Page 51
It’s been three days since Alik was taken to the healing facility. Three days of fear and worry. Of splitting time between there and staying with the queen at the palace. Vornak has been kind enough to send me frequent updates as has Horek. Still no change in my mate’s condition though.
“Thank you for sharing a meal with me, Devon,” Queen Veroneek says.
“It’s always my pleasure. I enjoy your company.”
She laughs, but it’s lacking in humor. “I’m not sure I’ve been very good company the last few days.”
I reach across and gently clasp her hand. “You’ve been the best. I’d rather sit with you than be alone with my thoughts. You keep me from spiraling out of control with worry and I hope I do at least a little bit of the same for you.”
“You have, and I thank you for that, Devon.”
After a minute’s pause, I break the quiet that’s settled and bring up the topic we always tiptoe around. “He’s going to get better. I know it.”
The queen squeezes my hand, and I’m sure her smile is meant to be reassuring, but it falls short. “I know.”
I’m not certain either of us believe my words. I do know that I can’t give up hope. Alik would never give up on me. He’d fight, which means I have to do the same for him.
“If you’ll be alright for a little while, I’m going to check on Alik. Olivia said she’d stop by in about thirty ticks and bring Mak with her to entertain Beck. She was going to take them out into the courtyard to run around if you wanted to join them and get some fresh air. It’s a beautiful day.” I try to encourage Queen Veroneek to leave her suite when I can, but it hasn’t been easy.
She smiles and pats my hand before releasing it. “I’ll see how I feel. Tell Alik I love him, will you, please, dear?”
“Of course.”
I give her a quick hug before leaving her suites and making my way through the palace. Word has spread through the city that I’m the prince’s mate, but since we haven’t had the formal mating ceremony yet, I haven’t been officially sworn in or whatever as princess. For the moment, I’m still Ms. Devon Marie Jackson, formerly of Earth’s bottom tier.
We’ve also tried to keep quiet about Alik’s condition. Only a few people know he’s at the medical facility and why. The rumor Horek has tried to spread is he’s holed up in the throne room discussing princely stuff with the commander and Carrik when we’re not locked away in our suites screwing our brains out trying to bring about the next generation of Bohnari.
The guard at the top of the lift greets me with a nod and presses the button for street level for me. Despite how massive the mountain is and the fact the palace sits more than halfway up it, the ride down is quick. I wave at the second guard stationed at the bottom of the lift when I exit.
Like I told the queen, it’s another beautiful day. Of course, I’m not sure I’ve experienced anything else in the months since we got to Bohna. We’ve had days where it’s rained, but even then the sun shone. The combination made for some stunning rainbows.
The market square is bustling with activity today. Vendors call out their wares and customers haggle with them for lower prices. I walk past booths with bolts of gorgeous fabric spread out in the most vibrant colors. One catches my eye. It would make a great pillow for Lindsey. Or maybe a blanket for when the baby comes.
I pass the same vendor where Horek purchased the pikela stone necklace he gifted her at their mating ceremony. A matching bracelet hangs from one of the displays. Hmmm, maybe I’ll stop back here on my return trip to the palace. Quinn’s birthday is coming up soon.
A small cadre of Jintiri priests wearing their typical long hooded cloaks sweep past. The one bringing up the rear collides with me, and I stumble into someone whose hold on me tightens.
“I’m so sor—”
“We finally meet, Princess Devon.”
I look up at the unfamiliar older Bohnari male who hasn’t released me yet. “Do I know you?”
“I’m sure you have heard my name.”
Like that helps. I smile politely. “I’m sorry, but you’ll have to refresh my memory. I’ve met so many people during my time here. I’m ashamed to admit I’m terrible with remembering names. Great with faces. Names, though, not so much.”
The older male grins, but the look in his eyes is one that makes the hairs on my arms stand up. A voice in my head is yelling, “Danger.” I try to remove myself from his embrace, but his grip hardens around my upper arms almost painfully.
I know who he is.
He must sense my realization because he laughs softly in a menacing tone. “It’s come to you hasn’t it?” he asks.
“You’re Orvak, aren’t you?”
“How smart you humans are,” he sneers.
“What do you want?”
