“You looked vecking amazing,” he admitted. “But they wrecked your feet.”
She let out a surprised laugh and looked down. “You’ve been looking at my feet?”
He nodded. “I’m going to bring you to the Prince’s doctor for treatment.”
Her full lips opened and closed soundlessly. Then she laughed again. “Master, I never know what to expect from you.”
His face split into a satisfied grin. “And that’s how it should be. Come,” he held out his arm. “Are you finished eating?”
“Yes,” she said, but shoved another cracker in her mouth and gave him a sly grin. “Almost.”
“You’ll never be denied food here, Leti. Zandian promise.”
A flash of vulnerability flickered across her face, but she covered it with a toss of her hair over her shoulder. She hooked her hand through his elbow. “Where are we going, Master?”
He would’ve thought by now the kick o
f lust that shot straight to his cock every time she called him Master would’ve diminished, but it hadn’t. He gritted his teeth and rearranged himself again. He’d have to veck her again soon, or he wouldn’t make it through the rest of the planet rotation with his sanity intact.
Damn the little temptress.
He led her up the lift to the main floor, straight to Dr. Daneth’s lab.
“Ah, the new arrival. Come in. Sit there on the table.”
Leti obeyed and Daneth peered at her with a clinician’s interest. “Appears healthy. I’d like to do a full examination—”
“No,” he interrupted. No vecking way he’d have Daneth inspecting his human. She’d have to get naked for that and then he’d have to kill the doctor.
Daneth arched a brow. “Zandian males do exhibit radical possessiveness when it comes to human females.” Despite Paal’s refusal, the doctor appeared to be approaching her with a needle.
“What are you doing? I brought her here for her feet, not for your testing.”
“A simple genetic screening will allow us to determine how she will breed and which warrior would be the best—”
“She’s not here for breeding.” His teeth almost broke from clenching them so hard. “Look at her vecking feet.”
“Out of line, warrior,” Daneth warned. At the look on Paal's face, his expression softened. "Paal," he explained, "I can delay the exam for now, but you know it's required for any newcomer to the pod. All arrivals need a full physical exam to assure their safety and that of the other residents." He gave Paal an even gaze. "I will treat her with the utmost respect."
He worked to calm his temper. Daneth was right. He may not be Paal’s superior, but he certainly ranked far higher as Zander’s trusted advisor. He forced a stiff bow. “Please, doctor.”
A tap sounded at the door, and it slid open before the doctor answered. The doctor’s pregnant female mate, Bayla, stood in the doorway.
“Oh, forgive me, Master.”
The doctor’s normally wooden face instantly softened, his eyes caressed the bump of Bayla’s belly. “Not at all. Come in. I could use your help.”
Bayla, a rosy-cheeked, dark haired human, brightened, casting a curious gaze at Leti. “What can I do?”
“Prepare to clean and treat this human’s wounds.”
Bayla dropped a curtsy. “Of course, Master.”
Daneth picked up one of Leti’s ankles and turned her foot to each side, visually examining the wounds. “Subject shows signs of vesicles and abrasions, likely from wearing ill-sized or restrictive footwear.” He touched a particularly angry red area and Leti jerked. “Some infection present. Proper cleaning, bandaging and local antibiotics should resolve the issue within a week, provided the footwear is discontinued.”
Relief swept through him. “So it’s not dangerous to a human? I know they are an inferior species.”
“Your female shows no sign of stress or systemic illness, although I’d still like to give her a thorough—”