Kept by the Zandian (Zandian Brides 5)

“It is nothing. I promise, I am ready to see the planet. I won’t do anything wrong, Master.”

I’m dying to get out of this room. I can see part of the city through the window, where I sit most of the planet rotation, at least, until the panic attacks come. When they do, I crouch in the corner, sobbing and clutching my knees, until the terror passes.

“I have heard that humans sometimes… have emotional triggers from bad memories.” It’s like he’s feeling out the words, unsure of what he’s saying. “Post traumatic stress.”

I chuckle, although it’s not funny. “You could say that.” Moments of abject terror. How anyone learns to manage it is beyond me.

I know better than to ask him for help. He has made it clear that he is here to guard me, assess me. Nothing more. He may have a physical attraction to me, but he’s fighting even that. Clearly he doesn’t care about me in a special way. Plus, I have to stay strong, just like Leylah cautioned me. Alone.

“Bayla said…” he pauses. “Humans acclimate better when they are around others.” His voice strengthens. “I will take you to meet her and Dr. Daneth at the laboratory. They have requested your help.”

I immediately straighten. “Really? Oh, thank you. I would love that.” My voice cracks with gratitude. “Please, I really need that.”

I didn’t want to beg, but now that he’s said it, I recognize how starved I am for company… and distraction.

“I am sorry I didn't do it earlier.” He sits down in a hoverchair and regards me for a second.

I am unaccustomed to hearing him apologize. I don’t answer, because I don’t know what to say.

“So, tell me something about your planet. Tell me more about… life. There.”

He puts his hands on his knees. I glance at his legs, those strong muscles, and avert my eyes from what is between them.

“Romon-3 is not really my planet. But what do you want to know?”

“Anything?” He sounds uncertain, himself.

Is he just trying to pump me for information? I’d gladly give him more about the formula, if only I could remember something of use.

“The planet rotation before I hid on your ship, I killed a serpent for the serum,” I tell him, closing my eyes to remember the details. “Severed its head with a scythe, one clean blow. I’m good at it. And then… something else happened.” I open my eyes and look up at him, checking his face. “Momentous.”

I don’t know if I should tell him about saving the young, but right now his eyes are kind. Patient. Like he trusts me. And Mother Earth, maybe talking about it will make the nightmares stop.

“I want to hear it.” His voice is low and persuasive. He seems interested. Like he really wants to know about me. And it feels good to have another being treat me this way, like I’m worthy of their sole attention.

“All right. So Rannah and I were by the river, the wild part, where it runs fast and dangerous, before the falls.”

“Why?” Drayk blinks. I like the way the beam of sun from the window catches his eyes and lights them up.

I smile briefly, only because I like Drayk’s face. Then I get solemn again, as I go back to my story. “We were tracking out the path for a new canal for the fields. Master has us do the surveying and initial work by hand. Says it keeps us humble.”

I chuckle without humor. “The Master was on site while I killed the snake, but he didn’t see it, because he was busy with a visitor. Master’s son watched, though. He seemed fascinated with me. And truthfully, I was curious about the son, too. He was… different.”

“How so?” Drayk leans in. His thigh muscles shift as he changes position, and I try not to stare.

“His eyes were unusual for an Ocretion. The color and the expression. And his demeanor. Many of the young come to watch us and brag about how they’ll own us, one planet rotation. Mock us. This one just seemed curious. Innocent, even.”

I twist my fingers together while I speak. “That didn’t matter to Rannah. She told me…” I think, so I can get her words just right, because they are etched into my mind. “She said: That’s his son. I’d like to kill him the way you killed the serpent. But not so clean. I?

?d take my time on his neck tendons. Dig in slow. Hear him scream first. Beg.”

Now I’m not thinking about Drayk’s powerful muscles. I’m back in the moment, feeling the terror and the anger.

I squeeze my eyes shut for a second, and suddenly Drayk is beside me on the hoverdisk, so close I can feel the warmth from his body. He pulls me in so I’m right against him and takes my hand.

“You would hardly be judged for having such thoughts.” Drayk presses my hand. “Being enslaved and tortured, treated as property? Why would you not wish to kill the next generation of cruelty?”

I nod. Having him so close is calming, like he can protect me. “Part of me was right there with her. But we didn’t discuss it, because Master brought his visitor right up to us. And he…” I shudder and go cold. “He…” My voice cracks. “He wanted me.”