Chapter 14

MARGARET

We arrived back at the ship without further incident. A couple of times I was sure that Mohlad was going to fall off his mount, but I'd shout and he would straighten up again. When we arrived several people were outside. I didn't bother going to the back of the ship where the pen was, I went right up to the airlock, shouting for help the entire way.

There was a flurry of activity. He was rushed into the medical bay and I followed in his wake, dragging the new girl along with me. All I've learned of her so far is that her name is Helena. She hasn't been overly forthcoming and I didn't have the attention span to give her for more than that.

All of that is over now. Mohlad has been stitched up and is resting. Helena has more or less stuck to my side throughout all of this. Silent, haggard, but at the same time a constant which is nice. They gave Mohlad something that has made him pretty loopy. He has a goofy grin on his face and he's waving his hand in front of his face watching it intently.

"Are you okay?" I ask, holding onto his other hand.

"Good, am," he says, drawing out the words and continuing to stare at his waving hand. "You. Beautiful. Treasure."

I squeeze his hand in response to that. He's going to be okay. I'm sure of that now and the relief that comes with that certainty is undeniable.

"Why did he call you that?" Helena asks, suddenly at my shoulder.

"It's a term of, well, endearment," I say, looking over at her.

She stares at the two of us holding hands then looks up at him and back to me.

"You…" she trails off, pursing her thin lips.

She doesn't have to finish the thought because I know what she's thinking.

"We are," I say. She frowns, blinks rapidly and her breathing speeds up too. I let go of Mohlad's hand and grab onto hers. "Helena. It's okay. You're safe here."

She shakes her head back and forth causing her lank hair to swing around her face.

"No, no, no, no, no," she says, looking like she's about to enter a catatonic state.

"Helena," I say, sharply. The way I would if one of my kids was edging into a tantrum. She stops and her eyes lock onto me. "It's okay."

"Okay?" she asks, her voice trembling.

"Yes, okay," I squeeze her hands reassuringly.

The door to the room opens behind us and she lets out a low meep sound then retreats to the corner. I turn to see who it is. Nyanna, Shana, Nyanna's mate, and the Zmaj named Angota walk into the room.

"Hi everyone," I say, greeting them. "Sorry, we didn't get the part."

Nyanna comes right to me and pulls me into a tight hug. I wrap my arms around her gratefully.

"I'm glad you're okay," she whispers in my ear.

"Me too," I say.

The Zmaj have moved over to Mohlad's side and are questioning him in a rapid fire manner. He laughs and babbles, but whatever he's saying makes the two Zmaj look even grimmer. They talk with each other and Nyanna walks over to them.

I go to Helena. Putting a protective arm around her shoulders I bring her to the bedside. She's reluctant, casting her eyes down, and shuffling her feet.

"What is it?" I ask.

Angota looks at Nyanna and then at me.

"Trouble," he says.

"Trouble, double, rubble, bubble," Mohlad says then trails off laughing. Angota and the other Zmaj look at him quizzically. He grins and his eyes drift closed then snap open. "Stubble!"

His exclamation is loud and incongruous until I realize he's using Common to rhyme. Wow my boy is really high.

"Not now," Nyanna says sharply. "We'll brief the Council first."

I know enough to know when I'm pushing past my pay grade. I also know that whatever it was Mohlad fought inside the ship was strong enough to hurt him. He may have beaten it, but not without being hurt badly too.

"Pirates," Helena whispers.

"Pirates?" Nyanna asks.

Helena nods her head and tries to pull back and away but I'm holding onto her.

"Attacked the ship, captured… force…" She breaks into tears so hard that she's sobbing and can't talk anymore.

"Give her time Nyanna," I say. "She's not ready."

Nyanna, bless her heart, nods understanding. The door slides open and Desiree comes through now. She comes over to Helena without hesitation.

"Hello, I'm Desiree, Minister of the Faiths," she says, offering Helena her hand.

Helena stares at her for a long, blank moment, then she bounds from my arms into Desiree. At first I thought she was attacking her but she's only clinging to her and sobbing. Desiree holds onto her and then leads her out of the room to someplace more private. That leaves the rest of us looking at one another. Nyanna nods and the two Zmaj leave.

"We'll figure this out," Nyanna says, heading for the door. "You did great Margaret. Sorry I doubted you."

"Yeah, well don't let it happen again," I say sassily.

Nyanna looks over her shoulder with a wide grin.

"Who knew you really can teach an old dog new tricks?"

"Oh now, get on with yourself."

Nyanna smiles but then hesitates at the door.

"Your family is waiting, should I send them in?"

"Family!!!!" Mohlad screeches, suddenly awake and alert enough to say something at least mostly coherent. He sits up in bed and slams his big fists down on either side of himself. "Family. Send please. Good look I?"

He runs his hands through his hair, then grimaces as he pulls on the stitches, a low grunt of pain coming out.

"Stop, you oaf," I say, pushing his arms down.

I push his hair around, giving it the right look of slightly mussed but controlled. He smiles and grabs me around my neck, pulling me into a kiss. It's sloppy and messy, but full of love.

I pull back and wipe the smears off his face. I can't do anything about his goofy, drugged grin, but it doesn't matter because he looks great.

"Family?" he asks and seems to be mostly sober.

"Send them please, Nyanna."

A moment later the grandkids burst through the door. They don't stop, running right up to the bed and trying to climb up on it.

"Hold!" I command and they stop midway up. "He's been hurt. Gentle. Very, very gentle."

They nod solemnly then resume climbing with less frenetic energy. My older kids come into the room, led by Ands. Ands stands inside the door staring, arms crossed over her chest, but her eyes are full of tears.

"Mom," she says, clearly trying to hold onto her anger.

"Ands," I say, keeping my voice calm and even.

She bursts into tears then she runs across the room and hugs me.