Page 54 of Loving the Alien Spy

This time, I can’t contain my disbelief. “Are you saying it was my father who violated Mohneek? That he lied about going to Kovari, but rather, remained on Bohna and committed this horrific crime? You expect me to believe that?”

“We have proof. Doctored flight charts. Eyewitnesses.”

“And you’re saying that Carrik is not only aware of this, but that he withheld this information from both King Danik and Prince Alik, the two males you say he is sworn to serve? Why would he do that?”

Ryvik sweeps his arms out and brings them back in to clasp his mug of ale. “What do you think the king would have done if he’d discovered his most trusted asset—your father—violated a female who later kidnapped his child and your father never told him the truth?”

Gods, what a mess. If my father did what Ryvik is accusing him of, he certainly never told me. “Why would he tell Carrik what he’d done all those anums ago? My brother wouldn’t have ever found out otherwise. And why are you telling me?”

“Because Carrik is looking for Mohneek and Orvak with no intention of letting Janik or Horek interrogate them or throw them in the pit as punishment. Your brother intends to kill them so they can’t tell Janik the truth about your father.”

“You lie.”

Ryvik shakes his head. “It’s the truth.”

“Why don’t you tell Janik or the queen this, then? If you possess the knowledge that my father is the one who raped Mohneek, and can prove it, then why don’t you tell the prince?”

“Because your brother doesn’t know that I know as well, and I have no desire to die either.”

This is all too much. “You’re trying to tell me that Carrik will kill everyone who attempts to tell Janik or the queen the truth?”

Ryvik sighs and reaches into his pocket. He pulls out a small data pad and powers it up. A few keystrokes later, he passes it over to me. I take it and stare down at the screen.

“We intercepted this encrypted communication between Carrik and a male named Ivik. It took us days to decipher, but it states clearly what your brother’s intentions are.”

I read the message in front of me. It says exactly what Ryvik says it does—that anyone who attempts to tell the prince the truth about our father will die—but where it originated from, I can’t tell. All I know is I didn’t send it, nor did Ivik. So, either Ryvik’s lying, or we’re both being played.

“What do you want me to do? What is it you didn’t think I was ready for? Because like I told Tarrik, I amready. If my brother is trying to murder Mohneek and Orvak to protect our father, then I’ll do whatever you need me to do to stop him.”

“Do you swear it?” Ryvik asks.

“I have hated my brother for twenty anums. My father for longer. Whatever you need from me, you will have, I swear it.”

Chapter 26

Lindsey

Is this what being mated to a spy is like? The constant stress and worry that they’re in danger because anything could happen to them? If it is, then it sucks. Zero out of ten. Do not recommend. My stomach’s in knots and has been ever since I came back to my room after Carrik left with that Ryvik guy. There was a vibe to him that gave me the ick. He was smarmy, but in a way that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

The tray of food I’d ordered when I came up here still sits on the kitchen counter, because I couldn’t eat it after it arrived. I could have sent a comm to the girls, but they all had things to do after they left Erik’s, and I didn’t want to bug them. Besides, I don’t want to share too much without Carrik’s okay. The less knowledge they have about things, the better off they are. They’re in less danger if they can’t answer questions.

“This is the worst feeling ever.” I stroke the leaves of a postikar plant but then cringe because I don’t want to pass any grossemotions to them. They should only receive love to keep them happy and blooming beautifully. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it.”

I’m pretty sure if any of my friends saw me having a conversation with my flowers, they’d shake their heads and just smile. Which is one of the many reasons why I love them and they love me. We accept one another’s quirks and idiosyncrasies. Those are the things that make us unique. Make us human.

I move to the nebjyre plant Carrik bought me and carefully caress its leaves as well. It only brings me a small measure of peace this time, unlike how much I usually get from the action. There’s no doubt in my mind; I’m not cut out to be the mate of a spy. I know Carrik said he doesn’t plan on continuing to be a spy for Janik, but what if he doesn’t have a choice? What happens if Janik won’t release him from his obligations? Surely neither he nor the queen would do that, would they?

“God, this is stressing me out.” If I were a drinker, I’d be pulling out the plyka and having a glass. Except, now that I think about it, we drank it all last night.

I wish I knew which tavern Carrik and that Ryvik guy went to. That way, I could send the cavalry in to rescue my man if needed. No, I have to trust he can take care of himself. He is a literal spy after all. I’m sure he’s well skilled in staying alive. Oh shit. Ryvik wouldn’t try to kill him, would he? Ugh, why does my chest hurt? Why am I having trouble breathing? Is this what a panic attack feels like?

I rub my sternum to try to ease the pinch, but it doesn’t help. Nor does trying to slow and control my breaths. When the knock at the door sounds, I shriek.For god’s sake, woman, pull yourself together.I push the display button, and on the security screen is Carrik. Scrambling, I manage to get the door unlocked andyanked open. The second I lay eyes directly on him, I throw myself into his arms.

“Are you okay? What happened? Where did you go? Did you find out what he wanted? Who the hell ishe?”

Carrik chuckles and holds me close. “Breathe, my heart’s fire. I’m fine. Why don’t we go inside so I can close the door, and I’ll tell you everything I can.”

Reluctantly, I release him so he can do exactly what he said. Once that’s done, I drag him to the sofa and run my hands over him to reassure myself he’s not injured or hurt in some way. Thankfully, he doesn’t try to stop me. After I’m satisfied, I climb onto Carrik’s lap because I need to be as close to him as possible. He holds me tightly, like he’s just as afraid to let me go.