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That is not at all what I expected Orvak to say. “How was Mohneek having a child going to stop the king and queen from marrying?”

“Because if Veroneek found out the other male courting her had not only forced himself on another female, but gotten her with child, then it would be me who was king instead of him.”

I’m really fucking confused. I know Mohneek was assaulted by someone and gave birth to a baby who later died. That was why she kidnapped Janik. Not only to replace the child she lost, but as an act of revenge against the king for raping her. Her plan had been to raise Janik to despise his father and brother, form a rebellion, and take his place as the rightful heir since he’d been born before Alik. Except King Danik didn’t rape her.

“You were the other suitor.” Christ, it’s obvious now, but something still doesn’t make sense. “You and King Danik were both courting the queen. How was her choosing you going to make you king? Didn’t Veroneek become queen when she married King Danik?”

Orvak sneers. “You humans know nothing about our people or planet. The royal line runs through Queen Veroneek. Danik became king when they mated.”

I stare at him. He truly is evil. One more puzzle piece slots into place. “It wasn’t King Danik or Carrik’s dad who raped Mohneek. It was you.”

Chapter 27

Alik

I wasn’t there to protect her. Rage simmers in my belly. The same fiery sensation I experienced right before I somehow burned down the door in my mind rushes through me. I can’t stop it either.

A roar builds in my chest, the heat spreads through me, and rises up to explode out of my mouth in a spray of flames. I spin away from my cousin and the healer and direct my fire to the already damaged med pod. It melts beneath the heat and then catches ablaze, igniting other healing equipment around it.

Voices yell out my name, but it’s the soft whisper of Devon’s inside my mind that has me drawing the flames back and swallowing them down.

A flame-retardant powder falls from the ceiling to douse the flames as well as the three of us. My chest heaves with exertion, and I brace my weight on my arms on a nearby table.

“God’s blood, Alik, what just happened?” Horek rasps.

“It was the Bohnari beast,” Vornak answers in a hushed tone before I can.

I pivot to face the healer and narrow my gaze. “Explain.”

Vornak blows out a short breath. “It is merely a legend—a tale spread by the healers before me—that spoke of our ancestors transforming into a powerful flying beast who breathed fire. The bloodline was diluted when one of them mated with a wingless, fireless female of a different species. Bohnari slowly lost the ability to fully transform through each new generation, but when their rage is intense enough or their mate is in danger, their fire returns.”

“How is it I have never heard about this?” Horek asks.

“I have.” The words are spoken quietly. “Or at least a mention of it, but not the exact details.”

“Why did you never say anything?” my cousin asks.

“Because it was our bloodline where it all started. Only it was mentioned as a curse of the beast. It spoke of uncontrolled destruction. Madness entirely different from that brought about by the mating fever. Since both of us had no desire to mate—although your reason was different than mine—I was glad to know the curse would die with us.”

Horek’s eye’s widen. “That is why you didn’t wish for a mate? Because you believed in some curse?”

“My sole wish has always been for the survival of our people. That couldn’t happen when its ruler was cursed. When I could lose myself to this madness and destroy our planet with this power I was supposed to be cursed with.”

Horek clenches his fists. “I am your cousin. Your heir. You should have told me.”

I turn away and survey the damage I wrought. “It doesn’t matter now. What matters is that my heart’s fire is still missing and gods help any person who might have harmed her.” I glance at Vornak. “I apologize for the destruction. I will ensure it all gets put back to right.”

The healer nods. “I don’t doubt it, Your Highness. And if there is anything I can do to help you find your mate, you need only ask.”

“Thank you. In the meantime, I must go assure my mother I am alive and well. Then, I am going to find Devon.”

Despite some lingering weakness after lying in a med pod for four days, I stride confidently through the healing center and city streets, giving the passersby barely a glance. I could have taken a shuttle, but I need to build my strength back up.

I arrive at the palace and use one of the secret passages to enter. The cook nearly drops the platter of meat he carries as I exit the hidden door in the kitchens.

With a brief greeting, I make my way to my mother’s suites without being waylaid. I knock, and behind the door a phinnek growls, which swiftly turns to whining. The door is jerked open, and before I can speak my mother embraces me with a ragged cry.

“Oh, my son.” Her hold tightens on me until I’m scarcely able to breathe.