Page 46 of Taming the Alien Outlaw
“He’s going to be fine. Do you hear me? He’ll be fine. We need to go though and get somewhere safe. Janik would want that.”
Sluggishly, Mak rises. She clings to my side as the queen and several guards guide us out of the throne room. Alik and Horek had departed the instant Janik had been dragged away, leaving us with a small contingent of guards, including Bannik. I’d been shocked to see him, but I suppose it makes sense that he’d be here to appear innocent of any wrongdoing if he’s a spy for Janik and not Alik. I’m still not certain.
We finally reach the panic room where we’d holed up after the explosion. Despite its appearance inside, it’s alleged to be the safest room in the entire palace. There’s no tech in here aside from the locking mechanism on the door.
Tapestries that have to been centuries old fall from their rods attached to the walls near the ceiling and drape all the way tothe floor. They display vivid and detailed battle scenes, but some also show off a delicate garden filled with flowers and trees. The colors are still vibrant and not at all aged.
Unlike the last time we were in here no fire burns. Devon makes her way over to one of the plush chairs and plops down with a heavy sigh.
“Bet you’re second-guessing your decision to come with, aren’t you?”
“Hell, yeah, I am.” Her smile softens the harshness of her words.
“Nothing this exciting would have happened to us on the bottom tier.”
“I’m not sure this is my idea of exciting?”
Since we could be locked in here for hours, what better use of our time than to learn more about each other.
“Whatisyour idea of exciting then?” I sit on the sofa nearest her. Mak climbs up as well and lays her head on my lap with a quiet whimper.
I glance over at the queen, but she’s intent in conversation and otherwise occupied with the guards. Good luck getting the phinnek down.
“So?” I arch my brow.
“It might sound lame, but just being here—on Bohna—is exciting. Living on this planet where I’m free to do whatever it is I want without worrying about credits or where my next meal will come from. Breathing fresh air and the simple pleasure of smelling flowers is exciting.” Devon shrugs and laughs awkwardly. “Like I said, kind of lame.”
“I don’t think it’s lame at all. It’s lovely and I’m glad you’re living your exciting life. You deserve it. Hell, we all do.”
The queen steps away from the guards and comes to us. She studies Mak for a moment. “Your phinnek reminds me of Beck.”
Since I’ve yet to meet the prince’s pup, I’ll have to take her word for it.
“Your rebel also looks familiar,” she says.
“I’m not sure he’s mine.”
Queen Veroneek chuckles. “My dear, he is most certainly yours. Anyone with eyes could see that.”
My face grows hot.
“He looked at you like Horek looks at Quinn,” Devon points out.
This only reinforces my speculation I’m his heart’s fire. I’m not sure how I feel about that.
“Trust in him, my dear.” The queen pats my shoulder. “A good male will become a better male when he finds his heart’s fire.”
“Except what if he’s not a good male to begin with?” That’s part of my conflict. I’ve always been in the corner of those less fortunate. I fight for those who can’t fight for themselves. Normally, Janik would be the prime example. But now, after this?
“Good doesn’t mean without flaws,” the queen says. “My Danik was far from perfect, but deep down, he was good. He cared about his people and always made sure they were taken care of and provided for. He often spoke before he thought, but he could also admit when he was wrong. He treated me like I was his whole universe and he loved his children.”
Children? “I didn’t realize Alik had a sibling.”
Grief pours from Queen Veroneek. “A brother who died in infancy.”
I reach out and squeeze her hand. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you, dear. It was a long time ago and while the pain is still present I try to remember Barrik’s smile and his laughter. He was such a happy youngling.”
