Page 19 of Forbidden

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“Alex!” Anna pushed her way through the crowd of warriors that surrounded her as she chased after Kahn. She was just in time to see him drop Mikkril with a single shot to the head. She moved as quickly as she could, but Kahn reached Alex first, catching the child as Mikkril’s grip slackened. The large man toppled to the floor minus his head, shoulders and most of his torso.

Kahn’s mind was blocked to her, but she could see his rapid breathing and the pulse beating frantically at his throat. When he handed Alex to her, his hands shook.

Anna hugged her child, soothing him as best she could, and watched Kahn. He had fallen to his knees when he made the dive to catch Alex. Now he sat flat on the ground, arms braced on his bent knees. He was still breathing hard as Anna cautiously approached him.

“Are you all right?”

Kahn looked up at her, anguish on his face. “Alex?” he croaked.

Anna blinked. “He seems to be fine, but I’ll feel better about it once I get him to the doctor. I need to make sure.”

“Thank the Universe.” A smile played at his lips. “Let’s see to Alex.”

“Yes. Then we need to talk.”

“Of course,tarae.”

Chapter Six

The doctor gave Alex a mild sedative and placed him into the same tanning bed look-alike that had healed Anna’s injuries before. She was reluctant to leave him, but the doctor assured her Alex would be well watched after and any injuries he had sustained would be completely repaired. Still, she refused to go far. Kahn did manage to get her into a lounge of sorts equipped with a food dispenser and a couch.

After getting her a cold drink, Kahn sat down with an arm around Anna and said, “Don’t worry. He’ll be all right.”

“I can’t help it, Kahn. I just got him back and I’m so afraid I’m going to lose him again.” Staring at her untouched cup, she sounded bleak even to her own ears.

“Anna, look at me.” When she complied he said, “No matter what, no matter who tries to say differently, I swear to you on my life and the life of my family and my people, I will never let anyone take Alex from you or harm him in any way. You’re my mate, Anna. Your family is mine as mine is yours.”

“I’ve not consented to be your mate. I’m still upset over my arrival here.” Anna pouted but she wasn’t really mad. Her heart rejoiced that he still spoke in the permanent sense.

Kahn chuckled. “You’re my mate whether you want to be or not. The Universe has already decided for us. Your only choice is whether or not you choose to stay with me.”

“Oh, Kahn.” She loved him, she really did. But there were still some considerations. Unfortunately, Kahn was intent on distracting her from dealing with those issues. He placed a gentle kiss just below her ear, then sucked the lobe into his mouth and nibbled just a bit.

“Now,” he said between kisses as he made his way down her neck and moved a hand to the buttons of her blouse. “What did you want to talk about?”

“Um, Kahn…” She breathed his name gently, her mind and body turning eagerly to the pleasures he was offering. “I can’t stay here. On Gothe’mar. Oh heavens don’t stop that!” The only thing separating his hand from her taut nipple was the lace of her bra.

“And why is that,tarae?” His voice sent chills down her back and heat coiling in her belly. She was sorely tempted to simply let him take her however he wanted.

“Because you’re going to be a king.” She was rapidly beginning to lose her ability to carry on any sort of intelligent conversation.

Kahn pulled back to look at her. “Now why would that make you want to leave? I would have thought any Earth girl would want to be a queen.” He smiled teasingly.

“Kahn, I can’t change what I am. I’m not Gothe’maran. Even though your people aren’t the bloodthirsty savages I once believed, I don’t think that they would accept me as the wife of their king. I might be happy for a while, but seeing you and Alex both miserable wouldn’t be worth it.”

“You’ve heard several of my people agree with Mikkril, haven’t you?”

“It’s pretty hard to miss.”

Kahn traced circles on the expanse of soft flesh left bare by the modest length skirt he had slid up her thigh. “Did you happen to notice all the ones who were determined to make sure you were unharmed when you rushed after your son?”

“What?” Anna was genuinely perplexed.

“All the soldiers you had to push your way through to get to me and Alex after I killed Mikkril.” He waved his free hand in the air for emphasis.

“Well, yes. But I thought they were going after you.”

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