Her Adoring SEAL (Midnight Delta Book 3) (28 page)

“I hope you’re right.  I know I should be thankful it’s the only thing wrong with me, but...”

“I know.  You’d rather see.  Who wouldn’t?  You really were lucky.  If the field surgeon hadn’t done such a good job you’d probably have permanent brain damage.”

“When can I have the surgery?”

“We’re waiting on the corneas.  It’s possible it could happen tomorrow but we won’t know for sure.”

“Tomorrow?  You have spare corneas waiting around?”

“Unfortunately there was a bad accident a few months ago and the patient has been on life support with no improvement.  The patient is an organ donor and the family could decide at any time to say goodbye.  When they do we’ll do the surgery.”

“Damn.  Who are they?”

“I’m afraid donors are kept anonymous.”

“Is there any way I can thank them?”

“Well you can write them a letter when you get your sight back and we can pass it on to them.  As soon as we get notice we’ll come and prep you for the surgery.  In the meantime, you’re off food until after the procedure.”

“No problem.  Thanks, doc, I appreciate all you’ve done for me.”

“It’s our pleasure, soldier, it’s the least we can do for the sacrifices you all make.  I’ll be back as soon as I know something.”

“H
i, honey, sorry I’m late,” Beth said with an exhausted smile for her best friend and co-owner of the bookstore, Treasured Tales.

Julie looked up from the book she’d been reading and smiled at Beth.  “You look like shit.  Damn.  Have you slept at all?”

Rolling her eyes, she shrugged.  “What do you think?”

“That’d be a no.  Shit, you’re going to be no good to Dani or anyone else if you drop dead or run your car into a telephone pole.”

“Yeah, yeah.  What am I supposed to do?”

“Not spend every night in the hospital with her.  She’s twelve, not five.  She would understand.  She loves you.”

“I’m not so sure about that.  She’s miserable, in pain, and I think permanently hormonal.”

Julie laughed as she slid a cup of coffee across the counter to her friend.  “Again, she’s twelve, what do you expect.  She’s also been through hell.  But she’s still your daughter, beautiful and tough as nails.”

Beth took a sip of the steaming coffee before answering.  The hot liquid weaved a trail of heat through her frozen body.  She couldn’t remember the last time she’d slept more than an hour or so while dozing in the recliner in Dani’s hospital room.”

“What would I do without you?”

“You’d be lost of course.”

Beth laughed, and hugged her. 
It’s true, I would be lost
.  The last three months were hell.  Most of her time was spent with Dani at Willow Haven Hospital, and at least once she’d swing by to check on Doug at the military hospital.  Going between the VA hospital to see Doug and Willow Haven to see Dani, She’d hardly been at the bookstore and Julie picked up the slack. 

“Thank you.  It’s not enough but I don’t know what else to say.”

“Stop.  How long have we known each other?  Geesh, woman.  Get over it.  I stopped by to see Dani this morning and dropped off some new books for her.  I must have missed you.”

“Probably when I went home to shower and feed Bo.  Poor dog doesn’t know what the hell is going on.  He looks almost as sad as I feel.”

“He’ll be fine.  You need to stop worrying about everything.  I know it’s hard, but Dani is getting better, she’ll be home soon and you need to get back to living again.”

“I know.  It’s just she’s my baby, and stubborn as hell.  She’s still saying she won’t go back to school.  She doesn’t want to see anyone.  She thinks she’s ugly.”

“Stubborn?  Damn you think?  Wonder where she got that from?  You need to remind her how lucky she is.  It could have been so much worse.”

“Yeah, but like you keep reminding me—she’s twelve.  Everything is about looks.  Even though her face is almost healed.  Hell, I can hardly see the scarring anymore, but her right arm, leg, and half her back will never be like they were before.”

“How is she with her friends?”

“She won’t see them.  Even Hannah stopped coming to visit, not that I blame her.  I’m hoping Dani will be better when she gets home.”

“What if she doesn’t?”

“I don’t know.  Her doctor says she needs more than physical therapy.  He recommended someone—a therapist—but I haven’t talked to her about it yet.  She was in a good mood last night and I didn’t want to ruin it.”

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About Lynne St. James

L
ynne St. James lives in the mostly sunny state of Florida with her husband, two dogs and two cats. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, taking pictures and sometimes cooking, which makes her hubby really happy.

Traveling is a passion of Lynne’s and if she had her way she’d travel all the time and write wherever she visited.  Maybe someday...

A coffee addiction keeps her Keurig on constant standby as she weaves her stories.  Her addiction has fueled a “Coffee” Pinterest board.  If you’re looking for coffee recipes, funnies, or just snark it’s the place to go. 

Lynne loves to hear from her readers, and you can contact her here:

Email: 
[email protected]

Facebook: 
https://www.facebook.com/authorLynneStJames

Website: 
http://lynnestjames.com

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Books by Lynne St. James

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Beyond Valor Series

A Soldier’s Gift

Anamchara Series

Embracing Her Desires

Embracing Her Surrender

Embracing Her Love

Raining Chaos Series

Taming Chaos

Seducing Wrath

Music Under the Mistletoe – A Raining Chaos Christmas

Tempting Flame

With Siren Publishing

The Vampires of Eternity Series

Twice Bitten Not Shy

Twice Bitten to Paradise

Twice Bitten and Bewitched

Zarronian Warriors, Book 4

By Mardi Maxwell

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Chapter One

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R
onin Haldorson moved along the wall of the krystal shelter with every intention of grabbing his pack and leaving. The stunningly beautiful Bellya was about to receive the consequences for her actions. Unfortunately, he heard every word spoken and thanks to his towering height he was able to see her standing, alone, in the center of the room, surrounded by a hostile crowd. She had her chin stuck in the air and an arrogant look on her face that dared them to do their worst. An event that even an idiot could see was in the works. He told himself to go but his honor forced him to remain because the blasted female was his mate. 

Every Zarronian warrior hoped they’d find their mate but especially the level six warriors such as himself. At that level the chances of finding a mate had been zero until they’d discovered the krystal enchantresses of Krystali.

The moment he’d seen Bellya he’d known she was the one and he’d been excited until he’d met her, and she’d treated him like something she’d had to scrape off her elegant shoe. At first he’d told himself they’d just off to a bad start. Then, he’d heard the rude way she’d spoken to the other Krystali females. Right then he’d known the most important thing about her...the beautiful outside didn’t match the ugly inside. For him that was a deal breaker as he’d choose death over a mean-spirited mate.

Discouraged, He’d spoken to the starship’s doctor about the chances of finding another Krystali female with compatible DNA. Doctor Burlson had advised him to wait and see if another female more to his liking came along. He still had six to nine moon phases before he had to claim a mate or die from his mating fever, but in the meantime, he felt compelled to protect this one.

The crowd around Bellya tightened around her and he moved a few steps closer. She, of course, appeared bored and put out with the entire proceedings while those around her were obviously enraged and ready for a well-earned bit of revenge. With a sigh he closed the distance between them to a meter and prepared himself to save her. It wouldn’t be long before things turned deadly.

His movement drew her attention and for a moment their eyes met. She sent him a disdainful
get lost
look before turning her back on him. A growl of anger left his lips while he searched for and found her brother Teryq. He appeared tense and ready to rescue his sister even though he’d be breaking the warrior code if he helped her. Ronin caught his attention and sent a slight nod to let him know he’d watch over Bellya. Even from across the room Ronin saw Taryq’s sigh of relief before he rejoined his mate Elyna.

Skye, a Krystali enchantress who was the bondmate to Soren Valanson stepped forward, drawing everyone’s attention. "All here know why I was called before the Krystali Kouncil and why my powers have been stripped from me. Only one person overheard Soren and I talking about how I’d claimed him without his full consent. That person was you.” She pointed to Bellya. “Do you deny that you the information to your mother, Arlyn?”

"No." Bellya moved closer to Skye. "You broke the law and you don’t deserve to have him."

“He is my mate and there’s nothing you can do to break our bond now.” The two females moved toward each other until they were almost nose to nose. "You were present during the planning for the attack on the raider camp where your mother had taken refuge. Someone warned her of the attack. You warned her. Do you deny this?”

"I do deny it.” She turned quickly, her long cloak flying out around her. With a questioning gesture she asked the nearby healers, conjurers and enchantresses, "How could I have contacted my mother? How could I have betrayed you?"

"You're a known traitor," Skye said.

"That doesn't make me guilty of this," Bellya said. "There were five people at the meeting. Perhaps Falyn betrayed us. Or, her mate, Korbyn."

Falyn screeched with rage and started toward Bellya but her mate held her back while Taryq stepped forward.

"That's enough, Bellya,” Taryq said. “I've suspected for a long time that you've been spying on us for our mother. Now I'm sure of it."

Bellya glared as she pushed him away and then looked around. Her expression changed to one of spite. “My mother is on the Kouncil. She won’t allow you to harm me.”

Skye laughed. “Your mother is on the run with our enemy, the Crymeryns. She can’t protect you now. If you have anything to say in your defense speak now.”

“When the Kouncil hears what you’ve accused me of doing they’ll break the bond with your mate and I’ll claim him.”

Skye glared at her. “Bellya of the House of Arly. You are cast out. You may live near us for your own safety but none in the sisterhood will acknowledge your existence until you make amends."

"Farg off," Bellya said and turned toward the door of the shelter. The people, both male and female stepped back, forming a clear path for her to the exit.

****

B
ellya hurried toward the door but was brought to a sudden halt when she crashed into a hard body. Large hands wrapped around her arms, steadying her. She looked up and Ronin stared down at her. A moment later, he adjusted the hood of her cloak around her face before he addressed the Krystalis.

“Bellya is an enchantress. She needs the care of her family to sustain her energy and her ability to conjure krystal. How will she do this if she is exiled?”

Taryq stepped forward. “I am allowed to visit her each cycle but only long enough to maintain her life. None of us will fight with her now. She’s a traitor and can’t be trusted.”

“We’re still in enemy territory,” Ronin said. “She will need protection.”

“No Krystali warrior will protect an outcast," Taryq said.

“Then, it’s a good thing that I’m Zarronian,” Ronin said. “I’ll protect her.”

“No, I don’t want you,” Bellya said.

Ronin laughed then winked at her. “Of course you do.” When her face reddened with rage and she opened her mouth to curse him, he added, “Unless you’d rather be captured by the raiders, raped, tortured and killed.” He waited for an answer then sent her an arrogant grin when she remained silent. “I guess that’s settled. Don’t go far. I’ll be very displeased if I have to search for you.”

Bellya snorted. “You’ll be encased in dark krystal if you follow me.”

“Your beauty has made you arrogant but let’s face it when it comes to looks I’ve got you beat.” He tapped her perfect nose and began to turn away.

“Bastard,” she hissed, her eyes narrow and glinting with anger.

Ronin chuckled then walked away. Taking care of the curvaceous beauty might turn out to be more fun than he’d realized.

****

B
ellya glared at his back then escaped through the door. Off in the distance a mournful howl filled the air. She listened for a moment then hurried in the direction it came from. Thorny bushes blocked her path but she pushed through them, ignoring the painful scratches they left on her hands and face.

The howling grew louder as she entered a small clearing. A large beast with black fur and golden eyes sat on its haunches on top of a boulder, its head bent back while it howled in pain. When it sensed her presence it dropped to its belly and whined.