His Human Prisoner (Zandian Masters 2)

Two males of the same species as Rok strode in, swords in their hands, appearing as fierce and deadly as Rok.

She gaped.

The younger one gave her an assessing sweep. “You have found Lily.”

She started at his use of her name. Was this Rok’s brother? No, he’d been orphaned and taken in by Janu and Jaso. Who, then were these males?

“Where is my mate?” the handsome Zandian demanded.

“On my ship. Is the pod secure?”

Lily blinked, utterly confused.

“Yes,” the older Zandian answered.

“Let’s go together, then.” Rok hooked an arm around her waist just as Carmeela’s mother screamed her name from across the room.

Lily started toward her, and Rok instantly followed, providing protection as she moved through the crowded chamber.

“Carmeela!” the mother screamed again.

“It’s all right,” Lily shouted. “She’s safe.”

Rok shouldered through the crowd, delivering them to the weeping mother.

“Oh thank you, thank the stars.” The mother claimed her little girl, hugging her tightly against her chest.

Before she could answer, Rok tugged her back through the crowd, his broad shoulders and extra height making it easy for him to cut through. In this setting, it hit her full force what a magnificent specimen of male warrior he was—solid muscle, radiating strength and confident capability.

He’d come for her. She hadn’t been wrong about his feelings for her. Something beautiful took flight in her chest, and the tears burning her eyes weren’t only from the smoke.

The other two Zandian warriors waited near the door, and Rok steered her in their direction. “Come on, beautiful. There’s several beings you will want to meet.”

~.~

Rok’s hand trembled on the hilt of his sword. The death pod had been packed with beings—perhaps six hundred in all, with the cells set up as waste receptacles—designed to open at the floor to dump all the prisoners into outer space. No wonder they’d flown to the outer region of the galaxy. Stars, if he’d been even a minute late, he would have lost Lily forever.

My Lily.

Lily had not been a helpless victim; she’d led the group. Somehow she’d won the support of everyone in her cell, and taken on the welfare of a small child. By the one true Zandian star, he loved this female.

He kept her close as they traversed the corridors, which were gradually clearing of smoke as the pod’s oxygen systems circulated and cleaned the air. He grabbed a couple helmets from dead guards and put one over Lily’s head and one on his own to protect them on the short trip to the battleship. Zander followed close, asking Seke to stay behind to keep the peace, if necessary.

His heart thudded in his chest as they traversed the rocky terrain. Guilt over keeping Lamira and Leora’s existence from Lily twisted like a knot in his solar plexus.

He wished he had a moment alone with her to prepare her, but things were never easy.

He activated the hatch, and they entered. Lamira launched herself at Zander. Although the prince clutched her tightly, his face remained as if made of stone.

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Leora’s attention was only for Lily, though. She stepped forward, tears glinting in her eyes. “Lily?” she rasped.

Rok cleared his throat. His poor female appeared lost, brow furrowed, shoulders tense. “I should have told you,” he said immediately, before she could say it herself. Of course, she still didn’t know what in the veck was happening.

“Forgive me, Lily. I knew you had family searching for you. I was selfish. I wanted to surprise you.”

“Surprise me?” she repeated blankly, looking from Leora to Lamira. She surely must recognize her own features in their faces.