“Your judicial guardian will make a report at the end of your probation period and determine whether or not you pass for asylum.”
“I… see.” I don’t see. “And am I supposed to, ah…” I wave my hand, feeling dizzy. “Do…”
The king raises a stern brow. “It is a master and trainee relationship, and that is all.”
“And may I ask, who will be…”
My voice trails off as I see him step up.
Drayk.
Relief is followed swiftly by arousal. A slow pulse between my legs at the memory of how he touched me there. How he bared me for his correction.
“Captain.” I speak, and my face grows hot. My nipples tighten. “I—” That is all I can manage at this point.
King Zander nods at Drayk. “Captain Drayk will be your guardian for the next three lunar cycles, after which your case will be reevaluated. It is incumbent upon you to learn the ways of Zandia and acclimate to our planet.” He looks at me, and his gaze—although stern—is not unkind. “Welcome, Taisha.”
I wonder whether I should ask to speak to Lamira right now—after all, Leylah made it seem urgent, but based on Drayk’s response on the ship, I decide to wait. Clearly Drayk is suspicious of me, but once he gets to know me and I explain about Leylah’s gifts, he’ll have to understand. I just know it.
“Be sure to obey Captain Drayk.” King Zander pierces me with his gaze.
“Yes, my lord. I will,” I hasten to agree, flicking a glance at the imposing captain, his muscles rippling under his crisp white uniform. “I certainly will.” My ass clenches at the thought of more punishment. It’s not an unpleasant thought.
“If you pass probation, then you will be eligible for mating selection.” King Zander says this as if it’s the most normal thing in the world. “But until then, you will not entertain offers.”
Behind his back, I see two Zandian warriors eyeing me keenly, looking me up and down, the way one might appraise livestock, or vegetables at a sale stand. I look away wildly, only to see another one with the same expression.
Drayk steps closer and makes a low growling noise, and my body reacts against my will, my nipples hardening in response to his presence. Mother Earth, the attraction is still there, stronger than ever. But then I notice two other Zandian males murmur to each other and nod at me, as if they wish to take me right now.
I suck in a breath and inch closer to Drayk. The room starts to whirl. My heart thumps. I know these are Zandians, and they are only looking in a kind of admiration for humans, but I am accustomed to the necessity of hiding my face and skin from the Ocretions to avoid notice.
Here, with my flowing white gown and bare arms, my form outlined by the diaphanous silk, my curls streaming out like rays of the sun, I am not only on display, I feel like a sun in the center of a solar system.
It’s too much.
“Please?” I look up at Drayk.
He seems to understand, and scoops me up in his arms before I swoon. “Stand aside,” he snaps, and the Zandians part effortlessly. “I must take my charge to her quarters.”
Chapter 11
Drayk
“This is where I live. And you, for the duration of your probation.” I push back my guilt at insisting she required this probationary period. Tell myself it wasn’t for selfish reasons. It’s for the good of Zandia.
Yeah, right. And the good of my cock.
I shouldn’t care what she thinks of it—she should be happy she’s here at all. Still, I’m gratified when she smiles.
“It’s so comfortable.” She reaches out a tentative hand towards a cushion on my hoverdisk—the oval-shaped floating bed in my chamber—then draws it back. “Can I touch… things?”
She doesn’t realize she’s not a slave anymore. Doesn’t understand how things work on Zandia.
And I’m an asshole for not wanting to clarify. I vecking love when she calls me Master. That submissive drop of her eyes.
“You can touch anything you want.” My voice is lower than expected and my face warms, thinking about what she did on the ship. How she touched me and made me explode with passion.
“I clear my throat. “I mean, regarding the fabrics and textures in this place, of course. And there are foodstuffs that I understand humans enjoy.”