Page 30 of Loving the Alien Spy

I release a heavy breath. “We’re getting to know each other.”

After an extended silence, Olivia gapes. “Wait, is that it?”

Quinn smacks her on the arm and looks at me. “That’s good that Bannik and you are taking your time to get to know each other.”

“Yeah,” Devon chimes in. “That’s important in a relationship.”

“He’s lucky to have you,” Quinn says. “You both deserve someone who is kind. His brother really did a number on him.”

It still feels awkward knowing Bannik had been interested in her first. He’d been pretty obvious about it. There are those few—and thankfully—rare times when I wonder if he wishes I were Quinn.

“Yeah, he’s told me a few things.”

“I’m glad he has you and that you’re his heart’s fire,” Quinn tells me. “There is nothing he won’t do to make you happy or to ensure you’re protected.”

“She’s right,” Olivia adds. “I admit I thought it would be smothering at first, but truthfully, there’s nothing better than being the mate of a Bohnari. You are their everything, and they’re yours. It’s ridiculously comforting, actually.”

I like the idea of being wholly someone’s and having them be wholly mine. She’s not exaggerating either. I see how she and Janik are, as well as Horek and Quinn. The more I think about it, the more I realize I want what they have. Maybe it’s time to stop holding back.

Chapter 15

Carrik

I’ve been reassigned to stand guard at the lift that leads up to the palace level. Horek didn’t release me to carry a lethal weapon yet because he doesn’t want to raise too much suspicion, which I understand. I no longer need to have direct supervision by a senior officer, but I am still required to check in via comm with the commander every few clicks.

Arvik argued with Horek when he was given the news, and when the senior officer stormed out of the command room I’d been standing outside of, he glared with pure hatred. Not that I care. My hope, though, is that he doesn’t try to make my life difficult.

Janik and Horek believe the more freedom I’m given, the more likely it is that Ryvik will contact me. They also want me to use my lack of supervision to gather intel on Mohneek’s whereabouts. Hopefully Ryvik or Tarrik, the guard who’d escorted me to the throne room, will lead us to her and Orvak. Or at least get an idea of what they might have planned. The fact that they’ve hidden themselves away this well and for this long isa bad sign. It means she’s had—and continues to have—help. But from whom is the question.

To my surprise, more people than I expected visit the palace. Ever since Alik became lost to the mating fever and imprisoned, Queen Veroneek no longer hosts dinner parties. In fact, news is she stays mostly in her suites and rarely ventures out, other than to make brief visits to the pit to try to get through to her son. So far, it’s been a wasted effort. He is lost, and there is no getting him back.

My thoughts drift to Lindsey. I can’t help but picture her. Or remember the way she had been spread out over me. Or the scent of her arousal. Gods’ blood, I need to stop thinking of her or I will forget every duty I’ve sworn to uphold and, instead, seek her out and sate my desire in her cunt. Even her mouth would temporarily satisfy me.

The number of times I have used my hand to bring myself to release since leaving her rooms yesterday is too many to count. Each one left me unsatisfied, but until she is ready to seal our mating bond, my hand will have to do.

“Greetings, Bannik.”

I curse myself for the distraction and not hearing or seeing the approaching male before now. “Greetings, Ryvik.”

“I see you are proving your loyalty.” He gestures around. “No more supervision to make sure you stay in line.”

“As I said before, I swore my fealty to the queen, just as you—and countless other former rebels—did.”

Ryvik smirks. “Yes, we did.”

“Is there something you needed?”

“How is your brother? Carrik, isn’t it?”

I control my breathing. “My hatred for my brother is well-known. It is also known that I don’t speak to or acknowledge him. Which means I have no idea how he is, nor do I care to.”

“Yes, we are well aware of those things,” Ryvik says cryptically.

We? “Is there a point to this conversation?”

“I am merely wondering if you are certain where your loyalties lie. Rumor has it your brother may not be who he seems.”

My whole life has been spent training to never give away any of my thoughts. To never let emotions I can’t control be exposed. It takes every bit of strength and power I have not to react to his statement.