Mastered by the Zandians (Zandian Brides 3)
The words are barely out of my mouth and Mirelle leaps at me. “Yes!”
I laugh and stagger, wrapping my arms around her. “Easy there, little warrior. They’re eager to see you, too.”
“Where are they? At Arc
her’s home?” Her eyes scan mine. Then she looks away. “Are they mad at me?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Because they like it here, right? And I nearly took them away from this. All.” She waves her hand toward our window, the city. “I was only trying to help.” She raises her voice.
I contemplate this. “Archer did not make it seem so, when we spoke. He merely said they are adjusting well.”
“I bet they don’t wear cuffs.” She touches hers.
“No,” I confirm. “Are you ready?”
I always try to change the subject when she brings up the cuffs, because it leads to arguments.
“I’m always ready.” But she grabs a bag. “Even more ready.” She looks at me and explains, "Bayla gave me some sugar sweets. I’d like to share them.”
I smile and shake my head. “Let’s go.”
When we reach Archer’s home, I usher Mirelle in.
She nods at Archer. “Greetings.” She adjusts her bag on her shoulder several times and looks at me, then at the floor. She glances at the two humans. “Hello.” Her voice is low and a little squeaky.
I hope her worries are assuaged when Alanna rushes up to hug her. “Mirelle!” Her voice is warm, fond. “It’s so good to see you again.” She laughs. “Well, in better circumstances for us both.” She’s so changed. I would barely recognize her as the shuddering, terrified dirty being on that ramshackle ship. No, now she’s full of grace and confidence. Her face exudes happiness.
The daughter—Cassie—holds back, though, then starts to cry. Archer scoops her up in his arms and murmurs to her, then grabs a toy from the side hoverdisk, something soft and puffy with a face. Apparently human children like replicas of animals. How odd. Maybe all young like those, I have no idea.
“Papa,” she whimpers. Something in my heart twists as I watch Archer soothe this tiny human. It’s remarkable to see him with a young like this, such a fierce warrior capable of such devotion. It makes me wish for—
But Mirelle makes a sound of distress, a small oh, and I turn to her, the need to comfort in my hands. “It’s all right,” I say. “She’s just remembering the ship, probably. The Ocretion.” I pull her to my side, ready to snarl at the tiny child for upsetting my mate.
“No.” Archer shakes his head, his deep voice rumbling. “She’s scared of every new being. It will pass in time as she gets more used to life here.”
Alanna goes back to her daughter, and the look she gives her, and to Archer, makes me wistful. Mirelle holds something back from us, I know it. This human has given herself completely over. But then, Alanna was a slave. Here, she’s free. Mirelle was free, and here she’s in cuffs.
Mirelle still seems tentative. “You’re happy?” she asks, her voice uncertain.
“Yes. Come sit and I’ll tell you about what’s happening.” Alanna pulls Mirelle by the hand. “I have fruit from a friend’s homestead. Berries. You’ll love them, I promise. And I have to tell you about how I’m learning to cipher.”
As the two of them sit, Mirelle’s posture changes. Her shoulders straighten up, and she smiles more. Gestures, and finally laughs. When the two of them lean in and giggle about something, I let out a breath. It’s going to be all right.
It surprises me how much I care about Mirelle’s feelings and how others see her. I want her to fit in here, to be liked, as well as to like. I want her to be part of Zandia. Need it.
Part of me is frustrated. Alanna fits in here so perfectly, and she did it so fast. Why the veck can’t we help Mirelle do it, too?
I want to roar and bash something, but I force myself to remain calm. We’ll make it happen, Lanz and I. I’m the calmer one of the two of us, and I need to keep even so we can reach our goals.
Chapter 11
Mirelle
* * *
The trip out to the quarry for ore is as tense as I could have expected. Kianna and Amber are terse, barely talking to me.