“Fine,” she said.
He shook his head. “No. Are you all right, from before?”
She blinked and realized what he meant. From the attacks in her past. He was concerned about what had happened to her. The words were so sincere, so, well, emotional, it shocked her. She almost stepped away from him.
At least, until the sincerity in his words touched her heart.
She blinked back tears because she couldn’t remember the last time someone asked her that. She looked away for a moment, regaining her emotional equilibrium.
Wrathin waited patiently.
The second time that happened on this mission, she thought.
The first time was because of Caoimhe’s gift. Her hand went to her wrist, where the delicate bracelet was half-tucked under her sleeve. Small and so valuable.
She glanced back at Wrathin.
Words. Small. And so valuable.
She inhaled a deep breath. Counted for a few beats. Her emotions flew all over the place. How very unusual for her. She had to get this back under control.
Breathe.
Just breathe.
The emotions slowly stabilized, so she smiled at Wrathin. Forcing the tumultuous feelings back to blank. Unable to be hurt.
She flicked some of her braids back. “I’m fine. The assaulters? Not so much.”
He raised his eyebrow.
“They trained me to be a killer. Probably not the best idea to assault me.”
He put his arm around her. A hug of sorts. “Good. I would have found them myself and eliminated them.”
She grinned again. “You’re cute when you’re defensive of me.”
“Am I not, otherwise?”
“No, you’re horribly ugly.” She stepped closer to him. Wrapped her arm around him. “You’d better stick close to me; I’ll protect you from the haters.”
“I am quite sure I can defend myself.”
She tipped her head to the side. “You’re kind.” Her words were serious, the playful tone gone.
“Would you prefer that I was not?”
“Might make this war make more sense.”
“I agree. You are not at all what I expected Terrans to be like.” He kept his arm around her, and she loved how it felt, nestled there.
Veta had never had the luxury of being protected.
Yet it seemed, Wrathin was determined to do just that.
“How did you expect us to be?”
“Angry.”
