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He pushed his blond hair off his creamy cheek and tucked it back behind his ear. He looked up at me then with such a worried but trusting look that I felt something tighten in my chest.
“Your father has only your best interests at heart.” I took his hand in mine, surprised at the softness of his skin. I shouldn’t be touching him at all. I knew better. But I literally couldn’t stop myself. This was dangerous.
He looked up and took a step closer to me. “Did you say you’d come with me?”
“I will, yes.”
“All right then,” he said, his shoulders slumping. “I suppose this has gone on too long. I’ll come.”
“Good.” I gave him what I thought was a reassuring smile, but his eyes widened, and he looked startled. Perhaps I still looked a little too fierce, but my emotions were high. I forced myself to get a better grip on them. He kept his little hand in mine, though, and tightened his grip as I walked him down the corridor in the direction of the king’s apartment. If holding my hand gave him comfort, then I was glad to do it, and if it gave me a feeling like I was dying, then no one needed to know that but me.
His parents’ room was actually quite close by, so we arrived moments later. As we stood in front of the door, I gave his hand another quick squeeze. “You’ll be fine, and I’ll be right there to back up what you say.”
“Thank you,” he whispered, and I had to wonder what in the world Venkarr could have done or said to the little prince to make him think he had any kind of power over him. His omak was known to have a blazing temper, and this young man seemed to be very much like him. How had Venkarr managed to break, or at least bend, that strong spirit in such a short time? I wanted desperately to seek Venkarr out again and kill him.
The door opened in seconds and the king’s handsome consort Blake stood framed in the doorway. He glanced in surprise from his son to me, and I saw him take another look down at our hands. I dropped Rakkur’s as quickly as I could make my hand unclench and bowed to the consort. “Your Royal Highness, might I have a word with you and His Majesty?”
“Of course, but what’s this all about?” he said, stepping back to let us in. “Has something happened?” He stepped forward to embrace Rakkur as he waved me into the room. “Davos, come in here quickly, please.”
The king appeared in the doorway that led from his apartment to his private office, and when he saw me, he frowned and came over to us right away.
“Colonel Tariq, what’s going on? Why are you here at this time of evening with my son?”
“I’m sorry to disturb you and your consort, sir, but I need an urgent word with you both. And it concerns His Highness, Prince Rakkur.”
“What have you done, Rakkur?” the king asked, as Blake tightened the protective arm he had around Rakkur’s waist and gave me a wary look. Gods, he was so protective of Rakkur. It was one of his best qualities.
“No, Your Majesty,” I said, “it’s nothing the prince has done. It’s about what has been done to him.”
“What? What do you mean?”
“Perhaps we could close the door. If you’ll allow me, Your Majesty?”
I stepped farther in and pulled the door shut behind me. Blake led Rakkur over to a long chaise of some kind, whispering in his ear. Rakkur was shaking his head over and over but saying nothing.
“Have a seat, Colonel, and tell me what this is about,” King Davos said.
I sat down on one of the softest chairs I’d ever encountered—humans liked a lot of padding in their furniture, but my own human omak had never had anything like this. I turned first to Rakkur.
“Do you want me to tell them, or would you rather do it?”
He shook his head, glancing nervously over at the king.
“Well, somebody better say something!”
“No need for all this shouting, Davos,” the consort said. “We’re all sitting right here and can hear you perfectly well. Go ahead, please, Colonel. What would you like to tell us?”
“One of the royal guards, Major Venkarr, has been assigned as the prince’s bodyguard, as you know. But it has come to my attention…that is, I just witnessed what looked like Major Venkarr forcing unwanted attentions on His Highness in a most unseemly manner. I’m afraid I wasn’t aware it wasn’t consensual at first, until His Highness broke free and left the area, and I saw the look on his face.”
“What’s this?” Davos said, frowning at me. “What does he mean, Rakkur? What kind of attentions was the man forcing on you?”
“Tell us what happened, baby,” the consort said to his son, and finally Rakkur took a deep breath and spoke up.
“The colonel’s right. Venkarr…he-he kissed me. It’s not the first time it’s happened. He forced his tongue down my throat and bit my lips. He’s done it before, and I-I didn’t want him to, and I didn’t invite it either, Father. Not at all. I’ve tried to stop him, but I’m afraid I wasn’t…I couldn’t do it, okay?” He blushed hotly and shook his head. “My resistance only made him worse.”
I wanted desperately to get up and go find Venkarr. I had to use all my willpower not to jump to my feet.
“Where is he?” King Davos said, turning to me with a deceptively calm voice. “Fetch him here, Colonel, so I can kill him.”
