unsteady feet. He’s bloodied and bruised. Alik and I rush to our feet and hurry over. Fuck, it’s Lorik.

“He took her,” he rasps out in a voice filled with pain as he collapses onto the floor. Another guard runs forward and helps him sit up.

“Who?” Alik snaps. “Who was taken?”

“The female. I tried to stop him, but he had help.”

Quinn appears at my side. She clutches my arm. “Where’s Olivia?”

“Gone,” the young guard says.

“What do you mean, she’s gone? Where?” My heart’s fire cries out.

“The rebels.”

Alik curses and we exchange glances.

“Janik.” It has to be him. I grip Quinn’s arms and pull her to me. Her sobs fill my ears. “I will find her. No matter what. I swear it on the gods.”

Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed Horek and Quinn’s story!

Want to know about the Tavikhi warriors who live on the neighboring planet and are the Bohnari allies? You can start the Warriors of Tavikh series with Fated to the Alien Warrior !

If you’re all caught up with them, be sure to check out the next book, where we head back to Tavikh for Claimed by the Krijese . If you love aliens who look like aliens and single dads, then you’ll love Kala’s story.