Page 64 of Taming the Alien Outlaw
“I suppose that makes sense,” Quinn says, and I look at her to explain. “That day we ran into Janik in the market and then had lunch at Erik’s, Bannik and I went for a walk after we were done eating. Do you remember?”
That’s right. I nod.
“We talked about the difference between the upper and bottom tiers. He was disgusted by the fact that there are people who are wealthier than they could possibly need to be, and yet, they still want more. I guess his brother is like that.”
“That is how we were able to recruit him,” Janik says. “His hatred for his brother is well-known. We all believed Alik was no better. That he, too, always wanted more.”
“Everything the prince does is for his people.” Horek approaches. “He has no care for wealth for himself. All he wants is for Bohnari to thrive and for new generations to be born so that our planet doesn’t die out.”
Janik nods. “I am coming to believe you are right.”
Chapter 26
Janik
I lie beside Olivia in her bed, holding her tightly in my arms, if only to reassure myself that she’s really safe and I’m not still back in the pit. Mak had been in here for a short time, but there isn’t enough room for the three of us, so I sent her out to the sofa.
“Have they finished rounding up the rebels?” Olivia lightly strokes my chest.
“Nearly.”
Surprisingly, Horek has kept me informed of all that’s been happening since after we rescued Olivia and the other females. I’m not sure I wish to analyze why that is. Between the guards that protect Preska, Toveeka, Noleska, and Santeeka, they were able to neutralize the threats Mohneek spoke of. Most of the rebels between the four cities have been caught, although both she and Orvak slipped away undetected. Bannik as well. They won’t be able to remain hidden for long, though. Not with the entire planet searching for them.
“What will happen to the rebels that got caught?” Olivia asks.
“I don’t know. Before joining the rebellion, all of them held grievances against the prince that had nothing to do with a purported shortage of kanet powder. That was only one more excuse for them to act on their hatred of him.” I doubt Horek wants to avoid punishing them in some way, especially if there’s the slightest chance Mohneek and Orvak might be able to reassemble them to rise up again. That is one thing I do not envy about the queen or the commander.
At least one good thing occurred today. Horek’s guards were able to locate the other ten females that had been separated from the rest and each one was returned to the dormitory unharmed. Their home still needs to be put back to rights, but at least most of the debris had been cleaned up.
“I feel terrible for the queen having to deal with all of this.” Olivia sighs. “She shouldn’t have to do it all alone.”
I’ve agreed to the tests that will determine if I am Barrik in truth, but now that the opportunity I’ve been fighting for my whole life is within my grasp, I find it’s not as satisfying as I thought it would be. The rage and hatred that has fueled me was brought to life by a lie.
“Horek will help her get through it.” He grew up with the knowledge that there’s was always a possibility he would have to rule one day. He’s been Alik’s best friend and confidante since they were younglings. If anyone can assist the queen to navigate these trying times, it’s him.
Olivia glances up at me. “What are you going to do if you really are Barrik?”
It is something I have tried not to think about since I discovered what Mohneek had done. “Barrik doesn’t exist anymore. I don’t know how to be anyone other than Janik.”
She pushes herself up to sitting. “A name doesn’t make a person. Whether you’re called Barrik or you’re called Janik, you’re stillyou. No one can take that away. You’re still going to be arrogant—sorry, confident. You’ll still care about your people. You’ll still have these sexy horns.”
As if to prove her point, Olivia reaches out and strokes one of them. A shudder of pure arousal slides down my spine.
“You are an evil female.”
She narrows her gaze and withdraws her touch. “I have a name.”
I tackle her onto her back and pin her hands above her head, lodging myself between the cradle of the her thighs. The warmth of her cunt bleeds through our clothes and sears my hardening cock. “Will you threaten my maleness again if I do not call you by your name, since you are obsessed with my cock?”
“I am not obsessed with your cock.” Olivia thrusts her pelvis upward and groans at the friction she causes. “Okay, maybe I’m a little obsessed with it.”
The fragrant scent of her cunt grows stronger. In an answer to it, the fire burning through my veins grows hotter. So hot, I worry I might not be able to control myself. Some of my concern must show on my face because she tugs her hand out from beneath my grip and caresses my cheek.
“What’s wrong?”
“I do not want to hurt you.”
She draws her head back slightly. “Why would you think you’re going to?”
