Page 72 of Taken for Granite
“The last female he brought did not become nauseous,” a voice said in English.
“It will pass,” Tas said, rubbing her back.
“Was that the teleport?” she asked.
“Yes.” More rubbing in sympathy.
“Let’s not do that again. It sucked.” Someone passed her a bottle of water. Grateful, she rinsed out her mouth. Stomach empty and calm, she rose to her feet.
Two Khargals watched her. “We are here to escort you to your chambers,” one said.
“Take us to medical first,” Tas said, one arm already around her shoulders protectively.
“The captain instructed—”
“My mate has a head injury. Medical. Now,” Tas growled. The males paled and nodded.
The ship seemed to be composed of flowing, curved walls and honeycomb pillars, all constructed from a pale material, creating an overall open and airy effect. The scale of everything, of doors and the wide corridors, that subtly told her nothing was made for humans and reminded her that she was truly on an alien spacecraft.
“How come I could understand them?” she asked in a quiet voice.
“Their translators must have been updated with English,” Tas answered.
Their escorts stopped outside a wide double door. “We will wait for you here.”
Inside, the medical bay sprawled in a wide space, the honeycomb pillars dividing off sections, and the entire area had a warm, soothing light. Juniper was ushered to a padded table and a female Khargal waved a device over her body, then pricked her finger for a drop of blood.
Juniper tried not to stare, but she couldn’t help herself. She never thought much about what she expected a female Khargal to look like. The medic was shorter in stature than Tas, more slender than the other males, but more muscular than a human woman. She had hips and breasts and her face held a softness that spoke of femininity.
“I’m pleased all this blood is not yours,” the medic said.
Juniper cast a guilty glance down at her jeans, stiff with dried blood.
“Now don’t move for this part,” the medic said with a gentle smile that made Juniper want to trust her.
The sharp pinch made her yelp. “Hey!” She rubbed the sore spot.
“You might have a slight headache while the translator installs, but it will be fully operational in less than an hour,” the medic said. “No head trauma either and no pregnancy.” The medic turned away to fetch another device.
Juniper did not miss the dark, disappointed expression that passed over Tas’ face. “I’m sorry,” she said, wishing her lie hadn’t caused him so much pain but knowing that lie saved Chloe’s life.
“Do not apologize,” he said.
“But you thought…”
He stroked her hair, tangling his fingers in the strands. “You inspired me to fight harder. You spoke to buy time for your sister. I am proud of you, my clever pebble. And one day soon, we will have a youngling.”
“Many.”
“Enough to fill a roost,” he agreed.
“How many is that? Because my vag already hurts thinking about it.”
Tas opened his mouth to reply, but the medic returned. “Interesting results. Did you give the human female yourdassa, and if yes, how often?”
Juniper blushed. “That’s none of your business.”
“Juniper is myHondassa,” Tas said, as if that answered the question.
