Page 33 of Taming the Alien Outlaw
“By the gods,” he curses and runs his hand down his face. “Do you have any idea what that means?”
I stare at Horek in confusion. “Am I supposed to?”
“Do you not know what a heart’s fire is? Perhaps it would be best if you returned to your rebel camp,” Horek suggests when I don’t answer after an extended length of time. “I’ll provide you with a supply of kanet powder before you go.”
Now I’m even more confused. “You’re not going to try to arrest me? Not that you could.Andyou’re offering me kanet powder?”
This is most certainly a ploy of some kind.
“Yes,” he says simply.
“Why?”
Horek laughs. “I’m offering you both an escape and a solution to your mating fever problem, yet you question me?”
“Yes,” I echo him.
“Either take my offer or don’t, but if you are not gone from the city the moment I return, Iwillarrest you and throw you in the pit.”
I cock my head. “How do I know you won’t send guards here to try and arrest me while you’re allegedly getting me the powder?”
Horek bows his head. “You have my word as Commander of the prince’s guards.”
Do I dare accept? Nothing about this conversation makes sense and only leaves me with more questions.
“Answer me something first.”
“If I can.”
What do I wish to know most? “Has Alik truly been requesting to meet and how have these requests been relayed?”
Horek glares. “Theprincehas sent multiple messages through our communication center. Each of them unencrypted. All but one have gone unanswered.”
Where I allegedly accused him of being the one to murder Konek in order to cast blame on me.
“I see.”
“Do we have a deal, then? I will return—alone—with a supply of kanet powder and you will go back to your camp without incident.”
My gaze drifts over his shoulder to land on the building where Olivia resides. It grows late and I doubt she will leave any time soon. I ache with the need to see her again. Within my veins, the fever simmers, but remains at a steady temperature. Although, I suspect only a tiny thing will set it ablaze. Do I risk it when she is out of reach?
Plus, what is this heart’s fire Horek spoke of? I won’t ask him, but I need to know.
“Your time is running out to make a decision,” he interrupts my inner thoughts.
“Fine. We have a deal.”
The commander inclines his head. “I won’t be long. Don’t leave this spot.”
After only a slight pause, he strides away and I blend back into the shadows. From all the rumors I have heard, Horek is an honorable male, so I don’t doubt he’ll keep his word. A sudden tug in my chest has me lifting my head to search the area.
Olivia.
She and Mak stand at the doors held open by two guards. They’re both focused in this direction, but I remain still and hidden. She watches a moment longer until she instructs Mak to find a place to relieve herself. They pace the length of the building, never straying far until the phinnek squats and finishes. With only another single glance over her shoulder, Olivia enters the dormitory again and the doors close, blocking her from my sight.
A dripping sound reaches my ears just before the pain registers. I unclench my fists and retract the claw that have pierced mypalms. The taste of blood crosses my tongue as well. It takes slightly longer for my fangs to recede.
Enough time passes that I get itchy. Like I’m waiting for a trap to be sprung. Just when I’ve given up waiting, Horek appears carrying a bundle much bigger than I expected. Possibly enough to supply the whole camp until at least the next moon cycle. He tosses it to the ground, not far from my feet.
