“Faith, close your mouth before you catch flies.”
“Flies no longer exist,” Faith reminded him.
“Smart aleck.”
“Bossy.”
“Brat.”
“Jerk face.”
There was no heat in their insults. It was something they did when they were younger, and it made them both smile in remembrance.
Warrior Lake moved to stand in front of Faith protectively.
“You will refrain from speaking to the female Faith so disrespectfully.”
“It’s okay, Lake. He’s my big brother. I’m not sure how siblings act on your planet, but here we sometimes show affection by teasing one another.”
“Are you not insulted?” Lake asked with confusion.
“Not at all but thank you for your readiness to defend me. It was very honorable.”
Lake puffed up his chest. “I will always defend you.”
Felix rolled his eyes. She ignored her brother’s antics.
“Thank you. Where’s Logan?”
“The captain is meeting with Commander Estro to debrief about the events that transpired. He asked me to remain with you and keep him apprised when you woke.”
“I appreciate that. Let him know I’m fine and I… want to see him as soon as he is free.”
Lake smiled quickly, then straightened to his full height. “Let me know if there is anything else I can assist you with.” He glared at Felix before walking away.
“Wow. You have your own personal bodyguard. A hot one too,” the blond nurse said. It elicited a growl of displeasure from Medic Haggard, who hovered nearby. He cleared his throat to speak.
“All Drastan males must train as warriors. I am just as lethal.”
The blond patted his chest. “You may be big and strong like any other Drastan warrior, but I think you’re a big softy on the inside.” She walked off and Haggard’s eyes stayed on her until she was out of his sight.
He turned to her and Felix with a father’s disapproval. “Neither of you is ready to leave your beds. I worked hard to heal you and refuse to let your human stubbornness undo all I have achieved.”
Faith didn’t hesitate to throw her brother under the bus. “Hey, I stayed in my bed. This one over there is the culprit.”
“Brat,” Felix whispered. But he had a smile on his face. “We’ll be good, Doc.”
Haggard scanned Faith first. “Your scans show signs you are in pain.”
Felix nearly jerked up out of his bed. “You’re in pain? Why the hell didn’t you say something?”
Faith was trying to hide the uncomfortable aches, hoping they would go away, but it was pointless. “My head hurts a little, and I feel nauseated.”
It did not surprise Haggard to hear it. He reached for a medic kit and pulled out a pressurized med dispenser. He calibrated something, then quickly administered it to her neck. Almost immediately, the headache and nausea went away. She sighed with relief.
“Thank you, Haggard.”
“My pleasure, Faith.”
