Page 32 of Taming the Alien Outlaw
“Olivia too mistakes confidence for arrogance.”
The commander’s hand goes to his blaster, but he keeps it holstered. “You dare to even speak her name?”
I mimic her shoulder raise. “She was my guest, if only for a short time.”
Horek laughs. “Do you kidnap all your guests?”
“Only the beautiful ones.” Only her.
He cants his head and studies me intently. “You’ve been struck with the mating fever recently.” It’s not a question. “Your skin color has darkened and your scales are more pronounced. Even your eyes have changed color.”
They have?
However, I try not to let my ignorance show. “That is what happens when you can’t afford to line the prince’s pockets and your supply of kanet powder dwindles.”
Instead of taking the bait Horek remains calm. “Olivia told us you two spoke of this. Of the fact that Alik charges no one for the powder. He has no wish for our people to die. Not even you.”
What else did Olivia reveal?
“Yes, she said something to the fact.”
The commander continues. “She does not believe you intended for Konek to be killed nor did you realize someonehad, in fact, died.”
I’m not sure I hide my shock. Olivia truly believes me? And she shared this belief with the prince?
“You seem surprised.”
I shake myself to attention. “What? No, of course not. Why should I be surprised by the truth?”
“If you are out of kanet powder, how did you calm the fever and maintain control over yourself?” Horek’s change of topic makes me blink.
I narrow my gaze, because this feels like a trick somehow. Why do I hesitate to answer? All those present this morning saw Olivia was able to tame the beast. No doubt word spread throughout camp, so it’s no secret. Yet, I am reluctant to share the information with the commander.
“Does it matter?”
“Perhaps,” Horek says. “Perhaps not.”
Another brief hesitation later, I finally answer. “It was Olivia who kept me calm.”
The commander takes a step closer and withdraws his blaster. “You dared to force her?”
I jerk at his accusation. “I would never!”
“So she just let you use her to sate your need? After you kidnapped her?”
“Use her?” I gape. “I did nothing of the sort. She was able to get me away from people and sat beside me until I was able to gain control.”
Horek keeps his blaster trained on me another moment, before cautiously returning it to his hip. “Are you telling me Olivia stopped the madness from consuming you by merely being close?”
“Not that it is any of your business, but she was also touching my chest and stroking my face. I may be a rebel and an outlaw, but I would never harm a female. Not in any way.” Not that every thought didn’t center on needing her to touch me everywhere and me touching every part of her as well. But never without her consent.
The commander stares at me strangely. “You’re saying Olivia did this?”
“Yes.”
“Were you consumed by thoughts of her? Of…more?” Horek asks slowly.
I refuse to answer. The only person permitted to ask these types of intrusive questions is Olivia herself.
