Page 89 of Rescued

“Yeah, we get it.” Nate nodded.

He was disappointed because he wanted to be Bonded with Lan’ara—to have the Soul-deep connection that she had told him so much about. But on the other hand, he was relieved—they didn’t have to be parted! They could stay together—they just had to take things slow.

“Take your time, my children,” the priest said to them. “When you are eventually ready, your Bonding will complete the barrier in Lan’ara’s mind and also completely cure your PTSD, Nate. It will heal both of you, but it cannot be rushed.”

“Truly?” Lan’ara’s eyes were shining as she looked up at the priest. “All we have to do to heal both of us is Bond?”

The priest nodded firmly.

“Exactly so.” His voice softened. “I know the two of you do not wish to be parted and I am here to tell you, you don’t have to be. The Goddess made the two of you for each other, so yes—all you have to do is Bond…in the fullness of time, though. Not right away.”

Nate felt like his heart might burst. Turning to Lan’ara, he took her hands in his.

“Sweetheart, you’re what I want—all I want,” he said hoarsely. “You’ve saved me so many times and I’m so in love with you. But this has to be your decision. If you want the two of us to Bond—”

“Of course I want to Bond with you!” Lan’ara threw her arms around his neck and pressed herself against him. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted, from the moment we started Dream-sharing!”

Nate crushed her to him and buried his face in her hair, breathing in her warm, feminine fragrance. Gods, he loved her so damn much! He couldn’t wait to make her his completely. He knew they had to take things slowly, but right now, he just wanted to feel close to her.

“Come on,” Lan’ara whispered in his ear. “Let’s go to my suite so we can be alone together.”

Nate rose to his feet, pulling her up with him.

“Lead the way.”

“Thank you so much, Your Holiness,” Lan’ara said to the priest, who nodded gravely and smiled.

“May the Goddess shine her light upon your relationship,” he murmured.

Unable to wait any longer, Nate swung his bride-to-be, (because he fully intended to marry her too, as well as Bonding with her,) up into his arms.

“Oh!” Lan’ara gave a little gasp. “Nate, what are you doing?”

“Taking you to the suite,” he growled softly. “Just tell me where to go, baby. I can’t wait to have you all to myself.”

FORTY-NINE

DAVRIK

There was no time to think—Davrik dove off the bridge. He had to catch Sonya. And if he couldn’t, well then, he’d rather die with her than lose her again.

Pressing the button at the center of the harness which connected him to the ship, he played out all the extra line and prayed it would be enough. Putting his arms flat to his sides and keeping his legs straight, he streamlined his body as much as he could. He could see her below him, screaming as she fell, but would he be able to catch her before the line in his harness ran out?

Please Goddess, he prayed fiercely as he fell. Please let me catch her! And if I can’t, let me die with her. I don’t want to live without the female you set aside for me—Sonya is the other half of my soul! Please!

The Goddess made no answer but she must have heard him, because he was rapidly gaining on Sonya. And then—oh, praise The Mother of All Life—he had her in his arms!

Sonya was still screaming as he curled his arms around her tightly and braced for the inevitable jerk when the line went taut. Barely half a second later, it did—the force almost pulled her from his arms, but Davrik tightened his grip grimly and held on.

“Oh my God!” she gasped against his chest as they swayed together. “Oh God, what—”

“It’s all right—I’ve got you, baby girl,” Davrik told her. His voice was hoarse with emotion as he held her close. “Hold on to me,” he told her. “I have to press the button to bring us back up to the ship.”

Sonya wrapped her arms around his neck and held on tightly. Keeping one arm around her, Davrik reached down and pressed the recall button on the harness around his waist.

For a moment, nothing happened. And then, slowly, they began to be pulled upwards towards the waiting ship which was still hovering far above them.

“I can’t believe it,” Sonya whispered in his ear. “You came for me…and you caught me! I thought I was going to die!”

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