His Human Slave (Zandian Masters 1)

“You are safe here,” Zander roared, the muscles bulging in his neck and shoulders as he took a step forward. When she flinched backward, he stopped himself and didn’t touch her. Perhaps he was afraid he might kill her. He jabbed his chest. “I will protect you. My enemies won’t touch you here.”

“It’s not your enemies. You wouldn’t even believe me, if I told you the truth. I just—I can’t tell you.”

He stepped closer and grasped the hair at the back of her head, tipping her head back. His face drew very close to hers, his beautiful eyes light-purple. “You must tell me,” he whispered hoarsely, his lips centimeters from hers, his gaze so intent, she thought she’d dissolve into a puddle.

She blinked back at him, her knees weak and wobbly, her breath stalled in her chest. “I can’t,” she finally managed to say.

She expected anger, but instead Zander closed his eyes. He released her hair and cradled her face, bringing his forehead to touch hers. When his lids blinked open, she was certain she saw excess moisture there.

“Lamira—” he began, his throat catching. “You saved my life and for that, I will make sure you live out your life in peace.”

Her heart missed a beat as it roared to a gallop, thudding painfully against her sternum. Was he getting rid of her? “Zander—” she cried in protest.

“Shh.” He tightened his grip on her face, covering her ears with his large palms. “I...I cannot go on this way.” His voice choked. “I can’t keep you near me when you cannot be trusted.” He thumbed away a tear she didn’t realize she’d cried. “I know you care about me. I saw your distress this morning when you thought I would die. I care about you, too. More than I would like to admit.” His forehead wrinkled. “Is this what you humans call love?”

Love. Was it? Stars, yes. She loved this being with all her heart, despite her position as his slave and breeder.

She nodded, fresh tears streaming down her face.

He mopped them with his thumbs. Tilting his head down, he crushed his lips to hers, licking and sucking, demanding her kiss roughly.

She gave it to him, hoping—praying it didn’t mean what she thought it did.

Good-bye.

But it did. When he broke away, he raised his voice and called to Herman, the guard who had replaced Gunt outside his door. “Take Lamira and her things to a guest chamber.”

“Of course, my lord.” Herman flicked a curious glance at her.

She pointed weakly at the shelf where her clothing lay stacked in neat piles. “Those are my only things.”

Herman scooped them up and led the way out the door.

“Zander…” Her voice broke. “Please don’t do this.”

“Go, Lamira. It’s not safe for me to be around you.”

She choked back a sob and turned to follow Herman, her head bowed in surrender.

This could not be how things ended. She would find a way to prove her trustworthiness to Zander again.

~.~

Zander pulled off his boot and hurled it against the wall. The clunk was not nearly as satisfying as he’d hoped, but he repeated the action with the second boot anyway.

Why?

What did all this mean? His beautiful Lamira...his slave. A spy? How was she tangled up in the political machinations of the Galaxy? What connections did she have that gave her such underground knowledge—information none of his spies had discovered?

He sank down on the sleeping platform and rubbed his face.

He should send her away—far away.

But how would he live without her?

Chapter 9

Zander leaned his head in his hands at his work platform. He couldn’t think. Or, rather, couldn’t focus on the work at hand. All he thought about was the youthful human female locked in his guest quarters.