Zandian Pet (Zandian Masters 7)

“Tara?” he peered at her, unseeing. “Get the picture up,” he barked at the guards. Yes, definitely her father. She’d remember that calm authority anywhere.

She laughed, moisture spilling down her cheeks. “Papa, it’s me. I didn’t know you’d survived. I just got free, and we need to dock.”

The head guard reached for a control on his panel, but her father held a finger up.

“Your mother’s name?”

Emotion bombed her chest, the past colliding with the present in an explosion. “Becka,” she whispered. “Is she—”

He gave a short shake of his head, and her hopes were dashed. “No. I’m sorry. I just had to be sure.” He nodded at the guard, who hit a button, and the gates to the dock opened like wings.

“Your ship is cleared for docking,” the guard clipped.

Her pulse raced as their ship landed on the dock. She tugged the Stornigian’s tunic down, wishing it covered more.

“There are pants in the closet in the bunk room,” he said.

She narrowed her eyes, trying to decide if he planned any tricks. But he wouldn’t have brought her all the way here if he wanted to ambush her now. “Thank you.”

She darted into the room he’d pointed to and threw open a cupboard. As he’d promised, she found a pair of pants, and she tugged them on. They were too short and fit her like a pair of tight stockings, but it was better than going out half-naked.

Someone pounded on the ship’s door.

“You’d better get it,” the Stornigian said drily.

She managed a wan smile and handed him his gun. “Thank you for bringing me here.”

He shrugged. “It’s not every planet rotation I get taken hostage by a naked Zandian princess.”

A smile tugged her lips. “I’m not a princess.”

The pounding on the door grew louder. He lifted his chin. “Open it.”

She drew a long breath to steady her nerves and hit the button to operate the hatch. Zandian warriors parted and swarmed forward, surrounding her, propelling her straight toward the male waiting on the other side.

Her father.

At first, she could scarcely move, scarcely speak, but then he opened his arms and she was eight solar cycles again, running into her father’s arms. He engulfed her in an enormous hug, and she wept against his tunic.

She’d done it. Had escaped slavery and found her way home.

~.~

Erick docked his ship on the Zandian palatial pod and disembarked. He’d delayed his return home an entire planet rotation, not because he had anything to do, more because he didn’t want to face Zander and Seke.

But the time had come. Shame nipped at his heels, swirled through him like a fog addling his brain. It paralyzed his mind, kept him from finding any solutions to his problems.

If only he’d acted with more honor when he saw Seke’s daughter. Or required more of a guarantee from Behn. But he hadn’t done either of those things, and now he had to face the beings who cared.

He headed into the po

d without seeing anyone of importance. Good. He needed a chance to use the washtube and get his head on straight. He avoided passing the Great Hall on the way to his chamber. Prince Zander would be in there, sitting on his throne, hearing from members of their species. It was the one planet rotation per week when he opened the pod to any Zandian to use the crystal baths, speak with him, and dine with them.

That was one of the reasons Erick had chosen this planet rotation to return home. Zander and Seke wouldn’t have time to question him.

He stepped into his room, but it didn’t afford the sense of comfort he usually derived from returning. It seemed empty, as if something was missing. But when he tried to identify what, all he came up with was the beautiful female he’d lost on Aurelia.

And he was losing his vecking mind.