by Susan Hayes
“Brat.”
She stuck out her tongue and laughed.
In less than a minute he stopped walking. New sounds pressed into her awareness. A rhythmic hush-shushing noise she didn’t recognize, though it felt like she should know it. The rain still fell, but the wind against her face felt heavy with moisture and carried new scents—salt and vegetation of some kind.
“Open your eyes.”
She did and then squealed in delight. It was the ocean. All the way to the horizon, all she could see was water. Waves lapped the shore, hissing across the sand and then retreating again.
“It’s beautiful.”
“So are you. It seemed a shame to leave without letting you see the ocean first, since we’re already here.”
“But we can come back again soon?” She hadn’t stopped staring at the view, trying to memorize as much as she could before they had to go.
“Soon,” he promised.
“Then take me back to the others. I want to check on Jade.”
To her surprise, Striker chuckled. “She’s fine. Both Wreck and Ruin are giving me updates.”
“They are? Why?”
“Because I asked them to. I knew you’d want to know how she was doing. Apparently she is fascinating, stubborn, and resistant to common sense. Sounds like someone else I know.”
“I have no idea who that could be.”
“You should. She’s the woman I love.” He bowed his head and kissed her tenderly.
“Oh, her. Yeah, she’s a lucky woman.” She stroked her hand down the back of his neck and kissed him back. She already knew she’d remember this moment forever. It wasn’t just her head that would hold on to this memory. Her heart would, too.
“Ready to go home, brat?” he asked several slow kisses later.
“I am.”
“And just so we’re clear. It’s our home, now. Not mine. Ours. You’re not safe on your own, so I’m not going to let you out of my sight.”
She laughed again as he turned and started carrying her back to the others. “Okay. But that means we’re going to need more furniture.”
“Whatever you need. But you have to promise me something first.”
She tensed. “What?”
“Whatever we buy, it stays in the house or the cabin. No more stashing things in the woods.”
“But what if things go sideways?”
“Then we stay and fight for our home.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “But we make sure the cabin has plenty of supplies. Just in case.”
“Just in case,” she agreed. She wouldn’t need to hide caches anymore. That part of her life was over. No more running. No more hiding. To her, that was the real definition of freedom.
14
Striker hadn’t even been aware that Haven had a medical shuttle until it set down not far from their little band. It had barely settled on the ground before the side door slid open and two older Vardarians jogged out followed by a silver-skinned female who stayed to set up a staging area outside the shuttle. He recognized one of them immediately. Tariq A’Nir was the colony’s lead healer and had spent time taking care of the cyborgs after they woke from cryo-stasis. Both males wore sky-blue harani. The armbands showed their mated status. The color indicated they were both in mourning for their mate. The other male must be Tariq’s anrik.
More Vardarians flew in while the forest was suddenly filled with the hum of dozens of air-bikes.
“Why is the whole colony here?” Maggie asked.
“Because one of our own was in danger.”
Maggie nodded silently, but he saw the glimmer of tears in her eyes before she dashed them away with a swipe of her hand. He knew how she felt. He spotted Wreckage and Ruin still with Jade while Damos and Tra’var stood guard over their prisoner—the last surviving member of the ship’s crew. They’d all dropped everything when he’d asked them to. It was a humbling reminder that despite his best efforts to push everyone away, he’d made friends here.
He nodded to the two Vardarians as he moved past them, careful to keep Maggie well out of the man’s reach. Not that the prisoner looked like he was much of a threat. He was younger than Striker had expected, his expression dazed as he held a hand over his still-bleeding lip. As far as Striker could tell, it was the only injury the kid had. Whoever he was, he hadn’t put up much of a fight.
The two male healers were already with Jade, so Striker walked over to the medical shuttle and nodded to the silver female. “Maggie was taken prisoner. See to her.”
“Vixi?” Maggie waved at the Vardarian. “I haven’t seen you around lately.”
“I’ve been helping Shadow plan for the next set of colonists and keeping an eye on my fathers.” Vixi nodded toward the two male healers. “They tend to get lost in their own world when I’m away too long.”
“Those are your dads? I didn’t realize.” Maggie wriggled in Striker’s grasp. “And I’m not the one you need to look at. Striker got shot. Can you make sure he’s healing okay?”
Vixi smiled. “How about I check you both at the same time? You can set her down over there, Striker, and I’ll get her scanned while I take a look at your injury. And it’s nice to meet you. Shadow says you’ve been watching over our resident rebel.”
“Hey!” Maggie protested. “I’m not a rebel.”
Vixi arched one blonde brow. “If you say so.”
“She prefers the term brat.”
Maggie rolled her eyes. “I do not.”
He ignored her and set her down on one of the flat tables that had extended from the side of the ship. “Slick setup.”
“Nanotech can only do so much. It’s best to be prepared for the worst. Just in case,” Vixi said and then turned her attention to Maggie. “Lie back, get comfortable, and don’t move until I tell you to. The scan won’t take long. While you do that, I’ll look at Striker’s injury.”
“It’s fine. My medi-bots can deal with it.”
Vixi fixed him with a stare that would give a gharshtu a headache. “Sit. Shirt off. Don’t argue.”
Maggie snickered. “You tell him, Vix.”
“No moving, Maggie. That includes your lips,” Vixi kept her gaze locked on him as she scolded her other patient.
Striker decided to give in gracefully. “Where would you like me to sit?”
The female’s expression immediately softened in a warm smile. “The bed next to Maggie will be fine.”
The examination didn’t take long. “It’s healing well, but I think I can speed the process up by a day or so.”
“A day?” he asked.
“The blast tore away a fair amount of muscle tissue. It will take time for your medi-bots to replace it. I can fill the wound with an organic lattice that will act as a temporary bandage and give the nanotech something to use as a framework. The lattice will dissolve and be absorbed into your system over the next week or so.”
He knew nothing about this technology, but if it sped up his healing time, he was all for it. “Do it.” It took him a second to remember to add, “Please.”
“Happy to. Are you already blocking the pain?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. Keep that up for at least two more hours if you can. After that, you should be fine with just a mild pain-blocker.”
She got to work, her touch light and efficient. As she placed a light bandage over the area, she said. “I was under the impression you were mostly nonverbal. Has that changed, or is it just because you’re blocking the pain right now?”
“Things have changed.”
Vixi nodded. “I’m glad to hear it. Come see me in four days so I can make sure the lattice did its job and I’ll do a scan of your throat at the same. Make sure everything is working properly.”
He started to shake his head, but Maggie chimed in before he could. “He’ll be there.”
“Glad to hear it because I’m going to want to see you too, Maggie.”
“Why? I’m fine.”
“You are not. You have a concu
ssion and several bruised ribs along with a few other minor bumps and bruises. Since you don’t have medi-bots yet, you’re going to need to take it easy for a few days.” The healer held up an injector. “But you’re getting a dose of healing accelerant and a pain-blocker before you leave.”
“She’ll be there,” he confirmed. Maggie was hurting. She had no way to heal herself and no way to block the discomfort. He’d let his anger guide his decisions, and she’d paid the price. That would not happen again.
“You’re both cleared for light activity. Nothing too strenuous. If there are any problems, message me. I’m listed in the colony’s directory.”
“Thanks, Vixi.” Maggie tried to hop off the table, but Striker got to her first, blocking her with his body and then gathering her back into his arms.
“You’ve got a head injury. You’re not walking anywhere.”
“I’m fine!” she argued.
Vixi snorted. “Your definition of fine needs work. If Striker wants to carry you, let him. But if you keep wiggling you’re going to aggravate his wound.”
Maggie went instantly still. “Sorry.”
Striker winked at Vixi. “You’re good at this.”
“I get plenty of practice.” She nodded toward her fathers.
They had Jade resting comfortably on a stretcher now, her eyes closed and limbs relaxed. Whatever they’d given her had knocked her out, which was probably for the best. Like Maggie, Jade had no way to shut off the pain.
“Can we go home now?” Maggie asked as soon as they were out of Vixi’s hearing.
“Not just yet.” He’d spotted Phaedra’s bright pink hair and was already making for her position. The rest of the council were likely to be nearby. He needed to have a word with them.
He sensed it the moment Maggie realized where he was going. She tensed in his arms. “Shit. Do we have to? Now?”
“Now.”
“What if they say I have to leave? What happens to us?”
“Nothing. You’re not leaving.”
“You can’t be sure of that. What I did…”
“You are not leaving me.” He had a plan, and he was going to make it work.
“Never,” she murmured and kissed the corner of his mouth. “You’re stuck with me.”
“Damn right.”
The council members were chatting amongst themselves, no doubt trying to make sense of what they’d learned and figure out what to do next. They quieted as he approached, Phaedra’s mates taking up protective stances on either side of the little human. Striker ignored their posturing.
“Maggie, are you okay?” Phaedra pulled out of Tyran’s hold and ran over to them.
“Apparently I have a concussion. I’ll be fine in a few days. Jade’s in worse shape. You won’t let them send her away. Will you? At least not until she’s better?”
“I talked to her briefly.” Phaedra patted her arm. “She’s staying right here so she can get the best help we can offer.” Then she stepped back and looked at the rest of the council. “Right?”
Raze snarled something, but Sevda stepped in front of him, one hand on his chest, her other arm cradling their infant daughter. “Oh, stop. Or do I need to remind you that when I arrived, you had no legal right to even be on this planet?”
“I had every right,” Raze argued, but his expression softened the moment he looked at his wife.
“Please. If I hadn’t come along, this place would be nothing but a dust cloud by now, and you with it.” Sevda smiled at Maggie. “Ignore him. He grumbles a lot, even for a cyborg.”
“I know how that is.” Maggie patted Striker’s cheek. “It’s cute. Isn’t it?”
“I am not cute,” Striker muttered through gritted teeth.
“Right. Sorry. Forgot again. You’re a big, scary badass cyborg. Grr.” Her smile was like a supernova, lighting up his world.
“And don’t you forget it.” He bowed his head to kiss her gently.
She kissed him back, her hands framing his face as she gazed up at him with a look that made him feel like he was the center of her whole universe. “You saved me today. I will never forget that. You aren’t just a badass, Striker. You’re my badass. My sexy cyborg champion.”
“Damn right I am. Always.” He looked up to find the rest of the council smiling at them. “Maggie was hurt today. She’d heal faster if she had the medi-bot treatment.”
“Six months,” Skye reminded him. “She needs to be here six months before that happens. I already bent the rules enough setting her loose in the colony early.”
“Not if she’s claimed as the mate of a colonist.”
“That clause was intended for Vardarians who experienced the sharhal after finding their mate,” Zanyr pointed, his wings shifting slightly in agitation. “The mating fever comes on fast and creates a driving need to bite and bond with our mahaya. The transfer of nanotech is part of that process.”
Striker nodded to the Vardarian farmer. “That’s true. But there’s more to it.” He shifted his gaze to Denz. “You keep saying there are no sides here. That we’re all one community. If so, the mating clause applies to everyone equally. Either we’re all full citizens of this colony or we’re not.”
The prince frowned. “We are all equal here.”
“Then prove it. Give Maggie the medi-bot treatment and recognize her as my mate.”
“Uh, hold up. Aren’t you forgetting something?” Maggie asked.
He looked down to find her glowering up at him, though the smile on her lips told him whatever he’d overlooked, she wasn’t really unhappy about it. “What?”
Every female present laughed softly, and even the baby cooed and babbled at the noise.
“What?” he asked again. What was obvious to them?
“Did you forget to mention this plan to Maggie?” Denz asked, grinning.
“I’m pretty sure you’re supposed to be on one knee for this, too,” Maggie informed him.
“That is a human tradition. We’re starting a new one. No one kneels.” He set Maggie down in front of him and took her hands in his. “I love you. I promise to protect you, always. Do you love me?”
“Yes. I love you. Even if you’re the most difficult, stubborn cyborg in existence.”
He pulled her in and kissed her.
Cheers, applause, and catcalls erupted all around them, but he ignored everyone until he was ready. Then, he raised his head and announced, “It’s decided. You’re my mate.”
“And you’re mine,” Maggie added.
“I’ll see to it a vial of the medi-bots is delivered to your place immediately,” Denz said. “Unless anyone has an objection they’d like to make?”
Every single member of the council smiled and shook their heads.
Striker exhaled softly. He hadn’t been sure that would work, but it was the best plan he had to make sure Maggie was allowed to stay. Now, she was a full member of the colony in every way that mattered, and she was his.
“Thank you. All of you. You just proved that Haven truly is a community where everyone is equal and we all have the same goals.”
Edge snorted. “For a guy who doesn’t talk much, you make very pretty speeches. You keep that up and I’ll nominate you to take my spot on the council.”
“Don’t you fraxxing dare. I’ve got enough to do already.” More than enough, in fact, but that was a conversation for another time.
“And the first thing I need you to do is get this data out of my arm.” Maggie nodded to her wrist. “Please. Then send the file to Phaedra. I don’t know what’s on it, but whatever it is, those mercenaries were hired to retrieve it.”
“Then let’s get it out of you so you’re not a target anymore.” He pressed a hand to her wrist, extending his cybernetic senses to prod at the implant. It was laughably simple, and it only took him a few seconds to extract the files.
“Do you know the passcode?” he asked.
“I don’t. Jade does, though.” Maggie looked at Phaedra. “You talked to her. Di
d she give it to you?”
Phaedra grinned. “She did. Striker. Try m-a-g-3-1-4.”
Striker groaned. “Seriously?”
“Afraid so.”
Maggie frowned. “Now I’m the one who feels like they’re missing something.”
“Magpie. Mag-Pi. The first three numbers of pi are three point one four,” he explained as he gathered up the data and sent it directly to Phaedra’s implants.
Phaedra cocked a dark pink brow as the info registered on her end. “You have some interesting talents, Striker. I had no idea.”
Braxon, her second mate, rumbled a low growl of warning. “What did he do?”
“Extracted Maggie’s file with a touch and then sent it to me without even needing a direct connection.”
“I made my own.”
Braxon snarled. “Do not directly connect with my mahaya again.”
“Stop it. It was a data transfer. That’s all.” Phaedra rolled her eyes. “He’s Maggie’s mate. I’m yours. No need to get growly.”
“Mine,” Maggie repeated with a nod. “And if we’re done here, I’d like to check on Jade and then take my mate home, to our house.”
“One more thing before you go.” Damos strode over and held out his hand. In it was Maggie’s kes’tarv. “I believe this is yours.”
“Thank you! With everything else going on, I forgot to get that back from the asshole who took it from me.” Maggie took it from him happily and then stopped and looked more intently at Damos. “Wait. How did you know this was mine?”
“Because he’s the one who made it for you. Maggie, meet Damos. Damos…” Striker grinned. “My mahaya, Maggie.”
“Those must be some amazing cookies.” Damos nodded and cracked the faintest of smiles. “Congratulations. May you both be carried high by the winds of good fortune.”
“Thank you. And thank you for returning this to me. It’s an amazing weapon, even if it didn’t help me much today.”
Damos cocked a brow. “It saved your life. How else do you think we reached you in time? If Striker hadn’t asked me to add a tracking beacon to your weapon…”
Fraxx. He hadn’t gotten around to mentioning the tracker yet.