Read Thorn's Bondmate (Zarronian Warriors Book 2) Online

Authors: Mardi Maxwell

Thorn's Bondmate (Zarronian Warriors Book 2) (33 page)

He grumbled and clutched the pillow tighter. Daria brushed his hair away from his face and slid her finger down his cheek.

"If you don't wake up, you won't be able to sleep tonight."

Thorn opened his eyes, then closed them again. "Baby, I'm so tired."

She leaned over him protectively. She hated to wake him but he had to eat. Borg had said he should eat several small meals a day. She figured he meant five or six. As far as she knew Thorn hadn't eaten at all today. "If you'll wake up and eat something I'll let you go back to sleep."

Thorn groaned and turned away, scooting over to the other side of the bed. "No food."

Daria grasped his shoulder and pulled him onto his back. He came unwillingly. His eyes opened and he glared at her.

"I've fixed you some bread and fruit. And, some tea. I want you to eat it."

"I'll just puke."

"No, you won't. Now, sit up."

"Daria."

"Sit up," she urged him. "Slowly."

Thorn scooted up and Daria stuffed the pillows behind his back. He watched her as she lifted the tray and placed it on his lap before she lifted a piece of bread and held it to his lips.

"Come on, Thorn. Just one bite." Daria brushed his lips with the bread, encouraging him to open his mouth.

He bit into it, chewed and swallowed. His eyes met hers as they waited to see if it would stay in his stomach. Daria smiled at him.

"See, that wasn't so bad, now was it?" She offered him a sip of tea, followed by a piece of fruit.

Thorn chewed the fruit and watched her. His eyes narrowed until they were grey slits. "What's going on? Why are you doing this?"

Daria shrugged. "I just want to."

"Why do you want to?" He turned his head away when she tried to stuff a piece of bread in his mouth.

Daria lowered her hand. "I've decided that part of the blame for this situation belongs to me. If I had gone to you on the Invincible and told you about the Witvians you would have protected me and checked out my story."

"I see. If you'd done that then I wouldn't have found you on the fourth floor and we wouldn't be bonded and we wouldn't be pregnant? Is that it?"

Daria glared at him. He had to go and remind her about the pleasure-givers on the starship and what he intended to do the night he'd found her. She stuffed the bread in his mouth. "Since we're on the subject just how many times a week did you visit
them
? Once? Twice? More?"

"Jealous, baby?" Thorn grinned.

"No. I just can't believe you have the nerve to gripe about my lover when yo—."

Thorn shouted with laughter. "I'm the only real lover you've ever had and we both know it." He pulled her to him until their lips almost touched. "You were my almost virgin, baby. Hot and wet and so tight."

"You knew!" she exclaimed as she jerked away from him.

Thorn shook his head. "I suspected, but when you told me about the baby I decided I must have been wrong."

"Great! I suppose you're completely happy now?" she grumbled.

"Is that why you didn't want me to know? Because you knew it would make me happy?"

"Yes," she told him as she crossed her arms. "You're a chauvinist, Thorn. It's alright for you to have lovers," she glared at him when he nodded, "but, you think a female is supposed to just wait around and keep herself pure until Mr. Right comes along."

"Mr. Right?" he asked. "Who the hell is he?"

Daria frowned, then explained, "The right man. On Earth we call him Mr. Right."

"I'm Mr. Right?" he asked her, pleased by her admission.

"No. You're Mr. Wrong," she told him miffed by his grin.

Thorn understood the reference and his grin turned into a smile. "Where you're concerned it doesn't matter. Wrong or right, I'm your bondmate. Forever."

Daria picked up a piece of fruit. Thorn nipped her fingers as he bit into it. "You still haven't told me how many times a week you went there."

"If you'll admit you're jealous, I'll tell you."

"When pigs fly," she mumbled, then held the mug of tea to his lips.

"Don't you want to know?" Thorn frowned when he saw her eyes fill with tears. He moved the tray to the table and pulled her into his arms. "I didn't go there until I couldn't bear the burning any longer," he whispered into her hair. "Don't cry."

Daria curled her hand around his nape and sniffed. "I'm not crying," she lied, then burst into sobs. "I'm not. I'm not."

Thorn patted her shaking shoulders. Love was hell, he thought to himself. And, wonderful, he quickly added, wondering how long he could hide this from his father and grandfather. "Daria, whatever you do don't let them know about this. They'll make my life miserable."

Daria heard him and knew instantly who he was referring to. She hiccupped, then laughed. Thorn turned her face up to his and kissed the tears from her cheeks.

"No more tears," he ordered her sternly. "At least, not in front of them."

Daria nodded. She glanced around the room. "I cleaned up the den."

"Why?"

"Because it was making you unhappy."

Thorn examined the room. It was cleaned up, as well. "Why?"

"I want you to be happy. I want you to eat and get better."

"Why, Daria," he asked, forcing her to meet his eyes.

"Because," she paused, then took the risk, saying goodbye to her freedom, "I love you."

Thorn smiled at her. "How much, little wolfen? How much do you love me?"

Daria slid onto his lap. "More than the universe can hold. More than life itself. If we live to be a hundred and fifty it won't be a long enough time to spend with you."

Thorn stroked her foot, then tapped the rose tattoo on her toe.

"The minute I saw this, I knew you were meant for me. For me and Dane and Dev."

Daria looked at the three thorns on the vine. "We'll have to add another thorn. For our daughter."

"No," he told her as he lowered his lips to hers. "She's already there. She's the little rose."

Epilogue

"Come on, Daria, push," Thorn coached her.

"That's easy for you to say. I can't believe you did this to me." Daria gasped as another contraction built until she wanted to scream.

Thorn scooted closer to her back and held her shoulders. "If you'd stop being so blasted stubborn and do as I tell you this would already be over."

"It's your daughter, what's her name; who's being stubborn," she gasped between pants. Grimacing, she bore down.

Thorn wiped her forehead. "You're doing fine. Just a few more times and she'll be born."

"That's what you said a unit ago."

"This time I'm right," When Daria grimaced, he wrapped his arms around her and supported her. "Come on, Daria."

She gritted her teeth and pushed.

Thorn laughed. "I can see the top of her head. She has black hair just like I said." His voice was excited. Borg gently turned the baby and before he could tell Daria what to do the baby was born.

Borg cut the umbilical cord and handed her to Thorn. Tears glazed his eyes as he held her and wiped her tiny cheeks. He gave her to Daria to hold while he slipped out from behind her and gave the baby her first bath. He carried her back to Daria and watched as she examined her, counting her fingers and toes.

Thorn smiled and lowered himself to his knees. He stroked his finger over the baby's hand and felt her grip it. Daria's hand covered his.

"I love you, Thorn. Thank you."

"For what?" he asked as he looked into her deep purple eyes.

"For loving me. For our daughter. And, our sons."

Thorn kissed her before he nuzzled her neck. "I love you. Always."

Borg cleared his throat, drawing their attention. "There's a lot of people waiting for you outside, Thorn. Don't you think it's time you introduced your daughter to them?"

Thorn nodded. Rising to his feet, he chose a soft gown for the baby, and dressed her before wrapping her in a blanket and carefully carrying her from the room.

Soren waited for him in the hallway. He offered the baby to him and he carefully cradled her in his arms. "She's beautiful, Thorn."

"As beautiful as her mother." Thorn smiled and led the way out of the house. When they stepped outside, he was surprised to see not only his parents and Ronin and Dag but all of his warriors, as well. They grew quiet as they watched him and Soren. He glanced down at his daughter. Her eyes were open and she was looking at him then she looked at Soren and a smile curved her tiny lips.

Gently Soren held her up, showing her to her mentors. "This is my brother's daughter. Her name is Rose." He kissed her forehead then handed her to Dag.

Dag kissed her forehead then handed her to Ronin. He kissed her forehead then handed her to her father.

Together the two warriors began the oath of a mentor. "We promise to protect Rose, the daughter of Thorn and Daria, with our lives. To guide and advise her all the days of her life."

Thorn cradled her in his arms while his warriors filed passed him. Each of them saluted the first Zarronian female to be born in over forty annuals. When the last one had filed by Thorn lifted Rose to his shoulder. His large hand covered her tiny back. She nuzzled his neck and he grinned. "Time to tell your Mother your name, little one."

Thorn looked at Ronin, Dag and Soren. "You're next, brother."

Soren nodded toward the house. "I could use a tankard of ale."

Thorn smiled and led the way into the house. "I'll join you in the den as soon as Daria and Rose are settled." He climbed the stairs and walked into their chamber.

Daria was sitting up in the bed waiting for him. She held out her arms. "Okay, now can you tell me her name?" she asked him teasingly as he handed their daughter to her then settled onto the edge of the bed.

Borg laughed and left the room, closing the door firmly behind him.

Thorn unlaced Daria's gown and pushed it from her shoulder.

"Thorn?"

He moved Daria's arms until their daughter was placed just right then cupping the back of her head he turned her until her lips latched onto a rosy nipple. Daria sucked in a breath then softly exhaled it. She stroked his jaw and tapped his cheek with her finger. "Thorn, name?"

"Rose. Her name is Rose."

Daria smiled. He leaned forward and nibbled on her lips before kissing her. When he lifted away from her, she asked, "Where's Soren and the mentors?"

"Getting drunk downstairs in the den." He kicked off his boots, then pushed her forward and slid onto the bed behind her. "How do you feel?"

"Fine."

"Did Borg say anything before he left?" he asked as he nibbled on her neck.

"Yes. He said for me to tell you to keep your hands to yourself for the next moon phase." She heard him groan. "But, he didn't say anything about me keeping my hands to myself."

"No, we'll suffer together." He looked over her shoulder. Rose was asleep. He carried her to the crib. After he covered her, he returned to the bed and pulled Daria down into his arms. Her eyes fluttered, then closed as sleep overtook her.

Thorn was content to hold her until Soren opened the door and stuck his head into the room. "Are they asleep?"

He nodded, rose from the bed and covered Daria. Soren moved silently to the crib. He covered Rose's back with his hand and carefully patted her. Thorn joined him. They exchanged identical smiles before they left the room.

Thorn peeked into his son's rooms. They were both asleep. "I guess it wore them out waiting for her to be born."

Soren nodded. "Come have a drink. It's not every cycle a warrior becomes a father for a second time in his life."

Thorn laughed. "Fate will send your mate to you when you least expect her, Soren. Just make sure you recognize her when you meet her.

THE END

I love the quirky and the unique. I believe in UFOs, ghosts, and that we have a landing station on the dark side of the moon. I've loved reading since I was a little girl although just about every book I ever read I rewrote in my mind. After a while I decided to just start writing my own books. My best friend dared me to send one in, so I did and to my surprise it was accepted.

I love books that make you laugh, cry, sit on the edge of your chair in fear that the couple won't work it out, and then finally cheer for them when they do. I'm a true believer in a happy ending and won't read a book or watch a movie that ends any other way.

I write every day but I always find time to spend with my family and friends as well as my hobbies (cooking, gardening, traveling, and ceramics).

My personal motto is "Regret is a wasted emotion." Live well and happy reading.

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If you enjoyed this book, I'd love hear from you and I welcome reviews. You can sign up for my newsletter and be notified about future releases at
www.MardiMaxwell.com
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Books by Mardi Maxwell

Zarronian Warriors series:

Valan's Bondmate (Zarronian Warriors 1)

Thorn's Bondmate (Zarronian Warriors 2)

Soren's Bondmate (Zarronian Warriors 3) coming soon

The Doms of Club Mystique series (erotic BDSM suspense)

To Love and Obey

Jackson's Sub

Their Temporary Sub

Zane's Choice

Nate's Naughty Nymph

The Ramsey Doms