Tark cleared his throat, looking pleased. “You’re expecting our first child. I worried for a bit that you wouldn’t survive, or the child wouldn’t. If it came down to it, I wanted them to save you no matter the cost, but it seems you’re both doing well.”
“How long have I been out?” Suki asked.
“Nearly a week,” Lucie said. “You had swelling and bleeding on your brain. The pod did as much as it could, but the rest had to heal over time.”
“May I take my mate to our quarters?” Tark asked.
Healer nodded. “I recommend staying on Tourmalane another few days, just in case. I’ll give her some vitamins to boost her system during your stay, and hopefully it will prepare her for the journey back to your world. I don’t recommend going through the MECO again.”
“What’s a MECO?” Suki asked.
“You don’t want to know,” Lucie said. “But I’ve heard they’re unpredictable at best.”
“It would take years to reach our world without the MECO,” Tark pointed out.
Lucie bit her lip and shifted from foot to foot. It was obvious she wanted to say something, but wasn’t sure if she should. Suki was curious what was on the woman’s mind. Was she about to suggest theyshouldn’treturn to Xpashta? She’d only been there a short while before getting on a ship again, but Suki had liked the small planet and the home Tark had created.
“Perhaps discuss this later,” Healer suggested. “Your mate will likely want food and some fresh air. I believe your quarters are in the royal hall and have a balcony that overlooks the grounds. I’ll make sure furniture is placed out there so she can be comfortable.”
Tark carried Suki out of the room, away from Healer and Lucie, and down many twisting hallways and up several staircases. She’d never been such a large place before. Even when she’d “visited” other royal families, they’d never lived in a place this grand. She was curious how large the family was that they needed so much space. Would she get to meet more of their mates? Were they human too?
The room Tark entered made Suki’s jaw drop. It was the most beautiful suite she’d ever seen, and she could hardly believe it was theirs until they returned home. He eased her down onto the bed, the cover made of something soft and velvety. Suki ran her hands over the fabric and sighed in pleasure.
“You like it?” Tark asked, nodding to the cover.
“It’s nice.”
“I can ask about purchasing one before we leave, so you can have one at home.”
Suki smiled and patted the bed. Tark hesitated only a moment before carefully joining her. She curled against his side, resting her head on his chest. Placing a hand over her belly, she marveled over the fact they’d created a life together. She’d be a mother, and that scared her beyond belief, but she had no doubt that Tark would be amazing. He was so kind and gentle with her that she knew he’d be the same with any children he might have.
Tark pressed a kiss to the top of her head and held her close. It was comforting, having his arm around her. If they could stay like this for a while, she’d be content. It didn’t feel like they’d lost a week of time together, but the worry she’d seen in his eyes was enough proof. Not to mention, there wasn’t so much as a bump or bruise on her. Although, the med pod at the clinic Tark had taken her to the night he’d saved her had healed her immediately. Her head injury must have been rather severe if the one here couldn’t do the same. Or were the pods different depending on the planet? Different technology?
“How are the others?” Suki asked. “Are the women adjusting?”
“They’re grateful to be free. Aside from the one who bonded to a Tourmalane warrior, the others seem content. I’m not certain if they’ll want to stay here or move on. The Zelthranites have also offered to either take them to Zelthrane-3 or return them to Earth. They have a lot of options, and none seem overly taken with my cyborg brothers.”
“Maybe they just need to get to know them better,” Suki suggested.
“Perhaps. Norkov is rather taken with one of them, but he hasn’t been obvious about it. I think he feels she’d be better off here, or back on Earth. He would never force her to go home with him.”
“That’s because you’re all so wonderful,” Suki said with a smile. “If she doesn’t pick him, then she’s an idiot. Norkov was really sweet and tried to keep me calm when you entered the brothel. I think he’d make a good mate to the right woman.”
“After you’ve eaten and rested, would you like to meet the women?” Tark asked. “Perhaps you could reassure them more even though I know Lucie and the other human princess have done their best. Neither are familiar with my people, and I think we scare the females the most.”
“I’d like that,” Suki said.
There was a knock at the door and Tark bade them to enter. Tourmalanes dressed in some sort of uniform entered. Two were carrying trays of food, and the others brought plush looking chairs and carried them out onto the balcony, along with a small table. Tark helped Suki rise from the bed and led her out to the balcony. After she was situated on one of the soft chair cushions, he went inside to retrieve food and put a plate in her lap. He left and returned again with one for himself. It was peaceful here, and the scenery was breathtaking. Suki could see why some of the women might want to stay.
She ate until she thought she might pop, then set her plate on the little table. Tark had practically inhaled his food. A few strange looking birds swooped in front of the balcony, then dropped down to a pond. Suki stretched her legs out and pointed her toes while reaching her arms over her head. Even though she’d been unconscious during her stay in the med pod, her body was tight from not moving much.
“Would you like a hot bath or shower?” Tark asked.
“Only if you join me,” she said, smiling a little. “I woke up scared because you weren’t there, and I’m not ready to be apart just yet.”
His lips tipped down at the corners and he knelt in front of her, reaching for her hand. “Suki, you know I would never leave you. Not willingly. I’m sorry it frightened you, but they assured me that I would be called the moment you showed signs of waking.”
“I’m not blaming you or trying to make you feel guilty. I was just trying to explain why I’m not ready to be left alone,” she said. Suki reached out and cupped his cheek, his whiskers rasping against her palm. “The thought that I might never see you again made my heart hurt.”
