Upon the Threshold (32 page)

“The bed is perfect. I was giving you a hard time.” She petted him very softly. “I love the bed. It’s very, very comfortable, and it’s big enough that we could play all kinds of fantastic games in bed.” She smiled happily and kissed his chest. “I’m happy, Kraven. Thank you for that.”

He gave her a gentle squeeze. “You are most welcome, Elisabeth. You should try to rest for a time if you can. Then we will see about getting some food into you for both you and the child. You will need to keep your strength up for all our sakes.”

“Don’t worry. I wouldn’t do anything to endanger myself or our child.” Rubbing her cheek against his chest, she held on to him and yawned once more. “Good rest,” she whispered softly and was soon sound asleep against him.

* * * *

When Lukkis came back to their rooms, he had a data pad in his hands. “We have been assigned to watch over the Enlightened for a time. Their former oppressors are back and think they are going to walk in and take over.” His voice was low in deference to their sleeping mate.

“They are insane.” Kraven looked over the pad and shifted slightly. “She wanted to wait up for you,” he told Lukkis as the man slipped into bed with them.

“She’s carrying our child. She shouldn’t wait up for me.” His arms moved to surround Eli, and he pulled her close while Kraven pored over the data. “They are thinking they will take over the Enlightened.”

“We won’t allow that to happen. They are under our protection.”

“Which is why we have been ordered there. We are the closest ship to their world at the moment. They understand that they will need to get reinforcements to us as soon as possible. They have received the information that our mate is with child,” Lukkis said as he stroked Elisabeth’s arm.

“She would be devastated if she wasn’t able to see her dad before our child comes along. We will give her all that she ever needs.” Kraven’s words were confident. He continued to flip through the information and then put the data pad on the table to the side of the bed. “We will start to the Enlightened tomorrow. I have a feeling our little mate will like them,” he said and turned off the light.

“I think you are correct. They are unique, and I think that their uniqueness will intrigue our little mate.”

“Agreed. Is the armory ready?”

“Yes, all weapons are ready, as are the men,” Lukkis replied.

“Good.”

That was the last that they spoke before going to sleep with their mate.

Chapter Twenty-Two

They’d had to stay with the Enlightened longer than Kraven had planned. Elisabeth knew it had been beyond his control. She definitely didn’t blame him for that. He had a responsibility to protect the Enlightened first and foremost—something she understood and commended him for.

As soon as the other Droushanian vessel had arrived to protect the Enlightened, they’d left as quickly as had been polite, which had meant a large meal to bless their travels. On top of that, the Enlightened had presented her with a large number of gifts for her child. Many had been necessary items, some thoughtful, others quite silly and yet appreciated.

By her count, they’d been on the Enlightened’s world for roughly five Earth weeks. With the travel there, plus the travel to get to her dad’s world, they’d been gone from Droushanian Prime for nearly eight weeks.

“We will be arriving in orbit soon.” Kraven’s voice came from behind her. “I know you prefer to be seated on the command deck, so we need to go soon, Elisabeth.”

“Thank you.” Eli turned to face Kraven and smiled when his gaze went to her belly—something that had grown more than she had expected in the time they had been gone. It wasn’t as if she was huge, but she no longer had a flat stomach and instead had to switch her clothing to loose pants and Kraven’s shirts to help with comfort for the small swell of her belly.

She moved to his arms and let him wrap her up into a tight hug and smiled. “I love you too,” was all she said as she felt his arms rubbing up and down her back, soothing her with the soft and gentle motions.

He nuzzled her temple, one of his hands settling in at her nape as he let out a long breath. He did it often. It was clear to all that Kraven was the father of the child Eli carried by how he was constantly touching her, how he growled at anyone other than Lukkis being near Eli. He was breathing in her scent or releasing tension through a breath as he held her. An announcement of their impending landing was filtered through the vessel. “We are approaching the atmosphere and will begin our descent shortly. We need to go, little mate.”

Eli nodded and moved in a bit closer to Kraven for the barest of moments before she pulled back and nodded. “Well then, let’s get up there so that we can land. Hopefully, Dad will be ready for us all.”

“I’m sure he’s been ready for many dawnings. Has likely been with my people, waiting for any news, since we sent the communiqué that we were leaving the Enlightened’s planet.” Keeping her close to his side, he led her toward the command deck.

“This is true. The last time I spoke with him, he was anxious because I didn’t tell him why we were coming, just that we were. I think that he’s worried that Parker has gotten free of the Bonds Market, because he asked me if the man had reappeared and was causing issues again.”

“We will set his mind at ease, Elisabeth. You are his daughter. He has a right to worry for your safety. Though the fact you have two healthy mates to look after you should weigh into the matter and lessen his worries at least a little.” On the command deck, he walked her to his chair, getting her strapped in. “Lukkis will be here in a moment. I need to attend to a couple of matters. Will you be fine until his arrival?”

“I will.” Eli shifted in the chair and looked back at him. “Go. Do what you need to do and I will be fine. Neither of you like to leave me alone, and I’m thankful for that.”

Leaning over the arm of the chair, he pressed a kiss to her lips. “I love you, Elisabeth.” He spoke softly, enough that no other could possibly hear him. Another quick kiss and he left her side to go get his crew ready for their landing.

Eli watched Kraven as he left and had to smile. She was happy, and these men made her even more so. Leaning her head back in the comfortable seat, she closed her eyes and simply smiled. Life was good. She had found love and happiness in the unknown. She was a lucky woman indeed.

Loose Id Titles by April Zyon

Upon the Threshold

April Zyon

Having been a lover of the written word all her life, April has always wanted to expand her horizons and write something that could be shared with the world. Only one thing held April back: the fact that the letters and numbers mixed and jumbled more often than not. Diagnosed with Dyslexia when she was eight years old, April had to work her butt off just to be able to keep up with the other kids in reading and writing, so her love for fictional writing was tossed to the wayside for the moment.

Time marched on, as it always does, and she forgot her childhood dream of becoming an author and instead focused on what she had to--creating a career for herself.As the endless waves of time passed the shores became less rocky and more sandy, a place where she could find an even footing. That and Microsoft invented Word. Halleluja.

This is where April began her journey into the written world, the world that her imagination had been ceaselessly creating for her entire adult life.

Now she has been given a chance to let her literary wings unfold and fly, thanks to her amazing publishers. Now it's time to let the dream take flight and watch it soar!

Links to find the author:

Facebook:
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Twitter:
https://twitter.com/honorjames2015

Tsu:
http://www.tsu.co/honorjames2015

Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/April-Zyon/e/B00N2CC3QM/