Page 17 of Taming the Alien Outlaw (Brides of the Bohnari #2)

Olivia

Something’s wrong with Mak. Ever since we got back from our walk an hour ago she’s been bouncing off the walls, whining and standing at the door. If she hadn’t done all her business while were were out there, I’d think she had to go.

Life has returned to as normal as it was before Janik kidnapped me. Except for the fact all the guards give me a wide berth now. Like they think I’m contagious with something. Surprisingly—but more so, annoyingly—I’m not bothered by the fact.

“I think I’m broken.” Mak’s the only one present and I need to talk to someone. Well, someone who won’t offer me advice I don’t want to have to take. If I ask any of my friends to come over, they’re all going to tell me the same thing and I don’t want to hear it.

“Why can’t I stop thinking about Janik? It’s not like I’m in love with him or anything.

I barely like the guy. He’s far too arrogant.

” I pace while I list all his flaws. “He’s a criminal for fuck’s sake.

His mother is a raging bitch, although I suppose that’s not his fault.

He’s a murderer. Okay, so maybe not intentionally.

Jesus, why am I justifying this? He’s arrogant. Wait, I said that already.”

I stop in the middle of the room and glance over at Mak.

“That’s it. I’m done thinking about Janik.

I mean, he’s clearly done thinking about me.

Three days and I haven’t heard a single word from him.

He hasn’t even bothered trying to get you back.

He and the rebels have their kanet powder. What else does he need from me?”

Okay, so maybe I do need Quinn to be here because I know I’m being irrational. It’s not like Janik can just waltz into the city without a care in the world to come see me. Not that I’m saying he wants to, but if he did, it’s not like he can. He is a wanted criminal after all.

The knock on the door startles both of us. Mak’s already there, but I walk over and open it to find Devon.

“I think Janik’s here,” she says before I can greet her.

“What?” I search over her shoulder like he’s standing right behind her. “Where?”

“Not here like in the building, but here, in the city. At the palace, in fact.”

My mouth falls open. “That’s impossible. How do you know? Did you see him?”

She shakes her head. “I didn’t, but a couple of the women were down in the cafe eating and I overheard them talking about some gorgeous Bohnari with tall, twining horns that swooped back walking with Horek through the city toward the palace.

They’d never seen him before and he most definitely looked like he was eligible as a mate…

their words. The only guy I can think of who has horns like that is Janik. ”

Jealousy scorches through my veins at their description of him.

“C’mon, Mak.” I sweep past Devon with the phinnek right on my heels.

“Where are you going?” she calls out.

“The palace.”

Devon chases after me. “Do you think that’s a good idea?”

Yes. No. “I don’t know. Probably not, but since when has that ever stopped me?”

I stab the lift button and tap my toe in an impatient beat while I wait for it. Why the hell did I think living on the eight floor was a good idea? After far too long—even though it’s barely been a minute—the lift arrives. Mak and I step inside while Devon remains on the landing.

“Are you coming or not?”

The door starts to close and she jumps in with us before it shuts completely. “What if it’s not him?”

It is. I know it and I think Mak did too, which is why she’s been so antsy. Had she smelled him or sensed him in some way when we were outside earlier?

“It’s him.” The real question is what the hell is he doing in the city? And with Horek? “Did they say if he was in restraints or anything?”

Maybe he’d been caught and that’s why they were together. But surely they would have been with a contingent of guards and not just Horek if Janik had been in custody.

“Neither woman mentioned anything about handcuffs.”

Okay, so not arrested. Is this a meeting finally happening? Outside, the weather is beautiful. The sun shines and a few puffy clouds hang in the sky. A light wind blows and brings with it the floral fragrance of the botanical garden that isn’t far from here.

Quinn’s taken me there a couple times and I’ve been a few times on my own. It’s as glorious as she described. She also pointed out the bench where she’d been sitting when she and Horek kissed for the first time. It’s when he was certain she was his heart’s fire.

Janik kissed me. Did it not happen for him then?

That’s a question I’ve thought about almost non-stop since I last saw him.

Despite everything that happened between us, he never once mentioned he thought I was his heart’s fire.

Never even hinted at it. Yes, the way he looked at me intently was sort of an indicator.

Like he wanted nothing more than to rip off my clothes and fuck me then and there.

We kissed once and I bit him for it. No wonder he didn’t want to try again. Except if he wanted to kiss me, the risk of getting bit a second time would be a challenge he couldn’t resist. He said so himself.

“You’ve gone quiet. I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing,” Devon breaks the silence.

I laugh. “It depends on who you ask. Quinn would say it’s a bad thing, because if my mouth isn’t moving that means my brain is. And if my brain is moving, you all better watch out.”

“So is your brain moving, then?” she cants her head.

“It’s moving far too fast.”

She chuckles. “I understand that completely, because I’m similar in a way.

My brain never shuts off. It’s part of the reason I don’t talk a lot and when I do, I measure every word I say, because otherwise no one—including me—knows what will come out of my mouth.

There’s no telling if any of it will makes sense either. ”

Devon, Lindsey, Quinn, and I all worked together at the same sanitation factory. We all knew each other, but I wouldn’t say we were friends. Our friendship really didn’t begin until the flight to Bohna from Earth. Which means, I don’t know her or Lindsey like I know Quinn.

“How come you never told us this?”

She raises and lowers a single shoulder. “It’s not something I really like to talk about. Makes me sound weird.”

“Stop it. It does not make you sound weird at all. Not to me at least and I know it wouldn’t to Quinn either.”

We’re near to the palace lift. Devon touches my hand and I glance over at her.

“Thank you.”

“No need to thank me. That’s what friends do. We accept each other’s quirks and differences without hesitation.”

Her eyes shimmer with tears, but when she blinks they’re gone so maybe I just imagined them. We reach the lift and the guard stationed there. He glances at the three of us with a question in his gaze.

“We’re here to see the prince.” And Janik, but he doesn’t need to know that.

“I’m afraid the prince is in a meeting and doesn’t wish to be disturbed.”

“Don’t care. Disturb him anyway.” I cross my arms.

The guard shakes his head. “I’m sorry, but he left strict instructions.”

Devon steps forward and into his personal space. “Then call Commander Horek and tell him that his mate will be extremely put out when she learns that her friends were turned away.”

Some of the copper blanches from the guard’s skin and I have to hide my smirk at the fear that flashes across his face. Horek being a hard ass works in our favor.

“Just a minute.” He barely speaks without stuttering and presses the button on his wrist comm.

The commander’s gruff voice replies on the other end. “You were given specific instruction that we were not to be disturbed.”

I wince and for a second almost feel bad for the guy.

“I apologize sir, but there are two females and a phinnek who have requested an audience with the prince. They said it was urgent.”

We didn’t, but I suppose Devon’s threat to get Quinn involved escalated the urgency of our request in his opinion.

Horek’s heavy—and exasperated—sigh is familiar. “Send them up.”

I try not to gloat that Devon’s ploy worked, but it’s hard not to smile with satisfaction when the guard looks at us and presses he button on the lift that will take us to the palace level.

“Thank you.” I can at least be sincere in my appreciation when I step inside with Mak.

Devon hangs back.

“Aren’t you coming?”

“I wasn’t sure it was my place to do so. I thought you might not want an audience.”

Before the lift door can close, I snag her hand and drag her inside with us. “You’re the reason I’m being allowed up here in the first place. Besides, I’d love the support of a friend at my side.”

She squeezes my hand in return.

We ride in silence up to the top and are greeted by another guard.

“Follow me, please.”

We do so dutifully. Like the other couple of times I’ve been here, I admire everything about the palace.

Queen Veroneek has decorated it—or had it decorated—in a way that makes it warm and inviting.

It doesn’t feel pompous or stuffy, but rather homey and welcoming.

Aside from its massive size and glaring wealth, it could pass for a regular family home.

It’s obvious to anyone the king and queen loved each other and their son.

Every single portrait where they’re together makes it clear.

It’s almost nauseating, but comes from a place of envy more than anything.

“The palace never fails to amaze me,” Devon whispers.

“Same here.”

Mak’s nails click on the shiny marble floor with each step she takes. She glances around as though she too is impressed with her surroundings. Can’t blame her. This is a few steps up from the rebel camp.

While my sense of direction is shit, the area where we’re being led doesn’t look at all familiar.

Not that we’ve been to many rooms within the palace beyond the coronation room, the banquet hall, and once inside the panic room where we were all sent the night of the first welcome dinner when the mine explosion happened.

Oh, and I can’t forget the room where Horek led me and the interrogation by Alik took place.

If that’s where we’re being taken again, I still don’t recognize anything.

I lean closer to Devon. “Do you have any idea where we’re going?”

“Not a clue.”

Well at least it’s not just me. Finally our escort comes to a stop in front of two embellished doors that are decorated with various swirling designs etched into the wood.

He uses the knocker shaped like a phinnek’s head.

Now that, I remember. This must be the interrogation room, although I doubt it’s actually called that.

Didn’t Horek mention something about the throne room?

The lock disengages and one of the doors swings open.

If Horek is surprised to see Devon with me and not Quinn he hides it well.

“Urgent request?”

I tilt my chin up a fraction. “Yes. Extremely urgent.”

Again he sighs. Is that also a frequent occurrence when Quinn’s around?

She’s as troublesome as me. Alright, maybe not.

Either way, he steps aside and gestures for us to enter.

I barely make it past the threshold when I stop dead in my tracks.

Standing in the center of the room is Janik.

I’m vaguely aware of another’s presence, but I only have eyes for him.