Page 30 of Loka

“I’ll keep out of harm’s way,” Heather said. “But you’re not preventing me from helping.”

Loka felt he was fighting a losing battle. “Perhaps you can assist. You must stay out of danger, though.”

“You admit I am useful?” Heather smiled up at Loka.

“You might have a few uses.”

She nudged him with her foot. “Admit it; you like having me around.”

Loka stifled a smile. “It is not disagreeable.”

Hoan chuckled again. “That is Loka’s version of a compliment. Take it while it’s on offer. He doesn’t give them out often.”

“I will.” Heather nodded, her expression growing serious. “I promise you. I won’t get this wrong. I won’t go sticking my fingers into things I shouldn’t again.”

Some of the tension in Loka’s shoulders eased. “That is reassuring to hear.”

“We make a great team, but only when I’m conscious.”

Loka liked the sound of that. He loved the idea of having Heather on his team.

Heather pulled her knees up. “I know you’ve got my back. I’ve got nothing to worry about.”

Loka resisted the urge to bellow, sucking down the sound until his lungs ached. Heather had identified him as her protector. That was a key part of mate bonding.

She tilted her head. “Is everything okay?”

Hoan studied Loka. “He is repressing.”

Loka glared at him. “I am not.” He needed to have words with Hoan. The Picar kept nothing secret.

“He wants to bellow.”

Heather’s brow furrowed. “Why?”

“He is happy.”

“I am.” Loka exhaled, hopeful his bellow was in check. A strange growly hiccup shot out.

Heather’s laugh was startled sounding. She leaned forward until her mouth touched Loka’s ear. “I am imagining you bellowing. It’s scary but lovely. Thank you. Now, can we get to work?”

Loka nodded, his horns quivering with pleasure. “After we have laid down the ground rules to keep you safe.”

Chapter 9

A good half an hour of persuasion later, Heather was finally out of bed.

Her cheeks flushed when she realized she was wearing different clothes, a soft cream set of pajamas. It was super soft and could easily double as lounge wear, the kind of thing Heather would wear during a late-night movie marathon. Her gaze shifted to Loka. “Did you change me?”

He glanced over from where he was trying to get his food replicator to create something edible. “Your clothing was damaged.”

“You got me out of my clothes while I was unconscious?” Heather was not ashamed of her body, but she liked to know who was going to see her in only her underwear.

Loka placed down the bowl he held. “From the tone of your voice, I’m picking up that you’re displeased.”

Hoan was sitting on the couch. His gaze grew interested as he watched their interaction.

“It’s just that, well, we don’t really know each other.”