They weren’t bonded or joined. And though it pained her to admit, she knew Bane didn’t love her. “How is that possible? What do you mean attempted?”
Bane stroked a hand through her hair and she jerked away, wanting to hold onto her distance. His mouth turned down at the corners. “If we were properly bonded and you accepted my silk, I would have heard you.”
Mischka shook her head in denial. Her heart pounded a fierce beat and a trickle of sweat beaded her brow. What was he trying to say?
Bane leaned forward more serious than she’d ever seen him. He planted one hand on the bed beside her head. A blunt finger caressed the arch of her cheekbone with tender strokes. “I’m sorry you felt alone in that moment. I’m sorry I couldn’t hear it to respond and let you know you weren’t by yourself. I was with you, Mischka, in every other way possible.”
A trembling ache started in the upper region of her chest and it had nothing to do with her injuries and everything to do with her feelings for the tall, beautiful man standing next to her. His words touched something deep inside of her and brought back those frightful moments at the space port when she thought she’d die. At the time, all she could think of was being in Bane’s arms again. “I still don’t understand what you’re saying happened.”
“You want the truth?”
Though fearful, Mischka nodded and held her breath. Bane threaded his fingers through her hair and nuzzled her face, lips trailing across her jaw to whisper in her ear, “I think you love me.”
Mischka froze, thoughts of what Lothar could do with that knowledge rose to the surface on a spear of terror and she struggled to break free. Bane’s hands tightened in her hair, holding her still as he continued.
“What you did—the death chant, should have been impossible. Yet despite all the lies and every obstacle between us, you survived and you did it by reaching for me.” He smacked his palm on his chest for emphasis then straightened and stepped back. “I’m not willing to walk away from that.”
“You should.” He should run far and fast.
Bane paused and arched a brow. Since he obviously refused to listen, she rolled her head away from him.
Keeping her gaze on the ceiling, Mischka wondered what would happen if she just gave in. Let matters play out the way they were meant to be. It would mean an even bigger stand against Lothar.
“I care for you, Mischka. I believe with truth between us, I can love you as well.”
At her silence, his steps moved toward the door to leave. It opened and closed with an ominous click.
Was she willing to put everything on the line and trust another to stand with her?
Chapter 29
Bane walked into the open rec room area to loud laughter and conversation. Children squealed and ran around the chairs and tables as if pursued. He spotted an empty spot on a lounger and headed that way.
Arak and Sylvie were snuggled together on another lounger, watching their son Raze snarl and pretend to bite Shiloh, who was suffering from a fit of the giggles as she ducked away. Viktor blocked her escape and she screamed, running straight toward her papan. Torkel leaned down without breaking his conversation with Khane and scooped his daughter in his arms, safe and away.
She stuck her tongue out when Raze and Viktor pouted then they ran off to play with Aya and Boid, Rydak and Lissi’s children.
“How is she?”
Bane turned as the cushions depressed beside him. The dark-haired woman taking a seat next to him was smiling as she folded a knee beneath her, signaling she wasn’t moving anytime soon. “Greetings, Eva. She’s better. Dr. Maku continues to oversee her care and says she can leave the medic center now.”
Once awakened, it hadn’t taken long for Mischka to regain her strength. This last week visiting her had given him a new insight into her personality. On CV-8 he had often thought her stern and distant. She wasn’t. It seemed the moments he’d glimpsed of her gentler side were more in line with who Mischka really was.
Though currently she wasn’t thrilled about not being sent away to face justice for her past. Her mood during his visits swung erratically from hour to hour. Grumpy at his refusal to abandon her and secret pleasure in her eyes each time he walked through the door to her room
“That’s good news!” Eva leaned forward and placed a hand on Bane’s thigh. “You’ve been so worried for her.”
Of course she’d notice his distraction and multiple trips to the medic center. Eva was a romantic at heart. Way more than the other Chosens of his teammates. He thought about asking her for gift ideas to present to Mischka to prove his sincerity when Boid came barreling toward them. He was running so fast he was on a direct collision course to crash into the vulnerable, small bump filling Eva’s shirt. Bane lurched forward in his seat to catch him when the young boy was swooped up.
“Slowly, Boid.” Vee gave him a stern look and waited until he received a sheepish grin before he lowered him to the floor. He was sturdy for his age, already showing a strong physique and the hit to Eva could have been disastrous.
“Sorry, Seppi V’hor. I wasn’t looking.”
They watched as Boid took off and dove onto Joni’s lap since she was sitting on the floor between Kyele’s legs. She fell back with a gasping laugh, but Kyele steadied her with a hand on her shoulder. Rydak glanced their way, concern in his silver gaze as it landed on Eva. She waved him off as V’hor sat down and made it a point to move her hand from Bane’s thigh to place it on his own.
Holding in a grunt of humor at the possessive gesture, Bane pointed at her midsection. “How is the little one?”
She beamed and cupped her stomach with both hands. “It’s a girl! We’re deciding on names and I didn’t realize how hard it would be.”
One glance at Vee’s face had Bane falling back on the lounger laughing until he hurt. Another quick look sent him laughing again. When he got himself down to chuckles, he answered Eva’s questioning look. “Your daughter is going to be surrounded by cushioned walls and know few boundaries, if any, with V’hor as her papan.”
Her gaze lightened with merriment as she recalled his upbringing while Vee gave Bane a baleful glare and pulled his Chosen snugly into his arms. “Ignore him, chupaja.”
Predictably, she melted and her brown eyes went warm at Vee’s words. Envy pierced his hardened shell. Soon, Bane promised himself. Soon he was going to have a female to cradle in his arms with nothing but love in his heart. There would be no confusion, no doubt this go around.
Two newcomers entered the room and Bane excused himself to speak with them. Jaron stiffened at his approach. After learning of Mischka’s temporary order of stay, Jaron had made it a point to avoid Bane whenever possible and Bane was done with it. He needed the distance between them resolved if he was to have Mischka in his life permanently. He also missed his friend.
“Jaron, we should talk.”
“Are you still interested in the Marenian as your Chosen?” Jaron countered while sliding an arm about Sasha’s waist and nuzzling her short black curls.
They hadn’t gotten that far but that wasn’t what Jaron was asking. Bane exhaled. “You know I’ve claimed her and while she’s not ready to accept it, Mischka has claimed me as well.”