Mastered by the Zandians (Zandian Brides 3)
Lanz steps forward. “Her familiarity with process. I think she’s rescuing human women and bringing them to safety.”
“Stealing, you mean. If you call Jesel safe.” Archer frowns. “The Ocretions raid it once in a while, not to mention random pirates who could stop by. And it’s lawless—human women have males to fear there as much as anywhere. Their own species. How any being could survive there, I don’t know. It’s far worse now than it’s ever been. Probably every being there will die off soon.”
“The ones who do survive there must have a strong will,” I add, thinking of Mirelle’s strength and courage.
“The question is what to do with her now.” King Zander puts up a hand. “I will hear your suggestions, since you are the ones who apprehended her.”
“Domm and I wish to keep her, my lord,” Lanz interrupts. A tick in his jaw signals his intensity over this request. “If any Zandian is to breed her, it should be us. She’s ours.”
I inwardly curse my best friend for vecking this up. We have a decent shot at this, if we show proper respect and honor.
“Yours?” King Zander raises a brow. His voice holds a chill because Lanz is clearly out of line.
I bow. “My lord, we gave her our blood to save her—both of us.” I speak quickly to smooth over Lanz’ offense. I have to make the king understand. “We’re bonded, even before we consider piercing her with our crystal. We will train and condition her for Zandian life.”
“How will you do that?”
“We’ll take her with us. On missions. Or to live with us on planet.” I dare look into his eyes. “We’ll teach her she belongs to us, now. To respect Zandian authority. Bow to it. Become part of it.”
Human females respond well to sexual bonding and punishments, as we’ve all heard from those lucky Zandians who have human mates. My cock stirs. I think about our little warrior’s red hair, her flashing eyes. Yes, I’m burning to mate this feisty human. Make her mine. Dominate her in ways that bring her pleasure and obedience in equal measure.
Lanz clears his throat. “She has skills we can utilize for the good of Zandia, my lord.”
I add, “Once she learns this is her new life, she will be a great asset to our planet. And to us.”
“Both of you?” King Zander looks at us. “You’ve discussed this, and are aware of the responsibility that comes with such a bond?”
“We are ready for this.” I speak firmly. “We are fighting partners, battle mates, and friends. We spend most of our time together as it is.”
“Yet you do not share a domicile.” The king looks skeptical.
“That’s not going to be—” starts Lanz, scowling.
I cut in. “Other groups have only first shared a home once they obtained their mate.” I clear my throat.
The king looks at Seke, then back at us. “I will grant you a temporary partnership with the human captive, Mirelle. The two of you may take her as your mate and rehabilitate her so she can adapt fully to life on Zandia. But I will reassess in a few lunar cycles to assure that this is a healthy bond for our planet and for you, some of our fiercest fighters. We cannot afford to have you distracted.”
We both bow. “Agreed, my lord. Thank you.”
“Your goal is to neutralize any threat she poses. Make her respect Zandian law and life. Convince her to use her talents to help the citizens of Zandia thrive and protect ourselves. Help her be an integral, interactive part of this society. Anything less will be considered failure.”
Is that all? I want to say, but you don’t speak that way to your king. And he’s right. If she can’t do these things, she won’t fit in our planet. I’m surprised by the anxiety that wells up, thinking that might even be a possibility.
“Understood.” I nod. “We will not fail.”
“See that you do a good job with her.” He starts to leave, then turns back. “Dr. Daneth can advise on appropriate techniques to...tame her.”
My whole body surges to life, thinking about conditioning our little human. Veck, this is going to be the best time of my life.
Mirelle
* * *
This is the worst time of my life.
No, the worst time was when I lost my sister.
But this is a close second.