Page 49 of Resisting the Alien Commander

She shudders. “I’m not sure that’s any better.”

I press my lips together to stop from laughing.

“Did Horek tell you the reason for your visit today?”

I glance between the two of them. “He didn’t.”

The queen claps her hands and laughs with pure giddiness. “Good. I do so love surprises.”

At least one of us does. She gestures to one of the guards I didn’t notice standing in the corner. He pivots and walks through a side door. My confusion grows the longer we all remain still and…waiting. Several minutes pass before the same door opens again and the guard comes back in. Only, he’s not alone.

My heart freezes in my chest, and I’m scared to blink for fear the woman in front of me is nothing more than a mirage that will disappear the second my eyes close. I stumble a couple steps forward and tentatively reach my arm out. Am I asleep and dreaming? Or am I just imagining this entire scene?

“Mom?”

“Hello, my love.”

Hearing her voice releases me from whatever trance I’m in, and I close the last bit of distance between us. We throw our arms around each other, and I can’t tell which of us is crying harder.

“Mama.”

“Oh, Quinn, baby, I’ve missed you so much.”

“I’ve missed you more.”

Those are the last words either of us can say until our sobs slow and we’ve soaked each other’s shirts at the shoulder. My tears haven’t quite dried up, but I finally stop bawling and draw back only enough that I can look her in the eyes.

“How?”

She glances over my shoulder before returning her gaze to me. “You have a male who loves you very much.”

I don’t release my hold on my mom, but I pivot a half turn, bringing her with me, and face Horek. “You did this?”

He nods. “With the queen’s help. I know how much you were hurting from missing your mother, and I hated it. If there was something I could do to take your pain away I wanted to do it. So, I spoke with Queen Veroneek and she agreed to send a ship for your mother and bring her here. Permanently if she chooses to stay.”

“Oh my god.” I rush forward and jump into Horek’s arms, wrapping myself so tightly around him it’s almost as if I become a part of him. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

“You are most welcome.”

I draw my upper body back. The flame burns low in his gaze. “This means everything to me.”

He cradles the side of my face in his warm hand. “I was more than happy to do this for you. I love you, my heart’s fire.”

The truth hits me then. I’ve been ignoring this feeling because I thought it was too soon, but the powerful emotion fills me to overflowing, and there’s no stopping it.

“I love you, too.”

Epilogue

Horek

The palace staff and its residents are buzzing with excitement, but none more so than the queen. She’s been planning for this day, and nothing and no one is going to ruin it for her. Or me.

Today is my mating ceremony with Quinn. Soon after her mother arrived, she agreed to become my bride in truth. An event I never expected to occur before I met her, but one that now I couldn’t imagine not having. My heart’s fire and I are finally standing before the entire city and pledging our commitment to one another, much to my mother’s utter revulsion and refusal to step foot in the palace.

It is better this way. She would only bring hatred and disdain with her, and I won’t subject Quinn to that. Once was more times than there should have been, but my mother chose to confront my heart’s fire when I wasn’t with her. She’s lucky, because if I had been present, I’m not sure I would have been able to control my rage. Even against the female who gave birth to me.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Alik strides into the room dressed in his most formal attire, but looking haggard.

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