Page 48 of Legacy for the Alien Warrior

Her eyes widened.

“Is that what you meant by complete satisfaction?”

“Yes. It is not supposed to happen?—”

“With a non-Cire female?”

“Yes.” He gently caressed her cheek. “But I am so glad it was with you. My mate.”

“Mmm. If I wasn’t feeling so happy, I would tell you I told you so.”

He chuckled, and the vibration caused her to clench down on him again. They both groaned.

“Are you sore?” he asked immediately.

She shook her head and smiled up at him. “Just tender, but in a very good way.”

“I will take care of you,” he promised.

They curled together until his knot finally slipped free. He gently bathed her delicate folds, then gathered her close, pulling the furs over their rapidly cooling bodies. She snuggled against him, her head resting on his chest, his tail wrapping protectively around her waist. She fit perfectly in his arms, as if she’d been made to rest there.

“That was…” She trailed off, still sounding wonderfully breathless.

“Yes,” he agreed, nuzzling his face against her hair. “It was.”

She laughed softly. “Eloquent.”

“Words aren’t necessary,” he rumbled, stroking her back. “You know what I mean.”

“I do.” She pressed a kiss to his chest, right over his heart. “I didn’t expect this when you rescued us.”

“Nor did I.” His voice softened. “I’ve been alone for so long, Kara. By choice. After my family… I couldn’t bear the thought of losing anyone else.”

She raised her head to look at him. “And now?”

He considered the question. The fear remained—how could it not? But alongside it grew something stronger, something that made the risk worthwhile.

“Now I think that perhaps the greater loss would be never having this at all.” He traced the curve of her cheek. “Never having you.”

Her eyes shimmered with emotion. She kissed him again, slower this time, before settling against his chest with a contented sigh.

He held her as her breathing deepened into sleep, marveling at the trust she placed in him. This small, fierce human had faced traffickers, survived a mining colony, protected her child against impossible odds—and now she slept peacefully in his arms.

The responsibility of that trust settled over him like a mantle. He would be worthy of it. He would protect her, protect the children, with everything he had.

The thought of the children brought a fresh wave of wonder. In the span of days, his solitary existence had transformed. His ship, once a refuge from connection, now held a family.

A family.

The word should have terrified him. Instead, it filled the hollow spaces inside him that had ached since Ciresia.

A soft sound from the doorway broke his reverie. He lifted his head to see Rory standing there, barefoot and tousled from sleep. The boy blinked at them, his expression curious but unalarmed.

He tensed, uncertain how to explain their situation to a child, but Rory simply padded across the room and climbed onto the sleeping platform. Without hesitation, he settled himself next to Kara, curling against her back.

She stirred briefly, her arm automatically moving to embrace her son. She didn’t wake, merely murmured something unintelligible before drifting deeper into sleep.

Rory’s eyes met his over her shoulder. The boy reached out one small hand and patted his arm, then closed his eyes.

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