Page 2 of First

He lifted her face to his and gave her a lingering kiss. Then, unable to resist, gave her another. “Be at ease, mate. Imust determine whether the apples and their seeds are a temporary measure or permanent.”

“We also don’t know how many are required for a permanent change. You ate quite a few.”

“Affirmative.” He tucked a long lock of hair behind her ear, wanting to touch her. Needing to touch her. To stay in constant contact with her. “I must establish as many facts as possible before we start the search for my unit. This cure—temporary or otherwise—is not something I can easily bring to the attention of a Vettian medical unit.”

Winn caught her lower lip between her teeth. Fear drifted across her expression. The emotion darkened eyes which had once been sky-blue but since her pregnancy had acquired a hint of lavender in their depths. “Would a Vettian medical unit turn you over to the authorities on Vetta?”

Honesty compelled him to admit, “It is a possibility.”Vexx, vexx,vexx. He forced out the confession. “It is likely.”

“If they do, what will happen to us?” Her hand slid across her abdomen in a protective gesture. “To our son?”

Jo’Nay couldn’t go there, the likelihood too hideous to contemplate. He knew the law all Intergalactic Warriors lived by. Were honor-bound to adhere to. No mates. Final flights started when the warrior turned four hundred with short weeks to prepare before they were overcome with heat flashes and immolated. Their disintegration caused their ships to disintegrate, as well. Agrim darkness settled overhim.

“Jo’Nay?” Blatant fear skittered through her use of his name. “They’ll put us to death, won’t they?”

He shook his head. “I will not allow that to happen. Ihave a backup plan.”

She leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his waist again. “What plan? Tell me.”

“There have been rumors of a place,” he began reluctantly.

“What sort of place.”

“A place where my kind go.”

“Your kind. Intergalactic Warriors?” She pulled back just enough to look up at him. “Do some not die from heat flashes?”

He shook his head. “I am uncertain.” Again he hesitated. “I am not sure true Intergalactic Warriors abide in this place.”

“Are they some of the ones who washed out of the program?”

“Washed out?”

“Flunked. Failed to make it. Washed out.”

“Ah. Those who wash themselves out are put to death.” His brows pulled together. “But—”

“That’s what I’m waiting for. The big but. But…” She waved her hand through the air like a dainty littleflitfur. “Go on. Give me a really good but.”

He flashed his golden canines in amusement. Gathering up herflitfurhand, he coasted a kiss across the fluttering fingers. “But there are rumors that some escape before they can be put to death.”

“Where do they go?”

He shrugged, asurprisingly human movement. “No one knows, assuming they do escape. And I have never come across any in all the worlds I have visited in my four hundred years.”

“Are you hoping to find them if we’re turned in?”

His arms tightened around her. “I will not let my government take you or our child. Iwill find a place where we can remain hidden before that happens.”

Worry creased her brow. “You’re sure when we go to look for your unit and offer them the apple seeds they won’t turn us in?”

He ran his thumb across the tiny brow crease, smoothing it out. “Assuming any remain alive, they will not report us.”

She released a gusty sigh. “There’s another but, isn’t there?”

“I am afraid so, little one,” he grudgingly confessed. “I plan to return to the last world we occupied in order to start my search for my unit. There is a possibility that other Intergalactic Warriors will be there. Our replacements.”

“And if they see you, it won’t end well?”

---