Page 9

Quinn

I’m not sure why I’m surprised to see so many people—men—staring. It’s been like this since we arrived, except I feel more exposed now. Maybe because we’re in such close quarters. Plus we’ve been invited here to meet our potential husbands. Mates. Whatever they call them on Bohna.

Nobody moves though. Not the Bohnari. Not us women. Not even the group of people sitting in the corner who have stopped playing whatever interesting looking musical instruments they hold. It’s the most awkward sensation to just stand here and stare at each other.

“Okay, ladies, let’s do this.” Olivia gives a sharp nod. “It’s why we came all this way after all, right?”

She snags my arm and guides me forward with no chance to think about stopping her. That’s the thing about Olivia. She’s like a bulldozer and drags everyone along with her for the ride. Based on the sound of footsteps, at least Devon and Lindsey follow us.

I try my best to appear friendly by smiling and nodding at the males we pass on our way to the large empty table I assume has been left reserved for us. Olivia and I take our seats, as do the others. The silence continues for an inordinate amount of time.

“I leave the room for mere moments, and none of you can greet our guests properly?”

All our heads turn at the feminine voice that scolds from the other side of the room. There’s no mistaking the fact the female standing there is the queen. It’s not even the crown she wears that gives her away or the way she’s glaring at Alik and Horek. It’s her regal bearing. She strides forward like she owns the room, her satiny cape billowing behind her until she reaches the table where we’re sitting.

“Please forgive my son’s rudeness.” She scans down the table, pausing briefly on each of us before continuing. “Welcome to Bohna. I am Queen Veroneek. Thank you for joining us this evening. I hope the food and drink are to your liking. More so than the present company of males who clearly need to be reminded of their manners.”

When she glares again, this time over her shoulder at the entire room, I press my lips together to hide my smile. Not that I’ve ever met royalty before, but I have a strong suspicion Queen Veroneek is unlike any other.Teal hair is plaited and wound into a bun at the base of her head while her horns are visible over the top of her jewel-encrusted crown. But her most outstanding feature is the kindness on her face. I like her already.

“I look forward to getting to know each of you lovely females before the night is over,” Queen Veroneek tells us and claps her hands in front of her.

A bevy of staff rush forward and pour some fruit-scented liquid into the cups already placed on the table in front of us.

“The meal will be served momentarily. In the meantime, drink, converse, and try to enjoy yourselves.” She tips her chin down and heads for Alik and Horek.

The musicians play their instruments again and a lovely melody adds to the quiet conversation that picks back up amongst the Bohnari males.

“How much do you want to bet someone’s getting lectured? And by someone, I mean the prince.” Olivia snickers and takes a careful sip of her beverage. She makes a smacking sound. “Damn, that’s some good stuff.”

I slowly sniff it and the barest hint of fermented fruit emanates from the cup. Alcohol and I don’t always get along well, but a small taste can’t hurt. I drink the tiniest bit and bubbles tickle my tongue. My eyes widen at the flavor. “Oh, wow, that’s nice.”

“Told you.” She’s a little too proud of the fact.

I cast what I hope is a discreet glance out onto the Bohnari seated around the room. They still study us, but at least it’s not quite as blatant as it had been when we first arrived. My gaze catches on the guy who brought my belongings to my suite yesterday. Bannik meets my stare and nods his head just slightly in my direction. My cheeks warm and I give him a small smile.

“Looks like Quinn’s already found a potential date,” Devon practically coos.

Olivia nudges me. “And you didn’t even want to come.”

She’s right, I didn’t. Honestly, I’m still not sure being on Bohna is the right decision, but I’m here and I need to learn how to love it and make it my home.

Someone appears out of the corner of my eye, and I lean back as a Bohnari places food on my plate. He moves on to Olivia and keeps going down the line until he is met in the middle by another guy coming from the other end of the table serving food as well.

It took a few days on the ship for my stomach to get used to real food. For thirty years, I survived on protein bars. It’s the only thing to ever make me envy the upper tier and the things they had that I didn’t. Although there’s no division on Bohna that I’ve discovered, I feel like I’m now a member of the wealthy population that took great pleasure in making the lives of bottomers hell.

“This smells as good as that drink tastes.” Olivia leans closer to her food and inhales deeply.

I don’t have to be as close as she is to get a whiff of savory spices and meat. There’s also some type of root vegetable covered in a sauce alongside it. A basket of different breads is placed in front of us. My stomach rumbles in delight. I pick up the utensil and stab a piece of the meat. It nearly melts in my mouth. I glance over at Olivia, who meets my gaze with one of pure ecstasy.

“Holy shit, that’s good,” she mumbles around a mouthful.

Not that I have a lot to compare it to, but so far it’s the best thing I’ve eaten to date. “It’s amazing.”

Muted conversation continues throughout the room, but I don’t pay it any attention. I’m enjoying my meal far too much to care about what the Bohna males are talking about. Even if it’s us.

I savor every bite on my plate until it’s completely gone and wash the last taste away with a long sip of the fruity beverage. Except now that nearly all of us have finished eating, my nerves act up again and make my belly flip and twist.

“Don’t forget what Johnna said.” Olivia leans in close. “They need us more than we need them, so relax. It’s up to the males to impress us women, not the other way around.”

Her words rattle around inside my brain a few times before it hits me that she’s right. They both are. The Bohnari are probably as equally, if not more, nervous than we are. Their entire race depends on finding suitable brides. If we don’t choose a husband, we’re still allowed to remain on Bohna, to ensure no one was forced into a marriage she didn’t truly desire.

I’m soothed by the realization and the queasiness in my stomach settles.

I squeeze Olivia’s hand under the table. “Thank you for always knowing the right thing to say.”

“It’s what best friends are for.” She grins.

“Excuse my interruption, but would you like to dance?” Standing on the other side of the table from me is Bannik.

I glance around to find the entire room staring and cringe against the scrutiny. Except another part of me is flattered by the attention, especially considering it had to have taken a lot of confidence to approach our table before anyone else and ask.

“I’m not sure I’ll be any good, but I’d like that.” I swipe my sweaty palms down my thighs and stand up.

Bannik holds out his hand and I take it. He leads me to an open area near where the musicians play and the music quickly changes into something lively and upbeat. The Bohnari smiles revealing the tiniest flash of fangs.

“Just follow the beat and you’ll be fine,” he says.

As though a floodgate opened, more males rise and head for the table where the rest of the women sit. In seconds, we’re joined by nineteen other couples. It takes me far longer than I wish to catch the rhythm, but soon, Bannik and I are twirling and spinning around. Laughter that’s been absent from a lot of my life spills out of me. I’m clumsy and step on his toes more than once, but he doesn’t appear to mind.

In fact, Bannik is clearly enjoying himself and laughs along with me. This is the most fun I’ve had in ages. Song after song plays, and with each one comes a new partner until my feet and sides are aching. I excuse myself and make my way over to the table for a sip of my drink.

“You look like you are having a wonderful time.”

I sputter at the sight of the queen standing so close and wipe my mouth with my sleeve like an ill-mannered child. My attempt at a curtsy is clumsy at best. “Your Highness.”

She waves me off with a smile. “Please, none of that. No need for such formalities. Queen Veroneek is fine.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“And what is your name, dear?”

“Quinn. Quinn Brooks.”

“How are you enjoying your time on Bohna so far?”

We’ve only been here for two days, so I’m not sure I can give it an honest assessment, but I don’t want to offend her. “What I have seen of your planet so far is extremely beautiful.”

“Thank you. While I have not traveled off-planet more than a handful of times, I haven’t seen any place more stunning than here.” The queen glances around the dance floor and her gaze appears to pause on someone. “Bannik has taken an interest in you, it would seem.”

I cock my head slightly, trying to gauge her tone, but I can’t puzzle anything specific out. Nothing was mentioned about having to get approval from the queen—or anyone else, for that matter—on any potential suitors we might have, but maybe I’m wrong.

“He’s been kind and friendly during our brief interactions.” Is that neutral enough?

“I am glad. He has been a member of the guards for several years now and has done well for himself and his family,” Queen Veroneek says. “I believe he would make a fine mate for a female.”

I wonder if all the Bohnari males will get a glowing recommendation or if she’s being sincere in her assessment of Bannik?

“That’s good to hear.”

Her gaze bores deeper into me and I fight the urge to fidget under its intensity. “I’m not sure if he would be right for you, though. I have something of a talent for judging people’s character and mine is telling me you need a mate who is a bit more…seasoned. A male who takes himself far too seriously and needs a bride who can remind him how to laugh and enjoy all life has to offer. A male like Commander Horek, perhaps.”