His Human Possession (Zandian Masters 8)

“Oh. No, I don’t think—”

“We’re watching,” Mina insisted, crawling up on the sleepdisk and sitting beside her. Bayla scooted onto the other side.

Leti had ended up at Mina’s door after running from Paal’s chamber, and had told her the long, sordid story.

“And guess what else?”

She shook her head. “I can’t.”

“I brought food. I know you haven’t eaten for an entire planet rotation. That can’t be good for the young. You need to keep your strength up.” She pushed a bowl of sweet-smelling custard in front of her. “Try this. It’s heavenly.”

“I’m not hungry,” she groaned, pushing it back.

“Try it,” Bayla said more firmly. “You’re going to love it.”

Leti took a bite, only to stop the woman from talking any more. Her head ached with a vengeance. Okay, it actually was delicious. Sweet and creamy goodness. She took another bite.

“See? What did I tell you? Now, let’s watch.”

Mina flicked on a hologram depicting a Zandian family. “These are old. From when I was a child. Before Zandia was taken.”

Leti sat up straighter, commanding her eyes to focus. Her friends were trying to help her. But watching at the strong, good-looking male Zandian on the screen only reminded her of Paal.

So much more handsome. So much stronger. More capable.

She remembered how adept he was in a crisis. When he’d rescued her. When they’d been attacked.

She remembered the way he’d kissed her like he wanted to devour her.

Before she could stop them, tears spilled down her cheeks. “I’m sorry. I’m just not up for company.”

“The hormones don’t help,” Bayla said kindly. “They can intensify your emotions.

She sniffed, wiping at a tear. “That must be it.”

That, or she’d truly lost her heart to Paal, even while she thought she’d been protecting it.

“He’s going to realize what a colossal mistake he made,” Bayla said.

She shook her head. “No, he won’t. I told him it’s not his young.”

“Why would you say that?” Mina demanded.

“Because… “

It sounded stupid now. “I didn’t want him believing I got pregnant to trap him. Because I didn’t.”

“Of course you didn’t. I don’t even know how it’s possible,” Mina said.

“Me neither, but you should probably get checked out, too. You might be fertile, too.”

The hope that bloomed in Mina’s eyes made Leti remember what was more important. A tiny life grew within her. Her very own child.

And Paal’s.

The damn tears started again.

“Let me ask you this,” Mina said. “If Paal hadn’t acted like an idiot and accused you of trapping him, would you have wanted to mate him?”