The fact he asked her, rather than dictated, meant something—though she wasn’t sure what. “Does that mean you would pierce me?”
He nodded, tweaking one of her nipples. “Yes. I’d pierce these. And your navel. Your ears, too, if you like.” He brushed her cheek with the backs of his fingers. “You say the crystals make your intuition stronger. Perhaps wearing them will make it even more so. You’ll be my own personal oracle.”
“Do I have a choice?”
He stilled and his expression grew sober. “Do you not wish to be my female?”
She blinked rapidly, moisture gathering at her lashes, her chest so full it hurt. “Is that what wearing your crystals would mean?”
He nodded. “Zandian males adorn their females to show their attachment.”
“I do—” Her voice cracked. “I do want to be your female, Zander.”
His lips stretched into a satisfied smile. He stroked a hand up her throat to cup her chin. “I will take good care of you, little human. I promise.”
Her heart thudded. She almost didn’t ask it—she didn’t want to ruin the moment, but she had to know. “Am I still your slave?”
He smirked. “Yes. Always, Lamira. You serve. I rule. You like it that way.”
She wanted to deny it, but he had her numbers—literally—in the constant readout of his armband. “Will I ever be allowed off this pod?”
Once more, his lips curved into a wicked grin. “Only if you’re a good little slave.”
As always, when he reinforced his ownership over her, her pussy clenched. He tilted his head and claimed her mouth, and she lifted her lips to meet his.
Yes, she belonged to him—body and heart and soul. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a start.
Epilogue
Lamira sat up, the luxurious sheets falling away from her naked form. She slept so much more now that she was pregnant, and Zander didn’t mind if she spent half the morning dozing in his sleepdisk.
He sat working on his invasion plans, a hologram of his planet up and slowly rotating.
“My lord—” She could scarcely make her lips and tongue move, she’d been awakened from such a deep slumber by her knowing.
He swiveled and smiled, his eyes dropping to her swollen breasts, now pierced and adorned with his crystals.
“The being you seek is here in the pod.”
He lifted a quizzical brow. “I don’t understand.”
Zander hadn’t shared his takeover plans, but she’d gleaned enough through clairvoyance and observation.
“Do you seek someone with an army? Someone you can pay to wage a war?”
He nodded, his gaze growing sharp.
“That being is here, now. In the crystal bath.” It was the one planet rotation of the week when the Zandian public were invited to use the crystal baths or visit with the prince. Zander had pushed his visitation time back to afternoon that day because the traffic had been light and he liked to spend more time with her now that she carried his child.
Zander’s lip curled doubtfully. “A Zandian? With an army?”
She nodded and scooted out of bed, a sense of urgency driving her forward. “He’s been here before but you have not met. I...I don’t think he likes the idea of royalty. But he requires the crystal recharge all the same.” She yanked on her clothing.
Zander stood and walked briskly to the door. “Will you know him when you see him?”
She swept past him into the corridor. “I’m not sure. Maybe you will.” She shoved back the moment of doubt she always had about her claircognizance. There was no mistake. The feeling had been so strong.
Zander strode beside her, one hand at her lower back, the other on the handle of his sword. They reached the crystal baths just as the door slid open and a huge warrior walked out. He did not appear much older than Zander—perhaps five or ten solar cycles, but he bore scars and the lines of a being who had led a tough life.