His Human Vessel (Zandian Masters 5)

“You’re awake.” His brusque, businesslike manner had returned.

She tried not to flinch, but all the warmth and softness she’d found when she woke fled, leaving her cracked and raw in Daneth’s presence.

He reached for the ring on her collar and pulled her forward, clipping a leash to it once again. “Come. I wish to introduce you to the prince to receive his permission to begin my experiment.”

His experiment. That was all she was to this male, and she’d do well to remember it. “Yes, Master,” she muttered.

He pulled the chain and led her out of the chamber to the great hall. A young Zandian male stood near the windows, giving orders to several older Zandian males. His arm draped around the waist of a pregnant human.

She stiffened, the sight of a bred human bringing back the past several years with a sickening twist in her solar plexus. No matter how much better this environment may be, she was still only here for one reason—to produce a child she’d never know.

Heartache at the two babies she’d already lost washed over her, making her stumble.

Daneth reached for her elbow to steady her, and his solicitousness surprised her. She supposed she’d expected an impatient jerk of the chain.

The older Zandians left the prince and his human, who both turned to watch them approach.

“My lord, this is the slave I purchased for the implantation protocol,” Daneth said. “Her name is Bayla.”

She dipped into a low curtsy, her head bowed.

“Welcome, Bayla,” the prince said.

“Zander, Prince of Zandia, and his mate, Lamira,” Daneth said.

She remained in the curtsy.

“You may rise.” The prince spoke with the easy assumption of power, clearly used to giving orders and having them obeyed.

She stood with her hands folded in front of her, head still bowed.

“I wish to begin the experiment tomorrow, with your permission.”

Zander didn’t speak for a moment. “Remove her chain,” he ordered.

Daneth lifted his head in surprise but turned her to face him and unclipped the chain from her collar.

“Lamira, will you give Bayla a tour if she hasn’t had one?”

“Of course, my lord. Come with me,” the female said, smiling when Bayla lifted her eyes.

Lamira was beautiful, about the same age as Bayla, with green eyes and copper-c

olored hair. A smattering of freckles dusted her nose and cheeks. Like Bayla, she wore a collar, only hers was studded with beautiful crystals. A well-loved pet? A slave with benefits? Bayla wondered exactly what Lamira’s status was on the pod. She’d been called Zander’s mate. Did that mean his breeder? Or something more?

“Have you had a tour already?” Lamira asked as she led her out of the great room.

“I’ve been to the kitchen.”

Lamira smiled. “My favorite place.” She rubbed her full belly. “Would you like to see it again?”

“Of course. Are you in the hungry every two hours phase?”

“Try hungry all planet rotation.” Lamira eyed her with curiosity. “You’ve been pregnant before?”

Pain drilled through her chest and she found it hard to breathe. “Yes,” she managed.

Lamira’s face clouded, as if she read Bayla’s emotions. “I’m sorry. I was always grateful I hadn’t been selected for sex or breeding. It must have been hard.”