Daughter of the Alien Warrior - Honey Phillips Page 0,66
mate does not need privacy from me.”
“Then why don’t you put her down and let her speak for herself?”
He reluctantly placed her on the bed, his tail lingering on her wrist as he stood up. “Do you want me to leave, letari?”
Actually, she would probably have preferred to be alone with the medic, but he looked so anxious that she didn’t have the heart to tell him to go. “No, it’s fine if you stay.”
N’tana snorted. “Fine. As long as he doesn’t interfere.”
“Why would I interfere?”
The medic ignored him and turned back to Jade. “Please remove your clothing.”
“What? No!” Inzen roared.
Both of them looked at him, and he ducked his head. “I apologize. Do you want me to assist you, Jade?”
Well, yes, but this wasn’t the time or place for that. Instead, she shook her head. “No, thanks.”
“I will stand over here,” he muttered, turning to look out the window. His shoulders were stiff with tension, his tail lashing anxiously.
As she started to undress, she regretted turning him down. Her muscles were tight and aching from the shock. N’tana stepped in as she fumbled with her shirt, her thin fingers cool and soothing as she helped Jade strip off her clothes and then bent closer to examine her neck injury.
“The damage to your neck is only superficial.” N’tana smoothed a blue cream along the lines where the shock collar had been, and Jade felt an instant easing of the lingering soreness. Then the medic brought out a small scanner and ran it over her. “Your brainwaves are normal and your heart rhythm is stable. There should be no lingering effects from the shock. The stiffness in your muscles should go away with time but it would help to soak in a warm bath. I will leave some crystals for you to add to the water.”
N’tana had been moving the scanner over her body as she spoke and she suddenly paused as she passed it over Jade’s stomach.
“You were taken from your planet?” she said, frowning.
“That’s right.”
“How long ago?”
“I’m not really sure at this point. Maybe four weeks? Why?”
“Hmm.” N’tana drew a sheet over her, then stood up and turned to face Inzen, still standing by the window. “I need to speak to your mate alone. This is not negotiable.”
“Why? What is wrong?” He took a quick step towards the bed.
“Alone,” N’tana repeated.
Jade’s heart thudded against her chest. What had the medic found?
“Please, Inzen. Just for a minute,” she whispered.
He gave her an agonized look, but he nodded. “I will be right outside the door. If you need anything, call for me.”
As the door closed behind him, N’tana sighed and sat down on the bed next to her.
“I’m sorry about that, my dear, but I need to ask you some questions and I wasn’t sure that he could handle the answers.”
“What questions? You’re scaring me.”
N’tana’s cool fingers closed around hers. “There is no need for fear. Whatever you decide, I will make sure that your wishes are obeyed.”
“Decide about what?” she cried.
The medic hesitated. “I must ask, were you abused after you were taken?”
“You don’t consider this abuse? It’s the second time I’ve been shocked.”
“Yes, of course, that is abuse, but I meant abuse of a sexual nature. Whatever you say will remain strictly between the two of us,” she added when Jade stared at her. “While I don’t recommend keeping secrets from each other, I understand that you may not wish your mate to know.”
“No, there was nothing like that. I was lucky enough to be rescued before anything happened. Twice,” she said with a shudder.
N’tana sat back, a relieved smile on her lips. “In that case, I hope this will be good news. My dear, you are with child.”
Her ears rang. She must have misheard. “What? No, that’s not possible.”
“Why not?”
“I tried for so long on Earth. It took years to become pregnant with Lily. It can’t have happened again.” Despite her protests, a faint dizzying hope began to emerge. Her eyes filled with tears.
“I can assure you that it did.” N’tana frowned at her. “You are unhappy? Because there are alternatives—”
“No! No, I’m not the least bit unhappy. Are you sure?”
“Very sure.”
Joy filled her so completely that she felt as if she were floating. But she needed Inzen here to share in her happiness. “Inzen!”
He burst through the door so quickly he almost took it off its hinges. As he took in the tears now streaming down her face, he growled and advanced on N’tana.
“What have you done