Chapter Three

 

Willa waved at Mila before moving through the marketplace towards the outskirts of the city. Every so often someone would smile or wave. While the Zerconians had been a bit standoffish to begin with, they’d started to warm towards Willa and her people.

Well, the men had. Most of the women gave her cold looks. She didn’t know what their problem was. It wasn’t as though Willa had chosen to live here. She’d rather be on board Betsy with her crew. And Darac, of course.

After the Coizils destroyed her village on Joyadan, Dex offered sanctuary to those who wished to move to Zerconia. He’d even set up a small area on the outer part of the city for the refugees, so they could live together but feel a part of the community.

It wasn’t an easy assimilation.

On Joyadan, they’d lived rather primitively. Her home had consisted of one room with no bathroom. They hadn’t even had running water. Compared to that shack, where she lived now with Darac was a damn palace.

They’d planned on moving into his house, however, once she’d arrived, Willa realized her people needed her help to settle in. Unlike Willa and her crew, most of them had never left Joyadan, they didn’t know any other way of life. And they were distrustful of the Zerconians and their motive in offering them a safe place to live.

So Darac and Willa moved into a house closer to her people. Willa’s time had been consumed by helping everyone settle in. She wasn’t used to having anyone look to her for leadership. Except for her brothers and crew, she had mostly kept to herself.

But now Willa had itchy feet. Her people were settling in, and she was growing bored. Once this mating ceremony was over with, then she would broach the idea of going out on a job with Darac. Rye and his crew had taken a few jobs since they’d moved here, but she’d stayed behind.

If she didn’t get back to her job, then Rye might replace her.

Willa reached for Darac through their mating bond, frowning when she encountered a wall. That was the third time in the last two days. Darac rarely shut himself off from her. His brush with mating madness had eaten away his control and he needed Willa to anchor him. He had to know all the time that she was safe.

So why had he shut her out?

She stopped, looking down into the courtyard below. The sound of a child laughing made her smile. At least everyone was safe, well-fed and sheltered. Many women were nervous about ending up mated to a Zerconian, but so far the Zerconians had kept their distance. Giving everyone time to adjust.

As she moved forward, she noticed a tall, muscular male standing at the top of the incline. His back was to her, his blond hair pulled back into a small ponytail. He was so engrossed in whatever he was staring at he didn’t even turn as she approached.

“Hello, Willa.”

Okay, so he was more aware of his surroundings than she’d thought. “What are you doing here, Thor?”

He turned, raising an eyebrow, an amused look on his face. “I came to see Darac.”

Oh. “Sorry if I sounded rude.”

“The children appear to be adjusting well.”

Willa stared down at where he’d been looking. Two brothers, Tate, and Trace, raced around kicking a hoverball. Lucy watched them, a small smile on her tired face. Willa felt a twinge of worry as she looked at Lucy.

Lucy had always been quiet and withdrawn. But now she seemed almost overwhelmed. The only thing that brought a smile to her face was helping with the children.

Willa turned, looking up at Thor, who started down into the courtyard intently.

“Children are adaptable.”

At first, she thought the longing on his face was for the children. She knew Thor was old, he probably longed for a family. But his gaze didn’t flicker over as the kids moved to one side of the courtyard. Instead, he focussed on the center of the courtyard.

On Lucy.

Willa sighed. Crap. “She’s not ready for a relationship.”

“I know.”

“She needs time to adjust. To get used to life here.”

“I know.”

“She won’t welcome your interest.”

“Willa, I know.” Exasperation filled his voice, but his lips twitched into a smile. “I am not going to harm her. I would not dare with you as her champion.”

Willa scowled. “I’m not her champion. I’m just looking out for her. For both of you.” Thor was very easy-going for a Zerconian. He smiled often, even managed a joke or two. For a warrior, he was positively cheerful.

“Yes, because you care.”

Willa held back her snarl of denial. She was not the caring, motherly sort. This is why she needed to go out on a job. To earn back her kick-ass bitch status. “Mila is looking for you.”

“Is she ill?” Immediately, he was all business.

Willa shook her head. “No, she’s hoping to get your help. With Zoey.”

Thor ran his hand over his face, looking tired. “The baby will come when it is ready. She must simply wait.”

“But you could have a word with Dex. He’s smothering her, and she’s miserable.”

“Dex is worried about her.”

“Yeah, and I get why. But refusing to shag her is really a step too far.”

“Shag?”

“Sex. Doing the dirty. Hiding the sausage. Whatever you want to call it.”

“Zoey is in the final stages before giving birth. I do not believe that joining is in the best interests of her health.”

She sighed. “No? Isn’t anyone concerned about Zoey?”

“Of course, did I not just say so?”

“No. I didn’t mean her health. Well, I do. But, Zoey is more than just an incubator.”

Thor reeled back, shocked. “I know that.”

“Really? I bet she doesn’t feel that way. I don’t pretend to understand how she or Dex feel. I don’t intend to have children for a long, long time.” If ever. “But I bet she feels like everything revolves around this baby. As though she’s invisible. No wonder she wants to be on her own. All she hears is baby this and baby that. Even Dex seems completely preoccupied with the baby. But Zoey is a person. She is real.”

Thor stared at her for a long time. Damn it, she should have left this up to Mila. She was much better at this sort of stuff than Willa was. Willa would rather do a thousand press-ups than talk about feelings and crap like that.

But Thor was here, and Zoey was hurting.

“You are right. I will speak to Dex.”

“She’ll have the baby soon, and then I guess there will be a whole new set of problems. But maybe for these last few days or however long it takes, she could just be Zoey. Not the Crown Princess or a soon-to-be mother. Perhaps you could try to tell Dex that.”

“Yes. I believe I shall try.” He turned back to look at Lucy, who gave a rare smile as she watched the boys. “Watch her for me.”

“I will. While I’m here.”

“You are leaving?”

“Maybe.” Once she spoke to Darac. “Do you think she is your mate?”

“I believe so. I have not touched her. I have barely spoken to her. But when I am near her, my heart pounds. The possessiveness I feel towards her is unlike anything I have felt before. As though I could not bear to be parted from her. But I can sense her unease around me so I am keeping my distance. For now. However, it is growing harder with each passing day.”

Thor didn’t have an easy road of it if Lucy was his mate. Willa did not envy him one bit.