Page 54 of Taming the Alien Outlaw
Yes, I recall her mentioning a former mate who treated her badly.
“I will do my best to not be an asshole toward you, and I will never lay the blame for my behavior at your feet. I vow this to the gods.”
Olivia lays her hands on my chest. “Thank you.”
“You are most welcome.” I cock my head. “Didyouknow you were my mate?”
“I only suspected. We don’t have such a thing as mates on Earth. The only reason I even wondered if that’s what I was to you was because of how you responded to my nearness when the mating fever struck you that morning. Because Quinn is Horek’s heart’s fire, I know she’s able to keep away the rage normally experienced when it strikes.”
“I’m glad it’s you.” From everything I’ve seen, Olivia is perfect for me in every way.
She smiles. “I am, too.”
My heart feels lighter than it ever has hearing her say that. Knowing she’s my mate means I can survive anything. Even this place.
Approaching footsteps drag my focus from Olivia. I draw her behind me so I can protect her from whatever potential threat might be coming.
“Time is up, I’m afraid, Olivia.”
I recognize the commander’s voice and relax, but only slightly.
“Um, I sort of got distracted so I haven’t told him yet,” she calls out.
Horek’s heavy sigh reaches us before he stops at the threshold of my cell. I glance at Olivia over my shoulder.
“Tell me what?”
She shifts her weight on her feet with a guilty wince. “I came to get you out of here.”
I glance between her and the commander. “What do you mean?”
“Olivia received a holographic communication earlier from your mother stating that if she didn’t get you released then more destruction would occur and more people killed.”
She dares?
“You seem surprised by this announcement,” Horek notes. “Is this not part of whatever scheme you and your rebels have come up with if you are caught? You did say you had plans in place were this to occur.”
I shake my head. “Causing the deaths of our fellow Bohnari has never been part of my plans, no matter what. I have no wish to be the reason our people die. Not even for the throne.”
The commander glances at Olivia who’s moved to my side and threads her fingers with mine.
“I believe him,” she tells Horek.
He arches a brow. “You do not think your objectivity is clouded by the fact you’re his mate?”
“Not at all. Because no matter my feelings, I would never be okay with looking the other way if someone I cared about was the reason innocent people were murdered. I couldn’t live with myself.”
I bring Olivia’s hand up to my mouth and press a kiss to her knuckles. “You honor me with your trust, and I swear to all the gods, I will not break it.”
Horek mumbles something under his breath about mates, but I don’t catch it. “If we’re going to get you out of here, then we need to go now.”
“I’m ready.”
The commander nods and pivots. “Come, then.”
Together, Olivia and I follow him down the hallway. Roars of fury echo from another cell, and I flinch with each one knowing they come from Alik. We ascend staircase after staircase and the air grows warmer. Various sounds assault me the higher we go. My eyes have adjusted well to the lights that grow brighter as we climb. At last, Horek opens a door and we enter a new part of the palace.
The atmosphere is solemn and heavy. Grief permeates the air in a way it hadn’t when I arrived here so many days ago. Before everything began to…crumble.
