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Alik

Before searching out Devon, I commed Horek and notified him that she and I would be leaving our wing of the palace at last. I suggested he bring his heart’s fire to the palace and perhaps the four of us could share a meal in the small dining hall reserved for family.

“Horek and Quinn are on their way if you’d like to join them for the afternoon meal.”

Devon grows excited as she sticks her legs into the trou Olivia brought her. “For real?”

“I spoke to him before I came to find you.” I tug my shirt over my head and draw it down my waist.

“Man, I can’t wait to see Quinn. I wonder if she’s showing yet. She wasn’t the last time I saw her, but I know Lindsey’s belly progressed pretty quickly the second she had the tiniest baby bump. It was like one day, she’d swallowed a grapefruit, and the next day a watermelon.” Devon’s laugh is muffled behind the shirt she slips over her head.

My gaze drops to my heart’s fires belly. What will she look like when she’s heavy with our kit? No doubt she’ll glow more than she already does. Even knowing the fate that awaits a son if we have one, I can’t wait for the time to come when Devon is pregnant.

“You’ll see for yourself soon enough.”

She releases a soft squealing sound and does a small dance in place. The guilt grows stronger that I have kept us hidden within our rooms for so long. It’s clear how close she is to her sisters and how much she has missed being in their presence. No longer though. The time for hiding is done. I am Alik, prince of the Bohnari and it’s time I acted like it once more.

I put on my boots and once Devon has her shoes on, I thread our fingers and we head for the dining hall. Neither of us speak as we walk the corridors. We pass multiple staff who nod, but don’t attempt to approach or stop us. My mate hums a tune beneath her breath, but it’s not one I am familiar with so I am guessing it is from her Earth.

We arrive at the dining hall. Through the open doorway, I spot Horek who is already seated. All I can see of Quinn is her arm and shoulder. Devon’s pace quickens so I match it until we step inside. Then, she lets go of my hand and rushes for her sister, who jumps out of her chair to meet her partway. The two females throw their arms around each other. Horek rises from his chair and approaches me. He stops at my side and we both watch our mates embrace.

“Oh, Quinny, I’ve missed you,” Devon says with what sounds like only happiness.

“I’ve missed you, too. We all have.”

They hold one another for several ticks until finally, they separate. My heart’s fire glances down. “Let me see that baby belly.”

Quinn laughs. “Still mostly flat, I’m afraid.”

“That’s all right. The little munchkin will grow soon enough. God, we’re going to have two babies around here before we know it.” Devon squeals. “I’m going to be the best auntie.”

“You’ll be the best mom, too, whenever it happens for you.”

My mate places her hands on her own belly. “I hope so.”

I close the distance between us and circle her waist to lay my hands on top of hers. “I know so.”

Devon groans. “I shouldn’t have picked at the fruit and cheese in our rooms before we got here. I can’t eat another bite.”

“It was delicious, as always,” Quinn says. “Alik, how’s Beck doing?”

I wince slightly, because, along with ignoring my responsibilities, I have not spent nearly as much time with him. Only when my mother has come to visit and she brings him with her. “He’s growing and before long, I’m sure he’ll be as big as Mak.”

Given I know our conversation is going to lead to the larger phinnek’s…companion, I have no choice but to stop avoiding it—and him. Beneath the table, Devon squeezes my knee.

“I saw Olivia earlier.” My mate glances down at herself. “She loaned me some of her clothes since we haven’t had the chance to bring my belongings to the palace yet. A thing I’m going to work on today and would love to have company if you, Lindsey, and Olivia want to join me.”

“Of course we will,” Quinn tells her. “Well, I definitely will, but I’m sure the other two would be happy to help.”

“When you are finished,” Horek says. “I will send several hover carts and a few guards to load your items on to them and bring them here.”

“Thank you, I appreciate it.”

An uncomfortable silence settles between us as we all suddenly appear to run out of conversation topics. Or, rather, avoiding ones we know we need to discuss. I need to be the one to do it.

“While our mates are packing Devon’s belongings, we should meet in the throne room to go over everything that happened while I was…indisposed.” The time of reckoning has come. “You, me, Carrik, and…Janik.”

Horek nods. “It has been a lot. We lost far too many people—Bohnari and others—during the last attack on Preska. Much of the city had been damaged or destroyed, although reconstruction has progressed well and is nearly complete. The market square has been fully restored and all the vendors have reopened.”