Page 44 of Taming the Alien Outlaw
We all turn at the new voice and an older female sweeps into the room. The small crown upon her head sparkles in the sunlight streaming through the windows. If that didn’t give me a clue as to her identity, her entire regal bearing would. She moves like a queen as she glides toward us.
“Good day, Olivia. Devon. It’s always such a pleasure to see you both.” The queen inclines her head at the two females before turning my way, her gaze snagging momentarily on Olivia’s hand on my chest.
“So you’re the infamous rebel Janik I have heard so much about.” She studies me with an intensity bordering on calculating.
“At your service, Your Highness.” I’d bow, but that would mean loosening my hold on Olivia, and so long as she doesn’t attempt to pull away, I will continue touching her.
“Mother,” Alik grinds out.
“Yes?” She blinks innocently.
“Did you need something?”
“I heard we had guests and I thought it only polite that I greet them properly.”
“Yes, Alik, we’re guests.” I grin widely.
He makes a move toward me, but Queen Veroneek holds up her hand and he freezes. She narrows her gaze on me.
“Don’t antagonize him,” she scolds.
I duck my head. Olivia snorts, but tries to disguise it with a cough. To my surprise, the queen grins at her.
“Now then, what have I missed?”
Alik turns a heated stare my way. “Janik here came to notify me that he plans on launching attacks on several trade lines tomorrow, but he hasn’t shared which ones. The only way to put a stop to them is to answer his demands, which include abdicating my place on the throne and crowning him Prince.”
Olivia, who had been focused on Alik while he spoke, whips her head in my direction. “Janik?”
She tugs her hand away and looks at me as if I’ve caused her great harm, although I’m not sure why. My goal has never changed or strayed. It has always been the throne. Yet the disappointment in her gaze threatens to undo me.
“What’s stopping us from having Horek throw you in the pit?” Queen Veroneek asks.
“Nothing I suppose. Except, if I don’t return by night fall, my associates will launch the attacks early.”
“I see. Does that mean you plan on killing me?”
I draw back in horror. “Of course not.”
“Someone has been remiss in your education then.”
“How so?” I cant my head.
“Because if you had been taught properly, you would know that while Alik might be the assumed ruler of Bohna, it is only because I let him. Royal law decrees that if the king dies before the queen, she becomes the reigning monarchy. Only once I’m deceased do any of my descendants take over the role. Sadly, that means Alik does not have a throne to give you.”
I nearly stumble back. My mother never once told me of this. “Does everyone know this?”
“It’s not a secret, if that’s what you’re asking. But I’m sure some of the younger generation might be unaware of the fact.”
How is this possible? Everything I have worked toward for nearly my entire life has been ripped away in a single tick. Raised voices from outside the door grow louder just as Horek’s comm sounds a blaring alarm. Guards pour into the room. Mak placesherself in front of me and the hackles on her neck rise as she crouches into an attack position.
“What’s happening?” Olivia cries out.
The commander turns hate-filled eyes to me. “Three of our busiest trade lines were just attacked. Multiple deaths have occurred and even more people are injured.”
“What? No, it’s too early and no one was supposed to be hurt.” Panic rears. What is going on?
“Seize him,” Alik yells out and the guards converge.
