The boy arched his back and fell into her arms.

“I’ll change him for you,” the man with her group said. He looked at the shorter of the two women with Shahara. “I need to practice. I’m sure Tess is going to make me change more than my fair share.”

The woman who must be Tess grinned. “Oh baby, you know it. But look on the bright side, Thad. You still have a few more months of freedom before Devyn has a cousin.”

Groaning, Thad carried a laughing Devyn out of the room.

Tess and the taller woman with brown hair came forward to wish Darling well and give him a quick kiss on the cheek.

The last group that stood in front of the operating room doors was all male and all feral testosterone.

Among them was Ryn who had returned to wearing his black Tavali gear. In fact, all four of them belonged to that renegade pirate group. An Andarion who reminded her of Hauk, a blond human male, and another man with dark hair whose features were similar to the woman with Prince Caillen.

All four of them touched Darling on the shoulder or bumped knuckles with him, but none of them spoke. It was as if their bond to him was such that no words were needed.

As Syn started to take him through the doors, Darling made him stop. Still sitting on the stretcher, he crooked his finger at her.

Heat exploded over her face as everyone turned to stare at her with great curiosity. Trying not to notice, she went to Darling.

He took her hand into his and offered her a grim smile. “Here’s to hoping, right?”

Her stomach tightened as a wave of fear for him consumed her. “I still wish you wouldn’t do this.”

Cupping his hands around the one he held, he led it to his lips so that he could kiss her fingers. He nipped one, sending a chill along her spine that made her wish they were alone. She leaned down to kiss his lips.

When she pulled back, he winked at her. “I’ll be fine,” he promised. “After all, someone besides Sorche has to harass you.” He held on to her hand until the hospital staff stopped her from entering the operating area. Even then, he gave one last squeeze before he reluctantly released her hand.

Tears swam in her eyes as he vanished from her sight and the doors closed, separating them. Please don’t die on me…

The mere thought made her light-headed and ill. She couldn’t bury another person she loved. She couldn’t.

Maris wrapped his arms around her shoulders and held her tightly. “Have faith. He’ll be fine, Z.”

Leaning back against his chest, she brushed her hand over his arms. “He better be, Mari. I’d hate to have to kill Syn.”

In the next instant, she was surrounded by people who were hammering her with questions so fast that she couldn’t distinguish any one of them. She was so grateful that Maris held her, otherwise she’d be terrified.