Page 39 of Saving the Alien Prince

I don’t believe her. “Devon, look at me.” Nearly a tick passes before she does so. “I do not doubt Olivia’s fearlessness, but that doesn’t mean you don’t possess your own. Who’s the one who snuck through a secret door, followed a dark tunnel buried beneath a mountain, and broke into a prison room in the most feared location on the planet? Who’s the one who braved the beast locked away down in that place and spoke to him with kindness and compassion? Who’s the one who allowed herself to be alone with the same beast knowing there was a possibility his madness would take control? Do not discount your own fearlessness.”

Devon sniffs and blinks away the tears that swim in her eyes. “Thank you for saying all of that.”

“I spoke nothing but the truth.” I lean in for a brief kiss. “You will be a far greater princess than I ever have been as a prince.”

“You’ll tell me, though, if I do anything un-princess-like?”

“On the remote chance that happens, yes, I will tell you.” I can’t even imagine a circumstance in which Devon is anyone but herself, and she’s a queen in my eyes.

“Speaking of Olivia,” she says and bites her lip in a worrying gesture.

“Yes?”

“When do you think you’re going to talk to Janik? I’m not pushing it,” Devon rushes out. “I was just asking.”

If it were up to me, I would never speak with that male. Except I can’t avoid him forever. Not only because my heart’s fire is his mate’s friend and sister, but also because he is my mother’s son. “I do not know.”

“Whenever you’re ready, and if you want me to be, I’ll be there with you.”

My thumb brushes up and down Devon’s cheek. “A time will come when you will realize I always want you at my side. Until that time arrives, I will be sure to keep reminding you.”

“Thank you.”

“It is my pleasure.”

Her stomach rumbles, making her hunger known. She chuckles in reply. “We should probably get cleaned up and find something to eat.”

“I’ll comm the kitchen and have them send food up.”

“I don’t know what time it is, but I would love some spiced flakis with that cream sauce. It’s one of my favorite dishes. Oh, and maybe have them include a pitcher of plyka, if you don’t mind.”

“Not at all.” I leave our bed and stride naked across the room to send a message to the cook.

When I turn around, I find Devon still lying in bed with her head propped up, but she’s watching me. “You’re the one staring now.”

She grins and waves her arm in my general direction. “When you look like that, of course, I’m going to stare. My mate is hot as fuck.”

I stalk toward her and bend down to her level using my palms on the bed surface for support. “My mate is ‘hot as fuck’ as you say.”

Devon sits up and touches her lips to mine, but instead of kissing me, she murmurs against them. “Yes, she is.”

With a growl, I wrap my arms around her, and lift her out of the bed, spinning us in a circle. She loops her arms over my shoulders and throws her head back in laughter. I’ve never before seen a more beautiful sight.

“Come, my heart’s fire. Let us wash so we can eat.” I set Devon on her feet, but don’t release her.

She taps my nose with her fingertip. “When we’re done eating, maybe we can have a little more of that funny business together.”

I growl my pleasure and quickly whisk her into the hygiene room before I say no to food and take her back to bed instead.

Chapter 20

Devon

Alik and I spend our days sleeping, eating, and fucking.

While I’m not in any way complaining, I also recognize a diversion tactic when I see it. Alik’s avoiding not only his brother, but his princely duties. I get why. I truly do.

Except, I also miss my friends. I miss my walks through the city and the market square. I miss strolling through the botanical garden and all the times I do nothing more than sit on one of the benches and stare up at the gorgeous sky that I also miss. The sun shines through one of the many windows in our bedroom and in one of the sitting rooms, but it’s not the same.