Page 16 of Colvin
* * *
Hours later he was finally on his way to the Ardannan ship high above in orbit. Goff Delain and his security forces had shown up at the crime scene eventually and taken charge of the prisoners, the shuttle and the bodies. Ardannan fighters continued to keep control over the Amarotu ship in orbit to prevent it from leaving but Colvin wasn’t as concerned about that issue. He and his squad of Special forces had to give statements to Delain’s security chief about the rescue operation.
Delain had thinly veiled amusement at the way the Ardannans termed it a routine training exercise that blundered into a real situation but kept his skepticism to himself. He’d wanted to interview Ivy as well of course but Colvin put his foot down on the idea, telling her boss he could do a holo interview with her or arrange to come up to the battleship but for now Ivy and her son weren’t setting foot on Resort Planet. Colvin didn’t think there were other Amarotu stragglers hiding out but he wasn’t taking any chances either.
As Colvin left the shuttle inside the battleship’s huge docking bay, he took a minute to thank the Special Forces team yet again for their help. Captain Degrasay was waiting for him.
“Congratulations on rescuing your mate and the boy,” his friend said as the two men exchanged a brotherly hug.
“Thanks for your prompt action and the team of operators. And for sending me this uniform—shifting takes a toll on the clothing, I’ve discovered.”
“Ivy and her son are resting comfortably in your quarters,” Degrasay said as they moved to the exit. “Both have been cleared by Medical. Will they be remaining on board?”
“If I have anything to say about it, then yes.” Colvin didn’t even want to discuss the idea of his mate and his future son returning to the planet. “Ivy has a strong mind of her own though, so I’m sure there’ll be discussion. I may need an away team to stand security watch on them.”
“Whatever you require, of course.” Degrasay clapped him on the shoulder. “I’ll leave you to it. Let me know if she or the boy require anything else.”
“Will do.” Squaring his shoulders, Colvin proceeded into Officer Country, seeking the relatively large stateroom he’d been assigned. Although it was his own quarters, he knocked before opening the door.
As soon as she saw it was him, Ivy flew out of her chair and into his arms, bursting into tears. “I was so worried something had happened to you down there.”
“Hey, I’m fine. Delain’s paperwork took forever.” He rubbed her back and held her tight, looking over her shoulder to see Darien asleep in a temporary cot which had been brought in and anchored to the bulkhead. “How’s the little man doing?”
“He’s shaken, keeps asking for you and also talking about the big lion.” Ivy gave a tremulous laugh. “You really made an impression on both of us with that trick.”
“I’ve never done it before,” he admitted. “How are you? Did the doctors fix up your blaster burn?”
She glanced at her arm. “It was just a sear, surface only. So the doctor did a topical heal on it. The skin’s a bit pink still but it doesn’t hurt. I have a broken rib and a bruised spleen?—”
“Why didn’t they send you through the rejuve resonator?” He was upset by the omission.
“The doctor offered but Darien was clinging to me and I didn’t want to leave him even briefly. The medical staff were very kind.”
“I’ll get you an appointment tomorrow,” Colvin said. “I can keep an eye on Darien for you while they run the treatment. He’s not scared of me then?”
“Oh no, you’re his hero. And mine,.”
He wished they weren’t sharing his cabin with Darien right now because he wanted to make love to her in the worst way, to stake his claim yet again and to ensure for himself she was fine but it wasn’t going to happen with a child literally sleeping in the next bed. He’d have to arrange babysitting for Darien while they cruised home to Ardanna Prime or go crazy with need and desire.
She led him to the bunk and sat in his lap in the cozy space.
“Tell me everything,” he requested, holding her close but mindful of her remaining injuries. First thing in the morning medbay was running her through the rejuve resonator or else the physician in charge was going to feel the wrath of General Colvin Lawben. His mate wasn’t going to walk around wounded when the solution was at hand.
Ivy explained how her ex and his thug had surprised her inside her apartment and described the fight she put up. He could tell she was glossing over the details but wasn’t going to press her today. He made another mental note to see if there was a counselor aboard the Famptror in case she or Darien needed to talk with someone. He told her his half of the story and when he got to the part where he changed into the regimandane, he added context for her.
“Thousands of years ago an alien spaceship crashed on Ardanna Prime and the surviving crew eventually mated with the locals, passing along certain genetic gifts, one of which is the fated mate and closely related to that is the ability to shift into an alien predator of various types. In my family we carry the potential to become a regimandane as you saw?—”
“A golden lion with horns,” she said, smiling.
“Yes, but it can only happen after the Ardannan has met and entered into a loving relationship with their fated me.” He rubbed noses with her. “You.”
“When I took my shower this morning I noticed the mate mark had gotten really well defined now.” She pulled aside her borrowed Famptror tee shirt to show him.
He touched it gently and resisted the temptation to trail his hand to where the swell of her plump breast beckoned him. “The danger to you and Darien activated my genetic capability to shift and when the bastard hit you, the lion took control.”
“You seem pretty calm about it if it was your first time.”
“Three of my older cousins have undergone the transition so I knew what to expect to some extent. Although it was an incredible experience. I can do it at will now.” He grinned. “Think Darien would like a ride on a big lion?”
