Bought By The Zandians (Zandian Brides 2)

“That we do.” Gorde steps back into the open doorway. “I think you eat the equivalent of an entire solar cycle’s worth of produce.” He strides forward and touches her belly, an affectionate smile on his face. “Not that we mind, of course.” He points to the craft outside our home. “I have our ground transport ready. If you two can possibly force yourselves to leave for a few minutes, we may just make our destination in time.”

“It’s not my fault.” Danica gives Gorde the sweetest smile, and bats her lashes. “Benn was being affectionate, and how can I say no to that?”

I slap her ass once, not hard, and she squeals. “Beast.”

“That’s right.” I do it again, kiss her, then reluctantly put her down, trailing my hands over her arms, squeezing her palm, before letting her stand alone. “Your beast. And you love it.”

“That I do.” She reaches up on tiptoe to kiss me, her belly brushing my abdomen. A spark of passion and protective pride flows through me. My mate. My young.

She takes my hand then, and Gorde’s, and the moment is complete. Her face is so vibrant and healthy, her eyes bright and shining—she’s never been prettier. It’s true what they say, other Zandians: There’s something unmistakably beautiful about a pregnant human who’s yours.

“So where are we going?” Danica steps into the craft and sits in her console chair, peering out the window as we set off, gliding quickly a few feet off the ground.

“You’ll love it,” I promise, and shoot a glance at Gorde. He looks back and smiles, but there’s a guarded expression on his face, like there’s something he’s not telling me. Things have been a little off-kilter with him since our visit to Dr. Daneth. Danica is more relaxed; he’s not. I wonder if he’s concerned about whether the young is his or mine? After all, he was the one who liked Danica first…and fell for her hardest.

“We’re here,” he announces, when we arrive. The look on Danica’s face tells me this was a great idea, because her eyes—so wide, and that smile? It’s everything.

“I’ve never seen anything so gorgeous,” she breathes. “What is this place?”

“It’s called the Zandal Highlands.” Gorde takes her hand to help her off the craft. “Upcountry that was untouched by the Finn. King Zander recently approved mated couples to request plots of land here.”

“For a new home?” Danica reaches down to touch the grass, knee high and soft, waving in the breeze.

“No,” I laugh, and touch her back. “For vacation spots. For pleasure.”

“A place just for pleasure,” she repeats, putting both hands on her belly. “Extraordinary.”

“A place to come to relax.” Gorde strides forward and points at the graceful trees. “Hear that?”

We all stop and listen, and he continues, “It’s a stream. Crystal clear. You can drink from it. Swim in it.”

“I never learned how to swim.” Danica walks forward to examine the water, her eyes glowing. “It’s not something that my old master…” She stops and presses her lips together.

“We’ll teach you. And the young.” I’m uncharacteristically excited. “I can just see his horns now, dipping into the water for the first time.”

“She,” Danica corrects me automatically.

“I know, you keep saying that, but Dr. Daneth says that most Zandian-human babies have been boys so far,” I remind her. “Don’t get your hopes up.”

Danica’s smile wavers, then strengthens. “Let’s worry about that later.” She touches my face, almost hesitant. “Right now I’d like to enjoy time with the two of you.”

“That can be arranged.” I slide my hand under her shirt and cup her breast. “Who are we to say no to our mate?”

I lower my lips to claim her mouth, but I can’t push away the nagging thought. It’s a pattern I should’ve noticed sooner.

Danica’s distracting us from whatever’s bothering her with sex.

On the drive back, we’re quiet, a comfortable silence. Danica hums to herself, a tune I don’t recognize, not that I’m musically inclined.

“What is that melody?” I ask.

She stops abruptly. “I…don’t know.”

Gorde glances over. “Something you heard from other, ah, slaves, maybe?”

Danica shakes her head. “No, I-I can’t recall where I heard it.”

Our craft beeps and slows, and an automated chime rings out.