"How many languages do you know?" Thia breathed, using her native language in her sudden excitement.
"I've never really counted." He smiled and Kiara's anger for what he had done to her melted. "But if you wish, I could help you with them. I've lived on a lot of the planets where these languages are spoken."
"Were they beautiful?" Thia breathed, her eyes dreamy. "Aksel won't let me leave here."
A frown flitted across her face, then disappeared behind another smile. "I've only seen holograms and stills of those places. At night, I like to dream about visiting them when I'm big."
Nykyrian touched her tiny hand and Kiara thought she might burst into tears. This was the Nykyrian she had fallen in love with. The gentle, kind man who would do anything for the ones he cared about.
"I'll tell you a secret," he said, leaning closer to Thia. "Those places aren't half as beautiful as you!"
Laughing, Thia pulled her chair closer to him. "You're nicer than most of the people who visit Mama."
"Aksel's coming!" Driana's shout broke through their conversation.
Kiara looked at Nykyrian, her heart pounding in fear. When he glanced up from Thia, she saw he was torn between leaving and staying. He met her gaze, then stood.
"Is there a back way out?" he asked.
"The balcony behind you."
Nykyrian opened the door and helped Kiara through. Driana handed him the disks. He paused for a moment, staring at Thia. "I'll be back for her."
Driana nodded. "I'm counting on it."
They made it safely down the trellis and to the street below. Kiara breathed a sigh of relief. She looked at Nykyrian, but as usual, he gave her no clue about what he was feeling. He took her arm and led her back toward their ship. At least this time, his grip was gentle.
"So you're a papa," Kiara said with a warm smile. "How does that make you feel?"
After the tender way he had spoken with Thia, Kiara expected him to beam with satisfaction, to smile, to be happy, but what she got was a deep growl.
His hand tightened on her arm. "I feel like hell," he ground out in a m addened voice.
A chill went down Kiara's spine. She rubbed her hand across her stomach. "Why do you say that?"
He stopped in the alley and glared at her. "A child is the last thing I need in my life. One more helpless person depending on me to protect them . I can't even protect myself, Rachol ..." His voice trailed off.
Kiara shifted nervously, wishing for something she could say to soothe the pain in his eyes.
"I'm not fit to be a parent. What's she supposed to do, introduce me to her friends, 'Hi, this is my dad. He's wanted dead by more governments than I can count!' "
Kiara stiffened in reaction to his words. "You don't have to be so sarcastic."
He shook his head. "Come on Kiara, even you aren't that naive. Aksel's after you to get to me. What do you think my enemies will do if they ever learn I have a young daughter? Her life won't be worth a sola."
Kiara let his words fall over her and with each one she cringed a little more. What if Thia were her child? What if Nykyrian were right, and someone did take her baby from her to use against him, how could she stand it? She couldn't. She would rather they tear out her heart than touch her baby.
Her heart pounding in agonized beats, she realized she had to make a decision. Her husband or her baby. She couldn't have both, Nykyrian's world was too harsh for that.
Swallowing the lump of remorse in her throat, she knew what her answer must be. She'd have to shelter her child from the truth just as Driana had done with Thia.
Nykyrian could never know about their baby, and she could never live with him as his wife.
Thirteen
Kiara's head ached. They had just left Rachol's flat and the destruction of his home burned raw in her mind. Everything had been torn apart, not even the mattress had been left intact. Her throat tightened with fear and apprehension, reminding her just why she would have to give up her husband.
What had happened to Rachol?
Nykyrian stayed two steps ahead of her and she felt like a forgotten slave as she hurried along behind him, searching for words to make him feel better, knowing none existed.
"Why did you tell Driana we were married?" she asked. At least she could have an answer to one of her many questions.
Nykyrian stopped and turned around to face her. He wore his glasses again. Kiara wished she could glimpse what emotions were coursing through him. His body betrayed nothing.
"By Andarion law, you are free to marry as many husbands as you choose. I told Driana about us in case Aksel kills me, you are now entitled to my estate."
Kiara's stomach twisted at the blasé way he spoke about his death. "Why not tell Darling or Hauk?"
"They're outlaws, mu Tara. Driana is the daughter of a well-connected ambassador. All you have to do is contact her after my demise and everything I own is yours."