Bought By The Zandians (Zandian Brides 2)

“She’d prefer water,” I say automatically, the knowledge coming to me without pause. Then, at Bayla’s expression, I cough and amend it to, “I mean, I’d prefer water, right now.”

She hands me a container. “You’re big for this stage of pregnancy. Feeling tired?”

I nod.

We sit in silence for a few minutes while I drink my water and listen to her heartbeat and the blood whooshing through her veins, a soothing sound that I’ve learned to put into the background.

"What did you want to ask?” Bayla’s face is guarded but kind.

I shrug. “I was curious about the birthing process in general.” I swallow. “I watched the holograms, but…” I bite my lip. “Have you any experience with young that are not human-Zandian mixes?”

She smiles. “One Zandian-Zandian, as well. A Zandian female named Eslyn and her three mates were blessed with a young this solar cycle.”

I nod. “Have you ever learned about other young? They stay pregnant for different time frames, right?”

She quirks a brow, and to my relief doesn’t ask why I need to know. “Other beings have different gestation periods. For instance, the Tellurians have a gestation period of merely two months. But the Finn, it’s seventeen.” I shudder, thinking of the transport owner back on Hectan-3.

I nod and tap my foot. “Genes mix, right?”

She blinks. “What’s your question, Danica?”

“What if, say”—I take a deep breath—“what if a cruel species mated with a nice species. Could the resulting offspring be…good?” I trail off, clenching one hand in the other.

She touches my knotted fingers. “Danica?”

I shake my head. “I’m just wondering. The whole thing is so amazing, you know?”

She sighs. “Well, anything is possible, I suppose. But without experience, it’s impossible to predict.”

“But what if the baby told the mother it was a good creature?”

“They can’t do that.” She squeezes my palm. “Not until they’re far older. Are you nervous, Danica? I promise we’ll take care of you and your young.” But when she looks at me, I get that strange feeling again. The way she doesn’t quite meet my eyes. What does she know? I was relieved that nobody commented after the sono, but soon enough, the truth will come out.

“I know you will.” I sip the water. “I want to know what will happen. So I can be prepared.”

“Let’s go over it.”

As she talks, showing me pictures, holding up supplies, I nod and pay close attention to what I’m going to need as a bare minimum to do this safely. By myself. Just in case it comes to that.

Chapter 12

Gorde

“So Taxx still won’t say anything?” I blow out my breath and turn to Master Seke, the old warrior who trained every surviving Zandian after our planet was invaded. He’s a father figure to us. A mentor. His face looks more lined than usual, and I wonder if the pressures of keeping Zandia guarded are getting to him.

“He’s gone mute.” Seke strides to the window and looks out.

“I still don’t understand why he wanted to take the ship, and Danica both.” I frown. “We had just saved his life and brought him back to his homeland. What could be so compelling that’d he’d commit a high crime to immediately leave?”

Seke frowns. “My best guess is blackmail.”

“How?” I glance over at him.

“I think he was being compelled to do it. But for what reason?” He crosses his arms.

“Why can’t he just tell us?” My voice is sharp.

“Beings are rarely logical, even Zandians.” The Master at Arm’s voice is dry. “Upfront communication could solve so many problems.”