Page 35 of Loving the Alien Spy
“What do you mean?”
The other male glances around, and I do the same. It doesn’t appear as though anyone is paying attention to us, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t. I should know. It’s a technique I have perfected during my time as a spy.
“Are you aware of your family’s history?” Ryvik asks in a low voice.
“Our history?” Surely he can’t know. Never before have I been worried about giving my emotions away.
He cants his head like he doesn’t fully believe my confusion. “The House of Deqan holds a lot of secrets.”
Irritated by the game Ryvik appears intent on playing, I get to my feet to leave. “I have better things to do than waste my time on whatever this is.”
He stands—blocking my exit—and leans in close. “Did you know your father was a spy, and when he died, Carrik took his place?”
Slowly, without taking my eyes off him, I return to my seat, more in shock from the knowledge he appears to have than I want to admit. Ryvik sits as well.
“What do you mean, my father was a spy? A spy for whom? And how do you know this?”
“For the king, of course.”
Of course. “Again, how do you know this to be true?”
He chuckles, but it’s an ugly sound. “My father discovered it.”
I have known Ryvik for two anums. Ever since I infiltrated the rebels as Bannik, I’d never asked if he had family. He never voluntarily spoke of them either.
“Who is your father?”
He smirks. “That’s not important. All that matters is that your father—and now your brother—are spies for Alik. Or perhaps Janik, considering our former prince has been locked away.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“I thought you would like to know who your family truly is. What they’ve withheld from you since the time you were born. Did they not trust you enough to share this with you?” Ryvik continues. “That your brother has amassed a fortune that more than half the population of our people could never dream of is bad enough. But to spend his entire life lying to you? The same brother he shared a womb with. That isn’t how you treat those you’re supposed to love. King Danik and then Alik are complicit in the secrecy as well. They helped drive the wedge between you and your brother. Not to speak of your father. He always treated Carrik differently, didn’t he?”
Pain strikes me deeply, because what Ryvik says is the truth. Our father did treat us differently. I was the one he spent time training to take his place. Far too often, he dismissed Bannik. Pushed him aside, because I was the one he devoted all his attention to.
“How is it your father discovered this if it is such a closely guarded secret?”
Again, he waves off my question. “You seem far more concerned about how the information was obtained than the disloyalty your family has shown you.”
“Perhaps I wish to confront my brother and gloat over the fact that he isn’t as smart as he thinks he is.”
Ryvik flashes his teeth in the way that gets my back up. “There are better ways to do this.”
“Which are?”
He tilts his head slightly and takes far too long studying me. “I’m not sure you’re ready to hear them yet. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
With that, he stands, and before I can even think about stopping him, he turns and is swallowed up by the crowd of people that have since gathered around the tavern. Gods’ blood. I sit at the table for several moments longer before leaving my untouched drink and heading out of the tavern toward the barracks. The streets are emptier than when I walked them earlier, although I pass several patrolling guards who acknowledge me with a short nod that I return.
A part of me wishes to detour to the females’ complex and knock on Lindsey’s door. Not because I want a repeat of last night—not only because—but her presence soothes me as well as the beast inside. The part of me that feeds off the fire coursing through my veins. It itches to be released, and the control I have on it to either fight or fuck is a frayed thread. Also, I can finally admit how lonely my life has become.
Finally, I arrive at the barracks and quietly make my way through the corridors until I reach my room. Inside, I locate the private channel comm device used to keep in contact with Ivikfrom where I’d hidden it in the hygiene room beneath the vanity. Less than a tick later, he responds to my ping.
“Is all well?”
“One of the former rebels arranged to have me meet him tonight. Somehow, he knows my father and I are spies for the prince. Or rather, that Carrik is. He still believes me to be Bannik. At least, that’s how it appears.”
“How is that possible? Your father never spoke of his duties to anyone,” Ivik defends fiercely.
