Page 51 of Taming the Alien Outlaw
Quinn nudges me. “Everything okay? I mean, I know they’re notokay. I just want to make sure you’re all right. At least as much as you can be.”
“I’m struggling, but I’ll make it.”
“Of course you will. You, Olivia Jean, are one of the strongest people I know.”
My nose wrinkles at Quinn’s use of my middle name. I’ve never liked it, a fact she’s well aware of. Which means she did it to annoy me. I can’t be mopey and melancholy when I’m irritated.
We make it to our building without issue. Already we had six guards assigned to the dormitory, but that number’s been doubled. Queen Veroneek said she’s not taking any chances with our safety. Not after Janik kidnapped me. She’s worried the other rebels will start getting ideas.
The atmosphere once we’re inside is heavy. Unlike before the attacks, the atrium sits empty. Cadence and Molly could almost always be found out here, but they’ve been keeping to their rooms. Even the other women have made themselves scarce.
“Thanks for the escort,” Quinn tells the guards. She’s been staying in her old room since Horek has been so busy.
They salute her and disperse to return to their previous duties.
“I’m heading to the kitchen for food if anyone wants to join me,” Lindsey says.
Quinn declines. “I’m going to crash, but I’ll see you both in the morning.”
“I’m just going to have something delivered.”
“Okay, have a good night.” She separates from us and heads in the opposite direction of the lift.
“When this is over, Horek and I are planning a trip somewhere for a belated honeymoon,” she tells me as we step inside it.
“That’s exciting. I’m sorry you guys are having to spend the beginning of your marriage apart like this.”
Quinn raises and lowers a shoulder. “It’s not your fault. Besides, we have the rest of our lives to spend together. I know how important the safety of the city is to him. Plus, it’s tearing him apart to see Alik like he is and not be able to do anything about it.”
“He’s still not coming out of the fever?”
Quinn shakes her head. “No. They’ve even pumped kanet powder into the air in his cell so he breathes it in that way, but it’s not doing anything. He’s still attacking anyone who enters.”
How awful. Not only for Alik and Horek, but also for the queen. I suspect even Janik might be feeling a certain way. He was baiting his brother when the attack happened according to Horek. I saw the way Janik talked about having to ease the suffering of the rebels who succumbed. It deeply affected him. It had to be worse watching the same thing happen to Alik and not being able to do anything about it.
“What a nightmare.” I scratch Mak’s head and I’m not sure if it’s more for me than her.
“Would you change anything?” Olivia asks with a small head tilt.
“People dying? Janik in prison? I’d definitely change that.” I pause. “But the rest? I don’t think I would.”
We stop outside Quinn’s door. “It’s not going to be easy, but eventually, when this is all over, you’re going to be as happy as I am.”
I can’t help but laugh. “Since when are you the optimist?”
“It’s not optimism. It’s a logical conclusion. No other outcome is acceptable.”
“I think maybe some of your commander is rubbing off on you. Whatever demands you both make will be met, no matter what.”
Quinn’s cheeks darken. “Maybe a little.”
I hug her. “Don’t ever stop becoming the person I always knew you were meant to be, Quinn.”
She tightens her hold on me. “I love you, Liv.”
“Love you, too, babe. Sleep well.”
“You do the same.” She enters her room and with a short wave, closes the door behind her.
