Chapter 14
Lindsey
An incessant pounding rouses me from a pleasant dream. At least, I’m pretty certain it was pleasant before it disappeared like a wisp of smoke. I blink my eyes open and wait for the sound to come again. Maybe I just imagined it. Except, it does come again. Someone’s at the door.
With a groan of annoyance, I throw back the blankets and pad out of my bedroom. I press the button on the control panel, and all three of my friends appear on the screen. Olivia raises her arm, no doubt to start pounding again, so I open the door to prevent it.
She pushes past me. “Good, you’re awake.”
Quinn and Devon do the same, and all three stand in the middle of my living area when I close the door and turn around.
“I wasn’t, actually. At least not until my lovely sleep was interrupted.” I’m not usually this snarky, but these are extenuating circumstances. Plus, I’m really annoyed for some reason.
Only Quinn and Devon wince at my attitude. Olivia doesn’t appear fazed at all. Not that she doesn’t care or she’s not a great friend. She’s just…Olivia. She never takes offense when Quinn gets short or snippy with her either.
“We’re here for an intervention,” she continues.
“An intervention for what?”
Olivia laughs. “Nothing. I’ve just always wanted to say that. We’re actually here to drag you to the market with us for some retail therapy and breakfast so we can gossip about guys.”
I glare at them. “You seriously woke me up for that?”
“I suggested waiting until lunch but was overruled,” Devon points out.
“See?” I gesture in her direction. “That’s a real friend.”
“You love us all equally,” Olivia says with a wide grin.
“Not at the moment,” I grumble, although she’s right. I also can’t figure out why I’m so cranky. It’s really not like me.
Quinn walks over. “If you truly are upset and want us to leave, we will. No one will hold it against you or have any hard feelings.” She stares at our friend for a second. “Will we?”
Olivia tosses up her hands and rolls her eyes. “Of course not. I’m not a complete asshole.”
No, she isn’t. None of them are. That’s why I count myself lucky they’re my friends.
“Give me a few minutes to get ready.”
“Yes!” Olivia crows.
I bite back my smile and disappear into my room. In near-record time, I’ve cleaned my teeth, managed to get my hair to look reasonably decent, and changed into clothes that don’t resemble pajamas. When I return to the living area, the three of them are chatting.
“We’re heading to Erik’s first,” Quinn says.
As if perfectly on board with the idea, my stomach grumbles. I lock the door behind us, and we head toward the lift.
“Where’s Mak?”
“She’s with Janik at the palace. I think she misses him,” Olivia says. “Plus, he’s got some meeting with a few Bohnari from the High Council, and she offers extra protection. Not everyone is keen on the fact that he’s now the ruling prince while Alik is…you know.”
The news doesn’t surprise me. To some, Janik is still the guy who led the rebels and attempted to overthrow Alik.
I think some of them blame him for the attacks on the three cities and the deaths of so many Bohnari people.
I was just as bad when it came to Bannik.
The blame lies completely with Mohneek and her asshole lover, though.
Multiple shop owners call out greetings when we pass. When we first got here, humans were considered an oddity. Anytime we walked through the city, people stared. For a while, it was extremely uncomfortable. I’ve never been more grateful for the fact that we’re kind of old news now.
The city is looking a lot better. Reconstruction has been taking place and moving swiftly with the bots doing the work. Bohnari also assist and oversee things, but it’s a cooperative effort between males and machine.
Finally, we reach Erik’s. It’s one of Quinn and Olivia’s favorite places to eat. I’ve only been here a few times, but I agree the food is really good. Plus, Erik’s a little smitten with Olivia and tends to give us dessert for free. That’s a solid enough reason for me to come.
Given the early hour, it’s quiet inside.
Two Kundartha males sit at a table, and Zerim carries a tray of food to them.
I always startled a bit when I first saw alien species on the planet who aren’t Bohnari.
Not that the Kundartha are the most non-human-looking species I’ve ever seen.
They’re bipedal, along with having two arms and two eyes.
But that’s as close as they come to resembling a human.
Same with Zerim, who is Njeri. He’s native to the neighboring planet of Tavikh but sought refuge here years ago.
From what Olivia told us, he’s the only one of his kind on Bohna.
Apparently, the Njeri have a terrible reputation for not only warring but also slaving.
His snow-white flesh, bald head, and blood-red eyes make him resemble what Olivia once called a vampiric snowman.
I experience a flash of guilt for being so judgmental. Zerim has always been polite to us when we’ve eaten here.
“Welcome, lovely females,” Erik calls as he steps out from the kitchen with his arms spread wide in greeting. He’s the only person Olivia gives a pass to for calling us females and not by our names. “The usual?”
“Of course,” Olivia calls back. “Thank you.”
We sit at our regular table with Devon and me on one side and Olivia and Quinn on the other.
“Greetings,” Zerim says as he arrives at our table.
“What’s up, Z?” For a newly minted princess, Olivia is still very much Olivia.
“I am well, Your Highness.”
She grins broadly. “That’s why you’re my favorite, Zerim. You’re the only one who cares to address me by my appropriate title.”
The Njeri bares his sharp, pointy teeth in a semblance of a smile.
If I weren’t used to his attempts, I might be freaked out by the display.
It’s nice to see him happy, though. According to Quinn, the first time they met him, he seemed quiet and withdrawn.
Leave it to Liv to bring the guy out of his shell.
After he takes our drink orders, he disappears into the kitchen. Everyone’s attention turns to me.
“So…” Quinn draws out. “How are things going with Bannik? Horek said your man was a closed book and wouldn’t tell him anything.”
“I’m sure we have better things to talk about than Bannik and me.” This—whatever it is—is too fresh and new, and I’m not sure I’m ready to talk about it.
“Do we?” Olivia asks and glances around the table with a practiced innocence.
Devon clears her throat. “Actually, I’m considering enrolling in one of the vocational programs.”
“Oh my god, that’s so exciting,” Quinn exclaims.
“What made you decide this?” Olivia asks with what appears to be genuine interest.
I reach over and squeeze Devon’s hand, because the idea is one she and I have talked about on a number of occasions. We also share a look of appreciation. Her, because I truly am happy for her. Me, because she took the attention off me.
“I hated working at the sanitation facility. The hours were long. The credits were shit. And let’s be real.
It was fucking disgusting.” Devon shudders, as do the rest of us.
“But I also realize I’m not cut out for idleness.
Not having to worry about food or credits has been great. But, also, I’m bored.”
I haven’t wanted to admit it, but I am as well.
“Have you thought about what you want to do?” Quinn asks.
“Well, I was talking to Johnna about what she used to do on the terraforming crew she worked for, and it actually sounded really cool. Even though she’s now basically working with Vornak in the medical facility, she offered to help me if I needed anything.
I think working in communications would be fun and interesting.
” Devon shrugs. “If I hate it or decide it’s not for me, I can easily try something else. My options are endless, really.”
“That’s great news,” Quinn says. “I might get bored eventually as well, but for now, I’m enjoying spending time with my mom and Horek.”
We were all shocked and ecstatic for Quinn when Horek arranged for Cora to move to Bohna. Mother and daughter are close, and Quinn missed her mom so much. If there’s one thing I envy about my friend, it’s her relationship with Cora.
“I’m most definitely not bored,” Olivia says with a laugh. “In fact, I sometimes wish I were. The queen has my sympathies for many reasons, but dealing with some of this royal crap is ridiculous.”
“Oh, to have those royal problems,” Devon teases.
Olivia groans. “All right. You guys have my express permission to knock me down however many pegs I need to be knocked down if I ever sound so pompous and stuffy again. Promise me.”
“Trust me,” Quinn says. “You have our word to knock you down whenever.”
Zerim approaches with our food, and we spend the rest of our time enjoying the meal. For a while, I think maybe I’ve gotten off the hook for talking about Bannik. I should have known Olivia wouldn’t let the topic go. She pushes away her empty plate and rests her elbows on the table.
“Okay, spill.”
To anyone outside of our circle, they’d think Olivia is being way too pushy.
Before I got to know her over the last however many months, I’d have said the same thing.
But I know—without any doubt or hesitation—that if I firmly told her to lay off, she would.
It’s nice to have friends to talk to about this with, though.
Even if they have to almost drag it out of me.
I release a heavy breath. “We’re getting to know each other.”
After an extended silence, Olivia gapes. “Wait, is that it?”
Quinn smacks her on the arm and looks at me. “That’s good that Bannik and you are taking your time to get to know each other.”
“Yeah,” Devon chimes in. “That’s important in a relationship.”
“He’s lucky to have you,” Quinn says. “You both deserve someone who is kind. His brother really did a number on him.”
It still feels awkward knowing Bannik had been interested in her first. He’d been pretty obvious about it. There are those few—and thankfully—rare times when I wonder if he wishes I were Quinn.
“Yeah, he’s told me a few things.”
“I’m glad he has you and that you’re his heart’s fire,” Quinn tells me. “There is nothing he won’t do to make you happy or to ensure you’re protected.”
“She’s right,” Olivia adds. “I admit I thought it would be smothering at first, but truthfully, there’s nothing better than being the mate of a Bohnari. You are their everything, and they’re yours. It’s ridiculously comforting, actually.”
I like the idea of being wholly someone’s and having them be wholly mine. She’s not exaggerating either. I see how she and Janik are, as well as Horek and Quinn. The more I think about it, the more I realize I want what they have. Maybe it’s time to stop holding back.