A Warrior's Heart: Marastin Dow Warriors Book 1

Chapter 11

Ben jumped when Hanine, Evetta and a third figure suddenly appeared in the small living area. He paled when he recognized the familiar human features of the woman in Evetta's arms. Rushing forward, he carefully picked the unconscious woman up in his arms.

"I thought you were getting a healer! You said there were no other humans on this Spaceport," he growled as he walked through the doorway into the second bedroom and gently laid the woman down on the worn, but clean, covers. "What have you two done?"

"She is like you," Hanine cried out defensively. "Look at her! She will know how to fix Aaron. She was with the dragon shifters. She wears their gold."

Ben glanced impatiently at Hanine before his eyes caught Evetta's worried ones. "What does their gold have to do with anything? Can we use it to pay for a healer?"

He watched as Evetta glanced nervously toward the door in the other room then through the window. Something was wrong. He could feel the tension flowing off of Evetta as she glanced down at the walkway before finally looking at him.

"No," she replied softly. "Their gold is a living thing. It is magic."

"It can heal Aaron if she tells it to," Hanine said desperately. "Please, it can save him. She can save him. Please, Ben. I cannot... I cannot lose him."

Ben glanced helplessly at Hanine. Silent tears slid down her face where fear and exhaustion had cut deep lines around her eyes and mouth. He turned to gaze down at the unconscious human female again. It had been so long since he had seen another human that she looked more alien to him than Evetta did.

"Alright," he agreed tiredly. "But I think I should be the one to explain. She might listen to me."

"Thank you," Hanine whispered, brushing the tears from her cheeks. "Aaron, is he...?"

"The same," Ben admitted. "Maybe a little weaker."

Hanine's face crumbled but she didn't make a sound. He watched as she quickly turned and hurried into the other room where his brother lay. He jerked when he felt a slender hand on his shoulder. His eyes swept upward until they locked with Evetta's dark, worried eyes.

"I hope she can help us. It is very dangerous for us to have her here. It will not be long before those she was with find her," Evetta said heavily. "If they do, they will kill Hanine and I. The Valdier have no love for the Marastin Dow." A bitter laugh escaped Evetta before she leaned wearily against Ben's side as he wrapped his arm around her. "No species cares for us, including our own people. When they come, stand away from us and do not try to stop them. They are too powerful. I do not believe they will harm you or Aaron."

Ben rose and pulled Evetta into his arms. He pressed a hot, powerful kiss to her mouth. He groaned softly at her desperate response. Tangling his fingers in her hair, he pulled her head back until she was forced to look up at him.

"I will protect you with my life. I won't let anyone harm you or Hanine as long as I have a breath in my body," he vowed. "If they come, we will handle it together."

Evetta's eyes softened. "I love you, Ben Cooper. You are a strong and noble man. I thank the Goddess each day for bringing you into my life."

Ben chuckled as he brushed another kiss across her upturned lips. "One day I'm going to be able to give you a proper home. A place we can call our own. A place where we can live without fear."

"A place where we can raise our children without fear or pain?" Evetta asked hopefully, desperately wanting the image to hold onto before the Valdier appeared.