Stolen by the Zandian (Zandian Brides 7)

somber as he adds, “Especially the king’s own heirs.” He looks across the room. “I must go. Master Seke is coming.” Gabin steps back and goes into his formal post of attention.

Master Seke, usually reticent, smiles and his voice holds excitement. “Dr. Daneth is eager to see if we can use any of her blood enhancements to help the young on Zandia beat this tricky virus. He is already preparing the testing equipment he will need. This could be a miracle for Zandia, Captain Khrys. For our king and for us all.”

A spear of misgiving slashes through me. “He won’t hurt her.” It’s as much a threat as a question.

Seke seems surprised. “You know he will not. All humans are valued. She will be treated with care and dignity as he examines her and removes blood and tissue samples for investigation.”

I believe this to be true. I also am fairly sure that Kailani will not care for that distinction.

Master Seke looks at me evenly. “You are lucky that you are returning with such a prize. Please keep us updated on comms as to your progress. Once you hit atmosphere, we’ll direct you.”

“Understood. Thank you.” I look back at her. “There is one more thing I need to do first to ensure her survival.”

I explain to Master Seke about the medicine and her headaches. He approves the stop on Dentron and promises to send me all of Zandia’s information on that planet, scant though it is.

“There are locals,” he tells me, checking a holo doc. “Wild and clever although without tech. The weather is going to turn any time now with dangerous storms. Be careful. I’ve sent you maps enhanced with bio markers for plant matter—hopefully it will help you find the flower fields you need.”

Master Seke signs off with a reminder to ensure the human is protected against any bacterial threats on Dentron, leaving me alone with my troubled thoughts...and the sleeping human.

I sigh and set the coordinates for Dentron. It’s only two light years away; we’ll be there in under an hour, even accounting for the detours I’ll make around dangerous asteroid belts.

Kailani mutters and cries out, and I hurry to the bunkroom, leaving the ship on auto-pilot.

“Shhh,” I soothe, sitting on the cot beside her and stroking her cheek. “You’re safe.” I lie on the cot beside her to pull her into my arms. “No more headaches, little warrior. Never again. I promise.”

Whether she can hear me or not is a mystery, but the instant I hold her, she murmurs something unintelligible and relaxes into my grasp. Her breathing evens. And although it’s folly and will only lend me a false sense of intimacy, I continue to hold her while she slumbers.

“Everything will be all right,” I say, even though it’s not likely—for her or for myself.

I try not to think about how right she feels in my embrace because the second we get to Zandia and she finds out about my omission, she’s going to hate me forever.

I just don’t see any other solution.

Chapter 5

Kailani

I awaken with a start and a guttural cry, completely confused.

“Careful...easy, little warrior.” A deep voice sounds in my ear. “You’re safe. We’re nearing Dentron.”

“What?” I push at his arms, panic suffusing my nerves. Then, “Oh.” I’m lying on a cot with his much larger body wrapped around mine. His massive chest flexes under my palms. He smells faintly of rich spice and citrus and delicious male.

I breathe in his scent as it all comes back: The auction. The escape. How Khrys touched me and brought me untold pleasure. Heat pulses between my legs at the memory. Or perhaps it’s from the feel of his hard body against my softer one. I realize I’m running my hands over his pecs, freely exploring the chiseled lines of muscle, and I freeze.

“How long was I asleep?” I stretch, expecting to feel pain from our escape or even a twinge in my ass from his spanking, but everything is completely back to normal. My body feels as strong and limber as always.

For a moment, panic returns and my hands fly to check, but I find the case with my medicine is still there. I open it and take out the dropper, still half-expecting Khrys to suddenly take it away from me or deny me my full dosage.

He just watches in silence, then gets up from the bed and offers his hand, as if I’m some delicate creature who requires his assistance getting out of bed. I want to sneer over it, but the fact is, no being has ever shown me any consideration, and I can’t deny the warm tingles it produces everywhere.

I take his hand and climb out of bed, looking around at the small bunk room. Did we sleep together? All night? Even though I know nothing happened, the thought makes my heart beat faster.

“There’s a washtube in the washroom. Do you know how to use one?”

I shake my head.

“Come, I’ll show you.”