Page 15 of Darik's Quest

One minute Darik’s immobile unconscious body lay in the hospital bed as he had been for the past week and the next he was gone.

Nicole blinked and her mouth fell open, unable to believe what she was seeing. She screamed and her voice rose above even the beeping medical alerts from suddenly disconnected sensors. People rushed into the room, stopping at the threshold at the sight of the empty bed. Dr. Garrison rushed to Nicolle as her knees gave way and she collapsed to the floor.

“What happened?” the doctor asked as she and her nurse Rik helped Nicolle to the chair.

“I don’t know—he was here and then he was just…gone.” Nicolle could barely form words.

I’m here, Darik’s deep voice said in her mind, as a pulse of love flowed through the mate bond. I’m at the great stone circle, waiting for you.

Is this some kind of a trick? Nicolle asked, wiping away tears. I was so worried about you?—

I’ll explain everything when you get here. I love you, mate, and I’m deeply sorry to have left without explanation. I have to speak to Aydarr and Jamokan now.

I’m coming. Nicolle rose to her feet and tore herself free of the people trying to help her. “I have to go, now,” she said as she pushed her way through the room full of people and made it out the door.

Aydarr was in the hall and he caught her arm. “We’re going with you,” he said, gesturing at Jamokan with his free hand.

“All of you?” Nicolle was dismayed to think her reunion with Darik was going to be a public event but more than that she was frantic to be on her way to him.

“Only those he’s asked for at this time,” Aydarr clarified. “You, most importantly of all.”

“Go ahead,” Jamokan said. “We’ll follow.”

Finally the Supreme Alpha stirred from the spot where he was standing, drawing Nicolle with him. They rushed out the door of the hospital and sprinted toward the forest path which would eventually lead them to the goddess’s stone circle deep in the woods.

“Am I going too fast for you?” Aydarr asked as they ran.

Nicolle was well aware he could go ten times faster on his own so she appreciated the fact he was accommodating himself to her slower capabilities. “I’m fine, thanks. Let’s just get there.”

She had no idea who might be following them and she barely registered the forest she was moving through or the guards who stepped aside to allow them to pass. She was sure Aydarr was lending her strength because even though she jogged and worked out regularly, she couldn’t keep up a sustained run this long without help. Nicolle kept checking the mate bond, which glowed shiny and golden again in her heart and sending her love through the links, repeating Darik’s name in her mind like a mantra.

You’re not angry at me? he asked as she ran to find him.

I know you had a good reason for whatever you did and you’re back now so no, I can’t be angry. Watching you in that bed all week and thinking you were going to die was terrifying. Maybe there was a scintilla of lingering anger deep in her heart for the ordeal he’d put her through but right now wasn’t the time to express the emotion. They could talk later.

Your mate can telepath to you or she can hurry to meet you, Aydarr said, a chuckle underlying his thought. Not both. Unless I carry her, this conversation needs to wait.

Nicolle realized she’d slowed to nearly a walking pace while telepathing and sped up. It was an amazing offer on Aydarr’s part, since Badari Warriors preferred not to touch another man’s mate. She knew he would carry her if she asked and they’d be at the circle in no time but pride kept her on her own two feet.

When she reached the entrance to the place of worship the Badari had constructed, Aydarr stopped and waved her on alone. “We’ll give you a few moments of privacy.” He turned to block those who had also been summoned and Nicolle jogged on by herself, grateful for Aydarr’s understanding.

Entering the stone circle, she stumbled to a halt, winded and stunned. Darik stood across the open space, on the platform. He looked tired and scruffy and she’d never seen anything like the fur kilt and boots he was wearing. A battered black leather satchel sat on the ground beside him and in his arms he was holding…a baby.

“Goddess knows how much I missed you,” he said, moving to meet her halfway.

They came together in a crushing embrace, although Darik was careful to keep the mysterious baby from being caught between them. He swept Nicolle up with his free arm and pressed a demanding kiss on her lips, which immediately became passionate, tongues dancing, bodies hot against each other, the pent-up longing mutually expressed in one long caress.

The baby made a sound and Nicolle drew back slightly to stare at the beautiful child. “Whose baby is this? How did you?—”

“Our baby now,” he said proudly. “She’s an orphan I rescued from the ancestors’ planet. I named her Mia and the Great Mother was kind enough to allow me to bring her through time.”

Nicolle let the remark about time travel go right by. She was riveted by the baby. “May I hold her?”

“Of course.” Darik’s smile was huge as he placed Mia in Nicolle’s arms.

She cuddled the child close and breathed deep of the sweet baby scent. Mia played with her hair and patted her face before laying her head on Nicolle’s shoulder and drowsing. Nicolle found herself instinctively swaying to soothe the baby. Darik put his arms around the two of them and gave her a big hug.

“I need to let Aydarr and Jamokan come in now,” he whispered. “I have a great deal to tell all of you.”

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