Page 6 of Warrior's Captive
“The doctor was suggesting I induce and place the baby into state care.” The doctor hadn’t said as much but Vivian wasn’t stupid, she could read between the lines.
“I’m concerned about your state of mind and—”
“The circumstances surrounding a birth quite often aren’t ideal,” Ibukay interjected. “But that hardly calls for such drastic measures when we already have support mechanisms in place.” Ibukay bared her teeth in a shark like smile. “Kheter, thank you for your time, I’d like to speak with Vivian alone.”
Ah. That was the word.
Thekheterslapped her datapad in her open palm. “The medical care of human patients falls under my authority. With all due respect,Bdakhun,you don’t have the qualifications to—”
“Is that what you think?” was the soft reply. Ibukay continued to look at the woman, and moments later the doors shimmered open again, a man stepping through.
He fixed his emotionless gaze on Vivian as he spoke to the doctor. “Dismissed.”
“I don’t think so.” The datapad slapped against the doctor’s palm, a crack of sound that caused Vivian to flinch again. The baby kicked. “This female is not fit to give birth and be in possession of a Yadeshi child.”
“Excuse me,” Vivian said, struggling to breathe. “You can’t just—”
“There are laws that—”
She couldn’t breathe. They couldn’t do this to her. “Ibukay,” she gasped. The doctor frowned and moved forward, then froze when the man looked at her.
“Get out,” he said softly.
She left the room. Vivian’s panic resided.
“I don’t like that female,” Ibukay told him. “She has an agenda and I’m not certain what. I don’t want her alone with any of the pregnant women.”
His eyes narrowed. “What does she want?”
“Thatisthe question, isn’t it? Maybe she’s just a bitch.”
Thatword translated easily enough. Vivian wondered briefly who had programmed her unit.
“Perhaps.”
The pair returned their attention to Vivian. Ibukay approached, snagging the stool abandoned by thekheterand pulled it up to Vivian’s side, taking her hand.
“How do you feel? I am sorry I haven’t been back to see you since yesterday.”
Vivian lowered her head, her long dark hair covering her face. “There are others, aren’t there?”
“Yes.”
“It’s fine. I know I’m not your only concern.”
Ibukay hesitated. “No, but you are unique to us, for reasons.”
“I don’t understand.”
The princess glanced back at her bodyguard. “During our last conversation, I told you that we knew the identity of the genetic father of your baby, and that he was also a prisoner.”
“Yes. Does he—did you tell him about me and the baby?” Did she want him to know? He’d be one more person whose opinions would be thrown into the ring of her messed up life.
“We did, and he would like to meet you.” Ibukay glanced away, casually, but Vivian’s eyes narrowed. She was hiding something. “He would like to discuss the situation with you and come to a decision together on the best course.”
Vivian withdrew her hand from Ibukay’s. “There is no together. I’m the one having a baby.”
“Half of the genetic material is his,” the bodyguard now said. “It is true you are the mother, and that carries significant weight. Do you believe he has a right to determine the fate of his relationship with his child?”
