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I have no desire to lose myself again, but I can’t stop the irrational thoughts from invading.

“Breathe, Alik. Nice and slow, baby.”

Several ticks pass before Devon’s words register. “Baby?”

She ducks her head, but I don’t let her hide from me. I tip her chin up with a finger beneath it until our eyes meet.

“It just slipped out. If you didn’t like it, I won’t call you that again.”

Has anyone ever given me a pet name before? No. “I liked it.”

Devon grins. “Good, because I did too.”

Vornak—whose presence had been completely forgotten—clears his throat and hides what sounds like a laugh. “If you have no questions for—or need of—me, I will leave the two of you alone.”

“That will be all.”

The lead healer dips his head and exits the room. Devon groans and slaps her free hand over her face, mumbling through her fingers. “He’s going to tell Johnna about this, and she’s never going to let me hear the end of it.”

I gently tighten the hold I have on her. “I’ll call Vornak back in here and demand his silence if that’s what you want.”

Devon lowers her hand and laughs softly. “You don’t need to do that, but thank you for offering. Giving each other a hard time is something friends do. It’s all meant in good fun. Besides, I’d do the same thing to her if our positions were reversed.”

“If you are certain.”

“I’m certain.” She strokes my fingers, and the sensation causes my barely softened cock to harden once more.

How could I be affected by such a simple touch? I do my best to dampen my desire for the moment. It’s time to face life and all the changes that have taken place over the past two moon cycles, no matter how much I wish to avoid it all. If I could take Devon elsewhere—perhaps to Toveeka or Santeeka—and forget all about my duty as prince for a while, I would.

But my mother has suffered enough grief in her lifetime. I can’t be the cause of more.

“I need to go to the palace.”

My heart’s fire nods. “I know. The queen needs to see you. Hold you. She needs to touch you and know that you’re real and you’ve come back.”

I ache for the pain my mother has been in. My other wish is to see Beck. I have missed my phinnek. Devon releases my hand and rises from the chair.

“Where are you going?”

A crease appears between her eyes. “The palace. Unless you don’t want me to come with you. I know you’re eager to see your mother. I figured I’d walk with you there and while you spend time together, I’ll wait for you in Janik and Olivia’s rooms. If you’d rather I not, I can go back to the women’s dormitory.”

I climb from the bed and cradle Devon’s face gently between my palms. “You are my mate—my heart’s fire. I always want you by my side. I asked because I thought you were leaving me to do this alone. I have no desire for that.”

She grips my wrists. “Good, because I have no desire for that either. We’re a team now, you and me.”

A team. It’s a comforting thought. Growing up, I have always had Horek, but he has lived his life, and I have lived mine. Often, those lives cross, but never before have I had a person at my side for all things. Unable to resist, I kiss Devon. Desire flares fast and hot at the feel of her lips against mine. She opens sweetly for me, and I slide my tongue inside to dance with hers.

We kiss until we’re both breathless. I rest my brow against hers. “I wish I could take you back to bed. A proper bed.”

“Me too, but we have the rest of our lives for that. Your mother is more important right now.”

I sigh, but only because Devon is right. She takes my hand and threads our fingers. “A team, remember?”

We leave the healing facility together. However, instead of walking to the palace and risk the crowd of people who are no doubt anxious to catch sight of their prince, we hide in a private shuttle that flies us up the mountain. We land in the central courtyard, and a bevy of guards are there to greet us.

The questioning stares that bounce between them and my fingers entwined with those of my mate’s, I am overwhelmed to the point where I snap out a command for the males to disperse. They scurry away, each appearing properly chastised.

“They care deeply for you as their prince,” Devon says gently.