Page 23 of Hope Forged
“Don’t hurt him,” she said, destroying any thoughts Illan had formed.
“What?” he managed.
“He’s just being protective, aren’t you, ohara?” She nuzzled then nudged the beast. She threw her arm around its neck and asked, “Have you found Padya?”
Illan accepted he’d gone insane. That somehow, he’d dreamed Ziamee, Vora, Oz, and this…white, fur monstrosity into existence.
“Now, come. Get off the male.” She clambered to her feet and strode toward the downed ship. When it didn’t follow her, she paused and tapped her thigh.
With a rumble that resonated through to Illan’s bones,itclimbed off him and scampered on its six paws to reach her.
“You’re such a good Seba,” she crooned, leaving Illan staring after their disappearing backs.
Able to breathe, he sucked in gulps of air sweeter than it had been moments ago. Groaning, he pushed himself into a sitting position while rubbing the lump at the back of his head.
“That is Seba?” He dug into his pocket for the med-gun, then ran it over his head and torso, certain a rib had been cracked.
“Are you coming?” she asked from where she peered above a boulder, only her top half visible. “I promised Seba a ceaza. Do you want?”
He staggered to his feet, tempted to submit himself for a full med-E.D. scan. Parts of him, including his torso, twinged and throbbed, souring his mood.
“What I want is for you to realize I mean you no harm, female,” he gritted out.
She studied him, dragging her gaze up and down his body before saying, “Run your thingy over Seba, and I’ll…visit your spaceship.” She climbed a few steps closer, revealing her upper body, then cast a glance behind her. “And if you have another of those daggers…” She grinned, stilling the air in his lungs. “I could steal yours if you prefer.”
She was bargaining. That thought struck first. He could work with that.
“I would need to teach you how to wield the dagger.” He dusted off his pants and strode toward her.
Her brow crinkled in confusion. “Why? I’m most proficient—”
“Maloidian steel slices through bone. With the proper footwear, you will not cut yourself when you sheath the blade.” He patted her thigh. “We will have the med-E.D. heal your leg, too. And perhaps new garments?” He curled his fingers into fists, too tempted to caress her exposed belly.
She scratched her wrist where red welts had formed. “As much as I like the sound of all that, you have to heal Seba first. And he comes with me.”
Illan gaped, having not anticipated that request when, statistically, the probables had been high. “In the tight confines of a spaceship, your pet might—”
“Then there’s no more talk of kidnapping me.” She strolled off.
“Then I will not heal your Seba.” Illan smoothed his features to hide a grimace. He wasn’t a male who’d ignore a creature in pain.
She laughed, patting her chest in applause.
He blinked, a sharp spike of agony cinching his chest anew. Memories surfaced of his father doing that when Illan had excelled in something. His beloved face was vivid, clearer than Illan had been able to recall before. He swallowed past a sorrow-filled lump, fighting to hold onto the image.
“Seba will believe I’ve abandoned him. Without Padya to keep him company, there’s no alternative.” She met Illan’s gaze. “He’s partial to rubs beneath his jaw next time he pounces on you.”
Illan frowned. When he couldn’t free his hands? And cuddling the beast instead of shoving it off him wouldn’t be his initial reaction.
When it roared, she glared at it. “Will you calm yourself, please. You can’t bethathungry.”
Shewasalone. That realization hit Illan hard. He struggled with the urge to guard her during his time on the planet, stay with her, or whisk her away to Etteria.
He hurried after her, down the narrow path to the campsite. “We have fish on board the ship. It can have as much as it wants.”
His stride faltered at the sheer size of the creature. Even sprawled, where she knelt beside it, her temple reached its shoulder.
“Did you hear that, ohara?” she cooed.
