Mastered by the Zandians (Zandian Brides 3)
Mirelle
* * *
I just get out of the washtube when my cuffs begin to blink blue. I smile, my body reacting immediately, knowing my mates are on their way. They must be within a few miles, and it will be only minutes before they enter the home.
“Good planet rotation?” Domm asks, stepping through the door with Lanz.
I jump up and leap into Lanz’ arms, wrapping my arms and legs around him, making him laugh and stumble.
“Yes!” I’m so eager to tell him about my planet rotation that the words rush out. “I updated the comm units and Mykl said they’re twenty percent more effective in range now. And the training class is fantastic. The Zandians actually listen to me now and I taught the class my twist kick. You know.” I bite his neck. “The one I used to drop you that first time we met.”
“Oof,” he grunts, but his arms go around me, too, and his hands find my ass. “Missed you. And I let you drop me.”
“You did not. Please.” I lean in and close my lips around his horn. “I’ll get you to admit the truth.”
He slides me down his body. “I’ll admit anything you want. But let me clean up first. I’m full of dirt.”
“I like you dirty.” I bite his neck.
He growls. “I know you do.” He scoops me up and hands me to Domm. “Occupy her, please, while I get ready. She’s clearly insatiable.” But his fond smile and the hunger in his eyes tell me he’s just as ready for playtime.
When night falls, the three of us go to the roof of the domicile, which is fitted with a hoverbench, to look at the stars.
I snuggle between the two of them, our bodies intertwining comfortably.
“Will you tell us what you meant, the time we talked about predators on Jesel?” Lanz squeezes my hand.
For some reason, the words are not locked as deeply as usual. “Human males can be just as vicious and predatory as any Ocretion.” I look straight out at the sky. “You can guess what happens if sexually deprived males, ones who’ve learned nothing from their slave masters but violence and cruelty, have access to a young female.” I take a deep breath. “I was…attacked. He did what he wanted. I didn’t like it.” My eyes burn. “After that, I got stronger. Nobody ever hurt me again.”
“I would kill him for you.” Lanz growls and squeezes my hand so hard it hurts.
“I killed him myself.”
“Of course you did.” Domm sounds proud.
I hesitate. “And anyway, the ones who are dangerous now are on Jesel. With human women. And my father.” I hold my breath. I’ve never before told them,
or anyone, what Jesel means to me. I guess I’m afraid that if I tell them my heart, and still don’t get permission to go back there, it will kill me all over again.
They both go still.
Lanz
* * *
Her father’s on Jesel. Her family. All this time I’ve harbored this dread she will return there—leave and never come back, and this little nugget she’s been holding back confirms my fear.
I can’t lose Mirelle—I can’t. Not after losing everyone I knew and loved as a child.
“Do you remember your father?” she asks, her melodic voice low. “Or your mother?”
“I barely remember my parents.” Domm answers first. “We were both evacuated as young when Zandia was under attack by the Finn. We were raised on a pod in Ocretion airspace, in a small group of Zandians, who all looked out for the communal young.”
“That’s probably why the two of us”—I lift my hand from her leg to gesture to myself and Domm—“are so close. We’re brothers where it counts.” I tap his chest. “Family can be made.” I say it too loud, like I can make her believe it. Make her forget her real family and keep us.
It’s not fair. It’s wrong. And I know I’m a selfish asshole for wanting to keep her here, away from her father. But I can’t let her go. We can’t let her go.
“It’s so dark at night. I feel like I could touch the stars.” She reaches up, her small fingers pale against the inky black of the sky. Then the warrior returns. “I have touched them. Lots of them.” She turns to me. “When will you let me fly again? Or take me to Jesel yourselves?”