Thorn's Bondmate (Zarronian Warriors Book 2) (23 page)

"I know. I've already told her I'll find her a house when this is over."

"I don't think she'll let you do that."

"We'll work it out."

"We need to take care of her until the baby comes and afterwards."

"I'll handle it, Mother. She'll be fine."

"But, Thorn, how will she live? How will she buy food, and the other things she'll need for herself and the baby?"

Impatiently, he told her, "Don't worry about it. I'll take care of her. I don't have a female to spend my credits on anyway. I might as well spend them on Daria."

"She won't like that. Earth females have strange ideas about independence and things like that."

Thorn frowned. This entire situation was becoming too complex. Every time he thought about it a new problem presented itself. He was spared from answering when the chimes on the front door sounded. Relieved, he hurried to the door and greeted Borg.

Borg smiled and didn't bother with greeting him. "Where's the patient?"

"Upstairs, in her chamber." Thorn turned and bumped into his mother. He caught her as she stumbled, then set her on her feet. His father joined them as he led Borg to the stairs.

"What happened, Thorn?" Borg asked him as the four of them climbed the stairs. "Did she fall?"

"No. Nothing like that. Daria was sick on the starship and she's lost a lot of weight. With the morning sickness she can't regain it and I think she's too slender."

"I see. What made her sick on the starship?"

"She was upset and she couldn't eat."

"I see. Was she upset because you'd found her and accused her of spying?" Borg asked.

"She was spying. She had a notebook full of information about us. So, yes, I'd say that upset her."

"The best thing to do for the morning sickness is give her bread and tea in the morning before she gets up," Borg said. "But, I want to check her anyway. Just to make sure she and the baby are healthy."

"Good." Thorn opened Daria's door and stepped aside so Borg could enter. When he started to follow him his father grabbed his arm and pulled him back as his mother brushed by him and closed the door in his face.

"You can't go in there. Your mother and Borg will take care of Daria."

Thorn wanted to brush his father's hand away and storm into her chamber and hover over her as Borg examined her. If he did that, they'd know he was possessive of her. "Fine. I'll be downstairs if you need me. He pulled his arm free, and walked away, feeling his father's eyes boring into his back.

# # #

"Daria, now that we've been introduced why don't you tell me how you're feeling?" Borg asked.

Daria blushed. "I'm better now. It's only when I first get up that I feel so ill."

"Or if something upsets you? Like a certain food or Thorn?"

"Yes. Either one of those will do it." She grimaced and sent Lia an apologetic smile.

"Thorn said you were unable to eat on the journey here. When did that start and how much weight do you think you've lost?"

"It started about two moon phases ago. I think I've lost about fifteen pounds."

"I see. But, you've gained some of it back?" He studied her slender arms and the hollowness of her pale cheeks.

"Yes, some of it, but now I'm losing it again."

"We're going to make sure you don't lose anymore." He turned to Lia. "Bread and tea first thing when she wakes up will help with the morning sickness, Lia. Can you have a serving female bring it to her?"

"Yes. I was going to try that anyway." Lia sent Daria a smile.

"Good. Now, how far along in your pregnancy are you?" he asked.

Numbers ran through her head as she glanced at him, then at Lia. She couldn't admit the truth. Not in front of Lia. Quickly, she added several weeks to the truth. "About three moon phases."

Borg frowned. "Gestation on Earth is nine of your months, right?"

"Yes," Daria said.

"On Zarronia gestation is only six moon phases but in both cases the morning sickness usually ends after the first third of the pregnancy. The morning sickness should stop soon."

Daria nodded, feeling guilty for lying to them.

"Shouldn't the morning sickness have passed to the baby's father by now, Borg?" Lia asked.

The question confused Daria.

Borg chuckled. "No, Lia. Earth males don't get the morning sickness. Only their females do."

At first amazed, then alarmed, Daria asked, "Do all of the Zarronian warriors experience morning sickness?" If Thorn got it, it would serve him right, she thought, but then her secret would be out.

"Yes," Borg said. "Our bondmates only have a slight problem with it at the beginning but sometime during the pregnancy the warrior has it for about thirty cycles."

"When does that happen to the warrior?" Daria asked.

"Usually around the third or fourth moon phases." Borg smiled at her.

"That's incredible." She laughed. "And, fair. Too bad the men on Earth don't experience it." She'd enjoy seeing Thorn losing his breakfast. It would serve him right for not believing her.

Lia and Borg laughed. "I'm going to give you two weeks to gain back some of the weight you've lost. If you haven't fattened up by then we'll find a way to help you. Alright, Daria?"

"Yes, thank you, Doctor Veeson.

"Call me Borg. Everyone in this family does. I want to see you in my clinic in seven cycles for a preliminary exam."

"Thank you, Borg. Do you think my baby is okay?"

Borg gave her an understanding smile. "Yes. The baby is fine but no more skipping meals. Also, I want you to rest in the afternoons and get some exercise but not too much. Just a walk around the garden would be fine."

Daria smiled. "Okay."

Borg rubbed his hands together. "Now, if you're feeling better, I want you to eat some breakfast. Do you think you can do that now?"

"Yes," she laughed. "After the sickness goes away, I'm always starving."

"Good. I believe I'll join you. Thorn's call interrupted my breakfast." Turning to Lia, he asked, "You don't mind feeding an old warrior do you, Lia?"

Laughing, Lia shook her head, then helped Daria from the bed. "I imagine Eirik is downstairs eating my food as we speak."

Borg laughed and led the way down the stairs and into the dining room. Eirik grinned at them as he raised a bite of food to his mouth.

As Borg sat down Valan groaned. "Borg, who invited you?"

"Your bondmate," Borg said innocently.

"I'll believe that when I see a two-eyed Witvian," Valan growled. Eirik and Borg shouted with laughter.

"Now, Son, you wouldn't begrudge two old warriors a meal would you?" Eirik asked.

"I would if I thought you wouldn't go running to Lia." Valan said then looked at Daria. "How are you feeling, Daria?"

"Much better."

"Excellent! You know, I've been thinking about your situation."

"You have?" Daria asked.

"Yes. You and your occupation. I want you to go before the Council tomorrow morning." Valan turned toward Borg. "Can she do that?"

"The afternoon would be better," Borg said.

"Fine. Then, we'll see Daria in the afternoon. I don't want you to worry about this Daria. It's only a formality and we'll be with you," Eirik said.

Daria nodded. "Will they ask me about my notebook?" She knew Thorn had given it to him, as she'd seen it on Valan's desk.

"Yes, but you needn't worry. Valan and I have already explained your occupation to them."

Daria couldn't help but think about what had happened the last time she'd been questioned. Absently, she rubbed the band on her left arm. She caught Valan watching her and dropped her hand.

Valan rose from his chair and pulled Lia's back. "We'll see you later. Finish your breakfast, Daria and Eirik and Borg will entertain you while we're gone."

Daria glanced at Eirik then at Borg. "Tell me, Borg. Do doctors on Zarronia do the same things as doctors on Earth?"

Eirik chuckled and elbowed Borg. "I told you she was as curious as a saber-cat."

Borg grinned, then began telling Daria about his practice. When he finished Eirik laughed. "My son told me how good you were at your job, Daria, but listening to you while you interviewed Borg was amazing."

Borg laughed. "I feel like I've been questioned by the Council." He stood up. "I've got to get back to my clinic."

Eirik rose. "I'll walk with you. I'm needed at the Council chambers." He smiled. "I'll see you later Daria."

# # #

Later that afternoon, Daria and Lia were in the living area taking notes on the furnishings available when Thorn and Soren returned followed by two tired little warriors.

Dane and Dev saw Daria and climbed up on the couch, one on each side of her. Leaning against her, they told her they'd been to the training academy with their father and Uncle Soren. Daria stroked Dev's hair as she glanced at Thorn's brother.

Now, that she could see him clearly, she could see that his eyes were aqua, like Lia's. Soren caught her looking at him.

"Thorn, you haven't formally introduced me to your bondmate."

Thorn looked at her, saw his sons snuggled up to her, and frowned. "Daria, this is my brother, Soren. Soren this is Daria, a spy from Earth."

Daria heard Lia gasp as Soren's smile disappeared.

Blushing, she forced herself to smile at Soren and tell him, "I'm not really a spy. I'm a reporter for a newspaper on Earth."

"I know, Daria. My father told me. Even my stubborn brother doesn't really believe you're a spy. Even if he won't admit it."

Dane looked from his father to his uncle, then laid his head on Daria's lap and yawned. Daria combed her fingers through his hair, drawing a sigh from him before he closed his eyes. Dev copied his brother and Daria massaged his head too. Within seconds they were both asleep.

Daria looked down at them and smiled. They were so wonderful and so lovable. Watching them sleep she realized how sleepy she was and yawned.

Soren laughed, then picked up Dev. "Thorn, get Dane. I think Daria needs a nap."

Thorn lifted Dane from her lap then walked out. Daria rose from the couch. "Soren's right. Suddenly, I'm so tired."

Lia smiled. "It's the baby, Daria. When I was carrying Thorn and Soren all I did was sleep. And, eat. It got so bad that Valan carried food with us everywhere we went."

Daria smiled. "Well, at least I'll gain back the weight I've lost if that happens to me. I'll see you later, Lia."

"Sleep well, Daria."

Chapter Twelve

After lunch the next day, Daria walked to the Council Building. Valan and Eirik walked in front of her, with Thorn and Soren following closely behind. Daria glanced down at Lia. "I was wondering about something. What do you do when you want to travel farther away? To one of the other provinces?"

Lia slid her arm through Daria's and smiled. "We use small shuttles or we transfer to one of the docking stations, then transfer from there to one of the other provinces."

"I haven't seen any shuttles." Daria glanced at the sky. "We walked from the transfer station the other day."

"We prefer to walk, although that's changing as our cities grow larger. In fact, the Council has recently passed several new laws which regulate the size of our cities and how closely they're spaced from each other."

"Really? So, how large is a city allowed to grow before it reaches its limit? Is that based on population, or actual-"

Eirik laughed, and patted her shoulder. "Soon, Daria, your curiosity will be satisfied. I promise."

Daria laughed. "I'm sorry. There's just so much I don't understand, and it's driving me a little crazy, I guess. My father always said that someday my curiosity would get me into trouble and now I know he was right."

"I believe you're about to begin the greatest adventure of your life." Eirik moved back to Valan's side.

Daria looked at the building they approached. It was huge, and made of dark brown marble. Steps stretched across the front of it from one corner to the other, and led to a wide terrace which led to six sets of huge, double doors spaced evenly along the front of the building. Daria counted the rows of windows above the doors and decided the building had five stories.

Her nerves began to tighten as she placed her foot on the first step. They'd told her not to worry, but she felt as if she was going to her doom. She faltered, and felt Lia take her arm.

"I know you're frightened, but I promise you, we won't allow anything bad to happen to you."

Daria nodded, then lifted her chin and climbed the rest of the steps. As they approached the doors several warriors stepped through them and she recognized them from the starship. The blond one with the bright blue eyes glanced at her, frowned, and greeted Eirik.

"Dag, Borg and I have made a wager about whether or not you will take off before the bonding with Lisa," Eirik said.

Dag laughed. "You might as well give Borg the credits you owe him. I'm not abandoning Lisa."

"There's still time for you to change your mind," Eirik said. "I believe I'll wait a while longer." He turned to the other warrior. "Ronin, I don't suppose you've chosen a female, yet?"

"No, and that's not likely to happen until the last moment," Ronin said.

Daria stared at Ronin. She'd thought that Thorn was the most handsome man she'd ever seen but this guy was pure fantasy with his long sable hair and the most beautiful pair of green eyes she'd ever seen. Leonardo De Vinci couldn't have done justice to his extremely well- proportioned face and body.

"Ronin, have you met Daria?" Eirik asked. "She was on the Invincible."

Ronin looked at Daria. His eyes sparkled as he sent her a heart-stopping grin. "No, I didn't get the opportunity to meet her on the journey."

Daria smiled and thought his voice could melt solid iron.

"Too bad, boy. You missed your chance," Eirik said. "Let's go. The Council will be waiting."

Thorn grasped Daria's arm and led her into the building. They walked rapidly across the marble floors of the huge entry and she barely had time to glance around before he shoved two doors open and pulled her through them.