Warriors' Providence (Cadi Warriors Book 2)(81)

Madhava smiled as he recalled Providence making the unusual thing she called a sandwich. Neither of them was sure if their little mate would be a good cook, even once she got used to Cadi food. He and Dagaa had watched with a bit of dread this morning as Providence grabbed an odd combination of vegetables, meat, fermented dairy and spiceroot sauce from the cooler then started layering them on slices of bread. Providence had taken a bite declaring it 'not bad' then handed them her concoction. Dagaa had smiled hesitantly as he took a bite, not wanting to offend her. Then his friend's eyes lit up as he chewed and took another bite of his half. Madhava found himself pleasantly surprised as well when he tasted the unusual combination. Providence's sandwich was a convenient meal, the bread acting like a wrapper for the innards.

Madhava looked to Providence and noticed her melancholy expression as they ate.

"What's on your mind fiery warrior?" Madhava asked concerned.

"I was thinking about the last time I was this ship and I started thinking about my family. I miss them." She said moisture welling in her eyes as she paused between bites.

"I'm sorry beautiful." Dagaa frowned. "You said you have sisters. Tell us about them." He asked.

"Bethany is the oldest. She's married with two little boys and is an awesome mommy. She helped take care of the rest of us." Providence cast them a watery smile. Madhava could see she was picturing the young. It reminded him of the niece and nephew he too missed.

"April is a professor. She was always the bookworm, helping the rest of us with our homework. Hope is more like me though still pretty girly. She and I used to get in trouble together making mud pies in our dress-up clothes. She turns all the boy's heads, making dad pull his hair out. I doubt she'll ever settle down. And then there's Abigail. Abby is her own girl. I'm still thinking she was adopted." Providence eyes had that faraway look as she reminisced.

"After knowing you, I bet I'd love your family." Madhava smiled at his little mate.

"You would. They are great. Madhava didn't you say you had a sister?"

"Yes, but I haven't seen Kore since my mother passed. My mother and I did our best to keep her from seeing the things Uthyr did. It was one of the few things I could do for my family since I couldn't protect my mother. She thinks I'm as bad as Uthyr and Vigdis were and blames me for our parent's death." Madhava shook his head sadly as he recalled Kore declaring he was dead in her eyes. "She has young too, but I have only seen them from a distance."

Providence was suddenly in Madhava's lap, her hands wrapped around his neck.

"Oh Madhava, I'm so sorry. Didn't she understand you protected her from that monster?" Providence's big sad green eyes looked up at him.

"No she doesn't. I couldn't bring myself to saddle her with the same burden I bore. It was the only thing I did right." Madhava replied.

"So you just let her hate you." Providence choked out.

She kissed him and he returned her embrace.

"You and Kagan are the closest I have to siblings." Dagaa said to Madhava. "My mother was never hearty, she couldn't have more young after I was born. I think sometimes it was because my father was away so often, and she worried about him so much. My parents had a true and deep bond. When he was killed during a battle, it affected her deeply. She got sick and never recovered. The thought of being so close to someone..." Dagaa shook his head unable to complete the sentence.

Madhava agreed with Dagaa's unvoiced sentiment. He never believed he'd have that kind of connection till Providence entered his life. Losing her would kill him.

"I hate not seeing my family. But I guess I'm glad I don't have to face their deaths. I can pretend they are always as I remember them." Providence gave them a wavering smile.

Madhava hugged Providence as Dagaa rubbed her knee. They hadn't really cheered her up, but there was nothing they could do besides offer sympathy and comfort. Madhava had no clue where or how far Earth was from Cadi, otherwise he'd risk losing her just to reunite her with the ones she loved.

"We should probably get some shut eye." Madhava said as he began stripping the infernal jumpsuit off Providence, exposing her luscious pale curves.

"I think we have time to play a little." Dagaa said with an ornery wink. "I brought a little something on our trip." Dagaa said as he fetched an item from his bag.

"Dagaa!" Providence gasped. "Why do you have a dildo?"

"Well beautiful I've been thinking about what you admitted to us."

"And that is?" Madhava asked suddenly intrigued as he stared at the phallic object which was smaller than both his and Dagaa's shaft.