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Chapter 1
Six-ish moon cycles ago
Alik
Nothing is more important than the survival of my people. Even if that means bringing females of another species to Bohna.
We Bohnari have been blessed by our partnership with an indigenous tribe of warriors on a neighboring planet. Bartering with the Tavikhi has given us access to a life-saving plant that is only available on Tavikh. No matter what our scientists have done, they are unable to successfully grow kanet leaves on Bohna, leaving us at the mercy of our allies.
Despite being friendly with the leader of the Tavikhi tribe, I have no wish to place the lives of my people in anyone’s hands but my own. Which means we need brides. Not only for procreation, but to ease the deadly mating fever that plagues us.
Somehow, after drinking far too much of the special brew the Tavikhi elders make, I confessed nearly all of this to Zander. It is why I am now back on Bohna accompanied by a Tavikhi warrior and his human mate.
“Are you still determined to go through with this plan of yours?” my mother asks, and not for the first time, from her seat in the throne room as she watches me pace.
Beck, my phinnek pup, follows alongside me.
I have to be. “You know I am. It is the only way. What happens if we are somehow no longer welcome on Tavikh? Or if the kanet plant becomes extinct? Or we are never able to clone or produce a synthetic version? Having mates is the best option for us. Humans are biologically compatible with Bohnari. I do not want our people to die out.”
I know my mother doesn’t either. I come to a stop and glance at my cousin. “Do you have anything to add?”
Horek’s severe expression doesn’t ease. Nor does his stiffened posture. “You are my prince and know far more about what’s better for our people than I do. I have no desire to be in your position, as you know.”
“That does not mean I don’t value your opinion. You may not wish to be my heir, but you remain so just the same.” As commander of Bohna’s vast number of guards, Horek shoulders a massive amount of responsibility. Not as much as I do, but despite his resistance to his place in line for the crown, my cousin is a worthy future prince and eventual king.
“While I may not have any desire for a mate for myself,” Horek finally replies, “bringing females here for our males to choose from is the right thing to do.”
He is not the only one who has no wish for a mate, although I’m certain our reasons are not the same.
“It’s settled then. I will go speak with Eloise and Zedam, and we will proceed with the proposal for the human leader.”
My mother sighs in defeat and approaches me slowly. “Promise me you will try,” she says quietly.
“Try what?”
“To find love.”
For a moment I hesitate until finally, I nod. “I promise.” I can only hope she doesn’t hear the lie.
With a final glance at Horek, I exit the throne room—leaving a whining Beck behind—and comm Rennik to escort Eloise and Zedam to the communications room where I will meet them. As I make my way through the palace, I can’t help but think of my father. Would he agree with what I’m doing? My heart still aches at his absence even after all these anums later.
Since I was old enough to understand what it meant to be the crown prince of Bohna, I have resisted the knowledge that at some point in time, the duty would become mine. Not only because that would mean my father was dead, but also…it has never felt like the crown belongs to me. My parents’ firstborn son had not only been kidnapped but murdered. He would have been the rightful heir.
Regardless of how I feel, I am the crown prince of Bohna and my duty is to my people.
Finally, I arrive at the communications room and enter. “Sorry I’ve kept you waiting.”
Eloise and Zedam are seated at a table in the center. Several communications officers are posted in front of computers that line the perimeter.
“Your nene is well?” Zedam asks.
“She is, thank you. She is also eager to meet you both at dinner tonight.”
“I’ve never met a queen before.” Eloise does a little dance in her chair and her eyes are alight with excitement, but then she sobers and glances down at the simple leather clothing she wears. She turns her glare on me. “I’m way underdressed to be meeting an actual queen. Why didn’t you tell me sooner? I would have tried to find, I don’t know, something, a little fancier to wear.”
“Relax, Eloise.” I chuckle. “I promise you, my mother doesn’t stand on formality. What you’re wearing is perfectly fine.”
She scoffs. “So says the man. Clearly you have no idea how women think.”
