Loved by a Beast - Miranda Bridges Page 0,15
to be someone from Jaxar’s tribe, since the Dravians are familiar with them and not the rest of us. We need them to take our call for aid seriously, and that can only be done with someone they trust.”
Jaxar and Draal share a look before Draal speaks up. “I will go. I have been to the ship on several occasions.”
“I will send Velrin with you,” Rozak says. “My brother is my most skilled warrior.”
Belvaire nods. “And Sunok will go as well.”
“Then it is settled,” Jaxar says, eyeing each of the males individually. “They will leave as soon as they have gathered their provisions. This is something that cannot wait. Having our allies with us will result in less lives lost.”
The plan they are putting into place seems like the best option—the only option, really. Even with the three tribes united, we are outnumbered because the western tribe hired mercenaries, which increased their numbers dramatically. Without the Dravians’ help, I don’t see how we can win this war. And there is something else the elf aliens can assist us with that is a different type of battle altogether.
But lives can be lost there as well.
I clear my throat, and once again all eyes are on me. “Are you requesting that the healer known as Braxton comes as well?”
Jaxar shifts to face me, his brow raised in question. “I had not thought to ask specifically for him. Why?”
“Well, for starters, he can assist with aiding the warriors who are wounded,” I explain. “The Dravians’ medical knowledge and technology supersedes our own, no offense to our healers. Besides, it would be beneficial to have another physician on hand, since casualties are unavoidable.”
“Very well, Massela,” my husband says.
He looks away from me and nods once at Draal. The second-in-command dips his head, and I breathe a little easier knowing Braxton will be here and hopefully soon. I do care about the Boraq tribe members, even the ones that don’t belong to mine, but I want Braxton here to deliver my baby along with anyone else’s while he’s here. I also intend to ask him to educate our healers on labor and delivery concerning human women. So when I said he’d save lives, I wasn’t just referring to the males’. Braxton would be saving us and our children as well.
I rub my belly and mentally tell my baby to stay put for however long it takes for him to arrive.
“How are the sparring exercises going?” Jaxar asks.
Belvaire folds his arms. “Better than expected. I’ve been training them relentlessly but not enough to render the warriors useless if we were to be attacked.”
The conversation continues, but it fades for me. Now that I’ve thought about Braxton being here, I can’t stop. After Vivian’s near-death experience, his presence on Sulrim is more vital than ever before. Was Jaxar going to ask for a Dravian physician to come? Or did he not even consider it?
My lips pull into a frown at the idea that my husband isn’t worried about my upcoming delivery. He saw what happened to Vivian, and there was no mention of getting help for any future births. I understand that he has a lot to deal with, but saving my life should be near the top of his to-do list, for fuck’s sake.
I take a deep breath and school my features, not wanting to appear sullen in front of the other Masses and their warriors. I’m the only queen here at this meeting, so it begs the question, Where are Jeanine and Charlotte? Usually all of us are present during these gatherings. Well, maybe not all the time because Jeanine has said they make her uncomfortable. And Charlotte likes to spend quality time with her sister instead of attending. But when they are important like this one, the Masselas are here.
Were they not invited like me? Even if they weren’t, I don’t see them bursting through the door like I did earlier. I steal a glance at Jaxar, gauging his facial expression. The ever-present seriousness is etched on his face, but I don’t detect any annoyance or exasperation. However, I am feeling both those things.
When the meeting is finally concluded, I sigh in relief. My back is killing me, and I’m beyond hungry, which puts me in a much more sour mood than I should be. It grows worse as soon as I realize I’m going to have to wait a long time to get a moment alone with my husband. I guess my conversation