Page 91 of Havik: Warlord Brides
The doctor drew a curtain around the bed for privacy. Thalia climbed to the edge of the bed, and Havik helped her dress. She felt good for being in a medically induced coma for twenty-eight days.
Once dressed, he insisted on carrying her.
“I’m fine,” she said, pride refusing to allow herself to be carried out of Medical like an invalid. Once in the corridor, however, exhaustion hit hard. When Havik cradled her to his chest, she didn’t protest. He was solid and warm and the perfect balm.
He brought her to a cabin furnished with the bare necessities. Boxes and bags, presumably their possessions retrieved from the ship, lined the wall but remained unpacked.
The door opened into a central living space with a kitchenette to one side, complete with an eat-in counter, and a cluster of comfortable looking chairs for a seating area. Clean and bright, the space lacked the lived-in, homey feel of the ship, but she could fix that.
She spied a familiar object on a side table. “The murder plant!”
“That is not its name. The bedroom is through there,” Havik said, depositing her in a chair that proved to be as comfy as it looked. “Do you thirst? I will fetch you a beverage. Cleansing room.” He pointed to the other door. “We can request a larger cabin if we require a larger space.”
“Why would we need a larger cabin?” she asked before thinking. “Oh. Um, I’m totally on board with kids, but I’d like to wait a bit.” They talked about that, right? She was so happy to start their lives together, but she didn’t want to start popping out kids right away.
He delivered her a cold glass of not-tomato juice. Perfect. “Agreed. While you were in the tank, I met several warriors, their mates, and their sons.” A wry grin tugged at his lips. “I am thankful for the ability to sleep without interruptions.”
“Oh, that’s so cute. You think I’m gonna let you sleep,” she teased.
Havik
“Tell me what I missed while I was asleep.”
Havik lifted his mate from the chair. She yelped in surprise, and he positioned her, so she sat in his lap. His arms wrapped around her and she snuggled into him.
Much better.
“Mais is well,” he started. “She had a minor injury. I offered to take her with us, but she elected to stay with her family.”
“She can’t. It’s not safe.”
“They are in a different settlement and a different clan.” He paused, relishing the feel of Thalia in his arms, where she belonged. “She knows my thoughts on the matter.”
“Stabs?”
“Gone by the time I returned.”
“That’s a shame. I was so happy to see him.” She twisted to face him. “Be honest: how amazing was that entrance?”
“You looked like an avengingdencadiz, full of righteous fury.” He brushed back her shorter hair, and his fingers traced a path from her ears to the smooth curve of her neck.
“Okay, explain that. My translator is calling it a water witch.”
“A mythical creature that lives in the ocean and lures its victims to their death.”
“Oh, a siren.” A pleased grin spread on her face. “We have a similar creature on Earth.”
“Like a vampire? Really? At the height of a tense situation, when our lives were in jeopardy, you start spouting off the most ridiculous claims?”
She laughed, pressing her face into his chest like her mirth was a secret. He knew how much she enjoyed causing trouble. “Your face! I thought you were going to laugh.”
“I nearly did,” he said.
“And Skullfucker—”
“Skyll.”
“Whatever his name was, he got so mad. I just wanted to buy you a little bit of time. It was worth it.”
