Havik knelt next to his mate. “The female requires a medic, but I am not inclined to find one.”
Retrieving a square of cloth from the female’s pocket, Thalia mopped up the blood. “Be quiet. You’re not dying. You’re welcome, by the way. I hope you enjoy a nice long life in prison.”
The female bared her teeth, all bloody, and spat. Thalia shoved the filthy rag in the female’s mouth. “Do you have handcuffs? Oh, shut the fuck up, Sue. I begged you to leave.”
The female thrashed, kicking ineffectively with her good leg.
“Stop that! Bad Sue!” Thalia bopped the female on her broken nose. A new howl of ragged agony tore from the female, only partially muffled by the rag stuffed in her mouth.
Havik handed his mate a set of cuffs and supervised as she bound the female. Finished, she turned toward him and placed a bloody hand on his chest. Pride swelled that his mate marked him with the blood of her enemy, slain by her own hand. That part of his chest had the marker for his clan. He would cover the old tattoo with a new emblem, with her handprint.
Overcome by the need to hold his mate, he pulled her into his arms. A glittery powder covered every inch of her. The sharp, chemical smell masked her clean, blossoming scent and made his nose itch. She felt so fragile in his arms as she buried her face against his chest.
They were an oasis in the chaos. People shouted and ran. Weapons clashed. Caged animals growled and roared. They could endure in that moment forever, sheltered in each other’s arms and safe.
“Thalia,” he moaned. Clutching her, he vowed to never let her go again. He had so many things to share with her, to confess his heart, that he did not know where to begin.
His mate let out a hiss and stiffened. “Fuck, that smarts, but I don’t want you to let go.”
“I will not.” Never again. Somehow fate gave him another chance to redeem himself and prove that he could be more than a selfish, image-obsessed male. If he achieved nothing else in this life than being a good mate to Thalia, then he would count himself an accomplished male.
“Why don’t I feel more upset? I shot a person,” she said, her voice muffled.
“You defended yourself.” He took her red hand in his, turning it over to study the injuries she had accumulated. He needed to inspect every part of her, but she needed reassurance from his first. “You gave her the opportunity to flee. You did well.”
“It doesn’t feel like it. This sucks.” Moisture appeared at the corners of her eyes. “It’s like Sue wanted to die.”
“The female had a blade pressed to the throat of my mate. She flirted with more than death.”
If Thalia noticed he claimed her as his mate, she made no comment. Instead, her lashes grew heavy as she blinked away tears. She wiped the back of her hand across her cheeks to mop up the moisture, leaving a red trail.
“You require a medic.” He rose to his feet and lifted her in his arms.
“Just take me home, please.”
He noticed she did not demand to be put down. “Medic first. Then home.”
Thalia
The medic approached cautiously. Havik set Thalia down on her feet and then stepped in front of her, blocking her with his body like a great red wall.
“The female is injured,” the medic said.
Thalia inspected her hands and scrapes on her arm. None of the cuts seemed deep. “I’m fine. I look worse than I am,” she said.
Havik spun and glared down at her. “You are covered in blood. You are not fine.” He took the kit from the medic. “I will clean her wounds. You are not required.”
The medic opened his mouth as if he wanted to argue, then scanned the room. “Fine. I am too busy to deal with your posturing. Contact me if the wounds are deep or she faints.”
Havik crouched down to her eye level. “Are you going to faint?”
“I’m cold.” With adrenaline leaving her system, she shivered.
Havik looked around the room and pointed to a man with a purple complexion and horns. He wore a blue robe of obvious quality with silver embroidery on the sleeves and sash. Havik pointed a finger and said, “You.”
The man jumped.
“Give me your garment.”
The man paled but stripped off the outer robe. Underneath, he wore a navy-blue tank and pants. With a shaking hand, he held it out to Havik, who snatched it quickly. Carefully he placed it over Thalia’s shoulders. The owner looked like he would protest but closed his mouth with a squeak when Havik glared at him.
“This is too nice. I’ll ruin it,” Thalia said.
“That male had been apprehended in the raid. He was here to purchase a sentient being. It has already been ruined by contact with him,” Havik said.
Thalia stroked the silken sleeve, leaving the blue fabric grungy. “Not its fault it was owned by a creep, but I see your point. Thank you.”
“Are you still cold? Require fluid? Sustenance? Are you in shock?”
Maybe. She wanted a shower and then she’d look at her injuries. “I want to go home. Do we have to stay here?”
“No. Your medical condition is not critical. You do not have to be attended to here.” Without warning, Havik scooped her up and carried her through the crowd.
Chapter 17
Havik
Havik ran on instinct. He stripped Thalia and washed away the evidence of her capture. Under the warm water, her trembling ceased, and she relaxed. He focused on lathering and rinsing, keeping his touch clinical, even as she leaned into him and hummed with contentment.
The water plastered her hair to her head, and she looked up at him with such a sly smile.
“Feeling better?”
“A sexy shower with my favorite
