together under such terrible conditions that I know we can get through anything together.”
Joan’s own gaze went to Varga as she nodded in agreement. Their love had been forged in a fiery crucible. Looking back at Taliane, the girl’s happiness was easy to read.
“You look very happy.”
“I am.” Taliane leaned forward and whispered softly, “We went to a medic on the way here this morning.”
“Is something wrong?”
“Not at all. I just wanted to get the birth control reversed. With any luck, I’ll be pregnant before we reach Asing.”
Dizziness swept over Joan and she swayed. Taliane reached for her, helping her to a seat.
“What’s wrong?”
“Pregnant? You can get pregnant even though you’re of different species?” Her mouth felt numb.
“Of course. That’s why they gave us birth control shots when we arrived on Drahana. Pregnant females are too difficult to manage,” Taliane said bitterly, then frowned at Joan. “Didn’t you get one?”
She thought back to her arrival. Ukhaan had insisted that she walk through an icy disinfectant spray, and it had left her too cold and shocked to notice much after that. But now that she thought about it, he had given her a painful injection. Her body sagged with relief.
“Yes, yes, I did.”
Taliane gave her an inquisitive look. “You look relieved. Don’t you want Varga’s child?”
Her eyes automatically went to him. His head was thrown back as he laughed at something Issar had said. Her big, handsome mate. Her eyes suddenly filled with tears.
“I don’t know. I love him so much, but I don’t think I’m ready. I need to know that I could take care of myself, let alone a child, if anything happened to him.”
The very thought made her stomach churn. Taliane nodded, but Joan suspected she didn’t really understand Joan’s logic.
After the couple left, Joan fled upstairs to their room. She wasn’t surprised when Varga followed a short time later.
“You looked worried earlier when you spoke with Taliane. Is something wrong?”
“Not exactly.” She paced over to the window, not looking at him. “She told me that she and Issar are planning on having a baby. I didn’t realize that different species could have children together.”
“It’s quite common. I’m sure Issar is thrilled.”
“You didn’t say anything,” she burst out, whirling to face him. “And you never asked me.”
“I have a birth control implant,” he said quietly. “It’s a standard practice for all fighters. I would never try and get you pregnant without discussing it with you.”
She hadn’t even considered that possibility. “You mean males get implants?”
“Of course. Do human males not practice birth control?”
“Not often.” She smiled ruefully as she joined him on the bed. “Taliane told me we were given shots to prevent pregnancy as well, and I wasn’t sure if you knew. I should have realized that you would look out for me.”
“Always, little bird.” He hesitated. “Do you want children?”
“I don’t know. I never wanted to have children with Kevin.” He growled as he always did when she referred to her ex. “But it wasn’t because I didn’t want to have children. Unfortunately, it was the right time in my life but the wrong male.”
“And now…”
“You are definitely the right male, but… it doesn’t feel like the right time. This is all still so new, and I haven’t really found my place yet.”
His face hardened, and he pulled her onto his lap. “Your place is with me.”
“I know.” She reached up and brushed a kiss across his mouth. “And there’s nowhere else I would rather be—but I want to feel like I have a place of my own as well. Does that make sense?”
“Unfortunately.”
He sighed and gathered her close. After a minute, she looked up at him. “What about you? Do you want children?”
She felt his cock jerk beneath her and bit her lip.
“That seems like a yes.”
“The idea of seeing you grow ripe with my child thrills me. But as you said, while I know you are the right female, I am not sure this is the right time.”
She put a hand on his face. “I love you, Varga, and you are the right male. But I think we should wait.”
“I love you too, Joan, and I agree.” A speculative look crossed his face, and his eyes gleamed. “Of course, that doesn’t mean we can’t practice.”
She gave him an innocent stare. “Oh? What did you have in mind?”
“I’ll show you.” He had her dress off before she could take a breath.
“You certainly don’t need any practice in making my clothes disappear,” she teased, but the