Bought By The Zandians (Zandian Brides 2)

“What could be more important than his own life?” I clench a fist. “He knows the death penalty is on the table for him.” I shoot a glance at Seke. “Isn’t that right?”

“It’s been discussed, but King Zander will not execute a Zandian.” Seke’s voice is firm. “Not even for treason.”

I nod. “But he’s willing to live his entire life in prison?”

“It appears so.” Seke folds his arms over his chest. “How is your new mate?”

My shoulders tighten. “Fine. The young is growing and she should deliver, Dr. Daneth said, in three lunar cycles.”

The old warrior shoots me an ex

pressive glance. “Yet you seem worried. Why?”

I shake my head. “She’s moody. Night terrors. Closed off.” I don’t tell him what Dr. Daneth said about the infant’s brain scan, or the size of the baby. The need to do more examination of the holos.

He flicks a brow. “Human females are sensitive and perplexing creatures, even without pregnancy hormones.”

I think of her terror-stricken face the other day when she woke up from her nightmare. “I hope so.”

Seke slaps me on the shoulder. “Another Zandian. It will be a day to celebrate.”

“Balance out the numbers,” I try to joke. “I brought in a bad one, so I’ll give you a good one, a new one, to make up for it.”

His hand presses into my arm. “No, Gorde. Never blame yourself. You had no control over Taxx’s plans. You did what we asked, which was to rescue a Zandian. What he did after that is not your responsibility.”

“I didn’t watch him closely enough.” Failure makes me so angry I could shout. “I failed her and Zandia. I didn’t recognize the danger.”

“Yet you reacted quickly, you and Benn, and were able to disarm him.”

“Yes.” My voice is uncertain. That moment is fixed in my mind forever—the look on Danica’s face, almost like she knew what I wanted her to do. Then the way she bent down in concentration, and the way Taxx froze. More and more, I feel that she’s hiding something big.

“Your training and your reflexes saved the situation.” His voice is calm.

I’m not entirely convinced he’s right, and I shake my head. “The whole thing was a mess.”

He slaps my shoulder again. “Our life is going to be a series of messes and successes from here on out. This rebuilding isn’t for the weak, Gorde. We will never be perfect. But we need to do our best, and keep moving forward.” He looks into my face. “Do you understand? We make the best of what we have, and we use all of our resources.”

I nod, encouraged. “I do. Thank you, Master.”

“Thank you. Now get back out there and spend time with your mate before the young comes. I promise you that there will be few, ahem, moments”—he smiles—“for intimacy, when the young first arrives.”

I smile, knowing he’s right.

“I will. Thank you.”

Benn

“Come on,” I urge Danica. “The light is fading, and I want you to see it before the sun sets.”

“I just need a few things.” She giggles at my eye roll; she likes it when I tease her.

“If I knew humans were so slow…” I throw up my hands.

“You’d have gotten down on the ground to beg me to show you how to properly savor each moment?” She raises an eyebrow and puts a fluid packet into her satchel. “If I knew Zandians were so intent on racing around all the time…”

I snatch her up in my arms and bury my face in her hair. That vecking glorious pale blonde hair, soft and fly-away, like moss. Like spray from a waterfall. Fragrant, delicate—like her. I speak into her neck. “Savoring how long it takes to prepare your snacks? Veck, baby, do you need the entire cupboard?”

“And then some.” She squeals as I bite her neck. “You know how hungry I get these days.” Before the visit to Dr. Daneth, she was tense. Afterwards, she eased up. I think she’s getting acclimated to life here with us.