Training His Human (Zandian Masters 3)

Rok interlaced his fingers and sat back. “Life is risk, master. This entire plan is heavy on the risk. And, meanwhile, we’re in danger staying on this sorry excuse for a planet. If the Ocretions come looking for their missing death pod…”

“We circulated reports of the death pod crashing into a smuggler’s ship with no survivors. Inside sources say that information was accepted by the Ocretion empress.”

“Any smuggler in particular?”

“One who matched your description.”

The corners of Rok’s lips lifted, and he visibly relaxed. The Ocretions had warrants out for his arrest for smuggling. “Thank you.”

He blew out his breath. “Teach them as you see fit. The prince’s mate foresaw you leading an army for Zandia. I will trust you to lead.”

Shock washed over Rok’s face, then he flushed and inclined his head. “Thank you, Master Seke.”

“Anything else?”

“Yes. I received the crystals and the gun to pierce Lily. Please thank Prince Zander for that.”

He waited because it seemed Rok had more to say.

“Lily is torn, thinking of her mother and sister and how she did not get the chance to be reunited with them in the midst of the new training plan. I thought we could arrange a time for them to conference?”

He heard Leora’s head bang against the cage bars as she must have tried to sit up.

“Yes, I’m certain they would like that, but neither is available at the moment. I will let you know when it can be scheduled.”

Rok wasn’t a fool. He sat up straight and leaned forward, his brows slamming together. “What has he done with them?”

When Seke hesitated, Rok noticed. “That’s it, isn’t it? Zander’s got them locked up somewhere as punishment? What has he done? Put them in that dungeon of his?”

Seke modulated his face to keep from showing surprise Rok knew of the dungeon. It was a punishment they had devised on the pod. Even though they lived as refugees in Ocretion airspace, the Zandians preferred to keep their own government, which meant Zander issued his own punishments to their species. He also had a “no Zandian blood spilled” policy, since their species was in danger of extinction.

“They are both in excellent health,” he said carefully.

“But?”

“They are on temporary social restriction.”

Rok’s jaw tightened. “Tell me the truth, Seke—is Lam

ira a mate or a slave?”

He noticed it hadn’t taken Rok long to drop the “master” part of Seke’s title, although he’d suspected his use of it wasn’t genuine to begin with. Rok hadn’t been raised as a Zandian, and he lacked the honor and manners of their species.

His question was one Seke had known would come, and he had to answer it with care. When Rok had first shown up on Zander’s pod, he’d shown scorn for the prince and the palace, only coming to use the crystal bath out of necessity. But he’d fallen in love with Lily and had returned to request Zander’s help in rescuing her, knowing she was his mate’s sister. They’d intercepted the death pod carrying Lily and two hundred other humans condemned to die. Lily’s attachment to saving the humans and providing them with a place to live had forced Rok to offer to train the humans as Zander’s army to free Zandia. So while Zander and Seke needed Rok, their bond with him was precarious, at best.

“Lamira and her mother were Ocretion slaves. Zander purchased them and mated Lamira.” None of that was a lie.

Rok narrowed his eyes. “When can Lily see them?”

“Soon. I will arrange it.” He ended the communication before Rok pushed for more. Before he even turned to look, he sensed Leora’s outrage from the cage.

He stood and went to the cage. Her lips were tight; furious tears brimmed in her eyes.

“Oh veck. I’ve lost you now, haven’t I?”

She turned away from him, but he spun the cage to see her angry-hurt expression, the tears spilling down her cheeks as she held her mouth and jaw firm.

“Look at me.” He adjusted the cage again to keep her face in view. “Do you trust me? I give you my word—and a Zandian never lies—I will arrange calls and meetings with your daughter. As many and as often as you desire.”