Night of the Zandians (Zandian Brides 1)

He bows his head to the crowd, like this is a sacred and meaningful moment, and I see more than one being bow their head back in reply. I guess it would be wrong for me to snort or roll my eyes.

“I thank each of you, Zandians and humans, for entering into this agreement with me and with our future to keep Zandia alive.”

The Zandians lift their fists in the air, elbows bent at ninety-degrees in their traditional salute.

But nerves tighten in my belly. If King Zander insists on gene matching, he’ll discover I’m barren. The Zandians may then have no use for me.

And even if they did have some other use, I can’t deny the stab of pain that thought produces. I don’t want to leave my mates. I’m not ready to give up the pleasure and attention they’ve already brought me.

“If a human female does not approve of her mates, she may petition for a change. Zandians, as well, can apply for a change if their human is not compatible. However, there is little room for choice at this point in our rehabitation. Humans must be sponsored by Zandians to ensure our culture and rules continue as the dominant one on our planet. Because I have no doubt more and more humans will find their way here as refugees or through our purchase for breeding.”

Again, he darts a glance at his bride. It’s commonly known he bought Lamira for breeding based on the gene matching test he wants to do on all of us now

.

“And we will only continue to provide humans with a secure place in the galaxy if they agree to integrate to our society. Follow our rules.” His voice sounds compassionate but firm. “Humans, you have earned your freedom with your assistance during the war, but freedom here comes with obligations and expectations to help rebuild our planet. By accepting this role, you are helping save our race, and yours, from extinction, and I am honored to have you participate. If you do not choose to join us in this endeavor, we will find you the best possible position on another planet.”

Now I almost do snort. Every being in the crowd knows what that means—either going back to a factory or an agrifarm as a slave, working as sex slave, or being a personal pet—all of which are fraught with more danger and horrors than anyone is willing to risk. And considering almost all the non-Zandians had been sentenced to death and were rescued from the Ocretion death pod, leaving would mean certain death.

“Human females—you will accept your mates, and work with them to make your dome a successful, thriving part of Zandia. Zandians—treat your female with the utmost respect and honor. She will provide us with the ultimate reward—our future. You may see Dr. Daneth for training on best practices for breeding and discipline. Above all, you will keep her safe.”

My belly flutters at the word discipline. I experienced a little of their form of discipline the past planet rotation, but I’m sure my mates could be far more… impactful if they’d wanted to be. I imagine that’s why Ronan returned from the doctor’s lab with the box of sexual devices and implements of torture. My sight goes dizzy for a moment before I take a deep breath.

Lily appears beside me and leans in. “Are you all right?” she whispers.

“I’m fine.” As long as they don’t gene test me. I can’t get sent away; I will need to make this work.

“Are you worried about the discipline? It isn’t the shock-sticks of the agrifarm. It’s—” she flushes, lowering her voice to a near whisper, “intimate and sexual.”

Oh, I know all about it. My belly flutters again, a wetness growing between my legs. My face grows warm. I shake my head.

Lily still thinks I’m worried about discipline. She tilts her head. “Oh they’re dominant—you’ll have to follow their rules or suffer the consequences, but sometimes the consequences are worth it.” She grins.

“Well you just have one dominant warrior giving your orders. I’ll have three.”

Her smile stretches wider. “Three warriors to pleasure you at the same time.”

I can’t help but grin at her waggled eyebrows. “It’s like you’re the one who wants three mates. What if I told Rok?”

“Oh, Mother Earth, he’d tie me to the hoverdisk and take his sword belt to my ass if I told him I wanted more mates!” She rolls her eyes at my shocked giggle. “That’s the part of this rehabitation plan that I fear will fail. Zandian warriors are possessive. It’s hard to imagine how they’ll learn share one female. But I suppose if Zander orders it, they’ll follow. They are nothing if not loyal subjects.”

I think about my three mates. They hadn’t appeared to be competing with each other. But they’re cousins. Maybe they’re used to sharing. It’s another point in their favor, not that I’m tallying.

“Just think, you’ll have three warriors utterly devoted to you. Three to take care of you.”

Before now, I’ve never had even one being take care of me. But she’s right. The males did take care of me, even though I had little say in how things went. Just for argument’s sake, I play devil’s advocate. “Three warriors as my slave masters.”

“You’re not a slave anymore,” Lily urges. “I mean, not really. It’s different—you’ll have some choice. You heard what the king said. If they can’t make it work, you can petition for new mates. You’ll see.” Her eyes, when they meet mine, dance with empathy and something else—a confidence.

If she only knew I share her confidence about my mates. It’s whether I’ll be able to keep them as my mates that scares the crap out of me.

I search the crowd for them. I’ve been looking since I arrived, and now I see them, elbowing their way to the front. Ronan looks right at me and gives me the most dazzling smile. Relaxation washes over me, like everything is going to be fine. As his smile turns wicked, the relaxation morphs into arousal.

How can it be these males already trained my body to respond at the sight of them? This morning in the washtube, I thought I should be afraid of Jax, the way he came at me with so much aggression. But instead his passion made me feel powerful. To know that he couldn’t hold back, was too excited to be with me—it awoke parts of me I never knew existed.

I look away quickly. I don’t know if any of those males will be able to keep me, and I don’t want everyone here to see my heart in my eyes. Still I can’t resist shooting one more glance in their direction. This time Tarren looks at me and scowls, but I can still see male interest in his eyes. He’s worried.

My fear ratchets higher.