Kept by the Zandian (Zandian Brides 5)

“Does this mean she’s healing?” I point to the display.

“Yes.” Kurtt steps closer. “The bone has already resealed. Human skin is fragile and burns readily, but the salves and medicines are speeding new regrowth using a botanical formula that some of the humans created under Dr. Daneth’s supervision. But it will take some time, probably a few planet rotations, before she’s fully healed.”

I brush one of her dark curls out of her eyes. “Is she in pain?”

“I administered medications that block pain in humans, so I assume not.”

At this moment, Taisha opens her eyes. She looks at me, uncomprehending, her features laden with panic and fear.

Remembering what happened last time I startled her awake, I gently grip both of her arms, above the bandages.

She gasps and fights me.

“It’s just me,” I say quickly. “It’s Drayk. I’m not going to hurt you. Don’t hit me; you’ll aggravate your injuries.”

Focus returns to

her eyes and recognition dawns. Her whole body slumps back down. “Oh, Mother Earth. I’m safe? Where am I?”

She gets a burst of energy and struggles to sit up, so I help her, letting go of her arms to support her shoulders.

“You’re on my ship. You succeeded. We got the data, and we’re on the way back to Zandia.”

“But the Ocretion.” She glances around sharply, muscles tensed, as if she might need to run. “He was going to… he was…” She shudders.

“You destroyed the discs and comm before he could sound any alarm or notify any other beings, and we killed him before he…” I scowl, unable to finish.

I know what that Ocretion beast was going to do to her and the thought of it slays me.

She puts a hand to her chest, her legs. “He didn’t rape me.” She sounds almost surprised.

Rape her? Veck. I would’ve torn his dick off with my bare hands if he had.

“I was hoping you’d come.”

“I should have come sooner.” My voice is harsh, and I find it hard to forgive myself for leaving her out there too long. “As soon as we saw you approaching with him, I knew we would have to kill him. I came out immediately, but it was almost too late.”

“You saved me.” She looks up, her dark brown eyes wide. “Thank you.”

I avert my gaze. “Thank you, is more appropriate. You put yourself at considerable risk and got what we needed. And, ah, the toxin you brought on board the ship? We used that to neutralize the Ocretion.”

“Good.” Her voice is fierce. “If all goes well, they’ll think it was a random heart attack, just like back on Romon-3.”

“It weighs in our favor that it’s the number one cause for Ocretion deaths, apart from battle.” I snort. “Are you all right?”

I take her arms, but gently, encircling her narrow wrists with my hands, just barely touching. “Does this hurt?”

She shakes her head. “No.”

Then she leans into me and puts her head on my shoulder. “The pain is all gone. I’m just so, so tired. I don’t even know what’s happening. My life is like…” She pauses. “Sped up. Like I’ve lived ten solar cycles in one planet rotation. Going too fast, and so full of strange oddities, that I can’t keep up. It’s a dream.”

I hear her, but my body is strangely afire. Having her this close once again stirs me to a passion I didn’t know existed. All I can think about is stripping her bare and making her cry out. Tasting her soft pussy. Driving my cock deep inside —

My cock reacts, hardening and I adjust my position so she doesn’t notice. Veck, I’ve never had this sort of reaction to a female before.

I should leave the bay and avoid temptation. But instead I hold her closer. “You are safe now. No Ocretion can get to you on my ship.”

She nods, but her voice is low. “They’re already here, though. In here.” She points to her head. “I know it’s not the same, but…” She trails off. “I’m grateful to be here. And glad I could help. So you can find the children?”