Page 27 of Kian

“Lyslee finished off some of the ones you were fighting, why didn’t you just take them out yourself?” she asked.

“A good soldier never steals glory from his companions,” he said lightly.

Her eyes widened and she looked almost impressed.

“Does it feel good to see action again?” she asked.

“Yes,” he said, surprising himself with the quick answer.

Itdidfeel good to see action again, even if it was a poor excuse for a battle, and there had been hardly any action at all. Protecting was Kian’s job. It felt strange to do anything else.

“Dogs are freaking out,” Avril called to Bill, who was at his bedside, close to Kian and Kinsley’s.

Good, Kian thought to himself.He can get lost.

It was humiliating to be one of the most feared beings in the universe and feel jealous of a Terran farmhand. Though he couldn’t help but notice he was the one getting a million questions shot at him by Kinsley, not Bill.

“I’ll head over now,” Bill said, jogging for the door.

“I’ll help,” Kinsley called after him.

Jealousy ripped at his chest.

“We both will,” Kian said, trying not to sigh out loud.

He wasn’t letting her alone with the hand again. That much was certain.

Though honestly, he wasn’t sure how Kinsley could still be hero-worshipping the guy when he had basically shirked his duties on the battlefield.

Terran or not, those bandits were after their cargo. It was Bill and Hank’s duty to fight alongside the convoy. And the two of them had made almost no difference out there.

“Let me hold the wee one,” Avril offered, holding her arms out for Nova.

Kinsley got a possessive look on her face that endeared her to Kian.

“I’ll come get you the moment she wakes up,” Avril promised Kinsley.

“Sure,” Kian said. “Protect her like you did your sister’s six o’clock.”

That had both of the Grummish women laughing, but Avril’s laugh quieted when Kinsley handed her the baby.

“The minute she wakes up, right?” Kinsley asked.

“You have my word,” Avril said solemnly.

Kinsley nodded once and caught up to Bill who was waiting by the door for her, a look of admiration on his face.

I’ll show you admiration, Kian said inwardly.

“As soon as you’re done, I need help with inventory, Bill,” the sheriff yelled to him.

“Yes, sir,” Bill said.

He opened the door for Kinsley and Kian followed, his eyes locked on his mate.

This day had been full of surprises, and he wasn’t hoping for any more.

11

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