My thoughts went to Olivia and the danger she was in if the Voletti attacked Struna. There was no question the King was contemplating the same thing about his mate.
More commotion erupted behind us, and both Trex and I turned our heads to look.
I witnessed a Krilex male, wounded and bloodied, pointing his weapon at Trex. Without hesitation, I threw myself in front of my King as the alien fired his weapon.
I was thrown off balance, but remained standing. My shoulder was hit by a sharp, agonizing pain, making me struggle to take a breath. Placing my hands against my chest, I gasped and choked.
Trex’s hands gripped my shoulders, preventing me from collapsing. He led me away from the scene while he barked out orders to the other warriors. The pain caused my vision to blur, and I saw stars due to difficulty breathing. Drifting away, I could hear Trex's voice transforming into an echo in my mind.
WHEN I WOKE, I WASlying on my back in the palace infirmary and I looked up to see Rekna next to me. As I struggled to sit up, his hand landed on my uninjured shoulder, applying a gentle pressure that forced me back down.
“Stay still. I managed to close the wound, but you must allow yourself time to heal. You were lucky the shot did not damage your heart,” he said.
I groaned at the residual pain in my shoulder. Then caught a whiff of my mate's familiar yet unique, soft scent and turned my head to look at Olivia.
She touched my arm and said, “I’m here.”
My mind cleared, and I was relieved to see her.
“Orin, I was terrified when I heard you’d been shot,” she reproached, her tearful appearance and swollen eyes giving away that she had been crying. I extended my hand, and she took it, then leaned to kiss it.
“King Trex? Is he okay?” I blurted, lifting my head off the bed to look around.
Trex’s voice reassured me, saying, “I’m fine,” as he came closer to my bed. “Thanks to you. You saved my life,” he smiled at me.
His words made me feel proud I hadn’t let him down. Relief flooded me as I’d redeemed myself even if only in my own mind. With Olivia’s glare not escaping my notice, I declared, “I am your personal guard. It’s my honor and duty.”
Next, my attention was drawn to Queen Grace, who greeted me with a warm smile. She opened her mouth to speak when the palace alarm rang out.
Startled by the noise, Olivia’s hand clenched mine.
“What now?” Queen Grace snapped.
Xilta who I also failed to notice sooner, turned and left the infirmary with Trex close behind.
I took a few deep breaths to find I had only a minor amount of pain in my shoulder and little difficulty breathing.
I sat up.
Olivia’s eyes bulged as she gaped at me. “How are you moving right now?”
I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood, giving my mate a brief kiss. “It is going to take more than getting shot to stop me from doing my duty.
Rekna who was standing at a nearby cabinet shook his head, giving a disapproving cluck. “I suppose it will do no good if I ask you to remain here.”
“It will not,” I announced.
“Stubborn warriors,” he grumbled. “You are not fully healed. Be careful.” His lips pressed into a disappointed frown.
Olivia looked at me with fear radiating off her, and I pulled her into my arms. She clung to me for a moment before letting go to look up at me.
I touched her cheek. “Return to the suite. I will be there soon.”
“That’s what you promised earlier, before you showed up with a blaster wound in your shoulder.” She sniffed.
With a tilt of my head, I offered her a sympathetic gaze. “It is my duty to protect the King.”
Sighing, she pressed her lips into a thin line, then shook her head before gesturing with her hand toward the door. “Go. But don’t get hurt again.”
