Bought By The Zandians (Zandian Brides 2)

/> And as we stride out the door, I think I hear him mutter, “Every time, with the human mates. Every time it’s something.”

Chapter 17

Danica

My daughter is restless for her fathers. I sense her thinking of them, because I get little flashes she sends to me of their voices. Each time, a sharp pang twists in my heart. How will I ever tell her that she can’t have them, know them…and it’s my fault?

I soothe her by nursing and soon she falls asleep, a little curl of golden hair falling across her soft, pale purple face. Her long lashes flutter on her cheeks, and with her claws retracted, her tiny fingers are so sweet and perfect, although right now she has them fisted up by her head. She smells like fresh grass. I kiss her head. Mine.

A rustle at the door has me looking up from my cot, and I gasp, because there they are: my mates. Benn. Gorde. Wearing their mission gear, stinking of sweat and adrenaline, faces lined with worry—and I’ve never found them more handsome.

I stand, leaving the young covered with a soft blanket and step forward, my whole body intent on them. “You’re safe!” Tears come to my eyes, as relief and joy surge.

“Of course we are.” Gorde strides forward and takes my hands in his, touches my face. “And you are, too. Thank the stars.” He acts to pull me to him, then hesitates. “You’re—please, sit down. You must need rest.” His jaw stains a deeper purple and his mouth twists. “We weren’t here for you.” His hands linger on me, running over my forearms, stroking. Like he can’t stop touching me. “I’m sorry.”

Benn comes forward too. “It was you who told King Zander to warn us.” He touches my hair, winds it into his fingers. There’s wonder in his voice. “You heard the pirate ship coming.”

I nod, look at the baby, back at him “Yes.” I sit down on the edge of the sleepdisk and touch her back, softly, as she sleeps. “Well, both of us.” I look at her soft blonde hair covering her little face.

“You saved us from an attack.” Gorde’s voice is low and gravelly. “Our ship is strong, and we could have fought and won. But you prevented us from taking damage. Amazing.”

“I was connected to you.” I offer a wobbly smile. But my stomach flips.

“You’re safe? You’re healthy?” Gorde sits beside me, takes my hand in his. As always, I marvel at how strong and large his fingers are compared to my small ones. I always felt protected, having him hold my hands. But now I’m full of anxiety.

Are they here to say goodbye?

“I am. They had to cut her out.” I lift my tunic to show the incision. “But like Dr. Daneth said, I’ll recover.” I act like this is no big deal. In fact it’s not: so many things have happened since then. It was a million sun cycles ago already.

Benn’s face blanches and he sinks into the chair beside my sleepdisk. “Did it hurt? Are you in pain?”

“No physical pain, not right now.” I shake my head.

“And the young?” He swallows. “She’s healthy, too?”

“Yes. She is. I need to tell you—”

“Wait. Let me go first.” He stands back up, comes closer. He puts his hand onto my cheek and cups it, gently. “Gorde and I, we talked. Danica, you can’t go to Jesel. We won’t allow it. You belong to us. We’re sorry we had our heads shoved up our asses, but we need you. We want you back. Even if the young isn’t ours.” He swallows. “There are all kinds of families in this galaxy, all kinds of ways to make a home. Maybe she’s not a Zandian. But she’s part of you, and that makes her precious.”

Gorde squeezes my hand. “Danica, we’re still not happy about the deception. But we understand why you did it. You must have been terrified.”

I nod through my tears, which suddenly blur my vision.

Gorde continues. “We can have more young, Zandian young. This one will be”—he pauses and laces his fingers into mine—“their sister. She will be like you, and because of that, we will treasure her. Do you understand?”

I sob out a half-laugh. “You mean it? You really want me back?”

“Do you want us back?” Benn’s voice is uncertain.

“A few moments ago I thought I was going to Jesel.” I wipe my eyes. “But my whole heart is here, with you. Come closer.” I tug at Benn’s hand, and he sits beside me, on the other side, so I’m sandwiched between my two mates. “Of course I do. I’ve never stopped loving you.”

“Then we are still together.” Gorde’s voice rings out loudly, and the young stirs. I twist back and reach between my mates, who shift to allow me access. I stroke her back and murmur, but she whimpers and rubs her little fists over her eyes, turning.

“She’s waking up.” My heart pounds. They don’t know, yet. What will they say when they find out? “Do you want to see her?” I pull back the cover and shift her so Benn and Gorde can see her face, her limbs. Even dressed in the one-piece soft cloth outfit, her purple skin is clearly evident.

The two of them lean in, entranced.

“But she’s not green.” Benn’s voice halts. “She looked green, on the console pictures. Danica?” He turns to me abruptly.