Claimed by the Zandian (Zandian Brides 6)

She’s so bright and cheerful again that I can’t help but smile.

But even so, I peer around, trying to locate which building might house the royal family… and Enya. Would it be possible to sneak in and just check on her? Probably not a good idea. I’m still new here, and I don’t want to jeopardize my welcome.

“How about combat? Flight school? Probably not.” Abbi checks those off without verifying, but that’s okay, because she’s absolutely correct. “No, you’d need a special background for that.”

I try to focus. It won’t help to think about Enya. I have to trust that she’s fine. That her… real mother… is taking good care of her. I absolutely need a distraction.

“Maybe weaving? Clothing design? Are you good at building things with your hands?”

Terror rises up in me. “I’m good at taking care of children.” I blink hard. “That’s mostly what I’ve done, Abbi. Take care of the young, and Enya. And clean. I do a lot of cleaning at Master’s domicile.” A beat. “Did.”

“Well, we can put you on cleaning crew, I guess.” Abby sounds uncertain. “But that’s just so, I mean, unrewarding. And it’s always temporary, until a being finds a more suitable career.”

“I don’t mind.” I take a breath. “I guess I’m not good at much.”

Abbi frowns at this, but it’s true.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see two tall purple beings eyeing us. “Who are they?” I nudge Abby and step closer to her. Nervous.

“Oh, looks like warriors, back from a mission.”

“How can you be so casual about that?” I sneak another look and blush when one of them gives me a meaningful glance.

“They probably think you’re pretty.” Abby giggles. “New human females always get a lot of attention. They want a mate.”

“Wait, both of them? Not together?” I’m taken aback.

But Abbi acts as if that’s normal. “Yes. There aren’t enough females for the warriors. Many Zandians mate in groups of two or three.”

I look again. “They’d share me?”

“If you said yes.” She tugs my sleeve. “They’re handsome.”

I consider them. She’s right, although they can’t compare to my blind navigator.

Not mine. Stupid.

“What’s, I mean, Tarek. Do you know him?”

“Tarek?” She turns to glance at me. “Sure, everyone knows about the blind navigator. He’s a legend around here. He was on your rescue ship, right?”

“Yes.”

I lick my lips. The two Zandians are still watching. I can feel their gaze, hot, on my skin. “He was… interesting.”

“Yes?”

I probably shouldn’t tell her what he did to me on the ship. “He was welcoming.” My face heats despite my best efforts not to blush. I cough and then turn even redder. “I mean, it’s… never mind.”

“Welcoming?” She narrows her eyes, a smile playing around her mouth. “What exactly does that mean?”

“Um, well… He took it upon himself to help me relax.”

I so badly want to confide in someone about what happened, but I just don’t feel this is the right time. Also, would he get into trouble if anyone found out?

“So, anyway, he was nice.” I take a breath. “He navigates without seeing. Pretty impressive.”

“He’s got special skills. But I’m not sure I’d call him nice. He’s not mean. But he’s extremely gruff. Most new humans, and frankly, even the seasoned ones, are scared of him, especially because he’s so big.” She eyes me.