Page 95 of Tempting Fate

I could bear the weakness of kalidi for now. I could. And though I craved the bliss of release, it would be no pleasure at all without my beautiful Imani.

My cock throbbed.

My resolve is the rock that withstands the storm.

It wasn’t enough to say the mantra in my head, and I whispered it under my breath.

The medic’s brow ridges rose to meet his horns. “Is that a nebaru mantra?”

“What? No. It is Orithian.” My sister had taught me years ago; where else would she have got it?

He pressed the medspray to my arm. “No, that might not be traditional wording, but the mantra form is definitely nebaru.”

A foreign ritual.

I waited for shame or anger to arrive, but there was nothing, only a truth—the mantras had helped me for years.

“Urgh, what you saying?” Imani’s bleary voice echoed in the sterile room. “Airi, are you okay?”

My bones tingled. “Imani! Are you well?” I pushed up from the chair but fell back, too weak from kalidi to stand.

“I’m okay.” Her eyes traced my face, and dropped to where my cock tented my breeches. “Give me a minute.”

The medic rushed over to her. “Don’t be ridiculous. You could have died, human. You need to rest.”

“He needs me. I don’t want anyone else to do it.”

Such a simple claim, and it went right to my bones. “How is she? Check for me.”

The medic arched a brow. I strained to hear their low conversation, but heard little over the pounding of blood in my ears.

The weakness I could deal with—even without kalidi, after all that had happened I would likely be exhausted for the day. And though I craved relief, I could almost imagine Imani murmuring, “No, kitten, you have to wait.” It both increased my need and made it more bearable.

My gut twisted. If I could manage kalidi like this, it must be improving—which meant my guaranteed time with Imani grew short. I had looked forward to the time I’d no longer be beholden to kalidi, but a future without Imani in it was not one I wished to consider.

“She needs more rest. You cannot ask this of her,” the medic said.

“I am not!” I pushed down my anger; he was only looking after her, as I wished to. “I want to know how she is. Let me speak with her, please.”

He huffed and released the brakes on the chair, waiting for it to hover before pushing it to the space adjacent to her bed.

With great effort, I placed my hand on her arm. “Moonlight?”

She gave a wan smile. “Airi, are you okay? I’m sorry I can’t help right now. Mean doctor.”

“I will cope. I’m staying with you.” My cock pulsed; I ignored it and addressed the medic. “Put us in a bed together. Sedate me if you have to, but I won’t leave her—and I won’t have anyone else attend to me.”

Imani was mine. I wasn’t leaving her, no matter the cost.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

Daily Grind

Imani

WITH MUCH GRUMBLING about stubborn patients, the medic moved us to a shaa nest in the back of the medical hut.

My hands were still tender. Guilt needled me that I couldn’t help Airida, but I couldn’t help the soft hum of satisfaction that he didn’t want anyone else.