Page 16 of Resisting the Alien Commander

“I trust you.”

The words hang in the air a moment.

Alik doubles over with a groan. I rush over to help. His head jerks up and a growl erupts from his throat making me come to an abrupt halt. His eyes shift colors, and his skin-tone deepens.Fuck. It’s the fever. Not making any sudden moves, I reach into my vest and bring out my vial of ground kanet powder.

“Alik, you need to take this.” Carefully I unscrew the cap and pour a larger portion than I normally would. “Breathe, cousin. Everything’s going to be fine. It’s Horek. I need you to breathe.”

With slow, methodical steps, I move forward with both hands outstretched in front of me. In one is the cap containing the kanet powder. Alik’s chest rises and falls rapidly and a slow rumble climbs from his chest to land in his throat. At his sides, his fists clench and his claws elongate, no doubt cutting into his flesh and causing even more pain. I’m finally within an arm’s reach.

“Easy. Just breathe.” I place the cap under his nose. “That’s it. Breathe it in.”

The first inhalation is slow, the second faster. At last, he takes in a sharp breath and the powder disappears. I keep my own breathing even until Alik calms. His eyes return to normal, and the tension he’d been holding in his body releases. His breathing evens out, and he straightens to his impressive height. His color lightens but only by a fraction.

“Fuck.” He snaps the curse in a harsh tone.

I step away to give him space. He meets my gaze, but I let the words I want to say remain unspoken. We both know what they are and we both know nothing is going to change.

“You should hurry and finish dressing before your mother comes searching for you. I’ll let her know you’re on your way.” I recap my supply of kanet powder and toss it on Alik’s bed. “You need this more than I do right now.”

His jaw tightens and he gives me a sharp nod. I stare a moment longer and then leave. That’s the worst I’ve seen the fever hit. Most days there’s a barely noticeable pain in my chest. It’s dull, and the smallest amount of kanet powder keeps it at bay. My cousin is the only one it’s affected this badly and I don’t understand why.

Even the rebels get it although the exchange is never done in person. More times than I can count, I’ve laid a trap to catch whoever comes to get their supply of it, and every time they slip between my fingers. It’s maddening. I make my way through the palace toward the main gathering space.

Tables flanked on either side with backless benches fill the room in preparation for dinner. The musicians are seated together in the far corner and play an upbeat tune. Already several males have arrived. All of them ready to court one of the females.

“My son appears to be missing.”

I turn at the sound of my aunt’s voice. She approaches dressed like the queen she is, wearing traditional Bohnari royalty clothing and a small, delicate crown on her head. Her slightly shorn horns are just visible over the top of it.

“I just left him in his room, Highness. He will be down momentarily and asked me to let you know he was running slightly behind.”

“That is good,” she says with a soft smile. “I thought perhaps he had tried to make his escape off planet so he didn’t have to sit on display in front of all the new females.”

“Only because he knows you would hunt him down if he dare tried.”

Queen Veroneek chuckles. “How right you are.”

“You look lovely, by the way, Aunt.”

She waves off the compliment, but I can tell it pleases her. “You should save your flattery for one of the young females.”

I stare her down. “You know I am not interested.”

Her lips turn downward at the corners. “Never have I met more stubborn males than my son and you. Not even his father was this bad. It’s your mother getting in your head again, isn’t it?”

“We haven’t spoken in several moons.” Not since word spread that Alik was negotiating for brides. I do my best to avoid her.

“That doesn’t mean you don’t hear her voice in your head telling you all sorts of nonsense about the sort of male she says you are. About how females want a male who is less serious and stoic. A male who knows how to laugh and flirt and charm. Someone exactly like Alik.”

I nearly flinch at the accuracy of everything she just said, because those are all the things my mother spoke of the last time I saw her. My aunt moves forward and lays her hand on my cheek.

“You are kind and gentle, Horek. Protective of those you care for. Your heart is much bigger than you think it is. Any female should count herself lucky to be loved by you.” She places her hand on my chest next. “Don’t let fear or untruths spoken by others keep you from searching for a female to spend the rest of your days with. There is nothing greater than finding your heart’s fire. Trust me. I found mine.”

Queen Veroneek focuses on me for a moment longer and then heads in the direction of the kitchen. I’m not sure how long I stand there, but the sound of approaching people reaches me. I push back my aunt’s words and turn my attention to the entrance. Alik still hasn’t arrived. Males trickle in like a slow leak that soon runs faster, until the eating area is nearly bursting.

They choose their seats carefully in order to get the best view of the table where the females will sit. I’m not sure how comfortable the humans are going to feel being fully exposed and treated like a spectacle. Not that I predict anyone will behave badly, but I plan on keeping a close eye on them all. It won’t do if the females grow uncomfortable from a male’s unwanted attention.

“They’re like starving animals waiting to pounce on their prey.” Alik’s voice comes from beside me.

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