He shrugs. “I don’t have much memory right now. I’ve been doing trade here and there, where I can.” He glances at the crystal glowing in the med bay. “Random things.” He reaches out to run his finger over it. “Do you have any idea how many stein this is worth on the open market?” He raises his eyebrows.
“We do.” Gorde’s voice is curt. “Every being does. That’s why the planet is devastated after the Finn overmined our crystals.”
“I see.” Taxx flicks the crystal with his fingernail and it pings, a high perfect note. “I thank you for the rescue.” He sits down on the edge of the med pod and reaches up to touch the clear dome that’s retracted. “I would have died, there. I thought I was going to die before I’d ever see”—his voice quivers, and he clears his throat—“ah, another Zandian.”
“We are honored to bring you home.” Gorde’s voice cracks with emotion. “It’s a blessing to find another Zandian. The planet will welcome you.”
“Who is she?” Taxx looks at Danica. Intent.
“A human female. A rescue. We’re taking her to Zandia.”
“Is she yours?” Taxx stands up. “I haven’t had a female in a long time. Are you willing to share her?” His dark eyes narrow and he steps closer, but the look in his eye isn’t one of arousal, but appraisal.
In the past, I would have offered anything and everything to a newly found brother, including my blood. Definitely my new pleasure slave.
But I growl and put my hand onto Danica’s arm, just as she makes a squeak.
Gorde snaps, “She’s not a toy. Humans are not slaves on Zandia, regardless of what is accepted elsewhere in the galaxy.”
Beside me, Danica breaths out a long shaky sigh and her arms tremble. Veck, the idea of her being frightened makes me want to stand up and protect her. “She’s under our protection on the way to Zandia. Once there, she’ll learn the rules from King Zander and….have the choice to select mates.” My stomach roils.
“Unless we keep her ourselves,” Gorde adds. “As her rescuers, we have first rights.” He glares at Taxx.
I don’t think that’s true at all, and he shouldn’t be getting Danica’s hopes up, but I hold my tongue. Gorde seems to have gotten over his anger at her, or at least, now that he senses interest from another Zandian, he’s clearly eager to stake his claim.
Taxx puts up his hands. “I mean no offense.” His eyes linger on Danica a little too long for my liking, though.
I try to shake off the feeling of unease. “You’ve had an ordeal, and you need to recover,” I state. “Rest. If you haven’t eaten your weekly meal, we have Zandian and human staples on board. A place to wash. Fresh clothing.”
He shakes his head. “All I’ve had for weeks now is swill. I need sustenance.”
Gorde takes him over to the galley and gets him food, shows him the water hose in the back bay. I call in to King Zander to let him know that our Zandian is awake and alert.
Danica touches my arm. “What happened to him?” She’s frowning.
“We’ll let him eat. There’s plenty of time to hear his story.”
“Benn?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you.” She turns her eyes on me, wide and serious. “For saving me from that auction. For taking me to Zandia. For…keeping me safe.”
I look at her for a long minute, into her deep blue eyes, at her perfect lips. Then I force myself to look away. “You’re welcome.” I clear my throat. “I’m going to go sit with Taxx, get to know him. Why don’t you get some rest?”
She nods. “All right. I will.”
Chapter 8
Gorde
“We’re here.” The system beeps and the ground system sends acknowledgment. “Zandia.”
“May I see it?” Danica scrambles to her feet, eyebrows raised, looking at me.
I point her to the console chair beside mine. “Sit and you can see my screen. Or look out.”
“Beautiful,” she breathes, eyes wide, leaning forward to peer out the vast curved glass. “Green and blue and purple! I love it.” She turns to me. “Does it always glow like that?”