Page 12 of Resisting the Alien Commander

“Yet,” Olivia adds. “There’s nothing to be afraid of…yet. Because how can you guarantee that your little conflict won’t become violent? You can’t, and you know it. Life doesn’t come with guarantees. I don’t know what these rebels are doing now that makes them rebels, but at some point, if what they’re doing continues not to work, they’ll come to a decision to escalate things. It’s how conflict works. Always has, always will.”

I shake my head. “It will never come to violence. You havemyguarantee.”

“Why should we trust you?” Quinn asks quietly. “How can we be sure you’re right?”

“Because I know Alik. He loves Bohna and he loves our people. If there is any chance any of those people might be harmed by the rebels in any way, then he will give them exactly what they want. A new leader.” My cousin would do anything to protect the Bohnari, including bringing humans here to become brides so we don’t die out. “I swear this to you.”

Other than Johnna, none of the females appear to believe me. There is nothing I can do to make them see the truth except give them time. My wrist comm beeps and I am almost grateful for the distraction. I tap it.

“Commander Horek.” I don’t take my eyes off Quinn.

“His Highness is asking for you, sir.”

“I’m on my way.” I end the comm. “Excuse me, but I have to go.”

Without waiting for a response, I spin and once again weave my way through the crowded market square. Behind me, the females all ask the same question.

“His Highness?”

No doubt they’ll question Johnna about it and I’m not sure if she’ll be able to get away with not giving them the answers they seek. One more thing I may need to warn Alik about.

It takes me far too long to reach the throne room for the second time today. At least I did notice an increase in guards around the females’ housing. Again, I enter without announcing myself. Only this time, Alik isn’t alone. Queen Veroneek sits in a plush chair reserved for her when she wishes to converse with her son.

“Horek, my dear,” she greets me with a pleasantness that never fails to make me feel warm inside. My aunt is as kind as my mother is not. I’ve never understood how the two of them are sisters.

“Greetings, Your Highness. I didn’t realize you were here. Is all well?” Despite our relation, I still can’t drop the formality of her title. She stopped asking me to a long time ago, when she realized it was pointless. Not because I don’t care for her in the only way I know how. It’s just best to keep a measure of distance between myself and people.

“Other than the pesky rebels causing more problems? Mostly,” she says. “I merely wanted to get your take on the human females that arrived. Alik mentioned you escorted them to their dwelling. Were you able to speak with any of them? What sort of impression did you get?”

A vision of Quinn flashes in my head. The way the sunlight made her eyes sparkle and how my fingers twitched with the need to see if her hair was as soft as it appeared. Or how I’m curious to know what she thinks of Preska so far.

“I didn’t really get a chance to converse with any of them, although I did run across a few with Johnna in the market before coming here. She was showing them around, I believe, and introducing them to our culture.”

“That is lovely of Johnna for doing that. I’m sure they felt some sort of relief knowing there’s another human female here that is mated to one of our people already,” Queen Veroneek says. She has a genuine fondness for the healer’s human mate.

“Most likely.”

“Did you find one that sparked your interest?” she asks with the same brow raise as her son, although hers is less imperious and more curiously optimistic.

“You know I have no interest in a bride.”

Queen Veroneek waves me off. “That’s your mother talking. I’m not sure how she’s convinced you that you have no wish for a mate or children. You would make a wonderful father and a loving partner.”

I glance at Alik, who’s remained quiet this entire time, only to find him failing to hide a smirk. I’m sure he’s relieved that his mother’s attention and insistence about a lack of desire to be bonded is currently being directed at me and not him.

“Alik would make a far better mate than I would. Heisthe crown prince after all. He’s the one who needs to further our line and produce an heir, don’t you think?”

My aunt barks out a laugh. “My son has already made his feelings about a mate known to me. Not that I agree with either of you, but I will leave it. For now.”

She rises from her seat and kisses Alik on the cheek. She pats my shoulder, which is the most affection I accept from anyone.

“I will say one more thing before I leave, though, and that is don’t let others dictate what you want most out of life.” Her gaze shifts from Alik to me and back to her son. “You could be missing out on the most wonderful thing life has to offer. True love. Your father and I had it. He’d want you both to have it as well.”

With another glance over us, Queen Veroneek dips her head and exits through the double doors that are opened by the two guards stationed at them. I stare after her a moment longer before turning to my cousin. He meets my gaze.

“Tell me about this rebel that got away.”

Chapter7

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