“And what about Agent Timber?” Ann asked. “She’s pregnant, and I doubt we could keep her away from this fight.”
I shrugged. “Then deliver her to the farm as well. Prince N’kal’s child should also be safe.”
X’nit shook his head. “N’kal is no longer a prince. His claim to the seat of power has been revoked, at his request. His childis no more important than any other. Why should we punish his mate by preventing her from aiding us?”
“It is not my point that he is—was—a prince. It is my point that we should not be risking unborn lives.”
“It should still be their choice,” H’rran huffed as she adjusted navigational settings.
“And I choose to stay behind.”
We all turned at the sound of Timber’s voice. She stood in the doorway with N’kal and Marcus. The newly widowed man’s eyes were red-rimmed and empty of all light, as though hisgyrphad been sucked out of him when he lost John. Timber and Marcus exchanged a somber glance, and Marcus nodded.
“We’re staying behind. Marcus, N’kal, and I,” Timber continued. “We can protect Leigh on the farm while you guys go to the intake center to deal with AXL.”
A frown crossed Ann’s face. “All three of you? That leaves us in a bit of a bind.”
“I’d like to keep X’nit on the farm as well. He and N’kal are too badly injured for this kind of venture. I won’t stop him if he wants to join you guys, though. While I’m not coming along, I understand the urge to stand by yourtyr’il.”
“Which is why Leigh should have a say in this matter,” H’rran grumbled.
“No.”
The protest came from a surprising corner: Ann.
She stood with her eyes closed, weariness showing in the slack of her shoulders, in the depth of the lines on her face. Ann looked defeated, as though she’d lost a physical battle. When she opened her eyes again, though, a steely resolve rested in her grey irises.
“I’ve put my brother through enough. He’s already lost his wife, and I took his daughter—his only child—from him. It’s only right for me to return her to him. To bring her home.”
“He lost histyr’il?”
Ann turned to H’rran. “Yes. She died from cancer several years ago. I don’t think my brother ever really got over that loss, and I know he wouldn’t recover from losing Leigh, really losing her.”
The cockpit fell silent once more as Ann’s words sunk in. I took the opportunity to try one last time to sway H’rran.
“My friend, you are a parent, yes?”
She nodded. “Of course. You know this.”
“Then you know the heart hurt that Leigh’s father feels, what pain he would feel if she died on this mission. You know the fear I have for my future child. I would rather give my own life than risk Leigh’s. Please understand that we are not planning this to punish Leigh. We are trying to protect her. To spare her father further grief.”
I held my breath, waiting for her response. Finally …
“You say she sleeps?”
“Yes. She is resting now.”
H’rran sighed. “Then let us deliver her home before she wakes.”
Chapter 22
Leigh
I slept so well after the lovemaking with T’raat that I woke up confused and disoriented. My sex-addled brain seemed convinced that I was back home on the farm again, in my own bed.
It also seemed convinced that Timber was sitting at my bedside, reading a book, wearing what looked like borrowed clothing. Everything was too big for her petite form, and I could have sworn I recognized the hoodie she had on as one of my own.
I sat up and rubbed my head, as if that would clear things. Surely if I could just wake up fully I’d be back on the Xalanite ship, headed for my new home on Xalan with T’raat.
