The Healer's Hellion - Miranda Bridges Page 0,51

but I had not revealed her bloodline,” Braxton says. “I didn’t want it to affect her decision to stay on Earth.”

Varek, having now recovered, speaks up. “You should have told her in the beginning so Skylar could’ve made a well-informed decision. I think you being her mate is what had the most influence in this situation. Not that I condemn you for it. I, like Zaden, would not let anything keep me from Lia. It just goes to show you have more self-discipline over your bond than the rest of us.”

“Very true,” Kolton says. “When Natalie said she wanted to return to Earth, I tied her up.”

Zaden waggles his brows. “Nice.”

“She was pissed at first, but I changed her mind.” Kolton turns to look at me. “Braxton is the best of us if he’s actually giving you a choice, Skylar. I can’t tell you how hard it is to fight against the pull of the mating bond.”

I look at Camille and take her hand. She nods, tears spilling down her face. Once again she’s given me permission to go and experience this new life with my new family.

“Thank you,” I whisper. Then I clear my throat and drop her hand in order to take Braxton’s. “Yes,” I say to the males, “Braxton is amazing, and it’s the reason I’ve decided to go back to Najarie with him.”

“Thank fuck,” he says before crushing me to his chest.

“I guess we’ll see you at home, then, Skylar,” Zaden says.

I give him a thumbs-up and nod, my cheek rubbing against Braxton’s flight suit, which helps hide my tears.

“Well, I guess that concludes this conversation,” Kolton says. “See you on Najarie, Braxton and Skylar. Welcome to the house of Kaimar.”

“To repeat what the others have said, welcome to the house of Kaimar,” Varek says. “And welcome to the family.”

Chapter 15

Saying goodbye to Camille just about killed me, but I’m so glad I came to Najarie with Braxton. My life over the last four weeks has been nothing short of a grand adventure. After meeting all the human women and some of the other mated males, I immediately felt at home. I suspect it was because the women are like me, a human with a Dravian mate, but it’s not the only reason. I’ve bonded with Lia because she too lost her mother at an early age. She started grief counseling with me, and it has been a godsend. Morgan never ceases to make me laugh and is constantly entertaining. Natalie, despite her advanced pregnancy, showed me around the clinic while regaling me with stories of Braxton. And Eleanor made me feel most welcome with her quiet but accepting demeanor. All in all, I feel like I have a full life here.

The only problem is I need to come clean with Braxton and tell him I’m infertile.

“Come to bed, namori.”

I glance at him over my shoulder, tearing my gaze away from the starry sky just outside the window. “I can’t sleep.”

He takes his cock in hand, and his lips tilt up. “I wasn’t suggesting we rest.”

“As tempting as that is, I don’t think now is a good time.”

“Are you ill?”

I shake my head.

He frowns, then slides from the bed and crosses the room. “I’ve noticed you’ve been distant lately. Are you sure there’s nothing wrong?”

It surprises me that he doesn’t immediately hold me. What doesn’t surprise me is how much I always seem to need him. After wrapping my arms around his neck, I press a kiss to his chest and then lay my head there.

“I need to ask you something.”

“Anything,” he says, wrapping his arms around my waist. His voice sounds calm, but the thundering of his heart under my ear lets me know he’s anything but.

“How much do you want children? Like is it something you can’t live without?”

“Skylar.” He pulls back to look down at me. “What has brought on this line of thinking?”

“Well, Dravian women can’t get pregnant, and even though some are happily mated, others are not. And the whole reason you went to Earth in the first place was to find women who were fertile.” I sigh and close my eyes. “My heart aches for the Dravian women who can’t have children.”

And of course my heart aches for me too.

This entire time, I couldn’t help but wonder if Braxton would still care about me if I couldn’t have children or if he would go to Earth and find another woman who could. It’s been plaguing me for the longest time,