The injection didn’t even hurt and was instantly followed by blessed relief as her stomach settled right down.
“Thank you!” Summer breathed. “I’m actually hungry again.”
He gave a huffed laugh. “I am pleased I could ease your discomfort. There is an oral version of the medication that we should start you on, to prevent a return of this symptom.”
“And it’s safe for human—I mean, half-human babies?” she asked, laying her hand on the slight curve of her belly.
“I would not have administered it if it were not,” he assured. “I have studied all the data to be had on humans, as well as the new generation of g’hir.”
“Lucky for me,” Summer said, sliding off the exam table. “Can I get out of here now? I mean not that I don’t like you, Doctor . . .”
“I understand.” Ki’san threw her a smile. “No one enjoys being a patient. Least of all physicians. But yes,” he agreed, indicating the door. “If you feel up to it you may return to your enclosure. Please contact me if these symptoms return—or if there are any new ones. Otherwise I will see you in a half moon cycle for your next checkup.”
It was none of her business but—
“Why are you studying humans?” Summer asked when he joined her in the hall. “I mean, are we just a particular interest of yours?”
“Yes,” Doctor Ki’san said. “But actually I will soon have the opportunity to see your world. I am looking forward to it.”
Summer blinked. “You’re going to Earth? To find a mate? I thought only warriors were allowed—”
“No,” he said with a quick, embarrassed smile. “I have not been permitted to compete for that opportunity.”
“Oh,” Summer said. “So why are you going?”
“As a physician only. The Council has decided someone with advanced medical training should accompany the warriors who venture to your world.”
“Because of my daughter.” Summer’s glance was drawn to Emma and Ke’lar, who was keeping her entertained by pointing out the city sights visible from the medical center’s windows. “Because of me.”
“Partly,” Doctor Ki’san agreed. “But Jenna of the Erah nearly died before she reached Hir. I am also going to be on hand in case of such an emergency.” He hesitated. “I thought it might relieve your mind if you knew that no other woman captured would be separated from her offspring.”
“Because you’ll run a scan on them after they’ve been captured,” Summer concluded. “To make sure they haven’t given birth.”
“And I will be on hand to erase their memories so that they can be returned to their lives immediately, without disruption.”
“Okay, but . . .” Summer cleared her throat. “Won’t that be awkward as hell? Just you and a warrior and his mate?”
“Two warriors this time. And it will be a larger ship with private quarters. Unless a medical emergency occurs I doubt I will encounter any of them. But I am an adequate pilot,” he allowed. “I am sure ship’s operations will fall to me when we leave Earth.”
“They’re sending two warriors this time? Why?” She shook her head. “Never mind. Stupid question. Because the whole human-g’hir repopulation plan is working so well.”
Ki’san tilted his head. “You are happy here, are you not?”
Summer looked down the hall at Ke’lar, at Emma in his arms, felt the flutter of the baby inside her. “Yes,” she said fiercely. “Yes, I am.”
Maybe other women would be happy to find themselves a warrior too—happy as she was, and Jenna and her new friend, Hope.
But just in case, I’m personally going to visit each and every one and make sure that when her Choosing Day comes she really gets her choice heard.
Summer looked back at Ki’san. “I come from a really beautiful world, a really precious one.”
“And one that must protected, at all costs.” He gave a wistful smile. “I doubt I will do more than step outside the ship for a moment or two, but I will cherish that little time I have on your world.”
“Is everything all right?” Ke’lar asked, concerned by her long talk with the doctor.
“Yup,” she assured. “Everything’s fine. Come on, you two,” Summer said and smiling, caught both his and Emma’s hands in her own. “Let’s go home.”
Available Now
Warriors of Hir Series, Book 1
Captured
Jenna McNally is tending to the heartrending task of clearing out her grandfather’s cabin when she’s knocked off her feet by the impact of a nearby plane crash. She races into the snowy North Carolina woods to help and discovers that this is no plane that’s crashed.
Ra’kur’s people have been brought to the brink of extinction by war. After years spent searching for a compatible mate to bond with, an enemy attack lands him on a backward, primitive planet and right to the very female he has been seeking. And a Hir warrior’s first task in claiming a mate is to capture her . . .
Available Now
Warriors of Hir Series, Book 2
Taken
Hope MacGowan is a city girl but reeling from a break-up on top of a layoff has her determined to have a weekend away in the North Carolina mountains—even if all her friends have bailed at the last minute. Hope’s life is one big train-wreck and getting kidnapped by a tall, blond alien—even a gorgeous one—sure isn’t helping.
R’har crossed the galaxy to seek a mate on this newly discovered world and this delicate red-haired female is everything he’s dreamed of—except happy to find herself mated to him. R’har knows in his heart he’s her true mate, even if he’s not human. But taking her doesn’t mean he can keep her and somehow he has to convince Hope to choose him before time runs out . . .
Coming Soon
Warriors of Hir Series, Book 4
Hidden
Her family’s fortune can buy Tara Douglas anything—except more time. Determined to make peace with her fate, she’s come to the house her great-grandfather built in the Smoky Mountains to spend the time she has left in peace. But for once Tara becomes the healer when she finds wreckage of an otherworldly vessel, and a badly injured man whose glowing eyes see right into her soul . . .
When Ki’san volunteered to journey to Earth he never imagined he would find himself dying there. A physician from a vanishing race, he knows his people’s law allows only a chosen few to hunt the females of this planet as mates. Ki’san’s mere presence on Tara’s world endangers them both but the crash that leaves him clinging to life also brings him a female like none he could have imagined, one he cannot help but love . . .
Acknowledgments
My deepest gratitude and thanks to my editor, Erin McCabe. Her support and encouragement make this book possible. Erin, you are the best!
Many thanks to Christine LePorte for her warm support and sharp eye.
Thanks to my cover designer, Steven James Catizone, for his talent and, as always, his patience.
Thank you to everyone who supported and encouraged me and, most of all, to my family.
Willow Danes
Willow Danes is the pen name of author Ariel MacArran.
She loves all genres of Romance but especially Sci-fi, Paranormal and Historical.
Stolen: Warriors of Hir, Book 3 Page 22
