“Yes.” She reached for him, and he enveloped her in a hug of warmth and pine. The feel and smell of safety.
“How are you feeling?” he asked, his voice a deep rumble around her.
She stepped back and forced a smile. “That’s my line. Any better?”
“Much.” He leaned back against a marble counter, the lie obvious on his blue-tinted lips. “Any interesting theories or results from today’s blood draw?”
“No.” She’d give anything to find a cure for him. “But we’re working around the clock. Don’t worry, we’ll find a cure.” She patted his thin arm. “You’re too tough to keep down for long.”
His grin flashed a perfect dimple in his right cheek. “I’m too mean, that is.”
She nodded, her lips trembling. “Exactly.”
“Sweetheart, stop worrying so much. Love is the one thing that makes Kayrs men stronger, so it could never be the thing that takes us down. Trust me.” He pushed back to sit on the counter, his feet still touching the floor.
“I do.” She stretched her neck and studied the man who’d made the world safe while also giving her a family. “Do you ever wonder what life would’ve been like if you hadn’t rescued Mom and me from the Kurjans?”
Talen lifted one gray eyebrow. “No.”
Amusement bubbled up, easing the constant pain of worry for a moment. “No? Not at all?”
“No. Some things are meant to be, and some people are meant to be. You and your mother were meant to be mine.”
Janie kept her smile. Her dad was one of a kind and had no intention of ever hiding himself. “I don’t think many women in the world would’ve accepted your, ah, outdated approach.”
Talen smiled. “Your mother is one of a kind. Evolved and brilliant.”
And happy. Talen had made Cara happy for decades now. Janie cleared her throat. “So, you and Zane have reached peace?”
Talen sighed. “Yes.” The strong planes of his face sobered. “It’s difficult seeing your daughter grow up. If I could, I’d have you still be five years old, fascinated with ponies and faeries. Not demons.”
“I know.” She shuffled her feet, her stomach aching. “Does Zane’s lineage bother you?”
“No. He’s a good man, a good fighter. I couldn’t care less about his lineage.” Talen pushed away from the counter to stand.
“What about the pregnancy, Grandpa?”
Talen shook his head. “I’m not old enough to be a grandfather.”
“You’re three and a half centuries old.”
“Exactly.” Talen nodded, his gaze dropping to her abdomen. “We’ll protect and love this little guy with everything we are and everything we have. He’ll have a good life.”
“I know.” Janie moved forward to touch her father’s arm. “Thank you. For rescuing me, and for being my dad.”
Talen straightened. “I’m not going anywhere, Janie. No good-byes here.”
She nodded. “Some things just need to be said sometimes.”
“In that case, thank you for being my daughter. My life meant nothing before you and your mother came home with me.”
Like they’d had much of a choice. Janie stepped into her father’s arms, the one place she’d always been safe. “We’ll fix this, Dad. I promise.”
“I know.” The doorbell rang, and Talen’s head lifted. “You expecting somebody?”
“Yes.” She slid her arm through her father’s as they made their way to the door. “I asked Zane to pick me up here on the way to the lab. He’s due for another round of tests.” She opened the door to find her mate looking as pale and elderly as her father, so she forced a smile. “There’s my guy.”
Zane slipped his hand over hers. “Talen. How you feeling?”
