Alan

 

As I headed toward medical, Krista fell in step beside me. “What the hell was that all about?”

“What do you think it was about?”

Her eyes widened and I wanted to laugh. “Oh, Alan. That’s wonderful!”

My eyes slid sideways, my lips tipped up. Leave it to Krista to witness that intense standoff and then use the word wonderful. Wonderful would be in a world where Kattlyn and I didn’t have to hide, didn’t have to fight to be together. Speaking of which, if I was going to do this, I was going to do it right.

Abruptly, I stopped and spun around to face Krista. Of course, Kollin was also there. No matter, I needed his help too.

“I have something in mind for Kattlyn, but I can’t pull it off by myself.”

“What do you need?”

With our heads huddled together, I told them what I had in mind. Krista’s eyes lit, but Kollin looked confused about the first part so I explained it to him in a little more detail.

“Oh, Alan. She’ll love it!”

Kollin crossed his arms and nodded. “I think that can be arranged.”

“Good. I want to have everything in place for when we get the Jussin issue taken care of.”

Krista grinned. “I’ll get right on it. I’m sure Sydney and Chloe will help. Oh, and apparently so will Takkeo.”

Watching Krista in action made me want to chuckle. I could practically see the wheels spinning in that head of hers.

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” Krista said absently, probably making mental lists already.

I left Kollin and Krista to put my plan into motion and headed down one corridor and then another, walking the endless maze of white. As I rounded a corner, I almost collided with someone.

“Ahh . . . I was just coming to find you.”

I didn’t know this male, but apparently he knew me. Always on guard, I said, “And here I am.”

“Yes. I must speak with you in private.” He frowned. “What happened to your face?”

I didn’t have anything to prove so I offered no explanation about my face. I did wonder what he needed to speak with me about. “Lead the way.”

He turned, leaving me to follow. When the door slid open, I knew where I was. Who he was. Just seeing medical put me on edge. My hands balled into fists, my shoulders tightened. I only relaxed when I watched him nervously scan the area. My curiosity was now piqued.

Finally, he started, “I am Rikker, the royal healer.” This was the male I needed to see, but why was he acting so nervous? “Kattlyn came to see me two standard days ago.”

Okay, Kattlyn came to see him. What about? I waited, hoping he would explain and not just expect me to know what he was talking about.

“She told me that you were her true mate, but she needs a way to bind herself to you.”

I laughed humorlessly. I didn’t give a fuck if Rikker found a way to bind us together or not. She was mine and I would never let her go.

Rikker went on to explain in detail how any male could steal her away unless we could find a way to change her body chemistry. The way he described it sounded fascinating and difficult. The more Rikker talked, the more I understood why Kattlyn was so concerned.

“So you need some blood?”

“Yes, and maybe another one of your body fluids. I already have Kattlyn’s blood.”

When he said another one of your body fluids, the Tureis experiments flashed into my head. I shoved the images away. If he needed other fluids, then so be it, but for now . . . I rolled up my sleeve, exposing my arm. “I’m not sure how you take blood but have at it.”

Rikker held up an odd-looking cylindrical device. I left him to do whatever as I thought about Kattlyn. About the meeting with her father. I worried about what he would say, what he would do.

“All finished.” Rikker held up the specimen.

I rolled down my sleeve. “And the other specimen?” Rikker held out a cup. It didn’t take a genius to figure out what to do with it. I headed to a private room, thought of Kattlyn, and when I came out, I handed him the cup. “How long do you think it’ll take?”

“I’m not even sure it’ll work. Now”—he pulled out a small device— “let’s heal your face.”

~~~~

Half the day had almost passed and there was still no sign of Kattlyn. I felt out of sorts, on edge. I scoured the castle, searched the outside grounds, nothing. Maybe she was still in her father’s office. Maybe Sydney would know.

When I spotted Sydney in the garden, she threw up her hand. “Hi, Alan.”

“Hey, Alan.” Chloe was a little more subdued.

I plopped down cross-legged and stared at the forest.

“I’m sorry about earlier. I had to tell Jakke.”

“I understand.” And I did. I wasn’t hiding anymore. “Do you know if Kattlyn is still with King Mallik and Jakke?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t seen Jakke since I left with Takkeo.”