Page 7

Quinn

“There looks to be a lot of things our President left out regarding Bohna when she offered this ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity to us.” I knew there was something suspect about this whole bridal endeavor.

Johnna glances around. “Why don’t we go back to your housing complex? I’ll explain more there.”

Although I’d prefer to have answers now before she has time to organize her thoughts, she’s probably right. The six of us aren’t the only ones affected by this new information. There are fourteen other brides who deserve to hear it as well. Hopefully they’re all back at our building and not out wandering around.

We follow Johnna as she leads us through the city. Devon and Lindsey walk side by side in front of Olivia and me. I can sense the tension in all three of them. Olivia nudges my arm.

“What other surprises do you think are in store for us?”

I huff. “At this point, your guess is as good as mine.”

“Not to detract from the seriousness of the current situation, but I find it interesting that we just happened to run into your commander while we were out.” Olivia waggles her eyebrows at me.

“He’s not my anything.”

“He did appear awfully focused on you,” Devon says over her shoulder with a grin.

“I think you’re imagining things.” Weren’t they?

“Come on. You can’t tell me you didn’t notice how intently he was watching you?” Olivia quirks her lips.

“Or how you couldn’t quite look away from him either,” Lindsey points out.

My neck gets hot. I admit there’s something about Horek that draws me in, but I’m not sure he’s looking for a bride or if he’s the kind of guy I’m interested in beyond his looks. There’s an aloofness to him. A wall. Some type of barrier to his emotions. I can’t explain it.

“Fine. I admit to…admiring him. Who wouldn’t? He’s attractive. Like every other Bohnari I’ve seen since we got here. It doesn’t necessarily mean anything.”

“At least you’re admitting it,” Olivia says. “I’m not sure he’s your type anyway.”

For some reason, I’m offended on Horek’s behalf. “Why not?”

“I don’t really know to be honest. I guess I just pictured you with someone,” she hesitates. “lighter, maybe? Less serious.”

I shouldn’t feel the need to defend him. Yet, I do. “He’s the commander of the entire Bohnari guards. There’s probably a lot of responsibility that goes along with that. If he’s in charge of making sure the whole city is safe, I don’t suspect he has a lot of time for fun.”

Olivia holds up her hands, palms facing me. “I didn’t mean it to sound like an insult.”

I’m not sure why my back’s so up about her description of Horek. As if she still senses my emotions, she loops her arm around mine. “I’m sorry. If you’re interested in getting to know him better, then I think you should. Not that you need my permission or anything.”

I know what Olivia’s trying to do and I appreciate it. We’ve been best friends practically since birth, but that doesn’t mean our relationship is perfect or that we don’t have our disagreements.

“Thanks, Liv.”

We finally reach our building and walk through the front doors held open by the guards stationed there. Several women are seated in the lounging area chatting, but there are still quite a few missing. Johnna turns toward us all.

“Why don’t you guys join them and I’ll see if I can find the rest?” she suggests.

The six of us make our way to the others, grabbing four chairs grouped together around a small table.

“Do you think she’s going to tell us everything?” Devon crosses one leg over the other and bounces it.

“I have no intention of leaving this spot until she does.” Even if that means I have to trail after Johnna if she tries to get out of it.

My gaze shifts to Olivia who’s grinning madly at me.

“What?” I wrinkle my brows.

“You are one sexy bitch when you get all fierce like that. I like this side of you and don’t get to see it nearly often enough.”

Devon and Lindsey crack up.

I snort and shake my head. “You’re such a dork.”

“And yet, you still love me.” Olivia bats her eyelashes.

Yes, I do. “Don’t let it go to your head.”

Just when I think Johnna’s t actually ditched us, the lift door opens and she, along with six more women step out. They head straight for us.

She clears her throat and her gaze bounces from one woman to the next. Her smile appears strained. “Thank you ladies for joining us. I met most of you earlier today, but for those I didn’t, I’m Johnna Roberts.”

I tune out the rest of her introduction about her prior career on the terraforming ship and how she got to Bohna since she already told us during our walk through the city.

“My mate, or husband if you’d rather, is the head medical doctor,” she continues. “He reports to Alik, who’s the leader of the Bohnari.”

One of the women—Cadence, I believe—raises her hand. “I’m sorry. I’m not trying to be rude, but we were told all of this already. At least, about Alik being in charge, I mean. He greeted us when we arrived.”

“Yeah, except he’s a little more than just ‘in charge’.” Johnna winces. Her gaze shifts to me before returning to the others. “Technically, Alik is the crown prince of Bohna.”

Jaws drop, including mine. I expected something like this, but hearing it out loud makes it real.

“Holy shit. He’s a fucking prince?” Devon whispers loudly.

“Guess that explains the palace,” Lindsey deadpans.

Chatter grows louder until I speak over everyone. “And the rebels?”

Silence quickly follows and I keep my gaze locked on Johnna. The women shift their attention back to her as well. She blows out a heavy sigh.

“Not everyone on Bohna believes Alik should be the ruler, despite him being the son of the king and queen,” Johnna finally explains. “There is a faction of Bohnari living and hiding out within the rainforest beyond the city limits who are rebelling against the monarchy. They are trying to prove to the citizens that Alik isn’t fit to be the crown prince. Nothing they have done is violent. Merely inconvenient.”

“Yet,” Olivia speaks up.

“I’m sorry?” Johnna’s mouth turns down.

“Nothing they have done is violent…yet.”

More shared glances occur between the women. Their foreheads crease in obvious worry. Even a flash of fear appears in a few.

“Like Commander Horek said, Alik won’t let it come to that. He cares too much about his people. You all being here should be evidence of that.” Johnna sweeps her arm out. “We are the only things standing in the way of the Bohnari going extinct. Alik negotiated with the President for human brides because he wants this planet—these people—to survive. To create new generations of Bohnari. He’s not going to throw all of that away.”

What Johnna says makes sense. Why allow this civil unrest to escalate to a level where his people might die when the whole purpose of the bride program is for the Bohnari to find a bride and have children? Olivia and I share a glance. I can tell her thoughts align with mine. We’ve learned to read each other over the years.

“If you have any specific questions, I will do my best to answer them,” Johnna offers. “I may be mated to Vornak, but that doesn’t mean I’m part of the inner circle where decisions are discussed and made. So if I say I don’t know the answer, please don’t think I’m purposefully withholding anything.”

“You said the rebels are causing inconveniences,” a woman calls out. “What do you mean?”

“As you know, Preska is the capital city. Which means most of the trade with other cities initiates here,” Johnna explains. “There have been some minor hiccups.”

“Minor hiccups, how?” The question comes from Lindsey.

“Warehouses have been vandalized. Supplies stolen. Things of that nature. Fuel cells have been removed and not replaced from the ships that transport supplies so they’re unable to get out of the city, for one.” Johnna flashes her thumb. “There’s also an express light rail that travels between Preska and Haveeka. Herds of tannek have been led onto the tracks, and they’re notoriously stubborn. It takes hours to lead them away and clear the path so the train can continue its journey. Of course, while people are trying to get the beasts to safety and away from the tracks, the supplies are looted.”

So the rebels are thieves, really? I suppose there’s something to be said about rebels who aren’t trying to incite violence. And truthfully, every example Johnna gave really is nothing more than inconveniences, although some more major than others. Exactly like she said. I do feel a sense of relief now that she’s explained.

“Any other questions?” Johnna’s gaze drifts over the room.

Geneva raises her hand. “Is Alik looking for a bride?”

Olivia, Devon, Lindsey, and I all share a look. I should have guessed once they heard there was royalty here, at least one of them would try to snag whoever it was.

“You’d have to ask him. Anything else?”When nobody raises a hand or speaks up, Johnna dips her head. “Good. I need to get back to the medical facility then. Feel free to comm me if something comes up. I really hope we can all become friends.”

Her gaze shifts to the four of us and her strained smile softens a bit. I give her a small smile in return. Johnna waves at us all and then leaves us to talk amongst ourselves.

“You believe her, then?” Devon asks.

I nod slowly. “Yeah, I do.”

“Do you think she left anything out?” Olivia wonders out loud.

My gaze travels to the double doors where Johnna exited. “I sure hope not. Although what can we do if she did?”

It’s a question none of us can answer.