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I was angry at myself for not breaking it up as soon as I saw them. When I first noticed them, though, it looked as if they were kissing, and the prince hadn’t been struggling that I could see. I’d stopped to watch because I couldn’t keep walking, not with the jealousy I felt burning me up inside.
“I told you to end this, or I’d do it for you. You said the prince liked it, but I saw his face just now as he left. I should kill you for it.”
Venkarr only laughed. “Wait, no, you misunderstand. It’s all consensual. Rakkur does like it. He begs for my attentions. He’s a little slut, just like his father and his brother-in-law, Ryan. Like all the humans. He’s a good fuck, though.”
Unable to keep my hands off him, I jerked him up to me by the front of his robe and shoved my face down toward his. “I hope you’re joking. Rakkur is a royal prince and highly prized by his parents and his entire family. If the king or Prince Mikos thought you were abusing him in any way…if they thought you were ruining him…I wouldn’t give much for your life. In fact, if I believed you had actually fucked him, I’d tear you apart myself.”
I dropped him and turned away to get myself under control. Clenching my fists to keep from striking him dead right there, I tried to keep my voice down. If any of the royal family heard what we were saying, they’d murder him on the spot, and he’d deserve it too. I’d once promised Venkarr’s father that I’d watch out for him, but my patience and tolerance were at an end. In good conscience, I could protect him no longer.
He started whining at me. “Oh, for the gods’ sakes. I told you—I’ve done nothing to him that he didn’t want. Nothing without his consent.”
I turned and jerked him closer. “Damn you, are you’re admitting it to my face? Tell me what you’ve done to him.”
“Nothing. I’ve done nothing and I swear it. I’ve flirted with him, and that’s all. And all right, I kissed him a couple of times, the way the humans do, but that’s it.”
“That’s it? He’s the prince, damn you. He’s not a fucking love slave. You have no right to kiss him.”
“I know that.”
“Do you? You just called him human.”
“Half-human, then. You know what I mean. He looks just like the king’s consort. And I told you, Rakkur likes the way I treat him. It’s all for show. I’d never really hurt him; surely you know that. I’m not stupid.”
“All evidence to the contrary. Damn you, Venkarr. I swear I’ll…”
“I haven’t. I wouldn’t. This is just a game we play, that’s all. He loves it when I boss him around.”
“Oh? Will he say that if I ask him?”
“No, please. Please don’t do that. You’ll embarrass him. Just let it go, for fuck’s sake.”
“Stop using Alliance curse words. They don’t make you sound nearly as tough as you think they do.”
“Oh, fuck you, Tariq. Mind your own business.”
“Fuck me? Fuck you, Venkarr. I’ve had enough.” I twisted his arm around behind his back until he whimpered before I relented and released him again to fall back against the wall. I left my dagger in its scabbard, because it probably wouldn’t do to make a mess on the floor so close to the king’s bedroom.
He gave me a filthy look, then pushed past me, shoving against me a little. I jerked him back, not caring if I hurt him or not. I was far too angry at what I’d just seen.
“Listen up, Venkarr. Prince Rakkur is my business, like all the royals are. We’ve both sworn our allegiance to them, and I won’t stand by while you’re even giving the appearance of abusing that boy. Stop touching him. Stop whatever it is you’re saying or doing to him. Do I make myself absolutely clear? I’ll haul you in front of the king myself—or what’s left of you after I get through with you.”
“Do what you want! I don’t have to take orders from you.”
He tore himself away and stormed off down the hallway, leaving me glaring after him. He’d had a bad war, though that didn’t excuse anything—a lot of us had. He’d been captured by the Alliance during the battle of Dellinum on one of the moons in the Pelham Constellation and had been held by Alliance marines for a few weeks before he was released in a prisoner exchange. I don’t know what happened to him there in that relatively short time—some kind of torture, for sure, like the humans did with all Axis prisoners—but he never liked to talk about it, and he’d never gotten over it. He literally despised humans now, though he hid it well, because of his position so near the royal consorts.
I’d been shocked to learn he’d become a royal bodyguard. I hadn’t known about it because I’d been off planet, but as soon as I learned, I’d gone straight to Prince Mikos. Venkarr had been in one of the army units Prince Mikos had commanded, and the prince was known to favor his own men when it came to promotions and appointments. Still, I thought he must not realize Venkarr’s true feelings. Mikos had made a serious mistake with my cousin, and I felt honor bound to tell him. Mikos had listened to my concerns rather gravely, and he’d said he’d take it under advisement, but later on, my cousin still advanced to his new role of bodyguard, and then I’d found out he was in charge of Prince Rakkur. I didn’t think Mikos had ignored what I told him. Not exactly. But Venkarr could be convincing when he wanted to be, and I think Venkarr had sold a pack of lies to our crown prince.
I tried once more to warn him, but Mikos had clapped me on the shoulder and laughed. “I spoke to your cousin, and he convinced me of his loyalty. I appreciate your concern, but it’s all under control. Please don’t trouble yourself on this account any further.”
The prince was being polite and saying “please,” but that wasn’t exactly what he meant. That was more like, “Butt out, and I’ll handle my own damn affairs.” Mikos was a great battle commander and a good man. I’d have followed him into any battle, but he was also a man who didn’t like to be second-guessed or told he was wrong. I didn’t think there was much more I could do, other than watch the situation and step in if it became necessary. After what I’d just seen, I regretted that decision. I feared it had become necessary, and I had to step in.
It didn’t take a genius to realize that working so closely to the beautiful half-human boy had adversely affected Venkarr’s brain. If what I had just seen him do was any sign, he seemed to be playing out some kind of personal revenge fantasy in real time. When he was found out, as he surely would be, I could only imagine the outcome. The young prince was known to be reckless and quick-tempered. He’d rebel at whatever Venkarr was doing to him soon, and if he tried to fight Venkarr, he could get badly hurt.
This needed to stop, and I made the sudden decision that I simply couldn’t afford to wait any longer. I went down the hallway and knocked softly on Prince Rakkur’s bedroom door.
The door opened only a little and I saw one gorgeous blue eye appear.
“Yes?” A soft voice said.
