“And...I can’t leave my quarters without a guard.”
“You should not,” Zave attested.
Darm shot him a sour look, then focused on Sandy. “It is not overly dangerous for you to leave your quarters. It is an honor to have you here and our happy duty to escort you. We will carry items for you, reach or lift for you, and protect you, should that be required.”
She pointed to Jo. “Then why did she say it really is necessary?” Something told her she wasn’t being told the whole truth.
“Sometimes...warriors are overzealous in trying to aid a female. Having a single male responsible for her reminds others to keep their distance.”
Sandy found it hard to find the words to respond to that. Finally, she stammered out a ‘thank you’ to Darm. He executed a bow in response.
She stared at him a moment longer. All the warriors had been kind and polite, but Darm moreso than the others. There was something indefinable that drew her to his bright green eyes. It warranted another look, she reasoned.
His hair was in long, golden waves that reached his shoulders, and he was fully the tallest man she’d encountered so far. If Sandy were to guess, she’d place him at more than six and a half feet. But it wasn’t an oppressive height.
Realizing she was staring, Sandy shifted her gaze to Zave. His expression was hard and fixed on Darm. There was a warning in that look, an air of violence held barely in check.
Sandy tarried only long enough to note his dark hair and deep blue eyes that reminded her of Zeke’s. Too much like Zeke. Especially his anger and the way he orders me around.
She looked at Sakkra, intent on asking for Zave to be reassigned.
No. I’m a guest here. They’d been assigned for a reason. The work schedule wasn’t something a guest should interfere with.
“Is there a problem, Sandy?” Amy asked.
“Just tired, I guess.”
Sakkra extended a hand to aid Amy to her feet. “Decisions can wait for another day. If you wake hungry, comm one of your guards.”
“What time is dinner? Is there a way to set an alarm for it?”
Jo laughed heartily. “Pregnant or nursing women eat whenever they’re hungry. Rietin brings me snacks in the middle of the night.”
The spike of envy was inevitable. Zeke would never be a husband like that.
But now she had guards to act the part. It was a duty to them, which was rather depressing, but they would still cater to her every whim.
That puts me in their debt. Maybe I shouldn’t overuse it.
“Okay.” She rose and headed for the curtain that separated the living room from the bedroom and bathroom.
At the threshold, she looked back. Darm was ushering everyone out into the hallway.
Chapter Thirty
Three weeks later
The lurching of her son left Sandy gasping for breath. She started to lever herself up, and it happened again. Her hands shaking, she reached for the emergency button on the closer comm board, then veered to the blue button. She pressed that one instead. Whatever this was, it probably wasn’t an emergency.
If it is, he’ll call for the doctor.
“Darm?” she managed, hoping it was still his shift. I haven’t slept enough for it to have changed over yet.
“You need something, Sandy?” His voice was clear and strong, indicating she hadn’t woken him.
“Help. Please...” The baby moved so abruptly, she saw her abdomen undulate. Sandy moaned.
Before the sound faded, the door slid open. Darm shot through the curtain and to her side. At first, she thought he was nude, but he was wearing something that looked like a towel wrapped around his waist.
“What is it?” he asked urgently.
Her son answered for her, another rolling wave that brought tears to her eyes.
“Something...wrong, I think.”
“No. Easily remedied,” he soothed her.
Darm cupped his hands around her womb and made cooing noises. The lurching became a light kicking. Darm lowered his head and laid a kiss against her womb. A lullaby left his lips and whispered against her.
Sandy sighed. Exhaustion overwhelmed her. Her eyes slipped shut, and Sandy reached down and stroked his hair feathers.
Another kiss feathered against her womb.
Sandy turned toward him, and Darm’s hands retreated. The song started again, and Darm stacked small pillows around her womb, creating something of a soft nest.
The soothing sounds and lack of sleep caught up with her, and she slipped toward oblivion.
****
Darm smiled at Sandy, reveling in pride that he’d calmed the babe for her and allowed her precious sleep.
Kahdi was a common complaint among their bearing women. It wasn’t inherently dangerous to mother and child, as long as it was treated promptly, but exhaustion was never good when a female carried.
“Heed me, young warrior,” he whispered. “Your mother needs her sleep. I suggest you do the same, so she can rest.”
There was no answering thump. Still, he tarried, humming Sakkan’s Night Song a third time.
****
Sandy stretched, then burrowed her face in the pillow that still held Darm’s scent. Her room was quiet...peaceful. For the first time in the three weeks she’d been at the consulate, it felt like home to her.
Memories of Darm brought a smile to her face. It felt like home because of him.
Sandy considered having breakfast, but sleep was too alluring.
It wasn’t just the baby’s restless nights that convinced her to sleep longer. If she was awake now, she would spend half the day thinking about Darm. Even if he was awake now, Sandy couldn’t order the comm board to call him. Though they hadn’t specifically said it, she’d gleaned that it was considered inappropriate for her to knock on their doors directly.
Maybe if I sleep in, I can spend more time with Darm later.
A smile on her face, Sandy rearranged the pillows Darm had stacked the night before. The song he’d hummed echoed in her memories, and she hummed what she could remember of it.
In her dreams, Darm joined in.
****
The pacing in the corridor grated at Darm’s nerves. At last, he pitched the Zuda cards on the table and pushed to his feet.
Zave whirled around as the door opened and glared at Darm. That was enough to put Darm’s neck feathers on edge.
“Is something amiss?” he inquired.
“Sandy has not started her day.”
Darm glanced at the time plate on the comm board across from them. “It is nearly twelve of the day.” That was a full five hours later than she typically called for a morning meal.
“I know it. She has not eaten. I heard her use the water room earlier, but nothing more.”
Darm’s muscles tensed at that. How close was Zave to hear such a thing?
The competitor to Sandy’s attentions didn’t notice his response. “Did she retire late last night?” He seemed desperate for an explanation.
Memories of calming her son heated his blood. “No, but she did suffer a mild bout of Kahdi.” Not severe enough that I would expect her to sleep for an extra five hours. “Perhaps she has suffered it several times and not asked for—”
The door opened between them, and Sandy looked from Zave to himself.
Darm felt his cheeks heat. He tipped his head to her. “My apologies for waking you, Sandy.”
Zave grumbled the same.
“Oh, you didn’t,” she replied brightly. “I was awake already.”
“Are you well, Sandy?” Zave inquired, shooting Darm a look that said he should withdraw.
It is Zave’s time with her. Though it made his heart sink, Darm forced himself to turn away.
“I’m fine. I just wanted to—Darm!”
He stopped and turned back, stunned that she’d called for him. “Yes, Sandy?”
“Thank you for helping me last night.”
He smiled. “An honor and a pleasure, I
assure you.”
Zave’s eyes narrowed.
“Call us if you have need again. Kahdi is a common complaint among our bearing women, especially in the latter half of their pregnancies.”
Sandy peeked at Zave out of the corner of her eyes and nodded solemnly. Her next question was directed at the other warrior. “I’ve heard there are movies and games in the meeting rooms?”
Zave smiled widely. “There are. Would you like to go there?”
She glanced down at herself. “If you could get me a tray of food while I shower—”
“Of course.” It was clear that Zave saw this as a step toward claiming her as his mate.
“Thank you. I won’t be long.” Sandy wiggled her fingers at Darm in parting and glided into her quarters.
Though she was going to the meeting room with Zave, Darm couldn’t help but feel there was something significant in the wave. He retired to his game of Zuda with an unaccountable happiness lightening his mood.
****
Sandy looked around at the sitting room, evaluating her preparations. She just hoped Darm enjoyed them. A glance at the clock showed that it was two minutes after two. She waited until ten minutes after to push the button.
“Yes, Sandy?” Darm replied.
“I was wondering if you might want to join me for a game or a movie.” Her heart pounded in apprehension. What if he says ‘no’?
“Of course. If you wish company—”
“Only if you want to,” she hurried to add. Him spending time with her as a duty would be worse than him refusing outright.
There was a moment of potent silence. “I would enjoy spending time with you very much.”
She bounced on the balls of her feet. “See you in a few?”
“Yes.” There was something tender in that, something completely at odds with the several hundred pounds of muscle, bone, and wings that made up the man in question.
A few heartbeats later, he knocked softly on her door.
“Come in.”
He entered her room, seemingly hesitant. After a moment, Darm shut the door and offered a grin.
Chapter Thirty-One
Four days later
Sandy woke with a start, groaning at the lurching baby. Her son seemed to have a fondness for the middle of the night, that was sure.
She reached up and punched the button to summon Darm.
“Yes, Sandy?”
Damn! It’s Zave. She peered at the clock, cursing the fact that it was nearly four in the morning.
“Sandy? Are you well? Do you need me?”
The baby lurched again. It’s Zave or no one. “The baby...again,” she gasped out.
“On my way.”
He came through the curtain, fully dressed. Zave knelt on the edge of the mattress and started stacking pillows. Trills and coos left his lips, but the baby wasn’t calming as he usually did.
“Try...the song,” she pleaded.
He did, and he stroked at her womb, but her son thrashed harder. Sandy went lightheaded, and spots danced before her eyes.
“Call Darm.”
Zave shot her a hard look and continued with his ministrations. Sharp pains ripped through her abdomen.
“Call Darm!”
He hit the emergency button instead.
Damn him! Why won’t he listen?
****
The alarm from the comm board next to the bed snapped Darm awake. Disoriented, he stumbled to the board and tried to identify the emergency. There was no announcement for battle stations or for fire suppression.
The comms were open.
Zave’s voice was tense...strained. “The Kahdi is not easing.”
In the background, he heard Sandy murmur, “I just need Darm.”
That sent him bolting her direction. Sandy looked up as he pushed through the partition. She was panting, and beads of sweat coated her face and hands. She cried out as the babe rolled again.
“Move aside,” he ordered Zave.
His competitor scowled at him.
“Darm,” Sandy pleaded.
“Move aside.” Darm added a glare that promised a fight, if it came to that.
Zave abandoned the bed with a string of foul Sakk curses. Darm settled beside her and started the calming ritual.
The babe’s struggle subsided slowly. The battering became a fluttering as the young one calmed. Still, Sandy winced with nearly every movement. A tear tracked down her cheek.
“You are in pain?” he whispered.
“Yes.” She sobbed.
The medical team rushed through the door.
Darm didn’t waste time. “The young one has been calmed, but the pain persists.”
He didn’t need to say more. Unchecked, Kahdi could cause bruising or tearing.
It can kill a babe if uncontrolled. It can kill or injure the mother. It can leave her unable to bear, in the worst of cases.
The healers crowded around her. At their first touch, she grasped Darm’s hand. He made soothing sounds and brushed the hair from her face.
One of the healers’ touches drew a whimper from her. Another drew a sob, and her hand tightened. “Ow. Ow.”
The babe lunged, and Sandy shot upright into Darm’s arms with a shout. He whispered soothing noises and stroked circles over her womb.
Gabin gave her an injection, and Sandy relaxed against his chest.
“Is it serious?” Darm asked.
“I think not,” the master healer replied. “Still, no good will come of letting it continue.”
There was a moment of silence.
“Captain Darm?” the healer prompted.
He stroked Sandy’s hair. “Yes?”
“The transport cart?”
“Of course.” He lifted her from the bed and settled Sandy on the transport cart, then backed away to let the healers work.
Zave’s voice was cold and clipped. “I will accompany Sandy.”
The unspoken reminder that it was Zave’s shift made his heart sink. “Of course. I should retire now.” But he knew he wouldn’t sleep. Not until he knew Sandy was well.
They guided Sandy away, and Zave bumped past him.
In the wake of their departure, Darm glanced at the timer. After four o’clock. Nearly ten more hours until my shift. “Zadek bajou.” Damn it all!
****
Sandy shifted beneath the blankets, then winced in pain. Her groan brought a flurry of movement.
“She is in pain,” Zave complained.
She levered her eyes open and stared at the doctor hovering over her. It was the ‘master healer’ at the clinic. Gabin, she recalled.
“It will pass,” he assured one of them. Whether he meant to assure her or Zave was unclear. Gabin smiled. “Are you hungry?”
The ache in her lower ribs made her want to answer in the negative, but Sandy knew that would be a lie. “Starving.”
Zave chuckled. “Good sign. I will bring you food.” He rushed out the door and turned toward the kitchens.
The doctor checked the readings on the screen.
Sandy rubbed her womb, fighting for a deep breath. “Why do I still hurt?” They’d healed cuts in minutes with their technology, but she still felt like she’d been hit by a truck.
He sighed. “The young one makes using the usual methods...problematic.”
She nodded. “Is he... Is he okay?” Her hands were fisted so hard in the blankets, her knuckles ached.
“Fine. He’s strong.”
“I know,” she grumbled.
“We will be lightly sedating you both for a few days.” He pushed more buttons on the console. “I would like to see you rest in bed for at least that long.”
Her gaze strayed to the clock, and she sighed. Nine o’clock. Five more hours until Darm comes on duty.
“I assure you it is for the best,” he continued.
“It’s not that. After last night, I trust you’re right about bed rest.”
He paused and met her eyes. “What is it then?”
>
Oh, hell. Why did I start this? Might as well finish it. The worst they can say is that I’m stuck with Zave. “The company could be better.”
The doctor glanced toward the closed door, then focused on Sandy again. “You dislike Captain Zave? Has he offended you?”
Answering that was difficult. Something told her that claiming he’d offended her would cause a stir, so she aimed for something less problematic. “I certainly didn’t appreciate when he refused to call Darm for me.”
His eyes narrowed. “You asked for Darm, and Zave—Why did you ask for Captain Darm?” There was an intensity in his gaze that sent chills down her spine.
I said the wrong thing? “The...Kandi...”
“Kahdi,” he corrected her.
“Kahdi.” She nodded, trying to commit the term to memory. “Zave couldn’t make it stop. It just kept getting worse and worse. Darm can always stop it.”
He sank into a chair at the bedside, seemingly deep in thought. “You asked for Darm, because you were suffering.”
Sandy hesitated a moment. “It hurts. Sure.” They knew that, since she was still here in medical.
“Zave refused your request?”
In for a penny... “Yes.”
The doctor muttered something unintelligible.
“I don’t understand.”
“If you would excuse me?”
“Sure.”
He hurried to the clinic doors and started pressing buttons on the comm board there. When he started speaking, it was in the Sakk language.
Sandy sighed and let her eyes drift shut.
****
Two sharp trills snapped Darm awake. Given his schedule with Sandy and the night’s events, he couldn’t imagine who would hail him now. Short of an emergency—which would mean an alarm—he should be left in peace.
He fumbled for the comm button. “Yes?” There was an edge of violence in his tone, he knew.
Unexpected Mates (Sons of Heaven) Page 26
