Mastered by the Zandians (Zandian Brides 3)

I think I just made my first real friend, in my entire life.

Chapter 12

Lanz

* * *

“Looking good.” I let out a low whistle.

“Yes.” Domm nods his approval. “She’ll be surprised.”

“That’s an understatement.” I look at her craft. When it first came in, it was little more than a twisted hunk of scrap, the huge hole in the side just one of multiple fatal flaws.

Over the past months, we’ve rebuilt it. Fixed the hole, strengthened the hull. Added improved navigation and guidance. No cloaking or weapons, of course—but at least this thing could fly again, and better than before.

“Still think we’d get our ass chewed out if Seke knew we were doing this.” Domm grins.

“Reverse engineering.” I laugh.

“Not untrue, actually.” Domm runs a hand over the side of the craft. “The way she set up her controls is perfect for human peripheral vision, and Derk already updated the config for when humans go along on missions.”

“Not to mention the way she had the manual controls set up.” I step back to admire the small craft. “Not that it will ever come to it, but it’s a better manual config than we had. For emergencies, we can update the protocol.”

“I can’t wait to take her for a supervised flight.”

“She’ll be happy.” I touch a scratch in the hull. “We should buff this out.”

“I think she feels—caged.”

“No doubt,” I agree. The unease that always creeps up around thoughts of Mirelle surfaces. Despite our efforts to tame the little warrior—despite her growing warmth and ease with us—she’s not happy here.

Not yet.

Mirelle

* * *

I’m two people.

There’s the Mirelle who lives here and thinks of Zandia as her home. Who’s grateful to fate for landing here, in a place where she can thrive, and relax, and love, and build a future that’s intricate and lovely.

Then there's the Mirelle who is only faking it, who’s gathering data and information so she can escape. Fulfill her promise to her species and herself, and rededicate herself to her core values.

I’m nurturing

them both, these two dramatically different Mirelles, making each woman strong and powerful.

At some point I’ll have to choose one, and let the other die, because there won't be room in my skin for both. And I am terrified, because both of them are part of my soul.

But right now I don't need to make that choice. There’s still time.

And tonight I’m being happy Mirelle, who nearly loves her mates, and wants to enjoy time with them.

Mirelle

* * *

“Try this. Watch.” I push the comms unit that I’ve repaired over to Kianna, a smile stretching my face. I preen a little bit as her eyebrows go up.