Page 41 of Hope Forged
“What will?” Ziamee asked. A frown darkened her eyes. “Coll?”
Illan narrowed his eyes at Coll. “Nano-meds are fixing my insides.”
Her face paled. “It’s that bad?” She scowled. “You had a claw sticking out of your chest. Of course it’s bad.”
“How is your thigh?” he asked, desperate to distract her.
“All healed.” She released his hand and bounced on the spot to show him how well she was. “The new skin’s a little tight, but Coll says it won’t be for long.”
What he ached to do was strip her and inspect every inch of her. He had to see with his eyes that not a blemish marred her. But now wasn’t the time.
“Ulta, any ideas why we couldn’t port?” He kept still, his lungs breathing easier as time passed.
“The element in the cavern is thicker on that plateau. I sent Brac on the kuta but called him back when Seba pinged.” Ulta didn’t draw closer as he said, “I assumed you two would be on his tail.”
“My thanks,” Illan mumbled, his attention on her. “I doubt Brac’s appearance would have aided us unless the kuta has a mounted cannon.”
Admiring the curve of her cheek and the sparkle in her beautiful eyes grounded Illan, his focus locked. No matter what the nano-meds did, he shoved his reactions to the back of his mind. She mesmerized him, more incredible than anything he’d ever encountered.
“It does not, but I can task Brac to add a chokaar,” Ulta was saying.
“Might be wise,” Coll said. “Let us be prepared rather than ambushed.”
“I shall attend to it,” Brac called from the table.
“Good,” Coll said, removing the vial and capping it.
Illan stiffened. “We are done?”
“For now. Return in the morning. The med-E.D. must replenish what the nano-meds used to spur your healing.” Coll layered new skin across Illan’s bare chest.
Ziamee grinned. “A good thing Ulta got us here.”
Her good humor eased the final sliver of tension woven around his spine. “I have never been happier to be on board.”
She laughed, clasping his forearm and helping him rise. “Same.”
Chapter Twelve
Withoutacareinthe world, Seba balanced on his haunches to rest his paws on the rehydrator, roaring his demands. Brac tutted but trotted around the trestle table to order the ‘starving’ beast another haunch of kreso.
“My thanks, Coll,” Illan said, throwing his legs over the side of the bed. “Need anything, Ziamee?” he asked, dragging his arm free when he wanted to linger. “A cleanse, a tisane, maybe a meal?”
Her head whipped up. “You have rays?”
He chuckled. “It has been a very long time since I had a ray bath. No, we have water in abundance.”
She gasped. “You have a lake on board?” A frown wrinkled her brow. “How big is this ship?”
He laughed. “Come, let me show you.”
She trailed him to his quarters, her confusion deepening into a scowl. “I’ve been here.”
He entered and headed to the cleansing room. The door opened when he neared.
She peeked in, then slipped past him. “What water?”
“Step onto this square aft—”
