Zandian Lights (Zandian Brides 4)

k from a mission? You stink.” I punch his shoulder.

“Sure did. Domm, Mirelle and I just rescued two new human females.” He raises a brow. “Nearly lost our ship, too.” But his cocky grin says it was a smooth effort. Like usual.

“Not likely.” I snort. “The three of you are like an impenetrable force.”

“I’ll tell her you said that.” He grins at me. “I think she’s the only human female on this planet you respect even just a little bit.”

“It’s not that I don’t respect the others.” I shake my head. “It’s more a matter of what they represent.”

“I’ll tell you what they represent.” Domm jogs up and slings a dirty arm across Lanz’ shoulder, brother style. “The hottest vecking sex in the galaxy.” He smiles. “And undisputed domestic bliss.”

“Right. You three almost self-destructed.” I had the misfortune of having their mate placed under my watch while they were off on missions. She was quick and bright, but lacked the focus and intelligence of Kianna. She’s more of a warrior-type, that one.

“But now we’re better. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. You should stop by and meet the new humans, once they’re acclimated. Since you’ve turned down every other available human on this planet.” Lanz checks his wrist band. Looks across the expanse of ships, blinking and flashing in the evening light. I know he’s looking for his and Domm’s mate, Mirelle, and for a second, something twists in my chest.

I force the feeling aside, and shake my head. “I just think we should be pushing harder to find more Zandian females.” This has always been my argument. Keep our blood pure. But even as I say it, the idea feels flat. A Zandian mate would probably require sharing amongst males, same as human females. There are just too many unmated Zandian males. And I don’t see how I could ever share.

I don’t even live with one other being right now.

How could I possibly share my space with two or three, or star forbid, four?

“Where, brother?” Lanz gives me a look. “Give me the coordinates, and we’ll be there in a heartbeat.”

“I don’t know.” Frustration wells up. “Listen. I’m grateful the human females are here short-term to help us carry our DNA and heritage forward. But some planet rotation we won’t need them anymore.” I shrug. “Be better off without them and their erratic emotions and unpredictable behaviors.”

The image of Kianna looms up in my mind—her constant teasing and prodding. The way she looks up at me with feigned wide-eyed innocence out of those huge, green eyes. The way her long black hair looks all silky and soft on her shoulders. I constantly have to guard myself against falling for her allure. Her beauty, the sensuality of her soft form, the musical lilt of her voice—all are like an abyss sucking me in, swallowing me whole.

“It’s no wonder you’re still alone.” Domm ducks free from Lanz, and punches me harder than I punched him, and I think there’s a degree of actual anger in it. “Time for you to open your eyes and see that Zandian life is moving on. Suggest you come along with us.” He raises a brow. “Because Mirelle is not just adequate to be my mate and the mother of my young, she’s perfect. I’d choose her any planet rotation, even if a thousand Zandian females showed up.”

“That’s right.” Lanz crosses his arms.

“Well, she’s different,” I allow. “She’s a good fighter. Even if she’s too emotional.”

“You need to be more emotional.” Domm grins. “Be good for you.”

Rumor is that Zandians with human brides become as emotional as their human mates. I would sooner die than face that fate.

I growl. “Get out of here. You’re getting soft.”

“Still see you later for sparring practice?” Lanz puts up both hands and dances. “You’re getting weak, old one. Hoping that you senior citizens can still muster up some strength to fight.”

“You’re going to go put some healing lotion on that place I hit you,” I tell him. “And as for senior citizen, yes, I may be a few solar cycles older than you are. But also several solar cycles wiser.”

He snorts even as he grins. Following his gaze, I see what has captured his attention as their human lifts her hand to wave when the group around her begins to disperse. Lanz slaps my shoulder. “Well, I’m wise enough to know that Mirelle’s far better company than you—”

“Not to mention a much more entertaining sparring partner,” Domm cuts in to add.

He and Domm grab their gear and head off, joking and pushing each other in a companionable brotherhood that makes me wistful—for a split second.

Then I shake my head. How in the stars can two Zandians share one female without getting angry and jealous? I could never do it.

I think about them going back to their domicile with Mirelle, and what they will be doing. Her loud cries, her soft skin…

But as I imagine the picture, the Zandian doing the vecking is me. And the soft beautiful human beneath my hard body, the one whose eyes flash and whose soft little cries undo me, is Kianna. The one whose alabaster ass tips up for my hand is the little female who sasses me every planet rotation here on the jobsite. The one I’m dying to take over my lap and punish and then veck until her eyes fill with stars and her lips are full of my name, only my name, forever.

I push one fist into the other. These thoughts don’t help anything. Sure, Kianna is the prettiest human on the planet. And I’ve seen the way she looks at me, her eyes full of heat and hope. And yes, I’d like to take her back to my dome and make her mine. For a solar cycle or two.

But I don’t want a human mate. And even if I’d be satisfied to get her out of my system, I can’t be sure she’d do the same. Humans, I’ve come to learn, bond completely. That’s the last thing I need.