“It’s fine.I like working with Keska.We travel the world, and I see it all from behind her.It’s a very safe place to be.”She touched her necklace and sighed.
“And safe has been in short supply.”
“Yeah, that’s a word for it.”She smiled sadly.“But there is new life being born.Moving forward isn’t done without struggle, and the couples who have managed to craft the next generation are proving they didn’t fight for nothing.So many died.Nearly half the active population just disappeared in the five years before the walls came down.”
Vallu paused.“I didn’t know that.”
“They didn’t advertise it.Oh, I also have a learning and comprehension activation.So does my brother.”
“Wow.So, you have pursued higher education?”
“I have challenged a few tests and been successful.”
Vallu grinned.“Thought so.”
She glanced down at the baby, then up, and then her gaze snapped down.“The riding lesson is over.They are headed over here.All of them.”
Vallu put a hand on her arm.“It’s fine.”
“You might want to take the baby.”
Vallu murmured, “Are you preparing to fight?”
“Not until you have the baby.”
“In that case, you are hanging on to him.They wouldn’t dare touch a hair on his head.”
Hemma looked over and said, “Lady Daycross.Please take your son.”
Vallu looked at her and quietly said, “No.”
They got to their feet as the crowd of men approached.Vallu smiled, walked to Etgar, and wrapped her arms around his waist.Their kiss was sweet if a little difficult to analyze from Hemma’s angle.Kissing a muzzle was difficult, but Vallu obviously had a lot of practice.
The child started fussing, and one of the Sethir knelt next to her.“Pressed into babysitting?”
Hemma nodded.“Something like that.”
He chuckled.“You look familiar.Have we met?”
“I don’t think so.I live in Aksalla.I don’t get out much.”
She knew what was coming before he flared his nostrils and recognition shot through him.Hemma looked at him and met his gaze.He looked her over.“Hemma.I keep replaying our last encounter.”
“So do I.My cooperation bought my brother’s survival.”
He froze.“What?”
“It wasn’t a hobby.I was ordered to do it to save my sibling from torture.He’s graduating this year.”
The expression on his face got complicated, and he frowned.“Stay there.”
“Right.Like I have an option.Have you ever tried to standby with a baby?”
He frowned and gestured to one of the other guys, and they wandered over to watch her so she didn’t go anywhere.
The Hyreno looked down at her.“They are upset.”
“I know.Uradda has been engaging in that practice for decades.That is why we have so many omegas in the population.”
