Page 114 of Rescued

“Come on, you guys,” he said, speaking to Sonya and Davrik too. “Let’s get the fuck out of here and go home!”

“I agree.” Davrik and Sonya pulled apart and the big Kindred rose to his full height, though he kept an arm around his woman’s shoulderes. “Some of us have further to go to get home than others.”

Sonya looked up at him with a smile as Nate put his arms around Madison and Lan’ara.

“Let’s go,” he said again.

“You, too,” he heard Lan’ara say, nodding at Xairna. “You’re a friend now.”

“Thank you.” Xairna gave her a tentative smile and reached out to squeeze her hand.

Then all six of them descended the broad stairs, leaving the heaps of fallen Scourge warriors and the horrors of the Father Ship behind forever.

SIXTY-SIX

DAVRIK

“We’re so grateful for all you’ve done—we’ll be very sorry to see the two of you go,” Commander Sylvania said, speaking to Davrik and Sonya. “Are you sure you have to leave our universe?”

Davrik smiled and pressed the Kindred Commander’s hand gratefully. They were gathered in her office, having already said goodbye to Nate and Lan’ara. Davrik was glad to see that the human male was healed of his unchecked rage and was treating his mate with care and devotion, as a male should. The two of them were happily Bonded and he could tell they would be together for the rest of their lives.

Nate’s younger sister was also happily settled aboard the Mother Ship. She had struck up a friendship with a priest in the Sacred Grove—one of the few male Kindred in this universe. And though the priests usually remained single, it wasn’t mandated that they should never Join with a female, if the right one was sent by the Goddess. After seeing the two of them together, Davrik thought it very likely that a Bonding was in their future.

“We really do have to go,” he said now to Commander Sylvania. “Your universe is beautiful but in my own universe, Sonya’s family is still alive.”

“I can’t wait to see my mom again. Well, the other Sonya’s mom,” Sonya put in. She bit her lip. “I don’t know how we’ll explain things to her, but I need to see her. And the rest of my family, too!”

“Of course, you do.” Commander Sylvania gave her an understanding smile. “It’s selfish of me to want to keep the two of you here—it’s just that we’re so grateful for what you’ve done. The Earth is free now and the Father Ship is no more than a floating hulk.”

“That wasn’t all our doing, though,” Davrik protested. “It was the AllFather’s daughter—Xairna—who finished him off.”

“Yes, that poor girl.” Sonya shook her head sympathetically. “She’s going to need all the therapy to get over everything that was done to her.”

“She’s been going for healing sessions with the priests daily in the Sacred Grove,” Commander Sylvania said gravely. “And it might surprise you to know that my husband, Oliver, has introduced her to a cousin of his—a human called Lawrence.”

“Oh, really?” Sonya asked eagerly. “Are the two of them together?”

“They are still just friends for now, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they end up Bonded. It seems like the will of the Goddess.” Sylvania smiled. “Just as it was her will to bring the two of you to us in our hour of need. We were losing the war against the Scourge, you know—they were too firmly encamped and we had almost despaired of ever freeing the Earth of their evil presence.”

“We’re so glad we could help,” Sonya said smiling, but Davrik could hear the eagerness to be away in her voice.

“Though it’s difficult to part, we really must go home,” he said. “Could you please ask the transport controllers to fold space for us?”

“It will be my pleasure. Please come back and visit us anytime.” Commander Sylvania smiled. “Have a safe journey and may The Mother of All Life bless you both.”

“Thank you,” Davrik said. Putting an arm around Sonya, he looked down into her lovely face. “Come on, baby girl—let’s go home.”

SIXTY-SEVEN

SONYA

Sonya wasn’t sure what to think. She’d folded space once before with Davrik but this time it was different—instead of a horizontal red gash in space, there was a vertical green one. It seemed to glow ominously but Davrik piloted the ship into it without any apparent fear, so she forced herself to relax.

He wouldn’t take me someplace it isn’t safe, she reminded herself. He loves me—he wants to protect me.

She knew it was true—knew that Davrik loved her. But after the emotional scene following the death of the AllFather, the big Kindred had yet to lay a hand on her again. In the days and nights following the climax of their adventures, Davrik seemed to be keeping his distance. It had been almost a week now and he still hadn’t touched her—a fact that was beginning to make her wonder if he still wanted her or not.

Sonya wasn’t sure what was going on and she was too uncertain to ask him. Did he want to take things slowly after the fight between them? Had he decided she wasn’t a good substitute for the wife he’d lost after all? Didn’t he desire her anymore?

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