Page 68 of Warrior
Emmy stepped forward, capturing my hands with her own, tears shimmering in her bright green eyes. “It means you get a second chance at love and happiness.”
Moisture gathered at my lashes, obeying my time-honored tradition of never letting anyone cry alone in my presence.
“All vital signs have returned," Toovis announced, jerking my attention back to the screens. All the weird symbols and letters were now displayed in green. Green for go. Green for good. Green for life.
“He… he’s going to be, okay?”
"George turned, flexing his long fingers. "Yes, kida. It will take a few days in the healer, but he will recover.”
I jumped at George, pulling him into a tight hug. “Thank you, God!”
“My name is George, kida.”
Laughter rippled from my lips. The kind of hilarity that exists when the worst thing imaginable turns into something wonderful. I heard the tinkle of Emmy's giggle join me. The Vaktaire and George stared at us as though they pondered getting out the strait jackets. I guess laughter through tears was a human thing.
"You should get settled." Toovis’ stern voice broke into my happiness buzz. "Daicon will be in the healer for several days."
“I’m not leaving him.”
McVakDreamy glared at me before rolling his eyes.
"What's that about?" I demanded, glancing from the healer to my friend.
Emmy gave a shrug and giggled. “I warned him most earth women are as stubborn as me.”
"She may stay at Daicon's side as she wishes," Khaion said in a tone of authority. "Having his mate near will aid his healing." He flexed an arm, drawing the two men standing at attention by the door, and ordered them to bring in a cot and comfortable chair.
“How about a shower first? And a change of clothes?" Emmy suggested, and at the denial building on my lips, amended. “You won't have to leave the med-bay. There's a bathroom here."
I fingered the coarse fabric of my pants and tunic, stained with dirt and Daicon's blood. "That would be great."
"I will stay by Daicon's side until you return, kida," George promised as Emmy led me to the other end of the room.
The bathroom was surprisingly earth-like. A glass enclosure held a floor-to-ceiling pipe in the center that emitteda combination of mist, steam, and spray that had me feeling squeaky clean in minutes. Emmy was gone, but she’d left thick towels and clothes on a counter that ran the length of the wall across from the shower. The garments were a simple pair of slacks and a shirt, the alien version of scrubs, but in a soft fabric that felt like warm butter against my skin.
I wandered out of the bathroom just as Emmy strode through the door, followed by a man carrying a tray laden with food and drink. She used one of the exam tables as a dining area, setting food over the surface while the soldier at her disposal left and returned with two stools.
Toovis and George joined us just long enough to grab a handful of sustenance, then returned to inventorying the medical equipment. The urge to fuss about George not eating enough waned when I noticed how raptly he listened to the healer explain each instrument.
We settled together, reminiscent of how often we'd sidled up to a table to spend hours noshing and discussing the Outlander books. Instead of Jamie and Claire, this time, we talked about our time apart. Emmy told me how Khaion rescued her from the Trogvyk ship, their trip to the space station, and the Aljani moon, not to mention details of their whirlwind romance. I told her of my time in the mine and how Daicon stole my heart. Finally, she filled me in on the other warriors sent after Clara, Pearl, Anges, and Willa.
I sipped a glass of fizzy wine that tasted like peaches and blueberries with a hint of honey, nibbling on a charcuterie of delicacies. Orzon was an excellent chef, experimenting with human dishes since meeting Emmy. I nibbled on the alien version of cheese sticks, and they were delicious.
By the time the ship's lights dimmed—a way of denoting day from night, Emmy explained—I felt at peace. Daicon wouldlive, the Vaktaire would find my friends, and the children were safe. Space might not be so awful and strange after all.
“Oh, I forgot to tell you," Emmy blurted, green eyes going wide. "Marilyn Monroe is alive and married to a dude that looks like a lion."
Chapter 17
Daicon
The wound was fatal.
I knew it the second I felt the blade slide into my lower back, the trajectory ripping through most of my internal organs.
I felt the drain in my spirit, a knowing that my time was nigh. All my life other warriors spoke of the final battle—hoping that when their spirits flew to reside with the Valana, they were considered righteous enough to have her blessing.
I didn’t give a damn about the Valana.
