Page 15 of Resisting the Alien Commander

Geneva raises her hand. “Is Alik looking for a bride?”

Olivia, Devon, Lindsey, and I all share a look. I should have guessed once they heard there was royalty here, at least one of them would try to snag whoever it was.

“You’d have to ask him. Anything else?”When nobody raises a hand or speaks up, Johnna dips her head. “Good. I need to get back to the medical facility then. Feel free to comm me if something comes up. I really hope we can all become friends.”

Her gaze shifts to the four of us and her strained smile softens a bit. I give her a small smile in return. Johnna waves at us all and then leaves us to talk amongst ourselves.

“You believe her, then?” Devon asks.

I nod slowly. “Yeah, I do.”

“Do you think she left anything out?” Olivia wonders out loud.

My gaze travels to the double doors where Johnna exited. “I sure hope not. Although what can we do if she did?”

It’s a question none of us can answer.

Chapter8

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.

---