Stolen: Warriors of Hir, Book 3 (25 page)

Twenty-seven

“You . . .” Ke’lar rumbled into the collective stunned silence, his brow furrowed, his body still tense as if suspecting a trick. “You concede?”

“Fight, Ar’ar!” Mirak urged, regarding his son in astonishment. “She is yours!”

Ar’ar shook his head. “No, she is not. We never mated. She did not surrender to it because she longed to return home, although I did not know why then, and I did not—” His throat worked for a moment. “Because I long for another.”

“Another?” Summer echoed, pulling free of Ra’kur’s hold. “You mean . . . you don’t want me?”

“I . . . desired you,” Ar’ar rumbled, his cheeks flushing, as she came to stand before him in the courtyard, and Summer suddenly realized it wasn’t
her
he was embarrassed to admit that in front of. “Very much. Your human beauty is astonishing but you are not . . .” His eyes were drawn to the clanhall steps, to the young black-haired Erah woman standing there who now blushed becomingly.

Ar’ar swallowed. “H’lara and I met at the wedding ceremony at the Yir enclosure during the last gathering. I have thought of little else since. . .”

The g’hir woman, H’lara, stepped forward, pushing past her astonished clanbrothers.

“And I have made my choice!” she called out in trembling defiance to the shocked crowd, to the wide-eyed Erah clanfather. “I will have no other than Ar’ar as my mate!”

Ar’ar’s face fairly glowed with joy. “H’lara . . .”

As if suddenly remembering why he was standing here shirtless, that Ke’lar still waited to tear him to pieces, Ar’ar quickly inclined his head to his opponent. “I cede all claim to this female, Summer,” he said formally. “She is yours.”

Ke’lar blinked and then he straightened, his fangs flashing in a wide grin.

“Wait—” Summer looked around at Ke’lar. “Did I just get ditched g’hir-style?”

He spread his hands, his glowing blue eyes crinkling with humor. “I was ready to fight for you.”

“I can’t believe . . . all this time you were in love with her?” Summer asked, indicating H’lara.

A look of consternation came over Ar’ar’s face. “You are a worthy female. I had hoped to be a good mate to you.” Ar’ar’s rippled brow creased. “If I had met you before H’lara—”

Summer held her hand up. “No, just stop right there. Believe me,” she assured with a glance at Ke’lar, “I’m really okay with this but . . . Okay, why did you capture me if you really loved her? Why go to Earth at all?”

Ar’ar hesitated. “It is a great honor to be chosen to hunt a mate on your world.”

Summer glanced at Mirak. “And you didn’t want to disappoint your father?”

“Ar’ar . . .” Mirak frowned at his son. “Why did you not tell me?”

“She is of the Erah clan, Father,” Ar’ar said tightly. “Our enemies, as you have said time and again. You taught me hatred of them before my milk teeth had come in.” His gaze went to H’lara, the longing in his eyes so evident it was painful. “And with so many suitors, I did not dare to hope that . . . But when we were last here, when Summer sought sanctuary, we spoke again and . . .”

“My son—” Rotin prompted.

Ke’lar glanced at his father then cleared his throat. “Of course. Ar’ar, I accept your . . .” He paused, looking as if searching for the right word. “. . . decision.”

“You concur that the matter is settled?” Rotin asked Mirak.

“It is settled,” Mirak agreed. “And,” he added with a look at his son, “we are honored to welcome your clansister, H’lara, as the Betari’s next clanmother.”

“Thank you, Father,” Ar’ar breathed. “And thank you, Summer,” he rumbled. “For reminding me that there are some things we must never let anyone, even the Zerar, take from us.”

I did?

“Oh . . . sure.” She gave a nod. “You’re welcome.”

His brow creased. “Are you offended that I lack the fire to fight for you? I would not have you and I be enemies.”

“No!” Summer said instantly. “I’m happy for you! And . . . her. And me. And that Ke’lar doesn’t have to fight you. And nobody has to die. In fact—go.” She pushed him toward H’lara. “Go be happy.”

He threw her a grateful look and lost no time crossing to where the g’hir woman eagerly awaited him.

“I suppose . . .” Mirak met Summer’s eyes hesitantly, discomfiture so out of character for the Betari’s forceful clanfather. “I was wrong to try to force a match between you and my son.”

“You suppose?” Summer echoed.

“I . . . apologize,” Mirak said as if choking on the words a bit. “I regret any pain I caused you, Summer of the Erah.”

“Pain?” she wondered. “Oh! You mean threatening to keep me captive, married against my will?” She gave an airy wave. “I can’t believe you’d even mention such a little thing!”

“Think of me what you will,” he growled, serious in the face of her sarcasm. “But to live out a life alone, for a g’hir warrior, is a pain you cannot imagine. To save our son—
her
son”—his amber eyes had a pained look remembering one he lost long ago to the Scourge—“from that solitary existence—to give him the hope and joy he deserves—I would do what I did again . . . and more.”

“And since our clans are going to be pals,” she said with a pointed look at Ar’ar and his soon-to-be mate, “you want my forgiveness?”

Mirak tilted his head. “Would you do it for your child? Your Emma?”

She and Ke’lar exchanged a look.

“You got me there.” Summer heaved a sigh. “And I hate to say it but—yeah, I would.” She glanced to where Ar’ar and H’lara were already brushing noses. “I’m happy for him. . . for both of them.”

“You are gracious, Mata.” He cleared his throat. “The clanmother’s jewels—”

“Right,” Summer said with a nod. “They’re in the pack I brought from your enclosure. I’m sure Jenna still has it. I’ll get them to you before you go.”

He looked at Ke’lar. “I hope she will be happy with you, and that you will value her as she deserves.”

“Wow,” Summer said, surprised. “I think you really mean that.”

“I do. And before you return those jewels, I would have you choose one for yourself.” Mirak inclined his head to her. “As a gesture of our friendship. Now, if you will excuse me, I should greet Ar’ar’s intended, the Betari’s new clanmother.”

“That was generous of him,” Ke’lar said. “To offer you such a gift of goodwill.”

“True, but if he were really thoughtful he would have left them alone for five minutes, for God’s sake,” Summer muttered, watching him walk to the pair. “How that man ever got to be a Council member with
that
level of tact and sensitivity, I’ll never understand.”

“I am only glad the matter is decided,” Ke’lar rumbled.

“Oh, that’s right, I’m all yours—” She grinned. “By default.”

“I would have won, my mate,” Ke’lar mock-grumbled, pulling her close. “No one would doubt you are mine.”

“Oh, believe me . . .” Summer slid her arms around his waist and lifted her face to brush a kiss against his mouth. “Nobody’s
ever
going to doubt that.”

Epilogue

Emma’s brow creased as she looked between Summer and Ke’lar. “She’ll be like Anna?”

“Yes,” Ke’lar rumbled solemnly, crouching down to get as close to eye level with her as he could with his height. “This baby will be like Jenna’s daughter, Anna. Half-g’hir and half-human.”

The exam room of Be’lyn’s medical center was comfortably homey and Summer didn’t want to put this news off any longer. She’d insisted they waited till they were sure, till every test the healers could run showed the baby she carried was healthy, before they told Emma.

“But she’ll still be my sister,” Emma said.

“Your half-sister,” Summer corrected.

Her daughter’s face took on a look of obstinacy, her little jaw hardening in stubbornness, and Summer sighed inwardly.

Gets it from Dean.

“Don’t care if she’s half-g’hir.” Emma fixed them both with a stern look. “She’s gonna be my
whole
sister.”

Ke’lar’s mouth twitched, his fangs showing for an instant, but he swiftly controlled his smile.

Man, he’s going to repeat
that
to anyone who’ll listen . . .

“Hmmm.” Summer shifted, pressing her lips together.

Ke’lar looked up immediately. “Summer?”

Doctor Ki’san was just coming back into the exam room and his gaze went immediately to the display over her head. “The nausea has worsened?”

Her stomach was roiling, and it was a moment before she could speak.

“You know,” she gasped then took a few slow breaths to continue, “with Emma I had morning sickness maybe
once
but this . . .”

“Mommy?” Emma piped. “Are you okay?”

She wanted to assure her daughter, explain that it sometimes was something you had to get through when you were growing a baby, but right now all she could do was manage to hang onto the exam table and force out a pleading: “Ke’lar?”

“We must wait outside, Emma,” he said, swiftly scooping their daughter up. “So the doctor can help your mother feel better.”

Summer threw him a grateful look as he hustled the little girl out.

“And you are certain the sickness is normal for humans?” Doctor Ki’san asked.

“Absolutely. ’Course this is a little on the high side,” Summer got out. “And it usually doesn’t last so long.”

The doctor touched a few controls to adjust the display then gave a nod. “I see no reason not to administer a mild anti-nausea injection.”

“Hmmm . . . If you value your shoes you might want to hurry . . .”

The injection didn’t even hurt and was instantly followed by blessed relief as her stomach settled right down.

“Thank you!” Summer breathed. “I’m actually hungry again.”

He gave a huffed laugh. “I am pleased I could ease your discomfort. There is an oral version of the medication that we should start you on, to prevent a return of this symptom.”

“And it’s safe for human—I mean, half-human babies?” she asked, laying her hand on the slight curve of her belly.

“I would not have administered it if it were not,” he assured. “I have studied all the data to be had on humans, as well as the new generation of g’hir.”

“Lucky for me,” Summer said, sliding off the exam table. “Can I get out of here now? I mean not that I don’t like you, Doctor . . .”

“I understand.” Ki’san threw her a smile. “No one enjoys being a patient. Least of all physicians. But yes,” he agreed, indicating the door. “If you feel up to it you may return to your enclosure. Please contact me if these symptoms return—or if there are any new ones. Otherwise I will see you in a half moon cycle for your next checkup.”

It was none of her business but—

“Why are you studying humans?” Summer asked when he joined her in the hall. “I mean, are we just a particular interest of yours?”

“Yes,” Doctor Ki’san said. “But actually I will soon have the opportunity to see your world. I am looking forward to it.”

Summer blinked. “You’re going to Earth? To find a mate? I thought only warriors were allowed—”

“No,” he said with a quick, embarrassed smile. “I have not been permitted to compete for that opportunity.”

“Oh,” Summer said. “So why are you going?”

“As a physician only. The Council has decided someone with advanced medical training should accompany the warriors who venture to your world.”

“Because of my daughter.” Summer’s glance was drawn to Emma and Ke’lar, who was keeping her entertained by pointing out the city sights visible from the medical center’s windows. “Because of me.”

“Partly,” Doctor Ki’san agreed. “But Jenna of the Erah nearly died before she reached Hir. I am also going to be on hand in case of such an emergency.” He hesitated. “I thought it might relieve your mind if you knew that no other woman captured would be separated from her offspring.”

“Because you’ll run a scan on them after they’ve been captured,” Summer concluded. “To make sure they haven’t given birth.”

“And I will be on hand to erase their memories so that they can be returned to their lives immediately, without disruption.”

“Okay, but . . .” Summer cleared her throat. “Won’t that be awkward as hell? Just you and a warrior and his mate?”

“Two warriors this time. And it will be a larger ship with private quarters. Unless a medical emergency occurs I doubt I will encounter any of them. But I am an adequate pilot,” he allowed. “I am sure ship’s operations will fall to me when we leave Earth.”

“They’re sending two warriors this time? Why?” She shook her head. “Never mind. Stupid question. Because the whole human-g’hir repopulation plan is working so well.”

Ki’san tilted his head. “You are happy here, are you not?”

Summer looked down the hall at Ke’lar, at Emma in his arms, felt the flutter of the baby inside her. “Yes,” she said fiercely. “Yes, I am.”

Maybe other women would be happy to find themselves a warrior too—happy as she was, and Jenna and her new friend, Hope.

But just in case, I’m personally going to visit each and every one and make sure that when
her
Choosing Day comes she really gets her choice heard.

Summer looked back at Ki’san. “I come from a really beautiful world, a really precious one.”

“And one that must protected, at all costs.” He gave a wistful smile. “I doubt I will do more than step outside the ship for a moment or two, but I will cherish that little time I have on your world.”

“Is everything all right?” Ke’lar asked, concerned by her long talk with the doctor.

“Yup,” she assured. “Everything’s fine. Come on, you two,” Summer said and smiling, caught both his and Emma’s hands in her own. “Let’s go home.”