His Human Vessel (Zandian Masters 5)

“Yes, Master?” Her voice was sweeter and more musical than he’d remembered.

My darling. Please come here so I can hold you. If only. “You and Lily may continue with the cleaning and dressing of the wounds. Prior to bandaging, please use this solution to cleanse and this one to prevent infection. I also have a topical pain-relief spray that should be effective on the burns. You’ll need to take more care with Cambry’s wounds, as humans do not heal at the same rate as Zandians.”

His sweet human moved in swiftly, following his instructions with attention and care.

He wanted to stop her. To sweep her into his arms and apologize. To tell her what she meant to him. But the timing was all wrong. The patients required attention first.

Soon, though. Soon, he would attempt to win back the heart of the only being who’d ever seen beyond his walls.

“Let me hold her,” Lundric demanded, trying to reach past Bayla to pick up his mate.

“Don’t move her,” Daneth snapped. “Cambry needs rest and quiet. You have given her neither. If you wish to be a comfort to your mate, sit beside her and hold her hand. Speak to her softly and ask her to wake up. All else is a detriment.”

The huge warrior appeared appropriately cowed. He wedged himself into a squat beside Cambry’s head and stroked her hair, murmuring softly as Bayla cleaned her wounds.

“Lundric, when you’re ready to have your wounds tended, please let me know,” Lily said. “In the meantime, I’ll get the Zandian crystal to help you recharge.”

Lundric nodded absently, never taking his eyes from the young red-haired beauty at his side.

Cambry’s eyelids fluttered and opened. “Where’s Lundric?” Her slurred words still managed to sound urgent.

“I’m right beside you, baby.”

“Did we make it out?”

“Yes. Tal rescued us. We’re on the training pod.”

She attempted to lift her head and groaned.

“Here.” Daneth handed the pillow from the other cot to Lundric to prop Cambry’s head. In the place where the pillow had been, lay a rudimentary pregnancy test. He’d seen them before but had always preferred blood tests. He picked it up. It read positive for a male young.

“To whom does this belong?”

Bayla swung her sapphire blue eyes on him, dark lashes blinking as the color drained from her face. Her full lips parted, but no sound came out.

Something in her expression made his heart pound. “Bayla?”

Her knees buckled, and she dropped into a faint.

~.~

The world tilted and rushed by her. Her queasiness returned tenfold. She seemed to be moving swiftly down a corridor. Only she wasn’t walking. She blinked as the universe came back into focus. Daneth held her cradled in his arms as he carried her somewhere.

“Master?”

“Hush, darling. I have you. Are you pregnant?”

She whimpered. She hadn’t wanted to tell him. Didn’t want him to feel obligated to take her back, when the sight of her still made him angry.

“Shh. You don’t have to say anything. I can smell it on you. Your master’s going to take care of you.” He cursed and turned around. “Are there no empty chambers on this pod?” he grumbled.

His closeness and scent comforted her. She nuzzled her face into his neck.

He found the Zandian bunkroom and brought her inside, where he sat on a cot and rocked her back and forth like a baby.

A fresh wave of nausea kicked in. “A little less motion, please,” she pleaded.

Daneth stopped abruptly. “I’m sorry. Are you going to be sick?”