Alien Warrior’s Promise by Sue Mercury

Chapter 17

Macy listenedfor Dakk’s footsteps and sighed with relief when she heard his voice on the other side of the door. She’d overheard the entire ordeal in the entryway, even from her hiding place in the library, but she hadn’t wanted to burst out of the library until Dakk came for her, just on the off chance Xaarrn managed to escape the commander and his investigators.

She was surprised that Dakk hadn’t killed Xaarrn, but she didn’t fault him for it—she could not imagine taking another person’s life and sometimes wondered if Vaxxlian warriors were burdened by the number of Irrcon lives they’d taken during the war. But it sounded as though Xaarrn would be put to death soon anyway, which meant he would no longer pose a threat.

Still clutching the knife she’d swiped from the kitchen on her way here, she flung the door open and looked Dakk up and down, wanting to ensure he hadn’t sustained any injuries. Not that he wouldn’t heal fast anyway, thanks to the nanobots in his system, but she still couldn’t help but check him over. The thought of any harm coming to him made her heart ache.

“It is safe now, yummiska,” he said, his voice gentle. “Are you all right?” He caught sight of the knife in her hand and his eyes widened.

Was he surprised that she meant to protect herself if need be? Or was he offended that she would plan for worst-case scenarios, in the unfortunate event that Xaarrn bested him?

He’d promised to keep her safe, and she still believed him—and hell, he’d gotten here in time, hadn’t he?—but her time spent on the run from her father’s enemies had taught her to always be prepared for the worst. Keeping a knife on hand had saved her from having to share her bed with creepy men in the safehouses. She fought to push the memories away. She wasn’t on Earth anymore and what had just happened wasn’t the same thing.

“Macy? Are you all right?” Dakk’s gaze swept over her body from head to toe. “He didn’t touch you, did he? I came running as soon as I received an alert that the security system had failed. I-I hope he didn’t—”

“He didn’t touch me, Dakk,” she said, wanting to reassure him. The pain in his eyes broke her heart. “You got here in time, and I promise I’m okay. I’m not hurt. A bit shaken up, sure, but I’m not hurt, and neither are you. That’s what’s most important. We’re both okay.” She smiled at him and reached for his arm, smoothing her hand down his bicep. He hadn’t even broken a sweat as he subdued Xaarrn, and she marveled at his strength.

“I am sorry I failed you, yummiska.” His eyes clouded with regret.

Confusion swirled through her. “Failed me? How?” She glanced down at the knife, shook her head slightly, and tossed it onto a nearby side table. “I-I knew you would protect me, Dakk, but I grabbed the knife anyway, out of habit more than anything. On Earth…” Her voice trailed off and she forced in a steadying breath before she continued. “On Earth, when I was on the run, sometimes men tried to take advantage of me. So I always kept a knife—or two or three—on me, just in case I needed to protect myself. Please-please don’t be offended.”

The pain in his eyes deepened and he gathered her face in his hands. “I’m not offended you grabbed the knife, Macy. I am glad you know how to protect yourself, though it saddens me to know you had to learn in the first place. No female should experience what you did on Earth.” He swallowed hard and appeared to hesitate. “The men who tried to take advantage of you… did any of them ever hurt you?”

She suppressed a tremble. “None of them ever succeeded in claiming me, if that’s what you’re asking. Most times, I’d hold them off with a knife just long enough to call for help. Once their wives or other family members heard me screaming, they usually backed off and tried to play it off as a misunderstanding. There was only one time when I actually had to stab a guy—got him right in the thigh while he was taking his pants off.”

“Oh, Macy, I am so sorry, my sweet mate.” Anguish threaded his voice. He pulled her closer, wrapping her in the comfort of his embrace.

Macy had kept these secrets for a long fucking time. She’d resolved to tell no one, and she’d been purposely vague whenever Skylar questioned her about her time on the run and what the safehouses had been like. But finally talking about it and revealing the full truth to Dakk made her feel lighter. Less burdened.

Less broken.

“I don’t think you failed me, Dakk,” she whispered. “Please don’t think that. You did everything in your power to protect me from Xaarrn and in the end, you succeeded.”

“The security system—”

“It’s not your fault that he knows how to hack a security system.” She pulled back to peer into his dark eyes, the eyes she had come to love. “You can’t plan for every contingency. No one can. Please do not blame yourself for anything that has happened today, or even the fire or the fight you had long ago with Xaarrn. He brought destruction upon himself with his own choices and the hatred in his heart.”

She rose on her toes and kissed the edge of his chin. Then she smiled, grabbed hold of his shirt, and pulled him down until his face was level with hers. She kissed his cheek, and finally pressed her lips to his.

“There. That’s better. You make me wish I were taller, just so I could kiss you more easily.” Her eyes gleamed with moisture. “I’m glad I’m mated to you, Dakk, and I’m so happy you didn’t get hurt. I can’t lose you. I can’t. I… think I love you. No, I know I do. Yes, it’s true. I love you.”

* * *

I love you.Macy’s profession echoed in his head.

She flushed and ran her hands up and down his arms, peering up at him with a hesitant look, as if she feared he might not reciprocate her feelings.

But oh how his heart sang with joy. Not only did Macy not blame him for what had happened today, but she also loved him.

“I love you, too, yummiska,” he confessed, drawing her closer. “You have become the light that illuminates my life.” She had become his whole world, his reason for breathing.

Macy exhaled quickly. “Well, that’s a relief. I’ve been holding that in for a while.” Her smile widened and her entire face lit up. Sunlight streamed into the window, bathing her hair in gold, accentuating her bright appearance, reminding him again that she was his light in the darkness, his perfect other half. His beloved mate.

He swept her up in his arms and carried her to the sofa that faced the window overlooking the sparkling blue lake. He sank down and cradled her to his chest, reveling in the beauty of this moment.

He placed his lips to her ear. “I will cherish you until the end of my days, sweet yummiska. I promise.”

“And I promise I’ll cherish you right back, my husband.”