She visibly winces. “Not enough. We’ll know better once people come out of hiding. But they definitely took four of the females.”
King Zander raises an eyebrow. “So hardly a safe harbor.”
Defiance flashes in Mirelle’s eyes, but quickly recedes as she drops a curtsy. “As you say, my lord.”
“And why should you be allowed to stay here on Zandia?”
“I don’t need to stay here on Zandia. I would be fine with my return to Jesel.”
Damn her!
Domm gives a low growl of disapproval.
“As a prisoner of war who nearly caused irreparable damage to my fleet, you do not have the luxury of choosing your destination,” the king points outs. “I would encourage you to be grateful that there are Zandian hosts who wish to offer you a chance to settle here.” He pins her with a look. “Instead of sending you to an on or off-planet prison.”
She meets his gaze, defiant, but I see the flutter of her pulse, smell fear on her. The urge to protect her surges in me, unquenchable.
King Zander has already told us he will grant us custody of Mirelle temporarily, but after meeting her, he may very well change his mind. I take a step closer to Mirelle, as if I will fend off the king’s orders if they don’t suit me.
After an agonizing silence, the king finally says, “We will not return you to Jesel.” The king’s voice is firm. “The trip there is arduous and costly, not only in stein, but in the danger to my warriors.” The king frowns. “Not to mention, your craft is completely out of commission, and we do not have one to spare for your leisure. Perhaps most importantly, we will not allow for your interference in future rescue missions for humans.”
“I would like to live here on Zandia and become part of this community. I have many skills I can offer to this society in terms of mechanics and fighting techniques. Please do not send me off-planet.” This is what she was supposed to say in the first place.
“I am not convinced that you truly want asylum here.” The king stares her down.
She squares her shoulders, and meets his eyes. “I swear that I wish no harm to Zandia. I want with all my heart to become part of this society.”
Lies, of course. Yet I still cling to hope we can show her Zandia can provide a far better life than the one she’s been living.
“We shall see. I am granting your temporary asylum here.”
Thank veck.
“Thank you, my lord.”
“Go with your mates. I will hear from you all again in three lunar cycles.”
She turns to us, but doesn’t meet either of our eyes.
The unsettled agitation around my neck doesn’t go away. Domm and I have much work to do, if we want to truly claim our little warrior.
Chapter 7
Mirelle
* * *
“This is your home?” I touch the thick glass window, curved, that looks out over the city center.
“It is now,” Lanz says. “We bought it for you.”
My chest tightens, like I’m warding off his words. I don’t want to accept their attention, be the object of such importance in their lives. I have to get off this planet and back home. Still, it’s exquisite.
“I’ve never seen…” I trail off. The sleek metal and glass structures are a far cry from the shanties we cobble together on Jesel. My eyes are back to normal now, thank Mother Earth, and I can see just as well as ever.
“Zandia still has areas that are completely devastated from the Finn.” Domm adjusts something on the door. “But much progress has been made here in the capital.”
I touch the glass with both palms; it’s cool to the touch, even though the planet rotation is hot. Glance around the room at the hoverseats. “Your use of technology is incredible.”