by S. E. Smith
“Kill him,” one male grunted. “We need to get out of here before others come.”
“Too late,” a deep voice growled. “Take them. I don’t care if it is dead or alive.”
Hunter rolled over onto his side and coughed up blood. Thunder’s menacing voice echoed through the air and he swore it was one of the sweetest sounds he would never admit to hearing. He listened to the brief sounds of struggles before everything became quiet again. Hard, firm hands turned him gently back onto his back.
“Ribs,” he groaned. “Saber.”
“Jaguar’s team has Saber,” the medic said. “They picked up your scent but you had already crossed over before they could get to you.”
“Dagger?” Hunter asked, already knowing the answer.
“Dead,” Thunder’s voice said over the medic’s shoulder. “Shit Hunter, you are messed up.”
“Yeah,” Hunter choked out hoarsely before relaxing as the medic injected him.
“He’s in bad shape,” the medic said looking over his shoulder at Thunder. “I hope he makes it.”
“He will,” Thunder replied with determination, waving his hand. “Call for a medical transport.”
*.*.*
The world blurred in and out. Hunter had the sensation of floating for a short period before darkness descended again. The next time he woke was to shadowy images and quiet voices. He knew he was in the triage set up to stabilize warriors before they were transported to one of the warships. He turned his head and blinked several times.
A figure stepped in the way. “Saber?” He muttered.
“I need an injector. He’s coming to,” the figure ordered.
Hunter reached out and gripped the arm of the male as he pressed the injector against his neck. The figure held still for a moment before Hunter felt the cool metallic taste of the sedative. His arm fell limply to his side as darkness engulfed him once more.
“How is he?” Thunder asked.
“He’ll make it,” the healer said, turning away. “How? I don’t know. He had a fractured left arm, dislocated left shoulder, a concussion, three broken ribs, a punctured lung, several cracked vertebrae and that is just the beginning.”
“What about the other one?” Thunder asked, nodding to where another healer was working on Saber.
“They are trying to stabilize him,” the healer said with a shake of his head. “The break is bad but I think we can save his leg. It won’t ever be the same again, though.”
“Just keep them both alive,” Thunder said. “They are both good men and we’ve already lost enough.”
“I just wish the Alliance reports had been a little more detailed than a minor conflict was in progress,” the healer said wearily as he looked over the number of warriors that had been injured. “The entire council should be dismissed if you asked me.”
“After this, they just might be,” Thunder said with a grim smile.
Chapter 23
“Jesse!” Shana called out from the covered patio.
Jesse rose from the swing she had been sitting on under the large trees that provided shade during the day. She had taken to spending more time outside. She had not been able to sleep in her and Hunter’s bed since the night she had been told he was missing. Instead, she found peace out under the stars. It made her feel closer to him.
“I’m here,” Jesse answered.
Jesse moved reluctantly down the path leading back into the house. She didn’t want Shana to see that she had been crying again and knew her eyes were red from her tears. Straightening her shoulders, Jesse drew in a deep breath. Her footsteps faltered when she saw the man who initially told them that Hunter had gone missing step out onto the patio as well.
“Hunter?” Jesse asked fearfully.
“He’s alive,” Shana said with a tearful smile. “He is wounded but he is alive.”
“What about Saber?” Taylor asked, stepping out of the darkness. “Did they… did they find him too?”
“Yes,” the man replied. “He is in critical condition at this time. The healers are doing everything they can to save him.”
Taylor turned to Jesse. Her dark brown eyes widened and filled with tears. She let out a low cry when Jesse opened her arms. Jesse held her little sister in her arms, closing her eyes for a brief moment as relief overwhelmed her.
She opened her eyes and looked back at the man who was still standing behind Shana. Scout came out as well to hold his Amate. She cleared her throat so she could ask him the questions that was paramount to her.
“When can I see him? Where is he? Can I go to him?” Jesse asked.
“I have received permission from the council to have you transported to a warship that will take you to him,” the man replied. “It leaves within the hour.”
“Shana?” Jesse asked.
“Of course,” Shana responded immediately. “Scout and I will stay with Taylor and Jordan.”
“But… I want to go,” Taylor said, looking back and forth. “Someone needs to tell that old fuddy duddy that he better get well.”
“Taylor, I think Jesse is perfectly capable of telling Hunter he needs to get well,” Scout said dryly.
“I’m not talking about Hunter,” Taylor replied with a shake of her head. “I’m talking about Saber.”
“I’m afraid only Hunter’s Amate has permission to go,” the man interrupted.
“Give me five minutes,” Jesse told the man before turning to Taylor. “I need you to be here, Taylor. I’m worried about Jordan. She’ll fight if she has you here to look after.”
Jesse breathed a sigh of relief when Taylor nodded in agreement. It was true, she was desperately worried about Jordan who had become very withdrawn when she learned of Dagger’s death. She felt torn. She had always taken care of her sisters first but Hunter needed her now.
“Go,” Jordan’s soft voice echoed from the side door leading into the lower library. “I’ll be alright. Hunter needs you, Jesse. Your place is by his side now.”
“Thank you,” Jesse whispered.
“No thanks are needed,” Jordan replied. “You’ve given enough to us. It’s time to take a little for yourself. Come on, I’ll help you pack. You don’t have much time.”
Jesse nodded to the others before she hurried up the steps to Jordan. Weaving her arm through her younger sister’s, she realized that Jordan appeared much older than her eighteen years. She squeezed Jordan’s arm as they hurried up the stairs to her and Hunter’s bedroom.
“Thank you, Jordan,” Jesse whispered as they began pulling items out of the dresser.
“Like I said before, no thanks are needed,” Jordan responded quietly as she folded several long-sleeve tunics and placed them in the small bag on the bed. “You’ve sacrificed a lot for us, Jesse. Both Taylor and I are aware of that.”
Jesse stopped and gripped Jordan’s arms, stopping her when she turned to gather more items. Jesse needed her sister to understand that she had done what needed to be done out of love, not sacrifice. She had never felt her position as being the oldest was a burden or chore.
“I love you, Jordan,” Jesse said fiercely. “I love Taylor. You are my family. Without you, there would be no me. I don’t ever want you to feel that either of you were ever a sacrifice, burden, chore or any other name you can think of. We are and will always be a team, a family. No matter what happens. Do you understand that?”
Jordan stared back at her for several long seconds before a ghost of a smile curved her lips. It wasn’t much but there was a spark of life in it. She hugged Jordan to her.
“Please believe me,” Jesse whispered. “I couldn’t have survived without you and Taylor.”
Jesse felt Jordan’s arms wrap tightly around her. “I love you too, Jesse. Be careful. I… it hurts to lose so many of those that we have loved. I don’t think I could survive losing you or Taylor.”
“I’m coming back and I’m bringing Hunter and if possible, Saber. I promise,” Jesse vowed. “Now, let’s get out of here before I get l
eft behind.”
Jesse was back downstairs within minutes, the small bag gripped tightly in her hand. Jordan was right behind her. She smiled at Shana and Scout who stood to the side of the staircase.
“I’ll take that,” the warrior said. He turned and bowed to Scout. “I’ll keep you informed of any new developments.”
“Protect her,” Scout ordered, his eyes flashing in warning. “She carries my son’s heir.”
The warrior looked startled at Jesse before he bowed again. “I will protect her with my life, Lord Scout.”
“Give Saber hell for me, Jesse,” Taylor called out as Jesse got in the transport.
“Taylor!” Jesse admonished but ruined her rebuke by rolling her eyes. “I will.”
“Bye!” Taylor yelled again, waving. “Love you, Jesse!”
Jesse smiled as she watched her small family disappear. She turned to look over the darkened skies as they flew. Stars twinkled above while the lights from the city twinkled below. All she knew was the light in her heart was about ready to burst with relief and love. Hunter had kept his promise. He had come back to her.
*.*.*
Jesse tiredly nodded to the warrior as she disembarked off of yet another transport. It was the fifth one in four days. She had spent the first two days on a warship before being transferred to a different warship, only to find out that Hunter was still another two days out.
The second warship was carrying additional troops and would only take her part of the way. She was transferred to a smaller supply transport that would meet up with the warship Hunter was on. There was a delay as the supply ship was rerouted at the last minute so she was transferred to yet another supply ship before this one finally dispatched her to the transport that met up with the Star Raider.
By the time it did, Jesse was exhausted, sick to her stomach and desperately wanted a hot shower and somewhere to rest her head for a few minutes. Instead, the first person she saw was the commanding officer, Jag, whom she had knocked out.
Well, technically Jordan did the knocking out, Jesse thought tiredly. I just told her to do it.
“You again,” Jag grunted. “I was hoping the orders I received had been wrong. Where are the other two?”
Jesse’s eyebrow rose. “They didn’t come. Where’s Hunter?” She asked bluntly.
The left corner of Jag’s lips tugged upward. Jesse wouldn’t call it a smile but it was probably as close to one as the man got. She was glad he thought the situation was humorous. Personally, she was tired and crabby and just wanted a shower, sleep and Hunter and not in that order.
“This way,” Jag said, waving a hand to dismiss one of the warriors who had stepped forward to escort Jesse. “I’ll take her.”
“Yes sir,” the warrior said with a bow.
“How is he?” Jesse asked in a husky voice. “I haven’t been given much information.”
Jag glanced down at Jesse’s pale face with a frown. “When is the last time you had food and sleep?” He asked instead of answering her.
Jesse tiredly pushed her hair back from her face and scowled up at Jag as he stepped into one of the lifts. She honestly didn’t know the answer to either of those questions. It had been so long and so many different transfers that she had lost count.
“I just want to see Hunter,” she replied stubbornly. “Now. Not later.”
“Are you always so stubborn?” Jag asked before he gave the command for medical. “Or am I the only one who gets to enjoy that part of you?”
“Yes, I am and no, you are not… the only one who gets to enjoy it. But, if you don’t get me to Hunter as soon as physically possible, I’m going to show you just how stubborn I can be,” Jesse snapped back.
Jag’s eyebrow rose this time. “Still threatening the commanding officer, I see,” he grunted. “You’ll be with Hunter in less than one minute. I have to warn you, the healer is keeping him under sedation until he has more time to heal. His wounds were much worse than they first suspected.”
“What do you mean? Much worse,” Jesse asked.
“He received a blow to his back that was already damaged. It caused bone fragments to pierce his spinal column. The fragments have been removed but there is some concern that it may have caused some damage to his lower extremities.”
Jesse paled and swayed but remained calm. They would deal with whatever happened. All she cared about was that he was alive.
“When will they know?” She asked.
Jag stepped out of the lift when the doors opened. He waited for Jesse. Staring down at her, he continued to be impressed by her quiet resolve.
“In a few days, hopefully. I’ll have the healer discuss it thoroughly with you,” Jag responded quietly.
“Thank you.”
“He is a good warrior,” Jag said with a shrug.
“He is more than that,” Jessed replied, tilting her head up to stare at the huge male. “He is my Amate.”
Chapter 24
Hunter woke in stages. He knew he was on board the Star Raider. He recognized Carp's deep voice speaking to someone before he faded out again. The next time he woke he could have sworn he could feel Jesse’s sweet hands caressing him. He wanted to reach out and grasp her but the darkness took him again. When he woke again, he could sense Carp bending over him.
“Don’t,” he whispered hoarsely. “Don’t.”
“Don’t what?” Carp’s deep voice asked.
“Don’t… sleep,” Hunter forced out. “Don’t put sleep.”
Carp’s low chuckle echoed in the dim room. “No more sleep for you, my friend. We need you to wake up so we can see what kind of damage you’ve done,” he responded.
Hunter’s eyes opened and he blinked. “Jesse,” he murmured.
“I’m here,” Jesse responded.
He slowly turned his head toward her voice. He blinked several times before she became clearer. He drank in her beautiful face.
“Love you,” he forced out.
Jesse’s face softened and a sweet smile curved her lips. She raised her hand to brush his hair back along his brow before tracing her fingers along the hard lines of his face. She continued caressing him with her thumb as she leaned over and brushed a kiss along his lips before rubbing her nose along his.
“I love you too, Hunter,” she said softly.
“Tired,” Hunter murmured as his eyes began to close again. “Don’t… go.”
“I’ll be right here,” Jesse whispered tenderly. “I’ll always be here for you.”
Jesse glanced up at Carp with concerned eyes. She watched as he lowered the blanket around Hunter’s feet. The grim look in his eyes caused her to worriedly bite her lip before her eyes moved back to Hunter’s peaceful face.
*.*.*
A week later, Jesse was ready to kill Hunter. If she heard him growl at the poor physical therapist working with him one more time, she was going to stuff a sock in his mouth. He had been a bear with a sore tooth since Carp informed him that he would need more time to heal.
“I don’t give a damn. I don’t need your fucking holding on to me like a babe,” Hunter snarled.
“Sir, you’ve had extensive damage to your spine,” the therapist was saying. “It takes time for the implants to learn what you are telling them.”
“I said…” Hunter began when Jesse finally stepped forward.
“Why don’t you take a break?” Jesse suggested. “I’d like to spend some time with my Amate.”
The therapist looked like he wanted to argue but decided a break would probably be better when he glanced back at Hunter’s dark face. He nodded and slid the mobile chair behind Hunter. With a quick bow, he turned and left them alone.
Jesse watched as Hunter grimaced as he lowered himself back into the chair with a look of distaste. He pressed the control on the side of the chair and moved it to the large windows that looked out over dark space. She knew he was trying to block her out. He had been doing it ever since he woke fully only to discover that he had limited feeling i
n his legs.
“You can’t ignore me forever,” she said softly. “I won’t let you.”
“You need to leave,” Hunter replied harshly. “I don’t want you here.”
“Bull shit!” Jesse ground out. “You need me now more than ever.”
*.*.*
Hunter swiveled around in the chair he was sitting in. His eyes glittered with fury. When he had first woken, he had thought the difficulty he was having moving his legs was due to the medication they had him on. It took him two days to realize that things were much, much graver.
He hated Jesse seeing him weak. He was gaining more feeling every day in his legs but it was proving to take longer than Carp had expected. Carp had explained that several small pieces of bone from a cracked vertebra had pierced his spinal column and damaged some of the nerves. He was able to repair the damage but several nerves had required nano implants until the damaged nerves healed themselves.
He refused to admit he was afraid the damage was permanent even though Carp assured him that he was confident no lasting damage had been done. It would just take time for the nerves to reconnect and understand what he was telling them. Until then, the nano implants would do it. They just had to learn what the signals he was sending meant.
“Jesse,” Hunter began before his voice faded at the look of distress on her face. “Come here.”
He opened his arms as she rushed forward, his arms wrapping around her as she curled up on his lap. Resting his chin on the top of her head, he turned the chair back around until they were facing the large window again. They sat in silence for several minutes before he drew in a deep breath.
“I don’t like you seeing me like this,” he admitted roughly. “I should be protecting you. Right now, I feel as weak as a newborn babe.”
He felt Jesse thread her fingers through his and draw his hand down until it lay over her stomach. He frowned in confusion when he felt a slight swell to it. His fingers spread out over her stomach at the same time as it dawned on him what she was silently telling him.
“Gods, Jesse!” Hunter whispered in shock. “Why didn’t you tell me? You have stayed by my side when you should be resting.”