Page 52 of Fated to the Hunter
“That was some fancy drone work you did out there. Those flyers didn’t stand a chance.”
She beamed.
I thought of my own semi-successful attempt at distracting the flyers. If I hadn’t been so worried about Bael’k, it actually would’ve been kind of fun. “Interested in giving me a few lessons when we get back?”
“Sure thing!” She stood. “I’m going to let you two love birds at it then. And remember, we’re just a hop and a skip away if you need anything.”
And then she was gone, and it was just Bael’k and me.
Chapter 28: Bael’k
I held Kiera in my arms long after Connie left with the healer.
I didn’t want to let her go. Not even a little.
She was safe now, all tucked up against my chest, her scent in my lungs, her heartbeat slow and steady. But the irrational part of me, the part that had begged every deity I knew, and even those I didn’t, to let me reach her in time, whispered that if I loosened my grip she’d disappear, sinking back into the Dead Zone and into the grip of that centicreep forever.
She shifted, her fingers curling into my forearm like she felt it too.
I held her tighter.
She was mine. And I wasn’t ready to stop touching her just yet.
Was Kiera my mate? Yes. That must be it. That explained everything.
I might not have started this mission wanting one, but now, I’d destroy worlds to have Kiera be mine. Brave, intelligent Kiera, without whom this quest wouldn’t have been possible at all.
My communicator, which was still somewhere in the mess on the floor, buzzed.
What now? I ignored it, but it buzzed again.
“I think you should go get that.” She carefully wiggled out of my arms and settled herself onto the sleeping nook mat.
I stared at the space she’d just occupied. It was empty. I’d let her go. And easily too. There was no mate bond. Disappointment flooded me.
“Bael’k? Your phone.”
“Ignore it. You’ve seen the healer. You’ve taken your pills. And now we are resting. Everyone else can wait,” I said.
She smiled. “You’re right.”
I squished into the sleeping nook with her, careful not to jostle her injured shoulder. She made a happy sound and tilted her head to look at me. She pouted.
“What’s wrong?” she said.
“Nothing.”
“Lies. Your brow’s doing that thing that tells me something is wrong.”
I grunted. “My brow does not do a thing.”
She smiled, and krux! It was unfair. That smile could undo me faster than any blade, but she wasn’t even mine.
“Would you tell me what’s on your mind if I give you a horn rub?” She winked at me coyly.
I looked down at her, at the way her curls spread out, practically claiming my pillow, at the curve of her lips, at the twinkle in her eyes.
“I could rub other things.” She must be feeling better from the pills.
