Chapter 17 #2
She felt a tremble go through him, saw the love shining in his eyes. It left her breathless.
“Please don’t leave me.” His voice was a ragged whisper.
“You love me?” She felt dizzy.
“Yes.” A hard, unyielding word.
She cupped his cheeks. “I love you, too. So much, you stubborn warrior. You should have told me.”
His arms wrapped around her like bands of steel. “I didn’t know you didn’t understand. I thought the significance of the bonding ceremony would show my love.” A wry smile. “I should have known the words would be important to you. But warriors are not supposed to talk about love.”
“Of course not.” She pressed her lips to him and in a second, he took over, deepening it. She moaned and sank into him, absorbing the taste of him.
He pulled back and nuzzled her neck. “I meant what I said before. I cannot wait to see you swollen with our child.”
She bit her lip. “That’s not possible, warrior. At least, not yet. I have an implant under my skin to stop pregnancy.”
She expected a scowl. Instead, she got a smile.
“The nanami are key to a warrior’s fertility, and since we are bonded, they will work to make us both fertile. A child is inevitable.”
Stubborn barbarian. She shook her head. Kids were something she’d always wanted. One day. She pressed her lips to his jaw. “Definitely one day, warrior. I’d like to see a bunch of golden-eyed mini-warriors running around.”
There was the sound of a clearing throat.
They both looked over and saw her scowling brothers and a grinning warrior king.
“I hear you have a sword for me,” King Corant said.
Kavon slowly and reluctantly set her down, but kept her tucked against his side. He reached up and drew the sword off his back.
Her chest tightened. She hadn’t seen it since he’d had it cleaned and restored. It gleamed.
“Magnificent,” Corant breathed, holding out his hands.
Kavon handed it over and bowed his head. “I present you with Durendal.”
The king accepted the blade and then lifted it, studying each side of it.
Then he lowered it until the tip touched the ground.
“Kavon Mal Dor, the Mal Dor name has the favor of your king. Not only for this, an important piece of our heritage, but because of your skill in battle, your determination to protect, your dedication to your people and your mate, and your honor.” The king lifted the sword again.
“And because your father was a good warrior, cut down by the treachery of a coward. I will ensure all this is noted in the Royal Records.”
“Thank you.” Kavon bowed his head again, his face solemn.
Aurina knew he was thinking of his family, of his father. She grabbed his hand.
King Corant smiled. “So, all that is left is a feast to celebrate the return of Durendal and of course, your bonding.” He winked at Aurina.
“We want to welcome your lovely bondmate to the Markarian family.” Then his gaze turned speculative and slid to her brothers.
“Perhaps we can also talk about trade beyond our planet.”
Justyn stepped forward with a charming smile. “Trade just happens to be my business.” He grinned at Aurina. “And if our sister is here, we’ll be stopping by frequently.”
Corant slapped Justyn on the shoulder. “Let’s talk over an ale, skyflyer.”
The men headed off toward the estate. Two pretty women appeared at Dare’s side, both smiling. With a shrug, Dare followed them, while a still-scowling Rynan stayed where he was, his arms crossed over his chest. With the promise of a feast, Kavon’s people followed.
Aurina stared up at Kavon, drinking in his strong face. All hers. Every inch of him. She wrapped her arms around him.
Then she heard a beep and saw that Rynan was running a scanner over her.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Ensuring you’re okay.”
She shook her head. Rynan could give Kavon a run for his money in the protective stakes.
Then Rynan went still.
Her hands clenched on Kavon. God, she didn’t want anything to go wrong. Not when she’d just gotten everything she’d ever dreamed of. “What is it?”
Her brother ran his tongue over his teeth. “The warrior is right.”
Kavon nodded and Aurina rolled her eyes. “About what, Ry? He thinks he’s right about everything and doesn’t need any encouragement, please.”
Ry snapped his scanner shut. “It appears your Namah implant is inactive.”
“What?” she squeaked.
“Something’s shut it down. I don’t know the details of these nanami you mentioned, but I’d love to know more.”
That was Ry, interested in tech and what he could do with it. Meanwhile, she was having a minor anxiety attack.
As Ry strolled away toward the estate, an arm snaked around her, a big hand covering her belly.
“I would like a daughter with sunset hair,” Kavon said. “Or a son with grass-green eyes.”
God. Her knees went weak. She could so easily picture both. But they’d have Kavon’s golden-amber eyes. A tiny person who was the best of both of them.
“I love you,” she murmured.
“Come, my mate, we have a celebration to attend.” His voice lowered. “And a private one later for just you and me. One where I can show you how much I love my mate.”
“I love you, my stubborn warrior.”
His chin rubbed the top of her head. “And I love you, my sweet skyflyer.”