Page 47 of Taming the Alien Outlaw
My heart aches for her. I can’t imagine the pain of losing a child.
The comm on one of the guard’s wrist beeps. We all wait with bated breath that things are well. Or at least as well as they can be considering the attacks on Preska and with the knowledge people are dead.
The queen confers with the guards while Devon and I wait. Moments later, she returns to our side.
“The danger has passed. Horek will be here shortly to escort you both back to the dormitory. He is asking that no one leaves the premises until at least tomorrow.”
“Understood.” I nod.
“After today, you might have to drag me out of my apartment,” Devon jokes, although maybe she’s not kidding.
“Now, dear, you won’t find yourself a mate by staying inside.”
“Maybe we can make all the males come to us,” she says.
“You come up with the best plans.” I grin at her.
“The perks of always being inside my head, I guess.” Devon shrugs, but I can tell she’s pleased by my compliment.
I glance over at the queen. “Do you think I might be able to get some lulesh berries for Mak before we head back? I think after this, she deserves an extra treat.”
“Of course,” the queen says. “I’ll comm down to the kitchen and have the cook gather some for you. Horek can take you past there on your way out.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.” I curtsy slightly even though Queen Veroneek’s never required it of us. For a royal, she’s awfully casual.
She waves off my formality, but I can tell she’s pleased.
I stand up, earning a huff from Mak, and make my way to the door. Before I reach it, I pause and glance back at the queen. “Would it be terribly presumptuous to ask you to check on Janik for me? I know it might not be appropriate.”
“Of course. It has to be difficult for him to be separated from you, all things considered.”
“You’re far too kind, Your Majesty.”
“Once with the title was more than enough, dear,” she lightly scolds me. “You know how I feel about that.”
“Still, I truly appreciate you doing that for me.”
“Of course. Your Janik’s reaction earlier can’t be faked. I believe there is more to what happened. It’s a matter of finding out what.”
I agree. Janik is arrogant, but he’s not evil. If he was, he wouldn’t have gone out of his way to ensure his rebellion didn’t include killing people. Konek was the first and I believe that really was an accident. But this, today? This was different. These weretargeted attacks meant to cause casualties, which doesn’t fit. Or maybe I’m trying to make him out to be something he’s not.
“Thank you again.”
She nods just as one of the guards opens the door and Horek strides forward. He’s covered head-to-toe in copper-hued dust.
His gaze lands on the queen. “The healing facility is at capacity. We are going to try and send some of the non life-threatening injuries to Toveeka. I’ve asked Merik to use Alik’s shuttle to transport them.”
“Thank you, Horek,” Queen Veroneek says.
He glances at Devon and me. “Are you ready?”
“More than,” Devon tells him.
“Come.”
The two of us and Mak follow him through the palace toward the lift.
“How many dead?” I’m almost afraid to ask.
