Page 16 of Taming the Alien Outlaw (Brides of the Bohnari #2)

Janik

With every sun that rises and falls since I last saw Olivia, the more my patience runs thin.

The more I snap and snarl out commands. The more I ache for her.

The more I can feel my control slipping away.

Not only from the mating fever, but over the rebels.

There’s a level of restlessness that hasn’t been present before.

There have been a few whispers here and there recently about me and my true commitment to not only them, but my purpose. A purpose I’ve given much thought to over the last few sleeps as well. It’s time I had a discussion with Alik.

I exit my dwelling, only to stop abruptly at the sight of my mother nearly at my door. Her expression is stormy—far more than usual. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen her happy.

“Is all well?”

“Of course not. You’ve lost focus and the rebels are starting to talk.” She says this as though I don’t already know it.

“Everything remains on track. Nothing has changed in that regard.”

She sweeps her arms out. “Everything has changed. Ever since her .”

There’s so much venom in the word, I flinch, but quickly recover.

“I have told you, nothing has changed. We will initiate the attacks tomorrow as planned and after that, the crown and throne are mine.”

She stares at me and I remain still while she completes her assessment. “Do not lose focus now, Janik. Not when we’re this close.”

“I have no intention of doing so.”

My mother scans my face a moment longer before she walks away. I follow her with my gaze as she winds her way through camp and then falls out of sight. I sigh heavily and head in the opposite direction. Toward Preska.

It’s been more difficult than I imagined it to be without Mak’s constant presence. This is the longest we’ve ever been away from each other. She’s been my only real friend. I’m glad she’s with Olivia, but I miss her.

Before long I’ve made my way through the rainforest. This time, I don’t head for the small section of crumbling wall. I walk straight up to the gate.

“I wish to speak with Commander Horek,” I call out.

The two guards share a startled glance and withdraw their weapons, but not before one opens the gate and the other sends a message via his comm.

With blasters trained on me, I’m escorted inside.

“Don’t try anything or I’ll be forced to shoot,” one says.

“What if I suddenly have an itch that needs scratched? May I do that? I’d hate for that to fall under the ‘anything’ subject. There are enough holes in my body as it is. I don’t wish to add another.”

“Quiet, rebel.”

“I’m merely making sure I understand what it is you wish of me. While there are plenty of people who would like to see me shot, there are at least two—although perhaps only one—who would be extremely put out by the fact.”

Would Olivia be that one?

There’s a hard jab into my back. Hard enough to make me wince, but not hard enough to make me keep my mouth shut.

“No need to get so rough. I understand there are those who prefer it that way, but I can assure you, I’m not one of them. I don’t judge though.”

“Will you be silent?” This time it’s a solid knock against the back of my head. My ears ring with the pain.

“I’d be careful with that blaster if I were you.”

“You’re the one who needs to take care,” the guard snarls.

I glance over my shoulder. “Have I personally offended you in some way?”

“Konek was my cousin.”

Ah, that explains things. I suspect nothing I say will be taken well or believed so I do as requested and stay silent. I do know when to keep my mouth shut. Most times, anyway. Thankfully the wait isn’t long until Horek approaches.

“Come to beg for more powder already?”

“I’m here to talk to Alik.” I don’t use his title because it’s more fun to bait the commander.

“The prince is busy.”

We both know he’s not too busy to speak with me, but if Horek wants to play a game, then I’ll play along.

“I didn’t realize you spoke for Alik. Perhaps it’s you he should worry about trying to take his throne.

You are, after all, his cousin and heir.

” Except everyone in Preska, including the rebels, is fully aware the commander has no interest in ruling.

His place is with the guards. “I guess I’ll come back another time. ”

I move to turn away, but Konek’s cousin jabs me in my spine with the muzzle of his blaster. I worry his trigger finger will get itchy next.

“Come on then, if you’re coming,” Horek commands although his tone emits boredom. Without waiting to see if I listen, he pivots and walks away. Since I like breathing, I don’t taunt the guard at the gate. I follow the commander like a good little soldier.

The path we take to the palace is a long one. Far longer than the shorter way that would take us past the building where Olivia resides.

“How is she?”

Horek doesn’t bother glancing over at me. I can see the tightening of his features and the tension in his frame as soon as the question leaves my mouth.

“There’s no need to concern yourself with the female.”

“I’d like to think there is.”

He sighs. “Olivia is fine.”

“I was speaking of Mak.” I wasn’t.

“Has anyone ever told you how irritating you are?”

My grin widens. “Constantly.”

“Both females are fine.”

Relief floods me, but also an ache throbs in my chest. Of course Olivia and Mak are fine. There’s no reason they shouldn’t be. I at least thought Mak would perhaps miss me as I miss her. Yes, I’ve given her her independence and never treated her as a pet. But she’s also been my loyal companion.

“Good, I’m glad to hear it.”

“You’re a pitiful liar.”

I glare at Horek. “I’m not lying.”

He makes a non-committal noise that I choose to ignore.

I glance forward and barely contain the gasp.

Straight ahead and closer than I’ve ever been to it, is the mountain and halfway up is the palace.

The size of the prince’s residence is far greater than it appears from the distance.

I try not to stare in awe, but I don’t accomplish the task because Horek chuckles.

“Bigger than you expected?”

“Yes.”

He shrugs like the humans. “It takes some getting used to.”

“I’m sure once I’m on the throne, it won’t take any time at all.”

“There’s the arrogance I’ve been waiting to return,” Horek grumbles.

At last we arrive at the base of the mountain. A guard mans the lift. His eyes widen at the sight of me and his hand goes to his blaster.

“Stand down,” the commander orders.

The other male does so but not before shooting me a hate-filled glare.

Perhaps another relative of Konek’s. Horek and I enter the lift and a few ticks later the door opens.

Spread out in front of me is a marble terrace that extends all the way to the palace, which is a distance greater than the entire length of the rebel camp.

Maybe I won’t quite get used to it. We have yet to make it inside and already this place reeks of opulence and wealth.

An ember of fire that’s been doing nothing more than smoldering sparks in anger.

While those of us have been suffering, Alik has been living like this.

Without a single care for those below him.

He stays up here—in his fortress of wealth—asking for nothing, while his subjects are fighting for their lives, praying for ease from the mating fever that works to destroy them from within.

A hard nudge to the middle of my chest brings my focus to the male in front of me. Horek digs the blaster into my flesh.

“Calm yourself before I’m forced to do something neither of us will enjoy.”

Only then do I realize my fangs and claws have extruded and my veins feel as though flames are licking at them. I picture Olivia stroking my face and work to slow my breathing. Finally, I manage to bring myself back under control.

“Better?” Horek asks.

I give a jerky nod.

He studies me a moment longer before holstering his weapon and walking toward the palace entrace again.

“Where’s your kanet powder?”

“I don’t have anymore.” I used what small dose I had in the time Olivia’s been back in Preska.

Horek jerks. “What happened to the supply I gave you?”

My stare bores into him. “I dispensed it to the rebels.”

His eyes widen. “All of it?”

“What else would I have done with it? The last supply we overpaid for wasn’t enough. It never is. Every single one of us has been on the verge of not coming back from an attack because there isn’t enough kanet powder to go around.”

Horek shakes his head. “That isn’t right.”

I come to an abrupt halt. “How dare you think I’m lying.”

“If it’s not you, then someone is.”

That’s what Olivia thinks, too. I don’t say it out loud though, because I still don’t want to consider she—and now Horek—is right.

“Come,” the commander orders like I’m one of his subordinates.

We continue on, at last entering the palace.

I’ve thought of this moment for longer than I can remember.

My entire life, really. Ever since my mother told me I was the one who was supposed to be sitting on the throne.

It’s far more intimidating that I expected, but oddly there are hints of home and family present.

Like pictures of the king and queen. Of Alik.

Portraits hang everywhere, showcasing a loving family.

At the base of the stairs is a picture of a single male.

Before I know my own intent, I stand before it, studying the subject. Studying the king.

“Alik doesn’t have all day,” Horek says from a short distance behind me.

With great effort, I tear my gaze from the male who sired me—hatred burning in my belly—and join the commander.

He doesn’t say anything else. Silently, we walk down passageway after passageway making so many turns there’s no way I’d be able to find my way back to the exit, which I’m sure is the intent.

Guards patrols the hallways and by the time we’ve reached a set of double doors, I’m sure the entire palace knows I’m here.

The doors open and there, seated on the throne I’ve been fighting for, is Alik. He doesn’t rise. Merely beckons us forward with two fingers. The doors slam shut behind us and I whirl, prepared to be surrounded by guards, but only the three of us remain.

“So,” Alik draws out. “You’re the rebel who’s been causing me so much headache.”

I give him a mocking bow in return. “At my service.”

He glances at Horek with a smirk. One I’ve witnessed on my own face. “His arrogance wasn’t exaggerated.”

The commander grunts.

“I prefer the term confidence.”

“I don’t particularly care what you prefer.” A thread of steel enters his tone and suddenly I’m aware this is the prince speaking now, not Alik. “Now, tell me why you’re here.”