Page 8

Horek

The palace is buzzing with anticipation in preparation for the arrival of the humans. Queen Veroneek has spent the entire day directing staff for the reception and making sure no details have been forgotten. I walk the perimeter and check that everything’s secure. There are a few advantages of being located halfway up the mountain, but that doesn’t mean reaching the palace and getting past the guards is impossible.

Bohnari patrol the entire grounds as well as inside the walls. Nothing will go wrong tonight. Johnna sent a message about her conversation with the females. I’m not sure Alik will be happy the humans are aware of his status now, but it’s too late to worry about it at this point. I understand his need for secrecy. Especially since the one and only female he ever courted was only interested in being Queen one day. When she realized that was never going to happen, she left Bohna on a transport ship and returned to her own planet.

I suppose that could be his reason for not wanting a mate. How would he know the female wanted him because she cared more for him than his title? Not that I’m looking for my own bride, but I appreciate the fact Johnna left out the small detail of my relationship to Alik.

“Commander,” a young guard halts abruptly. “The palace is secure. Guards are placed at every entrance and various points around the grounds. There is also an increase in security near the city border closest to where the rebel was spotted yesterday.”

“Thank you.”

He nods and heads back toward his station. I take a final glance around and make my way into the palace to Alik’s wing. The fragrant scent of the evening meal fills the air. There are hints of smoked meats, the faint odor of bread, along with the fruitiness of the lulesh berry used to make the special Bohnari drink guests are always served.

The soft notes being played by the musicians flitter around as well. I’m sure the night will be filled with merriment as the Bohnari males are finally introduced to all the human females. It is a celebration of hope for the future of our people. I only wish my gut wasn’t telling me to expect some kind of disruption.

I reach Alik’s set of suites and rap the door before entering. Several staff are inside, bustling around and preparing his clothing. Moments later, my cousin steps out of the hygiene room wearing only a pair of low slung pants. His hair has been blown out and is mussed enough to make it look as though a female just finished running her fingers through it.

“You’re dismissed,” he tells the males who hustle out of the room, leaving us alone. “Any updates on the rebel?”

“Nothing. It’s back to being as quiet as it was before he snuck into the city yesterday.” The sense of foreboding grows stronger.

“So still no idea what he wanted or what he was looking for.” It’s not a question, but one I answer anyway.

“No.”

“Do you think it was their leader? Janik, if your sources are correct?”

One of the first things Garek taught me when I joined the guards was to always trust my instincts. They’re telling me that’s exactly who was detained. “I do. There was something infinitely cocky about him that only comes from a person who’s in charge and knows how smart they are. He acted far too smug to have been a lowly scout. If it wasn’t this Janik, then my next guess is it was someone close to him. A second-in-command, perhaps.”

“And there’s been no mutterings from them since he got away?” Alik asks.

The anger at myself for letting him outsmart me flares. “Nothing. Like I said, quiet. There aren’t even any whispers of them knowing the humans arrived.”

My cousin chuckles, but without amusement. “Every citizen of Preska and its outer cities knows they arrived yesterday. It’s all anyone has been talking about. The chances of our males finding their mate and producing progeny is too big of news for it to remain quiet for long. I suspect the entire planet itself knows they’re here.”

Alik’s no doubt correct. With all the trade lines, word has to have spread far and wide. Which means there’s not a chance the rebels don’t know. Knowing there’s a possible spy in our midst doesn’t help either.

“We’ll flush them out. Somehow.” I only hope it’s before things escalate.

“I trust you.”

The words hang in the air a moment.

Alik doubles over with a groan. I rush over to help. His head jerks up and a growl erupts from his throat making me come to an abrupt halt. His eyes shift colors, and his skin-tone deepens. Fuck . It’s the fever. Not making any sudden moves, I reach into my vest and bring out my vial of ground kanet powder.

“Alik, you need to take this.” Carefully I unscrew the cap and pour a larger portion than I normally would. “Breathe, cousin. Everything’s going to be fine. It’s Horek. I need you to breathe.”

With slow, methodical steps, I move forward with both hands outstretched in front of me. In one is the cap containing the kanet powder. Alik’s chest rises and falls rapidly and a slow rumble climbs from his chest to land in his throat. At his sides, his fists clench and his claws elongate, no doubt cutting into his flesh and causing even more pain. I’m finally within an arm’s reach.

“Easy. Just breathe.” I place the cap under his nose. “That’s it. Breathe it in.”

The first inhalation is slow, the second faster. At last, he takes in a sharp breath and the powder disappears. I keep my own breathing even until Alik calms. His eyes return to normal, and the tension he’d been holding in his body releases. His breathing evens out, and he straightens to his impressive height. His color lightens but only by a fraction.

“Fuck.” He snaps the curse in a harsh tone.

I step away to give him space. He meets my gaze, but I let the words I want to say remain unspoken. We both know what they are and we both know nothing is going to change.

“You should hurry and finish dressing before your mother comes searching for you. I’ll let her know you’re on your way.” I recap my supply of kanet powder and toss it on Alik’s bed. “You need this more than I do right now.”

His jaw tightens and he gives me a sharp nod. I stare a moment longer and then leave. That’s the worst I’ve seen the fever hit. Most days there’s a barely noticeable pain in my chest. It’s dull, and the smallest amount of kanet powder keeps it at bay. My cousin is the only one it’s affected this badly and I don’t understand why.

Even the rebels get it although the exchange is never done in person. More times than I can count, I’ve laid a trap to catch whoever comes to get their supply of it, and every time they slip between my fingers. It’s maddening. I make my way through the palace toward the main gathering space.

Tables flanked on either side with backless benches fill the room in preparation for dinner. The musicians are seated together in the far corner and play an upbeat tune. Already several males have arrived. All of them ready to court one of the females.

“My son appears to be missing.”

I turn at the sound of my aunt’s voice. She approaches dressed like the queen she is, wearing traditional Bohnari royalty clothing and a small, delicate crown on her head. Her slightly shorn horns are just visible over the top of it.

“I just left him in his room, Highness. He will be down momentarily and asked me to let you know he was running slightly behind.”

“That is good,” she says with a soft smile. “I thought perhaps he had tried to make his escape off planet so he didn’t have to sit on display in front of all the new females.”

“Only because he knows you would hunt him down if he dare tried.”

Queen Veroneek chuckles. “How right you are.”

“You look lovely, by the way, Aunt.”

She waves off the compliment, but I can tell it pleases her. “You should save your flattery for one of the young females.”

I stare her down. “You know I am not interested.”

Her lips turn downward at the corners. “Never have I met more stubborn males than my son and you. Not even his father was this bad. It’s your mother getting in your head again, isn’t it?”

“We haven’t spoken in several moons.” Not since word spread that Alik was negotiating for brides. I do my best to avoid her.

“That doesn’t mean you don’t hear her voice in your head telling you all sorts of nonsense about the sort of male she says you are. About how females want a male who is less serious and stoic. A male who knows how to laugh and flirt and charm. Someone exactly like Alik.”

I nearly flinch at the accuracy of everything she just said, because those are all the things my mother spoke of the last time I saw her. My aunt moves forward and lays her hand on my cheek.

“You are kind and gentle, Horek. Protective of those you care for. Your heart is much bigger than you think it is. Any female should count herself lucky to be loved by you.” She places her hand on my chest next. “Don’t let fear or untruths spoken by others keep you from searching for a female to spend the rest of your days with. There is nothing greater than finding your heart’s fire. Trust me. I found mine.”

Queen Veroneek focuses on me for a moment longer and then heads in the direction of the kitchen. I’m not sure how long I stand there, but the sound of approaching people reaches me. I push back my aunt’s words and turn my attention to the entrance. Alik still hasn’t arrived. Males trickle in like a slow leak that soon runs faster, until the eating area is nearly bursting.

They choose their seats carefully in order to get the best view of the table where the females will sit. I’m not sure how comfortable the humans are going to feel being fully exposed and treated like a spectacle. Not that I predict anyone will behave badly, but I plan on keeping a close eye on them all. It won’t do if the females grow uncomfortable from a male’s unwanted attention.

“They’re like starving animals waiting to pounce on their prey.” Alik’s voice comes from beside me.

I curse that I missed his arrival.

“It’s merely excitement.” Although his assessment isn’t too far off.

My cousin side-eyes me. “They’re nearly salivating.”

A bit of amusement strikes me and I can’t hold back my grin. “Perhaps I do see a hint of rabidness in their gazes.”

Alik barks out a laugh. “So you do have a sense of humor. There may be hope for you after all.”

The sound of faint conversations draws our attention. All the males have shifted in their seats and stare at the doorway to the banquet hall. Standing there are twenty females, each with varying degrees of nervousness lining their faces.