Page 65 of Fire Forged

“Nerxie,” she cried out, holding her arms up.

Britt trailed but leaned against the inside wall of the room, content to watch this big man handle his daughter.

“Nerxie, Britt says she’s my new mommy.Did you know?”She tugged on his braid, flicking it back and forth.“And her mommy’s my granny.And Uncle Aldur’s my gramps.Did you know?”

Nerx glanced at Britt, staring at her until Lily hit him across the chin with his braid.“Yes,minus susa.Are you happy about that?”

“Yup, I’ve a family now.Britt says I must ask God for a brother?”

Nerx’s head shot up to meet Britt’s gaze.“Yes,” he said without breaking eye contact.“You do not want a sister?”

“A brother would be more fun.”Lily grinned.“I’m hungry.”

“Come.What do you feel like?”Britt wiggled her fingers in a universal hurry-up-let’s-go gesture.“Pizza?”

“Tag Afred,” Lily called, running out the door as soon as Nerx put her down.

He caught Britt’s wrist, pulled her toward him, then kissed her.Warmth poured down her body like stepping into a hot shower.She moaned, gripped his arms, and melted against him.

“We need to start on that brother,” he whispered, his hoarse voice electrifying her senses.

Something heavy twisted her gut.“Let’s be this for now.Just us three.”

He jerked back, his brows knitted.

She cupped his face, holding him still.“I’m reeling from all this—becoming a wife and mother.I need time to expand my heart before I add more.If that makes sense.”She pressed her temple to his chin, unable to understand why she couldn’t explain how she felt.The words escaped her when they were within grasp, burning her tongue.“It’s too much.Too fast.I have to let go of my childish hopes and embrace my new life.”

“What hopes?”he asked.

“I guess… Falling in love, to start with.A wedding where—” Her voice cracked, but she pushed on.“My dad walks me down the aisle.Our first home, getting pregnant… In that order.Impossible, I know.”Her chuckle lacked mirth.“Dad’s gone.You’re my husband, and I have a daughter now.”She tried to shrug and failed.“I feel…like I’m losing parts of who I am.Like I don’t recognize me anymore.”She stepped back as far as he’d let her.“I better feed the bottomless pit that is our daughter.”

He let her go, yet the darkness in his eyes haunted her.

Nerxblinkedattheempty doorway, long after Britta left.‘Falling in love’ had snagged all of his attention.Yes, he wanted that too.The Ethera played havoc with his emotions.He couldn’t tell whether what he felt for his Dar Eth was this elusive love or something the Ethera inspired.He fully understood when she said it was too soon.His mind and heart grappled with each other, but where she was losing herself, he was growing, becoming the male he was meant to be.

“Wedding,” he muttered.Having to speak the word to activate the O.D.I.had been his decision.Most Etterians left the default setting, but Nerx hadn’t wanted to be flooded with explanations for every strange word uttered by anyone.

Images flooded his mind now.The ecstatic brides said it all.And his Britta deserved to have such a day.That was doable.Perhaps at Berrann Falls.His chest cinched.Yes, to include Kyerx and bid him farewell.If Britta was up to the idea.Lily could be a flower girl.A smile twitched Nerx’s lips at his imagination.She’d love that.

He glanced at Edon, his head dipped as he worked.“Pray forming a relationship with your Dar Eth is not as complicated.”

Edon grinned.“The Ethera will choose well for me as it did for you, Supreme Commander.”

That it had.For Aldur too.Nerx headed to the common intent on the medic in question.Britta sat with Lily at the table.Aldur was awake, Lady Dahlia in his arms.

“I understand why your males ogle Britta, but why the youngin?”Haiz asked when Nerx strolled past her to read the med-E.D.’s results.

“Damuare rarely seen, and that Lily is a female adds to their awe.”Nerx smiled at his males trying their hardest to keep their gazes off his wife and daughter.“A femaledamuis a miracle in their eyes.”

“Ah, so it is true, that you cherish your females?”Haiz scowled.“That is far from what we were taught.All males disrespect their females.For this alone, we have for centuries only cultivated daughters.”

“It depends on the species,” Matir said, joining them.“Some worlds do not value their females ordamu.Some do not value life at all.”

Haiz’s frown didn’t fade.“My thanks for your honesty, Sub-Commander.”

“There are Etterian males without honor.”Nerx grimaced, trying not to glance at his braid.“Good and evil exists in all of us.Some lack the strength to resist their dishonorable nature.”

“Something theBronvolhas taught me.”She pinched her lips.“There is nothing in our archives similar to this.No betrayals, no mutiny, no rebellions.”

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