Claimed by the Zandian (Zandian Brides 6)

I lace my thick fingers through Zina’s slender ones and we walk across the courtyard to Dr. Daneth’s medical center.

Zina squeezes my hand when we enter. “There’s nothing to worry about.”

I yank her into my body and deliver a searing kiss. “That’s so vecking sweet,” I tell her between kisses. “My fragile human comforting her warrior.”

I sense the rush of love pour from her. “Everything’s going to be all right.” She lays her hand on my face.

I hear a throat clear and release my bride, turning to face Riya, the med tech. “Zina, please put on this gown and have a seat on the table. I’ll let Dr. Daneth know you’re ready for the examination.”

I help Zina out of her clothing and into the gown, not that she needs my help, but just because I’m helpless to assist her in any other way to grow our young. Females bear so much.

Dr. Daneth enters, takes a few samples of blood and puts them into a machine for analysis. Then he uses a small monitor over her belly. A hologram springs into the space above her belly projecting what’s inside.

I’m unable to see holograms, but when Zina gasps, I nearly crush her hand in mine.

“Her thumb’s in her mouth, Tarek!” Zina exclaims. “It’s so unbelievably cute.” I hear the tears in Zina’s voice and my eyes instantly lacrimate, even though warriors never cry.

“And you’re sure it’s a female?”

“Definitely,” Dr. Daneth says. He’d told us that before, but I keep double and triple-checking everything he tells us.

“And… the eyes? Her sight?”

Daneth turns off the monitor and goes to the blood analysis machine. This is the date when he said the gene mutation should show up. He told us if she doesn’t show the change by this stage, she’s safe. Of course, he also said there are no guarantees.

“Her genes appear to be a normal blend of human and Zandian. I see no gene mutation.”

I exhale loudly, then pull Zina into my arms, dropping kisses all along her hairline, her cheeks, her forehead. “She’s all right. She’s safe. She’s going to be all right.”

“She’ll be perfect, no matter what,” Zina says, which is what she’s said from the beginning.

“I know, but I’m just so happy. I love her so much.” Stars, now my voice is choked.

“I do too.” The salty scent of Zina’s tears reaches me and I squeeze tighter.

“Are we finished here, Doctor?” Because I need to get my mate home and veck her senseless. Need to spank her ass the way she likes it and then lick her until she howls.

“Yes, we’re finished.” Dr. Daneth leaves the room and I strip the gown off Zina.

My cock punches out when my sensors take in her nudity—the shape and curve of her swollen breasts, the big belly, the rounded buttocks.

“Not here, Tarek,” Zina giggles, guessing at my thoughts.

“Right,” I say, grabbing her clothes and helping throw them on her. “Let’s go, little human. I need to make you scream.”

The scent of her arousal reaches me and she beats me to the door.

“Last one home is a rotten egg,” she says, throwing some arcane human expression she discovered at me and taking off at a run

.

I growl and give chase, catching her in a single stride and sweeping her up into my arms.

“You think I’d let you walk all the way home, little human? Never. You don’t go anywhere but in my arms.”

She laughs softly. “Silly male,” she murmurs against my neck. “I love you so much.”

“I adore you, beautiful female.”