Their Zandian Mate (Zandian Masters 9)

He held Sol by the armpits, letting the baby exercise his legs bounding on Laake’s lap. “Yes. Why?”

“Would you… take me on a tour? I’d love to see it all.” She made her voice soft and innocent.

“Of course.” He stood up immediately.

She’d known he’d be easy, but she hadn’t known it would be that simple. Guilt rose up, black and ugly, but she shoved it back down. She was doing this for her young. She jumped up and slipped on a pair of soft animal-skin boots. “I’m ready if you are.”

He extended an arm and she slipped under it, marveling at how natural and easy the gesture came to both of them, when it was one she’d never shared once with her former mates. He walked her slowly through the magnificent pod, taking time to explain details to her. How they used Zandian crystal to amplify the light so they could survive away from their planet. Why they chose to plaster the walls in the colors of Zandia. How Prince Zander’s mate, Lamira, had been a slave on an Ocretion agrifarm and had brought her knowledge of growing fresh Earth food to the pod. He told her that one day per week—which was every ten planet rotations on Ocretia—the Zandians gathered in the Great Hall for the only meal they required.

He showed her the room he shared with Damon and Granit, the area where all the guards slept. He took her to the dock where they had many new airships.

“And the dungeons? Where are they?”

Laake’s face softened with sympathy. “Are you thinking of your former mates? They are not suffering, I assure you.”

“Would—could I just see?”

His expression clouded. “Why, beautiful?” His brows knitted. “Do you still care about them?”

She swallowed. If she agreed, would he let her see them? Laake was all earnest kindness. He didn’t seem to have a jealous or mean streak anywhere in his personality. “Yes.” The lie burned on her tongue, especially when she saw the pain it caused her dear Laake. But she pushed forward. “Would you let me see them? Just for a few moments?”

Laake rubbed his forehead. “You’ll see them later this planet rotation when Zander questions them.”

She stepped closer, shifting the baby to her hip and resting her fingertips on his chest where his muscles created ridged handles. “Please, Laake?” She lifted on her tiptoes, brushing her lips across the hollow of his throat.

His mouth dipped but he covered one of her hands with his. “If you must.”

There were four beings total in the dungeon, all Zandian, all male. Separate cells for each one. Laake had reluctantly agreed to let her go in alone, staying to talk with the guard on duty. Eslyn clutched Sol to her chest and passed the first prisoner, a stranger, and then Sankro’s greedy face came into view.

He may be good-looking for a male, but she didn’t see him that way. To her, he was nothing but mean. She stiffened her spine. She had no need to be afraid. He was secure in his cell.

“Eslyn.” He sprang up from the bench where he’d been sitting and came close to the curtain of laser keeping him in. “Where have you been? What’s happening?” He sniffed and his brows slammed down. “Why do I smell other males on you?”

She hated the strangled cry of fear that erupted from her throat as her feet moved of their own accord, dashing forward, out of his vision. Damn her heart for slamming against her ribs.

He can’t hurt you now. And she needed to make sure he never could again.

The next cell held Banf. She passed it, not because she preferred to speak to Elit over Banf, only because she wanted to get farther away from Sankro.

“Elit.”

“Eslyn. You’re free. Where are the rest of the young?” His eyes lingered on Sol, but not with the same soft wonder that bloomed on her guards’ faces every time they saw him. No, his was a mean, possessive look.

As if Sol felt the danger, the baby burst into tears.

She turned Sol’s face into her chest and bounced the babe. Good. This reminder helped strip her of any guilt she might have felt about Elit being locked up here while she was free with their children. She wouldn’t pity him. Not after all the years the males had tormented her, forced her to do their every bidding. Hurt her physically and emotionally.

“I’ve been locked in a room above. The young are being cared for by the females in the pod. They’re unharmed.”

“But you’re free now?” He leaned his face as close to the laser wall as he dared. “You have to get me out of here,” he whispered.

Good. She’d hoped he would be hungry to make a deal.

She stepped close, dropping her voice to a whisper. “I will try. You’re going to be called up to speak with Prince Zander today. He already believes everything is Sankro’s fault. All you and Banf need to do is swear it was only his idea and you were forced to go along with it. I’ll testify the same if you’ll do one thing for me.”

Elit lifted his brows. “What’s that?”

“You and Banf must tell the prince you’re willing to let me and the young go free. To cut ties with us. That you want to make a fresh start and you’re willing to give us one too.”