Kept by the Zandian (Zandian Brides 5)

“Just the words. You tell me the emotions. I know that’s the hard part.” I can see from her face that she’s sincere.

So we sit and talk, and share our stories, and little by little, I let go of my disappointment in the coin. I let our words and laughter bloom, and soon it’s clear: I have a new friend. I even confide in her about my intense night with Drayk. I know we’ve just met, but she’s so easy to talk to, and she clearly cares. She laughs and blushes with me when I disclose how he gave me so many orgasms I was almost sore the next planet rotation from all the pleasure.

As I rise to leave, Lamira gives me a satchel of fruit. “Take these home with you.” She smiles. “Share them with that tricky Zandian of yours.”

“Like he deserves that, after what he did.” I snort. “And he’s not exactly mine.”

The answer is automatic, although he sort of is. After the explosion in the lab and our equally dynamic night together, where he was both masterful and tender, things changed. Nothing was said outright about a union, but I’ve never felt more connected to him.

What she says next, though, changes everything.

“How far you’ve come with him since that mixed-up start, right?”

“How do you mean?” The look on her face, sort of jolly and “told you so,” confuses me.

“When he convinced Zander to let him put you into his personal detention. That worked out well. I’m sure Zander expects him to come any planet rotation now requesting—”

“I’m sorry, I don’t follow.” I reach out and grab her sleeve. “Lamira.” I let go of the sleeve, feeling it was too aggressive, but my voice shows my urgency. “Explain?”

“Oh. I thought he told you.” Her face falls. She puts a hand to her mouth. “Oh, no.”

“Tell me.” I lean forward.

She sighs. “Oh, Taisha, please don’t take this badly. Zander was willing to give you asylum immediately and allow you to be mated. It was only Drayk who asked for extra time to assess you. But it goes to show how things work out for the best, don’t you think?”

I stumble back. “That can’t be true.”

Her expression is full of sympathy. “It is, but if you just give him a chance to explain?”

“So—wait. I don’t understand.” I think I do, but I want to be wrong. “From the start, it was Drayk who insisted on my detention? Not Zander?”

She nods, silent.

“And it was Drayk who let me go on thinking, even after all the things I did, that Zander hadn’t deemed me safe yet for Zandia? That I’d not yet proved myself?”

“Well, it was—”

I cut her off. “It was miserable. Lamira, the whole time I didn’t know if I’d get to stay. Where I’d be sent, if I were denied. Would I go back to the Ocretions?” I shake my head. “I didn

’t think Zander would do that, but I couldn’t get fully comfortable here, knowing it might only be temporary. Do you know how hard that was on me?”

“I’m sorry. Many humans have been through it. You’re right, it is miserable. But I think he only did it because he felt something for you.”

Lamira looks guilty. It’s not her fault, of course. She’s busy with her family and her duties, and in no way can I hold her responsible for her husband allowing one of his warriors to deceive me. No, the one I’m angry with is Drayk, and I can feel the blood pulsing in my skull.

“Taisha, Zander often knows what’s best for his subjects. It’s not always pleasant at the time, but it works out well in the end.” She touches my hand. “This may be such a thing.”

I shake my head. “I trusted Drayk. And he betrayed me.” My face is hot, my arms and legs cold. I start to shake. I’m dizzy. “Thought he actually cared about me.”

“I’m positive he does care about you. He showed in a way that wasn’t, maybe...”

There is a sound at the lintel, and we turn to see him there, ready to collect me.

Drayk.

“Taisha? What’s wrong?” He steps forward, brow furrowing, when he sees my face. “You look upset—”

“You could say that. Don’t touch me.” I spit out the words and put up a hand, stopping him in his tracks.