Enticed by the Alien Warrior (Warriors of Agron #8) - Hope Hart Page 0,34

her happiness. And I refuse to begrudge them a single joyful moment.

None of us mention the ship that Sarissa, Alexis, Kate, Clara, and I are about to visit. Instead, we talk about inconsequential things. Danica’s sleep habits. Charlie’s morning sickness. Beth’s mating ceremony. Zoey proudly shows off the ring Tagiz had made for her, blushing as she tells us they’ve decided to combine their mating ceremony with an Earth wedding for something that will be uniquely theirs. Alexis murmurs that she and Dexar are trying for a baby.

“It makes no sense in the middle of a war, but I know he’ll keep us safe. Life is short, and Dexar insists he wants a bunch of kids.”

I laugh at that. “And you?”

She grins. “We’ll see how I deal with the first one.”

I reach out and squeeze her hand. “I’m so happy for you.”

“I know. Thank you.”

Someone brings out a watered-down version of noptri, and anyone who’s not nursing or pregnant has a few cups. Before long, the men join us, bringing more food, and the party continues as day turns into night and tribe members come and go.

It seems as if the actual negotiations have finished, and the males seem much more relaxed, most of them drinking noptri. And unlike ours, their noptri isn’t watered down. Even Korzyn has a cup in his hand, and some of the tension seems to have disappeared from his face.

Sarissa stares at him like she’s never seen him before, and he raises his cup as if toasting her, his gaze burning into hers as he takes a sip.

Arix is silent as he steps closer to where I’m leaning against a tree, watching as someone starts playing some music and Charlie drags her dragon onto the makeshift dance floor. She’s looking much better than she was when I first arrived, the color back in her face. Dragix grins down at her, murmuring something that makes her laugh.

“This tribe is unusual,” Arix says.

I glance at him, but he’s staring around the clearing, his expression blank.

I shrug. “They’re a family.”

I follow his gaze to where Dexar and Terex are chatting to Rakiz as he holds Danica—who looks smaller than ever in his huge hands.

Nevada makes kissy sounds at her daughter and holds out her arms. He gently hands over the baby, grinning at them both.

He looks at them like they’re his whole world and he’ll slaughter anyone who threatens them. It’s a look that’s both tender and a little psychotic, and witnessing it makes my eyes sting.

Nevada pats Danica’s butt and then steps closer to me.

“Here,” she says, handing her to me before I can protest. “She hasn’t had nearly enough time with you.”

All the spit dries up in my mouth as Danica makes a tiny baby sound, kicking one of her legs beneath her blanket.

“Take her back,” I hiss. “I know nothing about babies.”

Nevada just laughs. “It’s good practice.”

“I should’ve known you’d be an asshole parent,” I hiss. “I bet on Earth, you’d be holding up the school drop-off line while you perved on the gym teacher.”

“Well, duh.”

The other males go back to discussing whatever it was they were discussing, but I glance away from Danica long enough to meet midnight-blue eyes. Arix grins at me, obviously amused at my fear.

Nevada nudges me. “You look good with a baby in your arms,” she teases.

“Ha ha,” I mutter.

“You do,” Arix says, and the amusement has left his face. We stare at each other in silence for a long moment that’s broken only when Danica raises one of her tiny fists, opening her eyes and peering up at me.

“Hi,” I say, and she blinks sleepily.

I sway with her, and she wraps her hand around my finger, her eyes sliding closed again. My heart melts.

Nevada grins at me. “And another one bites the dust. No one can stand strong against my daughter’s charms.”

I can’t help but laugh, but I hold out the baby, silently pleading with her mother.

Nevada rolls her eyes but takes her from me, placing a kiss on Danica’s head.

I turn to Arix, the noptri making my tongue loose. “Dance with me,” I say, expecting him to refuse.

His smile is languid, and it makes my thighs clench. From the wicked look in his eyes, he knows exactly what that smile does to me.

My head spins as he takes my hand and pulls me out to the dance floor. He holds me close, swaying gently as he tucks my head beneath his chin, and I make one last desperate