His Human Slave (Zandian Masters 1)

Another massive warrior, this one a bit younger than Lium, but still much older than Zander. Scars decorated his middle-aged face. She saw pain etched into the lines there, too. A flash of claircognizance told her he’d lost his wife and infant in the massacre. The weight of his tragedy punched her in the chest. She realized everyone at this table bore similar losses. They may live in a beautiful pod, but they had suffered—perhaps no less than she and her mother had suffered.

Now she understood the importance of Zander breeding. If the prince was the youngest of his species, he’d be the only chance for it to survive. It also explained why he’d chosen a human—clearly there were no females of breeding age. Only three females sat at the table, and they were all ancient.

He introduced her to the other half-dozen Zandians who sat near them. From what she gathered, the table was organized by status, with the prince and his most powerful advisors beside him and the lowest servants who weren’t responsible for bringing the food at the far end.

Zander’s hand idly tangled in her hair as he listened to a report from Erick on a business deal.

Barr himself arrived to serve Zander’s food, and his face broke into a broad smile when he saw her seated beside the prince. “Good evening, my lord,” he said with a bow as he set a steaming bowl of soup in front of Zander. “Good evening, Lamira.”

She straightened and beamed back at the old chef. “Good evening, Barr. That smells delicious.”

Servants arrived and placed matching bowls in front of the rest of the diners, including her. “I didn’t know you were eating here, or I would have served you a smaller portion. Save room for the rest of the meal, little human.” Barr liked to tease her about how small her stomach was.

Zander glared at the chef, whose skin colored darker purple as he bowed and backed hastily away. Every being took a sudden interest in their soup, so she did the same. Was her prince actually jealous? Or had she shamed him in some way? She hoped not.

After that, she did keep her eyes lowered, though she listened in on the conversations with interest. Despite the dwindling numbers of the species, the Zandians must be excellent in business, with trade in a variety of sectors. That must be how the pod came to be so opulently decorated and how Zander planned to launch a campaign against the vast population of the Finn.

After the soup came huge platters of ostrich meat, wild bluegrain, and Relo sea vegetables. She realized now why Barr thought she ate so little. The Zandians piled their plates high and emptied them several times while she only finished a half a plate of the rich, exquisitely-prepared dishes. Barr served a blueberry wine that made her head swim. It loosened the Zandians tongues, and soon they were all talking in louder voices, laughing and gesturing like old friends.

A pang of remorse for something she’d never known stabbed her heart—this sense of family, of community they all shared. She wanted to belong with them, wanted to be a part of it all.

When she had finished eating and Zander filled his third plate, he tugged her onto his lap, holding her on one knee while he ate and talked. He stroked his hand up her inner thigh.

She jerked and held her breath, her arousal so close to the edge as it was.

He shoved her knees apart, angling his fingers straight over her clit.

She bit her lips, closing her mouth on a cry.

Zander hadn’t looked at her once, intent on some conversation with Erick about the price of sand rocks. That didn’t stop him from turning on the vibrator in her pussy.

“No,” she whispered. Her thighs pressed closed around his fingers. “Please, Zander.”

The vibrator in her anus zoomed to life.

Please, no. Mother Earth, no.

“Please,” she whimpered in his ear. “Please, I’ll be good. I’ll be a good slave.”

Zander still didn’t take his eyes from Erick, but his lips curved into a smug smile. He slapped her thighs open and smacked her pussy twice.

She bit her lip so hard she drew blood. Zander’s sense of smell must be better than a human’s because he sniffed and turned, his brows drawn together with concern.

He frowned and cupped her chin, taking her lip into his mouth and sucking.

She came.

Yes, right there, sitting on his lap in front of his entire household, she climaxed.

Zander laughed and turned the vibrators off. “Go back to my chamber little human. Take off your clothes and wait for me on the sleepdisk. I’ll be in soon.” He murmured the words, but she feared everyone at the great, long table knew exactly what had happened and what was going on. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment.

She stood on trembling legs and affected a sort of curtsy.

Sweet Mother Earth, what was happening to her? This alien had a terrifying effect on her. She needed to get a grip. Fast.

Chapter 6

Three days later, Zander fingered the laser gun hidden beneath his robe. He had four other weapons also hidden within quick reach. Seke and Lium flanked him as they faced Joan-Angeline, the Ocretion smuggler.