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“I know now that what you say is true, but not then,” he continues. “After I escaped from the pit, I discovered Mohneek had lied to me from the beginning. I was not hers by birth, but rather the pawn she had stolen, raised, groomed to place on the throne, and who she could then control. However, more truths were revealed during the confrontation between Ryvik and Carrik. According to Ryvik, it was not King Danik who violated Mohneek and made her seek revenge against him.”

My shock has to be evident. “I knew my father wasn’t capable of harming a female in that way. But if not my father, then who?”

“My father,” Carrik replies. “Except we have reason to believe that too is a lie. Ryvik said he had proof. Eyewitnesses. A list of things that showed my father was not actually part of the trade agreement contingent visiting Kovari, despite all indications he was there. An encrypted message between me and Ivik stating that I planned on killing Mohneek and Orvak so that whatever so-called proof Ryvik was in possession of never saw the light of day. I swear I never wrote such a message.”

I rub my brow, but it does nothing to abate the pounding ache going on inside my head. “I need a moment.”

Leaving the three of them seated at the table, I pace the length of the room. Doing so has always helped me think. I replay all that’s been said. Ryvik presented evidence showing Carrik’s father lied about being part of the contingent that visited Kovari at the time Mohneek was assaulted on Bohna in a way that resulted in her becoming with child.

She believed her assailant to be my father, but Ryvik and Orvak say it was, in fact, my father’s trusted spy prior to Carrik inheriting that position who was the culprit. Ryvik was killed by Bannik, so any leads we had to Mohneek are gone or presumed to be so. We have no way to know if Mohneek is continuing her quest for vengeance against my father. And, if she is, what form it will take given the fact that controlling a ruling Janik is no longer an option.

Gods’ blood, what a mess. How am I supposed to be able to protect my people when I’m unable to track down the threats who represent the most danger to them? Are Mohneek and Orvak still on Bohna or have they managed to find a way off-planet? The pounding in my head grows worse. I try to shake it off, but it’s persistent and pervasive.

Dark spots dance in my eyes. My stomach revolts. I grow dizzy and stumble. My name is said in a rough tone, but it comes from far away. A stabbing pain shoots through my head, and it’s too much. My knees hit the floor and everything goes dark.

Chapter 24

Devon

We’re almost to the throne room when loud voices from inside spur me forward. I sprint the last few feet to the door and burst through it without knocking. My eyes land on Alik who’s lying on the floor with Carrik and Janik standing over him and Horek kneeling at his side—calling his name. He appears unresponsive, even to Mak, nudging his arm with her muzzle. Oh my god, did she attack him? Is he bleeding out somewhere?

“Alik!” I run over and drop to my knees to assess him. “Alik, baby, it’s Devon. Wake up.”

He doesn’t so much as flinch.

I look at Horek. “What the fuck happened?”

“We were discussing the events of the night when Ryvik met with Carrik and Bannik. It was a lot of information for him to take in, and he requested a moment. He was pacing the room like he has always done in the past. Except he stumbled and groaned as though in pain. Then he collapsed to the floor, and we have been unable to get him to wake.”

“How long has he been out?” I stroke his hair off his face. My heart races, and I feel sick to my stomach.

“Three ticks. Four at the most,” Horek replies.

Four minutes of being unresponsive? Shit that’s a long time. “Where’s Vornak?”

“On his way,” Janik says.

I keep touching Alik and talking to him so he knows I’m here. I knew I shouldn’t have let him meet them without me. God, what if he’s hurt in some way? Or what if he wakes up and he’s back to being the person he was in that containment cube? He wouldn’t want to live like that.

“Please, Alik, baby. I need you to wake up.”

Commotion comes from the direction of the door, but I don’t turn. The only thing I care about is my mate. The others can take care of whatever is going on. A small furry body invades my space. Beck. The growing phinnek lays next to him and rests his head on Alik’s chest with a persistent whine.

“Oh, gods. What happened?” Queen Veroneek cries out.

I’m vaguely aware of Olivia explaining the situation to the queen. Hushed voices mutter to one another until finally, a shadow falls across me. A large body kneels at my side. I glance over to find Vornak.

“I need to examine the prince,” the healer says.

I nod my assent and watch him do whatever it is he needs to do. The handheld scanner he wields emits the beam of teal light that indicates it’s running whatever diagnostics it needs to. Vornak observes the screen and the information it’s displaying. When he finishes, he turns to me.

“His brain scans are erratic, Your Highness. It would be best if I can bring him to the healing facility and place him in one of the med pods for a higher level of healing than this device can offer.”

“Whatever you need to do to get him well, do it. Please.”

Vornak inclines his head. “We will get him loaded onto a platform, and I will ride in the shuttle with him. You’re welcome to come as well.”

“Of course I’m coming.” As if I’m letting my mate out of my sight.