Page 12 of Venomous Heart
Arlen turned away from the garden and went back inside the room, roaming aimlessly between priceless furniture and precious artwork, shoving things out of his way without care.
This had been Trade Minister Knut’s bedroom. The large bed sitting proudly in the middle had been where Knut had slept. The airy, pristine cleansing room had been where Knut had washed his pampered body. That river, that garden and that perfumed breeze had been what Knut had loved to see, to smell. The despicable male’s presence was as palpable as if he were standing in the corner, his narrow face twisted in disdain, watching.
Every inch of it deserved to be burned down. But not now. Right now, Arlen had to clear his head.
As he made his way from the bedroom to the sitting room, he paused. His breath caught and he approached carefully. The portrait of a young female was hung on the wall, painted in pure, lavish Arcadian crystal. The painting was exquisite, obviously done by a master from Arcadia itself—an extravagance even for Knut with his fortune.
The female in the painting wasn’t smiling. Her wide purple eyes were glittering with defiance; her dainty, pointed chin slightly upward, like she was challenging the painter to capture her beauty. Pale, luminescent skin glowed against fiery red hair that cascaded over her naked shoulders. A delicate purple gown clung to her body and her long, fine-fingered hands held a bouquet of Allenflowers, immaculate and white. That bouquet alone was worth a decent-sized spaceship.
“What are you to him?” Arlen asked aloud as he stared at Ava’s portrait. “Who are you, really?”
“Maybe she was his mistress.”
Arlen turned to see Khal walking up to him, his usual nonchalant grin on his face. Arlen frowned at his brother, then turned back to the painting.
“No.” He shook his head. “She couldn’t have been involved with him.”
“And you know this how?” Khal stopped at his side. “She’s part Avonie, part human. The best of any female species put together. She received a higher education when all the other humans on this stupid, vegetation-covered rock barely know how to read. And he has a portrait of her in his bedroom. A priceless portrait, if I might add. Yep, your new doctor was Knut’s little plaything.”
“She’s not the type to lie with him for money.” Arlen wanted to dismiss his brother’s words but the possibility had slithered inside his mind and now, all he wanted to do was destroy everything he saw that reminded him of Knut. And everything reminded him of Knut. “She’s too bold, too smart.”
That much he knew. Ava was smart, and she was also brazen, defiant. No, he wouldn’t expect this of Knut’s lover. The Trade Minister was likely to enjoy a meek female, one to bend meekly to his every desire.
She didn’t belong to Knut. She couldn’t have.
“It’s not like she would have had a choice.” Khal shook his head, then planted himself solidly in front of Arlen, blocking his view of the painting. “But I’m not here to talk about the doctor, even if she is the most attractive female I’ve seen on this planet so far.”
Still, jealousy bit at Arlen, vindictive and imperious. His talons shot out of his fingertips, nipping his palm. Arlen opened his hand and stared at the red drops of blood pearling on his skin. His jaw was clenched so hard it hurt, and he fought the impulse to run back to the medical wing. Run back to Ava, rampage every room until he found her.
And what? What would I do then?
“Brother.” Khal’s voice, devoid of his usual humor, brought Arlen back to reality. “What happened to you?”
Arlen turned his back on Khal, then stared at his talons, willing them to retract. And they did, but it took just a few moments too long. “I’m fine. Report back to control. I want an update on the census. All humans need to be accounted for and settled into the main housing building. And all our troops need to be informed on how to react to altercations with humans as well. That species doesn’t know how to handle its temper.”
Arlen walked away and heard Khal following him through the rooms. He growled in annoyance, but his brother wasn’t deterred.
“You saw Doctor Ava again.” This time, Khal’s footsteps stopped. “What is going on between you two?”
“I only wanted to tell her we found her credentials.” Arlen faced his brother and scowled when the younger Eok looked at him like he had a horn sprouting out from between his eyes. “I also had to ask her what she needed in terms of medical supplies. She’s responsible for the entire population’s medical care, so her work is my work as well.”
Khal lifted his brows and his mouth stretched in a sarcastic smile as he nodded. “Of course. I mean, why wouldn’t the Commander of the Eok forces go down to the medical clinic to chat with the doctor? After all, it’s not like there aren’t a hundred other people who could run your errands.” Then Khal paused like he’d just had some kind of insight. “Wait, you’re attracted to her?”
Arlen crossed his arms over his chest and stared down at his brother. It was his own fault Khal was so disrespectful of the hierarchy. He had indulged the youngster too much. “You forget your place, Captain Khal.” Arlen reminded him of his rank once more, and Khal had the good sense to look chastised. “Now, why have you come here?”
“Jonah is asking to see you.” Khal scoffed, then rolled his eyes. “It appears some humans are refusing to move.”
Arlen groaned. Those humans were too stubborn for their own good. “I’ll deal with Jonah. Now, either you go finish those figures on the census, or you can volunteer for babysitting duties. I always need more guards on night duties.”
At this, Khal snapped to attention, excused himself and left, his expression a mixture of resentment and subdued shame.
After he was gone, Arlen shook his head.
Because Khal was right. Why had he sought Ava out in the first place?
* * *
Ava
