Stolen by the Zandian (Zandian Brides 7)

“No!” I scream, jabbing him with my elbow and almost managing to get free.

“Stop!” Khrys roars, appearing in the doorway. “Unhand her.”

The doctor does release me, but he speaks evenly to Khrys. “You do not give the orders in my lab, Captain.”

“She requires medication. Can’t you see she’s in the throes of pain?”

I realize, then, that he’s holding the box with my medication. Despite my fury with him, that fact produces an instant response in my body. Relief. Desperate need. The desire to do anything he tells me to do in order to get the meds.

I rush to him, and he scrambles to open the box, producing the dropper. I part my lips, and he dribbles it into my mouth.

“Come with me,” Khrys orders, catching my hand.

“No,” the doctor barks. “She’s not cleared to leave the—”

“Dr. Daneth, I know what’s at stake here. But my mate is frightened and unwilling at this point to assist, and I must insist she be remanded to my care to ensure her emotional well-being.”

I blink, the throbbing in my head starting to ebb. My pain-muddled brain stutters on several parts of his statement at once. My mate. Unwilling at this point to assist. Emotional well-being.

I pull my hand out of his grasp and slap him hard across the face. He doesn’t dodge or parry, he just takes it, regret washing over his expression.

“Captain Khrys, clearly you are responsible for her emotional upset,” Dr. Daneth says.

“No, he’s not! You are!” I scream at the doctor. For some reason—angry as I am at Khrys —I feel the need to protect him. “You all are.” I glare at every being in the room. “But you better not hurt Kyrs. If anyone is going to hurt Khrys, it will be me.” I slap Khrys once more for good measure. “LIke this.”

The doctor makes a noise that might be irritation. “This is highly irregular and inappropriate.” He looks at Bayla then back at me. “You need to settle down, so we can proceed.”

“Doctor Daneth.” Khrys’ voice is firm and convincing. “You’re right; she’s angry at me, and she has every right. I’d like the chance, anyway, to explain things to her. Help her understand what’s at stake.” He meets the doctor’s gaze. “I don’t think she’ll be able to settle down until she feels safe and secure. I can help do that for her.”

Even though I’m angry beyond belief at Khrys, being near him still has an oddly calming effect. I’m relieved that he’s all right. When they took him from me, I was so terrified for him—

I take a deep breath.

The wristband on my arm beeps. One of the red lights has turned yellow. Another one starts to blink green.

“Interesting.” The doctor glances at my wrist. “It appears that being around you does seem to help her vitals improve.” He frowns.

Bayla steps closer and looks into my eyes. “Do you want to go with Captain Khrys right now, Kailani?”

I nod.

Bayla looks at the doctor. They seem to have a conversation without words. She tilts her head; he nods.

“All right.” The doctor crosses his arms. “You may leave the med bay for a short time.” He touches my wrist and looks at Khrys. “But if these turn red, you must bring her back for her own safety.”

I ignore him and promptly take Khrys’ hand back in mine. “Let’s go.” I’m moving to the door before Khrys. The moment we’re out of the lab, I start running. Khrys keeps my hand tight in his, keeping pace.

We’re in some kind of marble-floored building—more beautiful and expensive than any I’ve seen. Nothing like the kinds of medical buildings I’ve known before.

“This way.” Khrys tugs me down a corridor then out a door. We burst outside, and I draw up, blinking in the afternoon light.

“Where are we going?”

“Anywhere you want to go, little warrior,” Khrys says softly. “The waterfall. My domicile. Off-planet, somewhere. It’s up to you, just know that you won’t be going alone. Anywhere you go, I go. You’re my mate.”

I turn and face him, my eyes filling with tears. “Khrys, what’s happening?”

Guilt and regret wash over his face. “Let’s go to the waterfall, and I’ll tell you everything. I’m sorry, Kailani. I’m so vecking sorry. I never meant for things to happen this way.”