“I have to get her to medbay,” he barked. “Resume your routines. This changes nothing. I will begin maneuvers in half an hour.”
He meant it. He meant every word. Even though she was lovely, soft, and sweet in his arms, he would continue the day. He had to.
When he looked down on her face, he felt like he was falling into an abyss. It felt terrifying, as if he were being stripped of everything he had built within himself over the years. He loved her. He knew it.
Keep it simple, he told himself. At least for now. Just get her to Yazen. Then worry about what to do.
She stirred in his arms, and he felt a physical tug to his heart. He watched her face, waiting for her beautiful blue eyes to open. He didn’t know how badly she was injured, but he was going to see her back to health.
How far has she come for me? How is it she has felt the Knowing, but I did not?
Noise murmured in his mind, somewhere far away. He reached for it, but it danced away like a chorus of laughing little lights. He was not experiencing the Knowing and he didn’t even know why.
He knew he loved her. He would protect her at all costs. He also knew he could only do that if he was at the head of the most powerful army in the galaxy.
He could only take her as his mate as war master. She deserved nothing less. Perhaps once he was officially named, the Knowing would strike him. He believed that Syh did everything for a reason, and perhaps in this instance it was to give the Preor a leader that would win back their pride.
“You must be a great warrior,” he whispered to her. She was still unconscious, but he hoped she could hear, even in her dreams. “For Syh to have paired us, you must be formidable indeed.”
Chapter Sixteen
She hadn’t known what he looked like. She had never seen his face. Still, the moment the shuttle door opened, and she saw his sea-green eyes and sandy hair, she felt a jolt of recognition. Pleasure shrieked through her, turning her wounds into faded memories. She reached out to him eagerly and the moment he took her into his arms was the best of her entire life.
Being this close to him, the Knowing intensified. She could feel his scales, the wind in her hair, and the power of his wings. She could see clouds and Syh just like he did and all of it played out behind her eyes while they stood in the dock.
She was so excited to finally see him that it took her a few moments to realize he was not staring at her with the same mixture of awe and wonder. He was, in fact, looking at her as if he were afraid of her.
He didn’t speak, but a muscle jumped in his jaw. His skin was golden tanned and glowed as if truly Sunkissed and she knew the rays would glitter on his scales when he flew. She reached out to touch his hair, but she was still too weak, and her hand fell back to her lap as her head fell and rested on his chest.
She could feel them moving and knew he was carrying her as easily as if she were a twig. His hands stayed firmly but gently around her, but even though she expected some word from him, he remained silent.
A bloom of fear was beginning to grow in her heart. The Knowing was flooding her, filling her with images of Preor and all he held dear. She knew he should be experiencing it too, but she felt no connection between them.
Her fingers curled gently against his chest. A sob rose in her throat as she realized she did not even know his name. She searched her mind and found that the Knowing was far ahead of her.
“Tyff,” she whispered. “Apprentice defense master under Zadri. Tyff joi Renay.”
His arms tightened around her and she looked up, seeing his confused scowl.
“Renay,” he murmured, looking over her face as if he should know it. She smiled and hoped he would return it, but he didn’t. He turned his eyes back up to the hallway and kept walking.
“You’re injured,” he said, distractedly. “I’ll get you to medbay and Yazen will tend you.”
“Shaa kouvi, do you not know me?” she begged. “Don’t you feel me?”
He shook his head, just gently. “No, Renay. I do not.”
Those words hit her so hard she had to bury her face against his chest and try not to cry. All she could do was cling to him and hope whatever the hell was going on, they could figure it out when they got to the Preor healer.
She thought about the life she had left behind for the first time. It had meant everything to her to enjoy life’s simplest pleasures. She didn’t want to challenge herself or take up all her time doing something amazing or world changing. All she wanted was her quiet days with her books, long walks on the farm with her family, and nights in with her friends.
Her easy approach to life and her lack of ambition felt like it was rammed nose first into Tyff’s urge for prowess. Even if he couldn’t feel the Knowing, she could. She learned more about him every second, especially now that he was touching her. She sensed a well-ordered life with little time for leisure and his desire for power—not one of control or selfishness, but honor.
The Knowing knocked this word around in her head, over and over again.
Honor. He does everything for the honor of his heritage and the safety of his brothers.
She didn’t know why, but this had something to do with the Knowing not playing out for him. There was a great fear in him, a desperation that if he let himself fall in love, he would lose everything else.
They hurried into the medbay while Renay was just losing consciousness. She heard strange sounds, nothing like a human hospital. After she was given a shot, she felt cool and dreamy, strong enough to open her eyes and look around.
Tyff was holding her hand, still looking at her as if he wasn’t sure he belonged there. She couldn’t stop the smile that grew for him or the sparkle in her eye.
“Shaa kouvi,” she whispered. She saw his mouth work on the words, but he simply shook his head and looked away.
“Well, young lady.” The Preor who approached had to be the healer. “You have gotten yourself into a fair bit of trouble. Haven’t you?”
“I’m so sorry,” she said. “I had to.”
“I know you did, my dear. I’ve got the unit working on you and the shot I gave you will settle the inflammation and pain. Now that your mate is by your side, your body is working double time to heal you.”
She nodded, gripping Tyff’s hand even tighter. All of that was great, but no one had explained yet what the hell was going on.
“I have Whelon here on video,” the healer said. “He’s been frantic.”
As he stepped back, he pulled a small monitor over so she could see. Poor Whelon looked like he didn’t know whether to cheer or yell at her.
“Tyff! You have her,” Whelon said with relief. “What kept you from her? I have to know. This situation is unprecedented! How the hell did you leave the hospital, Renay?”
“I just snuck out,” she said in a shaky voice. “I had to get to him. I’m sure you understand.”
“I do, my dear. But there is too much I don’t understand. Yazen, have you taken readings on both of them?”
“I have,” Yazen replied. “Tyff is normal, in perfect health. Renay is suffering from a concussion and mild soft tissue damage. Her brain scan is fine. I must admit, Whelon, I’m shocked at this entire situation, but I don’t think anyone else would have handled it differently.”