Cherished (Intergalactic Loyalties) by Jessica Coulter Smith

head!”
    “No!” she assured him. “He didn’t force me. Cael, I… I think I love him. Don’t you see? A Tourmalane can only reproduce with their destined mate. It means I’m right.”
    “We’ll have a test done. You could be wrong. What if he just told you that you were pregnant as a way of keeping you by his side?”
    She sighed. “If you want a test, then do one, but I’m telling you the truth.”
    Cael placed a reassuring hand on her arm. “Whatever the results, I’ll take care of you, Lucie.”
    “I just want Dryxel.”
    “I’m sorry, Lucie. I thought I was doing the right thing. The Tarnans insisted you were being mistreated. Everyone knows the Tourmalanes are a warrior race with little compassion for their enemies. Women haven’t been part of their society in so long that no one knows how they will act around them.”
    “He’s a good man, Cael, and he cares about me. He doesn’t want me because I was conveniently in that hall. My blindness doesn’t bother him. You should have heard Ghel and Bynt that day. They called me ill, made me feel defective because I can’t see. Why would they want me if they feel that way? Or are they just so desperate that any female will do?”
    “I don’t know,” he muttered. “I don’t like that they call you ill though. There’s nothing wrong with you, other than your sight. And who’s to say that it won’t be cured in the future? We’re making strides in the medical field all the time.”
    “Cael, return me to Dryxel. I’ll explain to him that you thought you were helping me. He won’t harm you, I promise.”
    “I can’t, Lucie. Not only will the Tarnans not allow it, I have no idea where Dryxel’s ship is now. I doubt he’s in the same spot we left him, and we’re probably out of range for a transport. I used your tracker for my destination before.”
    She set her plate aside. “I’m not hungry.”
    “Lucie, please eat. I swear, I’ll do anything I can to protect you. If you’re truly pregnant, there’s no doubt your Dryxel will come for you. Even if you aren’t pregnant, if he cares, as you say he does, he’ll come. I would imagine we’ll wait until we reach Tarnan. We’ll be there by morning at the rate they’re traveling now.”
    “What are they going to do with me once we reach the surface?”
    “I’ll do whatever I have to for you to remain by my side. If I have to, I’ll get my brothers to help. Better yet, Ariana… you know the Tarnans would do anything for her.”
    “How is she?” Lucie asked.
    “Pregnant,” Cael said. Lucie could hear the smile in his voice.
    “That’s wonderful! I’m so happy for her and Bane.”
    “He’s driving her mad, I think. He hovers and won’t let her lift anything heavier than a plate of food. I’m not sure he even lets her do that. It wouldn’t surprise me if he fed her.”
    Lucie laughed. “I’m sure that’s going over well.”
    “I’ll have Ari visit with you while I get something from medical to test for pregnancy. I’ll just have to draw a little blood.”
    She watched him move across the room to the control panel on the wall. A moment later, she heard Ariana’s voice and knew he’d called her room. She hoped he wasn’t disturbing her and Bane. After Ari agreed to come sit with Lucie, Cael disconnected the call and returned to her side.
    “As soon as she arrives, I’ll slip out. I don’t want to leave you alone for too long, in case the Tarnans get it in their heads to move you elsewhere.”
    “They’re going to do much worse,” she said softly, knowing she needed to come clean.
    “What do you mean?”
    “I know how Dryxel escaped.”
    He tipped her chin up. “How do you know that information, Lucie? You were safely tucked away in your room, locked in I believe. They still don’t understand how he got you out.”
    “Rebecca.”
    “What about Rebecca?” he growled.
    “She freed me. And she gave me the key to Dryxel’s cell.”
    Cael cursed softly. “You