One moment, she was staring out into space—literally—through the tiny window in the medical bay and the next, she noticed that Lihvan’s eyes were on her.
“Lihvan,” she gasped, scrambling over the side of her cot to his side.“You’re awake!”
“Luxiva,” he rasped, his voice scratchy and guttural.His eyes tracked over her, slowly, no doubt still a little groggy from the drugs Privanax had pumped into him.“You are unharmed?”
Beks gave a soft laugh from sheer relief.It figured that the first thing he would want to know after a deadly infection, after battling a monster three times his size, after bleeding out on Jalun…was aboutherwell-being.
“Lihvan,” she breathed, leaning over him to lean her forehead against his.His skin was warm, but his usual warmth, not the sickly heat from the infection.His fever had broken only hours after Privanax had started working on him and for that, Beks would always be thankful for the doctor.“I’m fine…you’refine.Cruxan found us.Your markers led him right to us and we’re on a ship heading for Luxiria.”
Lihvan’s eyes slid shut and he let out a shuddering breath.“Good.That is good, Beks.”
“Good?” she asked, smiling.That was her alien.“I’d say it’s better than good.You really scared me!”
His eyes flashed open.“I am sorry that I could not protect you better, female.”
Beks shook her head, disbelief coursing through her.“Lihvan, you—you killed that beast when you were delirious and weakened from the infection.You not only protected me, but yousavedme.You saved both of us.”
“I should never have even put you in a situation like that.”
She sighed, running her fingers through his hair.It was tangled, but if he was feeling up to it, she could help him bathe.She’d only been able to wipe him down since Privanax didn’t want to move him until his body healed itself.
“You’re…impossible,” she murmured, but affection burst in her chest.
Her eyes ran over his body.He was mostly nude, except for small brief-like underwear that molded over the area she’d come to know very, very well.The wound on his side, the viscous bite he’d received from the monster was already closed, a scar beginning to form.Considering what it looked like just two days ago, she finally believed Lihvan when he said Luxirians healed quickly.
When she looked at his arm, it was healed as well.Privanax had cut away the rough moss thread that they’d threaded it closed with and instead used a laser to mend the skin.
Lihvan had been right.Infection on Jalun had most likely been inevitable for a injury like that.She was just so thankful that they’d been found in time.
Cruxan took that moment to appear, the door swishing open.
“Brother,” he nodded, walking to the foot of his bed.A term of endearment, Beks had come to realize, even though they weren’t related.“Privanax’s readings indicated your increase in heart rate.I figured you had finally done us all a favor and woken.”
Lihvan’s chest huffed.“I understand I should be worshipping the ground you walk on for finding us.”
Cruxan cracked a smile easily and Beks was surprised to see it.“That would be a fit payment, if only you were the type of male to be brought to his knees.”
“Perhaps I have been,” Lihvan murmured.Beks looked at him in surprise, a flush coloring her cheeks, and Cruxan’s gaze cut to her before returning to her alien.
“I am glad you are well, brother,” Cruxan said, gruffly.It was obvious to Beks that the two Luxirians had a history and knew each other very well.“Vaxa’an sent me immediately when we received your distress call.I just wish I had reached you with more haste.”
“You did reach us.That is all that matters.You have my eternal gratitude.”
“We are passing through the Nerolla territory,” Cruxan said.
“What does that mean?” Beks questioned.
Lihvan answered her, “It means we will reach Luxiria by the morning.”
“So soon?” she asked, furrowing her brows.
“Tev,” Cruxan said, jerking his head.“Vaxa’an has had your dwelling prepared in the Golden City.You may rest there and return toKrorataxafter…” he trailed off, waving his hand in the air.
Lihvan’s gaze slid to her and Beks’ chest ached at his expression.
“Thank you, brother,” Lihvan said quietly.
Privanax entered just then, breaking the sudden tension that had fallen in the medical bay.With surgeon-like efficiency, Privanax gave him a full exam, scanning his body from head-to-toe with his instruments to ensure that no infection remained and that his wounds had healed properly.
