Page 11 of Taming the Alien Outlaw (Brides of the Bohnari #2)

Olivia

It feels almost normal sitting here with Janik having a simple conversation about our favorite food. Like I’m not a captive and he my captor. Because I don’t feel like a prisoner. It’s not due to the accommodations either. It’s because of him. I’m annoyed by the fact, too.

“As enjoyable as this has been, I need to attend a meeting.” Janik rises with his tray in hand.

“I don’t suppose you’d let me come?” Not that I particularly want to, but I don’t want to be left alone either.

“Unfortunately, that isn’t a good idea.”

His answer doesn’t surprise me. “Worried I’ll tell Alik all your secret plans?”

Janik’s smile is far too smooth. “Not at all.”

I glance around. “If you’re finally going to make this place feel like a prison, do you at least have something to keep me entertained while you’re gone?”

“How about I have someone bring you a data pad to read on? The communication capabilities will be disabled, but you will at least be able to occupy yourself. I will also leave someone outside the door so if you wish to explore the camp, you may.”

“A guard, you mean?” I glare.

Janik inclines his head. “Think of him as your personal tour guide.”

“Sure.” Since these are most likely the only concessions he’s going to give, I don’t push my luck. “Do you know how long you’ll be gone?”

That familiar cocky grin appears. “Why? Will you miss me?”

I raise my middle finger in response.

Janik narrows his gaze. “What does that mean?”

“It’s no in sign language.” I press my lips together to keep from laughing.

His gaze bores into me. “I suspect this is a lie.”

My mouth falls open and I palm my chest in fake affront. “Do you really think I would lie to you? My feelings are hurt.”

Janik shakes his head. “I am leaving. Don’t walk around by yourself. We have too little kanet powder here for you to do so. Wait for the guide I send.”

Damn, when he puts it that way, I reconsider trying to escape. Better to bide my time and make an actual plan. “I still think you mean guard.”

“Don’t forget.” Janik heads for the door, but glances over his shoulder. His gaze holds mine for several seconds. “Try to stay out of trouble while I’m gone.”

“I make no promises.”

A genuine smile that doesn’t make me want to punch him in the face appears. However, I don’t like what it does do to me.

“I expect nothing less.” He opens the door—bringing with it a hint of daylight and flicker of sunshine—before walking out and closing it behind him.

My plate is nearly empty, but I’m suddenly not interested in finishing it. Which is unusual, because since coming to Bohna and eating real food, I don’t ever let any of it go to waste. I refuse to start now.

Just as I’ve finished off the last piece of bread, there’s a knock on the door. Since I assume it’s the “tour guide” Janik’s assigned to me, I answer it.

“Bannik?”

He quickly ushers me inside and closes the door. “Keep your voice down.”

“Why are you in the rebel camp?” Is he part of the rescue party come to get me? Or has he been a spy all this time? But for Alik or Janik?

“If you want to go back to Preska, then you need to come with me. Now.”

Duh. “Of course I want to go.” I’ll analyze later why he avoided my question.

“We need to hurry.” Bannik opens the door and glances from side to side.

He doesn’t have to tell me twice. I don’t even bother grabbing the beautiful dress I wore to Quinn’s wedding.

Instead, I follow him out of Janik’s house.

He keeps off the main path and we slink in the shadows of buildings, staying low and pausing every so often so he can make sure the coast is clear.

Finally, we cross outside the border of the camp and into the rainforest. It’s probably early afternoon, but it’s hard to tell within the canopy of trees surrounding us.

“Why are you helping me?” More accurately, who are you working for ? Something tells me Bannik won’t answer that second question so I keep it to myself.

“Don’t concern yourself with my motives.”

I study him. This isn’t the same shy and nervous guy who brought Quinn her bags to the dormitory the first day we arrived on this planet.

The one who stammered and nearly blushed when I told him he better not hurt my friend after he asked her on a date.

Was that nothing but an act? A front he put on while he spied for Janik? I’m so confused.

Behind us, the trees rustle loudly and I whirl at the same time Mak comes loping out of them. She bares her teeth at Bannik and snarls. His hand goes to the blaster at his hip and I stay him with my hand.

“Don’t you dare.” I stare at the wolf, not taking my eyes off her. “Mak, no.”

She stalks forward a step with a deep growl, and I move in front of her to block her view of Bannik. Why I think she’ll listen to me or not attack either of us, I don’t know, but I have to try.

“Mak.” I make my voice firm. She finally turns her focus to me and whines. “You need to go back. Go.”

She doesn’t move. Not sure what to do, I continue walking away and hope she remains there or finally listens and returns to camp. Bannik walks as well, but he keeps his eyes on the wolf, who does the same with the Bohnari. Just when I think she’s going to stay where she is, she follows.

“Damn it, Mak.”

We trek through the rainforest that’s eerily quiet aside from our footsteps.

I suppose silence is better than some roaring beast. Of course, I probably just jinxed myself.

Nothing of the non-existent path we take looks familiar.

Of course, between being slung over Janik’s shoulder for some of the time and walking aimlessly the other, it shouldn’t.

Sweat beads on my forehead despite the chill in the air. Bannik’s pace has been swift. I catch a few flashes of what might be buildings, but it’s hard to tell through the dense foliage. Finally, he comes to a stop so I do as well.

“Up ahead is one of the gated entrances to Preska. Just keep walking straight and you won’t miss it. There should be a couple of guards who will let you in and escort you to the palace.”

“You aren’t going with me?”

Bannik shakes his head. “No. And you’ll be wise to keep to yourself how you were able to get out of the rebel camp. From everyone.”

“Understood.” Not really.

He turns around and disappears through the trees with only a short glance at Mak who I swear glares at him.

Since I don’t want to get caught out here alone, I hurry in the direction Bannik pointed.

The wolf, once again, follows. I don’t have time to worry about her right now. Not when freedom is so close.

Sure enough, there’s a break in the trees and just past it is a gate with two armed guards who raise their weapons at my approach. I show my hands in surrender.

“Don’t shoot. I’m Olivia, one of the human brides.”

Calls to open the gate sound and a guard walks out. Mak charges in front of me and stops, bearing her teeth and growling deep from her chest. The Bohnari withdraws his blaster.

“Stop! Put it away.” I run forward and attempt to put myself between her and the guard, but she’s not having it. “Mak, sit.”

She hesitates, but after I repeat the command, she slowly lowers herself. She continues snarling at the male though and doesn’t take her eyes off him. I stroke her head, hoping to keep her calm. His wary gaze doesn’t shift from her, but he at least takes his hand off the weapon.

“What are you doing with a phinnek?”

“She’s a…friend.”

The Bohnari laughs. “Other than the prince, no one is friends with one of those beasts.”

I fist my hips. “Well, I am.”

His disbelief is evident. “You better keep her under control or someone will put her down.”

They’ll do no such thing. “I need you to take me to the palace.”

“The prince has already been notified of your arrival and has instructed me to bring you to him.”

I should have assumed someone would comm Alik as soon as I showed up.

“Mak, come.”

We trail the guard as he guides us through the gate, the phinnek staying close to my side.

She scans our surroundings and I can tell how alert she is.

I find it interesting what the guard said about Alik having a phinnek for a friend.

Does Janik know this about his brother? I’ve never seen the prince with a wolf the few times I’ve actually been around him.

Other than welcoming us the day we arrived, the two banquets the queen held in our honor, and Quinn’s wedding, Alik has made himself scarce in the presence of any humans to my knowledge.

For someone who wants to save his people, he doesn’t appear to be interested in a bride of his own.

Not that I care. I have zero aspirations to be a princess.

What if Janik were the prince?

“Shut up.”

“Did you say something?” the guard asks over his shoulder.

My cheeks heat. “No.”

He appears confused, but doesn’t argue. We wind our way through the streets, but I barely pay attention to where we’re going until I spot the mountain where the palace sits. If we passed the dormitory, I missed it. Quinn, Devon, and Lindsey are probably worried sick.

“Can you send word to my friends where I am, please?”

The Bohnari nods. “Once I deposit you with the prince, I will notify them.”

“Thanks.”

We stop at the lift at the base of the mountain and he presses the button. Mak hesitates at the door. She’s probably never seen one of these before.

“It’s okay, girl. You’re all right.”

Slowly she steps inside with us, but presses herself against my hip.

I stroke behind her ears and wish I had a lulesh berry to give her.

Maybe Alik will have some. The ride up to the palace level is slower than I remember it being, but finally the lift comes to a stop and the door slides open.

Standing on the other side is Horek. His gaze drops from me to Mak and his eyes widen.

It might be the first time I’ve see him surprised.

She appraises him in the same way. The commander shifts his gaze to his guard.

“I will escort Olivia from here.”

The subordinate dips his head. “Yes, Commander.”

Mak and I step out of the lift and walk with Horek across the marble courtyard toward the palace entrance.

“You are unharmed?” he asks.

“I’m fine.”

“Quinn has been nearly inconsolable since you were taken. She will be relieved to know you are back safely. I’ll comm her as soon as we finish meeting with Alik.”

My heart aches at the thought of what my absence has done to her. My best friend has dealt with far too much loss in her life already.

“Thank you.”

The stares that accompany us would normally be amusing, but I’m not feeling particularly amused. With Mak at my side, I wonder what exactly I’m going to tell Alik.