My stomach rumbles, reminding me it’s been a bit since I last ate. And even longer since I last showered. As much as it tugs at my heart to leave her side, she would have my hide if she knew I was standing over her like this. Stars forbid anyone should watch over her, I think with a chuckle as I turn and make my way to the galley. Well, she’s just going to have to get used to it.
CHAPTER 28
IGID
* * *
Asoft hiss has my eyes fluttering open. A moment later, the smell of soap and sunbaked earth hits my nose, and I try—and fail—to stop the twitch making my lips curl up at the corners.
“Wake up,Sleeping Beauty,”Brox says as he ducks under the medbot’s door.
“Isn’t that the story about the female with the sleeping disease?” I try to recall thefairy-taleAnna likes to tell the kits at the compound.
Brox laughs as he gently gathers me into his arms. “It was an enchanted spell.”
“Same difference,” I mutter when he carefully lifts me from the medbot. With me still cradled in his arms, he turns to leave the room, and I pat at his shoulder. “Put me down, I can walk.”
He looks down at me with a longing that makes my stomach clench. “What if I want to hold you.”
“It’s not necessary.”
“Fuck necessary. I like having my mate in my arms.”
Vittu, what did the medbot reveal? What if there is a kit? Would the scan be able to detect it so soon? Would it reveal if… if the beating I took… damaged it?
The anguished look on his face has my stomach clenching with dread. It’s bad enough that I left Brox on that station, but then I endangered a life that barely had a chance to start growing.
“I’m so sorry,” I rasp, squeezing the words through my constricted throat. Saying it out loud somehow makes me feel even worse. His thick brows drop low over his strange-colored eyes. The lighter blue suddenly darkens until it’s nearly the same color as the dark band that rings his iris.
“Why are you sorry?” Brox asks.
“I—I should have been more careful. And for everything.” Admitting this is like a knife through my heart. Will he hate me? I shouldn’t be surprised if he does.
“You knew?” My stomach drops. Damnit, he does know. He shakes his head. “Wait, what are you sorry for?”
“Heat cycles usually span for rotations. There was only one reason for mine to end after only one,” I admit. “I shouldn’t have kept pushing Kurrahstka—” My voice breaks, and I press my face into Brox’s chest, unable to look at him. Knowing it’s my fault.
“It’s all right, Igid.” He sets me on my feet and wraps his arms around me to gently rub my back. “Everything is fine.”
“But it’s not! It can’t be.” Because Iwantedthis kit with Brox.
I feel his fingers under my chin, and when he tilts my head back, he looks down at me with a curious expression.
“Igid,” he shakes his head and turns me to face the medbot, “our kit is just fine.”
My eyes peel wide, and suddenly it feels like hot water is being pushed through my veins.
Our kit.Is. Just fine.
“Look.” Brox points to the display that shows two heartbeats. Then he scrolls through the data to where it says,Early gestation: fetal growth on track for Niveron/Vereopian/human hybrid.
I read it over and over, and then I read it again. It’s fine. Our kit is fine. I didn’t hurt it.
All the air leaves my lungs in a whoosh, and a tremble starts up in my hands that quickly spreads through my entire body.
“And you're not mad?” I ask Brox.
“Mad? I’m overjoyed!” He laughs, picking me back up. Then he pauses, looking down at me with concern.. “What about you?”
