Page 57 of Taming the Alien Outlaw
“Do you really think they could be one and the same?”
Horek remains thoughtful. “I don’t know. Only those closest to the royal family would know the queen used to sing that song to her children at bedtime.”
“How old was Alik when Barrik died?”
“It was shortly after when she discovered she was going to have another child.”
Damn. “So he wasn’t even born yet.”
Horek shakes his head. What a mess.
“Is there any way to determine if he really is Barrik?”
“Vornak can run some tests that will let us know if he’s the rightful heir to the throne.”
Holy shit. What if, after all this, Janik has been right and the crown belongs to him?
“How does his mother—the one who raised him—fit into all this though if he really is the prince?”
Horek swivels his head slightly. “She wasn’t familiar to me, so I’m not sure.”
Neither of us speak for several minutes. “You should probably go be with the queen. She needs family with her right now, I think.”
“You’re likely right,” Horek agrees. “Let me escort you back to the dormitory first and then I’ll head to the palace.”
I almost tell him to go on, but the city isn’t really safe enough at the moment to walk around alone.
“Thanks.”
We make our way down the streets—each of us lost in thought—until finally we reach my building.
“Please let Quinn know I’ll return soon.”
“I will.”
Horek heads toward the palace and the guards at the doors open them for me to make my way inside. Seconds later I’m in the lift and then on our floor. I pause on the walkway and stare out the windows at the palace. If Janik really is the king and queen’s son, then what does that mean for…everyone?
I reach Quinn’s door and knock once before letting myself in. Mak’s alert and at the sight of me, she jumps off the sofa and races over. I bend down and wrap my arms around her neck. Her coarse fur prickles my skin. She sniffs me deeply as though scenting Janik. Quinn’s risen off the couch as well and joins us.
“Did everything go as planned?”
I laugh. “Not even close. You’re going to want to sit down for this.”
Her eyes widen. “Oh shit. Do we need to get Devon and Lindsey?”
“Yeah, they’re going to want to hear this.”
While Quinn comms the others, I curl up on the end of the sofa. Mak jumps up and lays her head on my lap. I stroke her head, but my mind is elsewhere.
Moments later, our friends show up.
“This sounds serious,” Devon quips. “Almost like it might call for something stiff to drink. I hope you don’t mind that I ordered some booze to be brought up.”
It wasn’t that long ago that I swore off drinking, but if ever there was a time for it, it’s now. “Sounds good to me.”
The three of them get comfortable and wait patiently for me to tell them everything.
“There’s a wild and crazy chance that Janik is actually the firstborn son of the king and queen that everyone has thought to be dead.” Might as well get the biggest bomb dropped first.
