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Laying a hand on her snout, Rafe stroked it in slow, gentle movements. “Don’t look at me like that. Just because you can’t speak right now doesn’t mean I can’t read what’s in your eyes. Stop doubting me, Nikola Gray.” She grunted and he continued, “I’ll be honest and say watching you fall toward the ground nearly stopped my heart. And seeing you in pain makes me wish I could do something to take the burden from you.” He stopped stroking and took her snout in between his hands. “Do I want to yell and growl at you? I’d be lying if I said no. But asking you never to fly a mission again or to give up your Protector position would slowly kill you. Am I right?”
She nodded.
“Then just know when I tell you never to do that again, I’m saying it because I care. Not because I’m trying to throw ultimatums or to force you into a mold that would destroy you.”
Tears prickled her eyes. She wanted to believe Rafe. She really did. No dragon-shifter male soldier she’d ever met would be so understanding with a pregnant female.
Her beast spoke up. Don’t doubt him. He cares for us. His honesty should convince you.
In that second, she decided to believe Rafe until he gave her a reason not to. Letting go of her doubts and excuses, she acted on impulse and gently pulled him close to hug him. His warmth and scent helped her to forget about the pain in her wing.
Just like he’d help to ease her fear of going to sleep.
It seemed her human was proving to be the best medicine she ever could’ve hoped for.
Rafe chuckled, interrupting her thoughts. “Careful, Nikki. I’m man enough to admit you’re stronger than me right this second.” She loosened her grip a fraction and Rafe met one of her eyes. “But once you can shift into a human again, I challenge you to a sparring match so I can pin you beneath me again.”
Nikki snorted.
Her dragon spoke up. You want to keep him, too. Admit it.
Let’s see how this week goes first.
Although, if Rafe kept up his acceptance of her, she just might start doing more than merely fancying him.
Then he leaned forward and kissed her snout. The gesture touched her.
“I’ll take your expression as a yes.” Rafe patted her snout and his voice filled the tent again. “Now that I know you’re okay, I’m going to fill you in on what happened.” Nikki tilted her head and he continued, “We found one of the guns that fired at you. We’re unsure if it’s the only one, but one of your engineers is taking a look at it right now before I call in some of my army colleagues. Our hope is to find a way to defend against it.”
Bobbing her head, Nikki pushed aside her feelings about Rafe and switched into work mode. She traced a word in the dirt floor with a talon. “Who?”
Rafe shook his head. “I don’t know yet.” He met her eye again. “But one of the women I met troubles me. She seemed to think dragon’s blood can cure cancer. As successful as Melanie’s book was last year, I’m starting to think its popularity is beginning to fade.”
Tracing a few more letters, Nikki moved her paw away and Rafe looked at the words “Jane can help” scratched into the ground.
“I was thinking about that too,” Rafe answered. “My sister keeps talking about launching her videocast but hasn’t accomplished it yet. A human from Lochguard, Gina MacDonald, has started offering marketing ideas. But with Gina’s new child and a protective mate, the project isn’t going as quickly as it could be.” Rafe grimaced. “As much as I hate to think of the danger Jane could be in, I’m going to suggest for her to go up to Scotland to finalize things. The trouble will be getting Kai on board.”
Nikki tapped Jane’s name on the ground, hoping Rafe would understand her meaning. If he went to Jane first, then Kai might not even be able to stop her.
With a sigh, Rafe finally answered, “Her mate is going to hate me even more, but sometimes, the dragonman needs to be a little less protective.” Nikki tilted her head in question and Rafe continued, “I know it’s weird coming from me. But a certain dragonwoman has taught me that flat-out saying no without taking into account someone’s skills and assets is just plain daft. I can’t promise never to be protective, especially if yours, Jane’s, or the health of anyone else I care about comes into question. But I would rather change than push you away for good. And not just because of the baby. Life would be boring without you, Nikki. The thought of losing you rushed through my mind as you fell today.” He placed a hand on her snout again. “And I realized it was a life I didn’t want to have.”
And just like that, Nikki fell a little bit in love with Rafe Hartley.
Her dragon chuckled. I told you he is a good match. He is our true mate. He will make us happy.
Lightly tapping his chest with her snout, Nikki wished there was another way to say how much she valued Rafe’s confession.
However, before she had much of a chance, Ginny, one of Stonefire’s nurses, rushed into the tent.
The gray-haired dragonwoman was notorious for handling difficult cases. But as Ginny looked from Nikki to Rafe and back again, she smiled. “I was expecting to find a row. But it seems I misjudged the pair of you.”
She held out a file to Rafe and Nikki’s human retrieved it. Ginny nodded toward the file. “That tells you not only how to care for Nikki, but also what to expect. I can show you for the first few times how to change and dress the wound on her wing. But if you could do it after that, it would greatly help me out.”
Rafe answered, “I’ve had my fair share of field medic training. Show me once and I can manage it.”
Ginny smiled at Rafe and Nikki wanted to hug her man to her side.
Her beast snorted. She’s an older female. There is nothing to worry about.
