Page 22 of Loving the Alien Spy

“Do you know why he approached you or what his intentions are by contacting you?”

“I do not.”

“When you hear from him, let me know.” Janik pauses. “Do you think he is still loyal to Mohneek or Orvak? Or knows where they might be?”

“It’s possible.”

“Keep me updated.”

I nod at both him and his mother. “Of course.”

Sensing their dismissal, I turn to leave. The doors slam open, and Horek strides through. Mak, whose growl rumbles from her throat, settles a moment later.

“What’s going on?” The commander narrows his gaze at Janik.

“Calm yourself. Nothing nefarious is happening. At least, not how you are assuming.” The prince turns toward me. “He should know.”

My eyes widen. “Your Highness, that is not how this works.”

Janik straightens to his full height. “I was not groomed for this position or raised to take over. Regardless of his distaste for being heir, my…cousin was.”

Horek actually startles, whether at the admission or the acknowledgment of their familial relationship.

The prince continues. “I am not King Danik nor any of those who came before him. Nor am I Alik. Which means I will rule how I see fit. It also means there are certain things that will change. The secrecy of who you are and what you do is going to be one of them. Especially if we are going to find Mohneek and Orvak. The queen already knows. Horek should as well. You say you are in service to me—therefore, this is your first task and test of loyalty by my command.”

I stare at Janik for another tick, hoping he will change his mind. When he merely stares back, I finally blow out a harsh breath and share a secret that has never been shared with anyone before. Ever. Or at least, it was not supposed to have been. Horek remains silent throughout, and only once I’ve finished relaying everything I’d just spoken of to Janik does he react.

“Is this the reason you have rejected your heart’s fire?”

“I have not rejected Lindsey.”

The commander nods slowly. “So it is her. I had wondered.”

Janik glances back and forth between us but has nothing to add.

“You still have not answered my question,” Horek prompts when the silence lengthens.

“I told you I am not rejecting my heart’s fire.”

“But you were going to,” Janik states flatly. He did witness my interaction with her in the market square after all.

“There were reasons.”

“Reasons that no longer exist?” the commander asks.

“No disrespect intended, but my…relationship with Lindsey is none of your concern.”

“That’s fair,” Janik says.

“If there’s nothing else, I will leave you three to discuss matters and figure out which steps you would like me to take next.” I bow to the queen and the prince and walk out of the room without a formal dismissal.

I have done what I came here to do, and now it’s time to get to know my heart’s fire. Or at least as well as I am able to without revealing who I truly am.

Chapter 12

Lindsey

For at least the twentieth time this morning, I get up from the sofa and find something random to keep me occupied. I’ve already watered and fed all my plants, including the one Bannik bought and had delivered. I still need to pay him back for it too. I’ve cleaned my apartment, despite the fact that there are bots who already come and take care of it.