Chapter 22

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

KObrIK

M y chest hurts. As does my stomach and my leg. But krike, my horns feel drekking good.

That is rather odd. Especially since my eyes won't open.

I must be dreaming.

"It's been three days," a male voice I don't recognize says. "Go to the quarters that have been set up for you."

"Which part of I'm not leaving him don't you understand?" a lovely feminine voice replies with defiance.

That voice… I can't place it, but there's safety in it. It doesn't sound like my mother or my aunt. Younger, like my cousin Reeza. And soothing. Very soothing, like floating in a cool lake after a long battle.

Battle. I fought someone.

"You are not helping his recovery by stroking his horns."

Shut the drekk up. Her hands feel amazing on my horns. They're keeping me from thinking about the pain everywhere else.

"And stop checking the steri-patch," the male orders.

"I'm a nurse. I know what I'm doing."

"You're human."

"So?" Her tone holds a challenge which makes me want to laugh, but I fear any movement will bring on more pain.

An image of dark hair, not the black hair of a zyanthan female, appears in my head.

Oh, gods, she's stroking the pleasure center of my left horn. No one's ever touched me like this. Whoever this female is, she's exceedingly skilled.

"I can have a guard remove you."

Let her stay, you drekker.

"I have every right to be here. I'm his heartmate."

"I did not realize," the male says, his tone full of apology.

Heartmate?

The image of the female in my mind takes on additional features. Sparkling green eyes, a shapely body, and a smile no male could turn away from. Kenzie.

Relief and gratitude fill me. My sholani is safe!

Or am I still dreaming?

With great difficulty, I force my eyes open to a dimly lit room. There, leaning against my hip, is the silky mass of hair and beautiful face. My arm feels like I'm lifting boulders as I slide my hand to her. This need to touch her, to know she's well, won't relent. I understand why. She's my heart and I long to be with her.

Her eyes open and her lips curl into a smile. "You're awake," she whispers. Tears fill her eyes.

"Don't cry," I say, my voice scratchy and raw.

"I'm so happy you're awake." She kisses the palm of my hand.

"I dreamt someone stroked my horns."

"Not a dream. An incentive for you to wake."

"Incentive?"

"A promise I made to you while you were unconscious. I said if you pulled through, I'd give you anything you want."

"Anything." The word is full of possibilities, but I know what I want. "I want you, my little human. Will you be mine?"

Her lips brush mine. "I'm already yours, my warrior. You're my heartmate, and I'll go to the ends of the universe to be with you. I nearly lost you because I was a fool. I wanted to have everything. You, my job, my world. Faced with losing you—" She shakes her head. "Nothing else matters but you. I can adapt to a new world, find a new job, but there is only one you, and you're mine, Kobrik. Do you understand that?"

"You would give up your work as a nurse here and come to Zyan with me?" I ask as my lids start to get heavy again.

"In a heartbeat."

"Are you sure, sholani? I wish you to be happy, to have all that you want."

"You're all I want. And need."

When my eyes close, she strokes my horn. "I will make any sacrifice to be with you, Kobrik. But you have to pull through, okay? Promise me."

My lips curve into a grin. "Zyanthan warriors do not give up, sholani. Especially when they have a heartmate to live for."

Her head rests against mine. "Then, live for me."