Page 37 of Hainn

“No, you have nothing to apologize for. It’s the woman’s decision and if you needed space to come to terms with the idea of motherhood and-and being my mate, I have no qualms about the delay.” He grinned. “Of course I’d rather make my Claim sooner than later but?—”

She couldn’t stop the giggle as she contemplated the hospital room. “Not here and now!”

“With my luck Dr. Garrison would walk in at the worst possible moment,” he said. “No, in the privacy of my—our—cave.”

“Can we go there now?” she asked. “I hate being here. I understand why you brought me to the hospital?—”

“Dr. Garrison insisted since there was a pregnancy.” He flicked a glance at the scanner in the corner. “The baby is fine by the way. I saw a holo of him or her while Megan did the scan but we didn’t check the sex. I wanted to wait for you to be awake so we could find out together, if you want to know now and not be surprised.”

Touched, Jezari kissed him and the gentle caress turned into a more involved interaction for a few minutes. “I’m too tired to do the proper job of claiming tonight,” she said, lying against the pillows and heaving a sigh. “My head and my heart are oh so willing but my body is exhausted after everything that happened yesterday on the dive. But can we get out of here and go to our residence cave? I hate this place, too many bad memories, even though you and Raeblinn and so many other people took such good care of me. The nightmares were intense, the pain of my body rebuilding was excruciating at times?—”

“I remember,” he said, hugging her. He’d been with her for more than a few therapy sessions after he became the lead healer when Timtur stepped away. He’d taken on and dispersed much of her pain and fear and the toll had been tough on him. He’d been glad to do it for Jezari, especially as she came to mean more and more to him personally and not merely as a Badari patient. “I’m not wild about this place either. You can do anything you want, sweetheart, unless one of the Alphas countermands us and they’d have to find us first. If yougenuinely want to go home tonight, I’ll get you there.” He slid off the bed and held out his hand.

“Do I have any clothes?” she asked, picking with distaste at the hospital gown.

“Keshara brought you a selection earlier in hopes you’d be getting out.” He handed her a small backpack. “Want me to wait outside?”

“Seven hells no, you’ve already seen it all.” She laughed, happy for the distraction. “I may need help anyway. My arms feel like lead weights are attached and my legs aren’t much better.”

Together they got her dressed and she assured him over and over she was recovered enough to walk to the cave. Hand in hand they left the hospital room and proceeded out of the hospital, past the night nurses and Dr. Madarian, mate to Camron, who was on duty.

“I let Dr. Garrison know we were going,” Hainn said when they paused to chat with the doctor briefly. “Middle of the night or not. I told her in my opinion as a Healer Jezari was fine to leave.”

The doctor eyed Jezari up and down, eyes narrowing as she took in how much she was leaning on Hainn. “I’m not going to argue—I know how fast Badari recuperate from even the worst wounds. Promise to com us if anything changes and as for you, Daughter, straight to bed when you get home and rest. Your body is working double time now, growing another person as well as healing.” She shook her finger at Jezari but her smile was warm. “We’ll be in touch to set up regular appointments to monitor the pregnancy.”

Jezari would rather conduct her entire pregnancy on her own but Aydarr would never agree to her hiding herself away and maintaining complete privacy, not with the first full blood Badari child on the way. “Thank you, doctor.”

She must have sounded like her agreement was forced because Gemma touched her arm and said softly, “Hey, we’re not so bad—we’re on your side, always. And remember Megan carried a half Badari baby to full term so she’ll undoubtedly have advice and answers to questions either of you may come up with over the next few months.”

Impulsively Jezari gave Gemma a hug and then embarrassed by her unusual emotions allowed Hainn to pull her away and out the door.

They took the walk to Hainn’s cave slowly, enjoying the balmy night and the three moons overhead. Jezari decided the exercise was good for her, working out her stiffness and sore muscles, and being alone with Hainn in the night was calming. Happiness filled her heart although by the time she reached the entrance to the cave she was more than ready to lie down again. Hainn supported her inside and she refused the offer of any food so they went straight to the bedroom.

“I wish I felt up to claiming you now,” she told him as he helped her get her boots and pants off. “I don’t want to wait.”

Hainn kissed her lips and then placed little kisses and bites on her neck, which tickled. “I can hold off a few more hours until you’re back to full strength, sweetheart. Even if I wasn’t a healer I can see you need sleep more than vigorous lovemaking right now. From what the mated men have said, the moment of claiming is special and I want us both to savor it properly. Scoot over.” He nudged her with his hip and she obliged.

Watching Hainn take off his clothes was a feast for the eyes in Jezari’s opinion as her man was all hard, cut muscles, big everywhere, with a package to match. When he came into the bed naked she pulled him into her arms and nestled close, ear against his chest to hear the steady heartbeat.

“Thank you,” she said, “For saving me today. It must have been terrifying to swim into the hold after the earthquake.”

“I wasn’t leaving you,” he said, kissing the top of her head and tightening his arms around her. “I’d have gone into the Afterlife with you at the bottom of the fucking lake rather than leave you alone for eternity.”

“Like Ilynnis was,” she murmured.

“Not like her at all—I’d have been there,” he said in a firm tone. “But this outcome is much better for you and me and our baby.”

“Absolutely,” she said, running her hand over his abs and kissing his chest. “I’m blessed to have an exemplary Badari Warrior for my mate.”

“I’m equally fortunate to have a Badari Daughter for mine,” he replied immediately. “Now, enough talking, time to rest.”

Jezari wasn’t sure sleep would be possible for her but as soon as she closed her eyes, she was sinking into a peaceful, dreamless state and let go, confident Hainn would keep her safe.

She woke slowly,stretching and yawning and taking stock of how she felt. Overall good, maybe even very good. It took effort in her just awakened state to remember where she was but Hainn’s scent was on the sheets and the pillows and she inhaled with satisfaction.My mate, in everything but the actual claiming and the mate bond.Deep in her core warmth flared and desire rose. Where was the man in question? They had claiming to do and she was suddenly impatient.

As if her thoughts had drawn him, Hainn entered the room, clad in a low-slung pair of sweatpants and carrying a mug of Badari tea. “Good, you’re awake. I could tell you were in a healing sleep but it was about time to check on you in the conscious state.”

She took the tea and the kiss he gave her and eyed him up and down. “This is a good beginning but there’s something else Iwant more.” As she took a long sip of the hot beverage she gave him a provocative gaze over the lip of the cup.

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