Page 37 of Taming the Alien Outlaw
I slide to the edge of the cushion. “What?”
“No.”
Huh? “No, what?”
“That’s it. Just, no. I asked him if he detained Janik last night and he just typed back two letters. No expounding. Just n.o.”
Ugh is right. “Did he see him at all? Talk to him? Anything?”
She’s already typing into her wrist comm. “Hold, please.”
I wait impatiently for a response. This one takes longer. Such a man. Does Horek not understand the visceral need some women have for immediacy when we want to know something?
“He says yes and yes and then Janik left with a large enough supply of kanet powder to last him at least several moon cycles.”
I sink back into the cushion. “Oh.”
That means Janik doesn’t really need me then if he has that much of the drug to keep the mating fever contained. Why would he when he’s finally gotten one of the things he’s been demanding. Why would he even care about me easing his fever when he can simply snort the powder? At least now he doesn’t have to deal with my smart ass mouth. It always gets me in trouble.
“Whatever you’re thinking, you need to stop.” Quinn breaks me out of my spiraling thoughts. “He risked getting arrested by coming into the city to try and find you when you disappeared from the camp. He was probably going mad with worry since you said someone snuck you out. If you’re his heart’s fire, I’m honestly surprised he didn’t destroy everything in his path searching for you. The animalistic instincts the males are prey to when they think their mate is in danger are more than you could ever imagine. The fact that Preska is still standing borders on a miracle.
Well, damn, when Quinn puts it that way, it is kind of hot. I guess I didn’t really think about how Janik would react finding me gone. At least not beyond being possibly annoyed or even disappointed that he may have a spy working within his ranks. What would he say if he knew it was Bannik?
But suspecting I’m his heart’s fire and then him discovering I appeared to have escaped, I can’t believe he maintained enough control to not only follow me into the city, but wait patiently—or at least, somewhat patiently—while I was interviewed by the prince. His brother.
Chapter 16
Janik
With every sun that rises and falls since I last saw Olivia, the more my patience runs thin. The more I snap and snarl out commands. The more I ache for her. The more I can feel my control slipping away. Not only from the mating fever, but over the rebels. There’s a level of restlessness that hasn’t been present before.
There have been a few whispers here and there recently about me and my true commitment to not only them, but my purpose. A purpose I’ve given much thought to over the last few sleeps as well. It’s time I had a discussion with Alik.
I exit my dwelling, only to stop abruptly at the sight of my mother nearly at my door. Her expression is stormy—far more than usual. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen her happy.
“Is all well?”
“Of course not. You’ve lost focus and the rebels are starting to talk.” She says this as though I don’t already know it.
“Everything remains on track. Nothing has changed in that regard.”
She sweeps her arms out. “Everything has changed. Ever sinceher.”
There’s so much venom in the word, I flinch, but quickly recover.
“I have told you, nothing has changed. We will initiate the attacks tomorrow as planned and after that, the crown and throne are mine.”
She stares at me and I remain still while she completes her assessment. “Do not lose focus now, Janik. Not when we’re this close.”
“I have no intention of doing so.”
My mother scans my face a moment longer before she walks away. I follow her with my gaze as she winds her way through camp and then falls out of sight. I sigh heavily and head in the opposite direction. Toward Preska.
It’s been more difficult than I imagined it to be without Mak’s constant presence. This is the longest we’ve ever been away from each other. She’s been my only real friend. I’m glad she’s with Olivia, but I miss her.
Before long I’ve made my way through the rainforest. This time, I don’t head for the small section of crumbling wall. I walk straight up to the gate.
“I wish to speak with Commander Horek,” I call out.
