“Were things different elsewhere? What’s going on?” I lean in, concerned. “Tell us.”
She shakes her head. “I misunderstood, that’s all. I thought...”
“Danica, it is not in any being’s best interest to hurt you.” Dr. Daneth’s voice is taut. He’s still learning how to interact with humans. His mate helps, but sometimes he’s awkward. “We’ll take care of you and the Zandian young.”
She nods. “Can we go now?” She looks from Benn to me, a pleading expression on her face. This time when she sits up, she swings her legs over the side of the examination table.
I look at the doctor, who nods. “Eat additional food when hungry. Humans need extra energy when carrying young. More rest, too. See me again in three weeks.”
Danica is already grappling with her clothing and seems not to have heard him. I touch her face, and she flinches, then blinks.
“Did you catch that?” I stroke her hair. “About the food?”
She nods. “Yes, Master.”
She steps to the door, then turns back. “Thank you.” She clears her throat and darts forward. Benn follows, but as I turn on my heel, the doctor touches my shoulder.
“A moment.” He looks toward Danica and Benn, who are already many paces ahead, then back at me. “In private?”
“What is it?” I want to be with my mate, and I’m irritated at this delay.
The doctor lowers his voice. “The brain scan on this fetus is unusual.”
“And?” Icy dread trickles down my back. “Does that mean something is wrong with the young?” I step forward, adrenaline spiking, peering at the muddled picture frozen on the screen. The details mean nothing to me, other than the important one: It’s my young. My future.
“I don’t know.” His voice is stiff. “Human-Zandian young are still rare, and we don’t know everything. This may be fine. I’d like to keep a closer eye on her progress, though.” He pulls up the brain scan holos. A frown spreads across his face.
“Bayla?” I can hear the pleading tone to my voice as I turn to the midwife.
She doesn’t meet my eyes. “Every gestation is different. Just make sure she’s eating and resting appropriately.”
I nod. “Can I do anything else?” I hate feeling helpless.
“Don’t worry her,” Bayla says, after a short pause.
“So this is a secret?” I raise my voice, stomach churning.
Dr. Daneth puts his hand out. “Additional anxiety in humans is not healthy for the young. There is no need to worry her. But”—he tilts his head and looks at me, as if trying to say something I won’t quite understand—“I’d like to do a little more analysis on these brain scans and see if I can answer some questions I have.”
I breathe out. “What do mean, questions?” I clench my fists. His attitude is making me both scared and angry.
He shakes his head. “I’ll let you know as soon as I complete my review.” He raises his hand and strides from the room.
“It will probably be fine.” Bayla turns to clean the sono module, her movements quick and concise. She gives me a small smile, but it doesn’t meet her eyes. “We’ll see you soon.”
When I rejoin Benn and Danica at our hovercraft, her face has regained color and she’s laughing. He smiles down at her, and for a moment I’m focused just on the three of us, our family, forgetting the doctor’s words.
“What did he want?” Benn glances over as he helps Danica up the steps into the craft, touching her ass as he does.
“Just reminded me about food.” I swallow hard.
Benn tilts his head and gives me a quizzical look. He knows me too well. Zandians believe it’s dishonorable to lie, but I haven’t lied. I just didn’t tell the whole truth. I shake my head—not now.
“All right.” His voice is easy, but he frowns before he turns back to Danica with a grin. “Come on, then, human. Let’s get you home. I think we need to do some practice on building the next young.”
Danica
The lovemaking, as usual, is phenomenal. During it, I forget everything but the pleasure, moments of perfect bliss that almost make up for the worries consuming me.