The king finally nods. “Permission granted for asylum.”
“I need permission to go on rescue missions.” I add quickly. “I am a rescuer at heart. I will help save more humans and bring them home. To Zandia.”
King Zander says, “That is a dangerous life.”
“And fulfilling. I dedicated myself, long ago, to helping humans. That’s part of my DNA now. I can’t stop it, any more than I can change the color of my eyes. My height.” I touch my chest. “It’s in here. I will give it to you, all of you.” I gesture around the room. “If you’ll have me.”
The king inclines his head. “Once you are well, you may work with Master Seke to determine your capabilities and goals. As long as you obey your mates, who are also your superiors on the job.” He looks at my mates. “You accept her back as your mate? Agree to help train her as a Zandian warrior, and accept that she will be engaging in dangerous, life-threatening tasks?”
“Yes.” Their voices are full of restrained emotion. “Always.” Lanz squeezes my hand.
“And forever.” Domm wraps his arm around my waist.
“Then go.” The king smiles briefly. “And heal. And then thrive.”
“I will start my new missions immediately.” As soon as I’m well, of course, but the enthusiasm can’t be tamped down.
“Wait, little vipn. You’re not going anywhere.” Lanz rolls his eyes and scoops me up into his arms. “Not before we get you medical attention. Oversee your training. Verify that you’re ready.”
“And,” Domm murmurs into my ear, leaning in close so only I can hear, “punish you adequately for ripping our hearts out and leaving them behind.”
“Ah, yes,” Lanz agrees. “That is an important task. We’ll devote a fair amount of time to it.”
“Possibly a few planet rotations. Or an entire solar cycle.” But Domm’s face is full of concern and he brushes his lips over my forehead. “You just hang on. We’re going to take care of you now.”
And I lean into his strong chest. “I’ll take care of you, too,” I promise, letting my eyes drift shut. “We’ll take turns. That’s how it is, with family.”
Chapter 20
Domm
* * *
“I think it’s time to take you to task.” I give her a wicked grin.
She makes an O of surprise. “And why would you do a thing like that?”
The mock innocent look she gives me sets my blood on fire. “You left us without warning.” I cross my arms.
“I’m back now, though.”
“True, and we couldn’t be happier.” I raise an eyebrow. “But you do understand that as your mates, we need to give you certain…incentives…not to do such a thing ever again.”
“I just don’t know how you might even do that.” She smiles prettily and starts to slide her garment from her creamy shoulders.
“We’ll help you understand.” Lanz steps into the room, a nice leather strap in his hand. “Good thing you started taking off your clothing, because you’ll need to be completely naked for this next part.” He slaps the strap into his hand, and the sound echoes around the chamber.
“My stars. That looks wicked.” The look of trepidation on her face is probably partially genuine, and makes my cock stir.
Oh, we’d never really hurt her, and she knows it. But a little anticipation always heightens the pleasure. Especially for our little warrior, who loves to submit to us alone. And since we are still her superiors on missions, and her mates—who are in charge of her well-being on Zandia—she owes us her allegiance.
“No more wicked than a disobedient mate. Who needs to be soundly punished.” I smile and watch her nipples harden in the cool air. Her chest heaves. She might pretend she hates it, but her body tells us how she really feels.
“But no,” she protests, sliding her panties down her creamy thighs. “I’ve been so good lately.”
“And you will continue to do so, I’m sure, with the appropriate incentive. Bend over the hoverdisk.” Lanz rips off his shirt and stalks toward her.
She sucks in a breath and her pupils dilate. “Yes, Master.”