Claimed by the Zandian Read online

  He steps closer and catches me by the waist, lifting me straight into the air until my face is at the same level as his. “Were you trying to make me jealous, little human?”

  His horns are stiff and twitching in my direction. His eyes, though unfocused, have changed color.

  He wants me.

  This knowledge soothes my ire at the way he left things last time. Tarek may believe he can’t take a mate, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t attracted to me.

  “Maybe,” I admit.

  Tarek growls and takes two steps toward the wall. He drops me on my feet and spins me around to face the cool metal siding. With one large hand, he catches both of mine and pins them to the wall, with the other, he slaps my ass, hard.

  “Ouch!” I cry out.

  “That’s right, little human. That’s what happens when you manipulate your master.”

  Oh, sweet Mother Earth. I don’t know why I love it so much when he calls himself my master. I’ve been a slave my entire life and hated the master I had, but the idea of a male like Tarek being in charge of me does something fluttery-squirmy to my belly.

  He spanks me again, just as hard. My flesh tingles and heats. I shift on my feet, but then return to the position he put me in. I want more.

  I’m desperate for more, actually. I’m so lost on Zandia, lost without Enya and confused by everything new. This thing with Tarek is the only part that feels real. That reminds me of who I am or where I belong.

  Tarek’s breath rasps behind me, growing faster. He’s excited, too. “Keep your hands on the wall,” he commands, releasing his hold on them. In a few swift movements, he strips me of my short dress, leaving me in nothing but my panties. Then he pulls them down to my thighs. “Naughty girl.” His voice is more like a purr. He reaches around the front of my hips and cups my mons, his fingers dipping into my wetness.

  “Move your hands and I’ll take off my sword belt and whip you raw,” he growls. The words are harsh, but his fingers—stars, his fingers! He strokes slowly over my pussy, spreading my wetness over my folds.

  Then he spanks me with his other hand—hard.

  I whimper with need. He fingers me some more, then holds me firmly by the pussy as he delivers a flurry of hard spanks.

  “Master,” I moan, because I know he likes to be called that. “Please.”

  “Please what?” Three more hard spanks followed by more stroking of my pussy.

  I’m all molten need now. My ass is smarting, my pussy’s swollen and wet. “Please… veck me?” I use his word for sex and it must excite him, because he growls. He delivers another three spanks and then I hear the rustle of his clothing.

  “Push your ass back and spread your legs,” he commands.

  I obey, heart hammering in my chest. He holds my pelvis in place with one hand and rubs the head of his cock over my slit with the other. “Yes,” I moan.

  He shoves in and up, lifting me to my toes with the force of his thrust. I cry out in pain and he holds still, circling both my nipples with his fingertips. “Okay, beautiful?” he asks after a few beats.

  “Yes,” I whisper.

  “You want me to veck you?”

  “Yes, Master.”

  “Thank veck,” he says. He starts with slow, upward thrusts, no less forceful than the first one. He’s too big and it’s too rough, and yet there’s something so satisfying about being completely filled, completely dominated.

  He holds my hips and picks up speed, bumping my ass with his loins.

  I flatten my hands against the wall and brace my arms to keep my face from colliding with the metal.

  “You don’t manipulate me, Zina,” he says as he continues to plow into me.

  “No, Master,” I agree, although I’m not the least bit sorry with the result.

  “And stay away from that human.”

  “I will,” I promise, panting for breath.

  “Veck, Zina,” he curses, his pumps growing erratic. “You feel so good. I never knew it could be this good.” He reaches around the front of my hips and finds my clit. The moment he rubs it, I come, my legs turning to rubber. Tarek holds me up and fucks me hard as I clench around his cock and then he shouts, his hot seed filling me and spilling down my legs as he holds me tight.

  Tarek

  Veck. I did it again. I don’t know why I can’t keep my hands off the fetching human. She’s simply irresistible to me.

  I should have encouraged a bond with Tal, my human trainee because I certainly can’t claim her, but instead I made my declaration to the world by throwing her over my shoulder and carrying her to the dome.

  What will happen when I have to cut her loose from training? She won’t be my student anymore. I won’t be her master. Won’t have any right to punish her sweet little ass.

  And why the veck does that thought make me want to smash all the equipment in the dome?

  I ease out of the precious female and use my tunic to clean between her legs.

  I don’t even know what to say to her now.

  I’m sorry. I’m an idiot who can’t keep his hands off you.

  I don’t want to tell her any of those things. I want to keep her my willing student, subject to my discipline.

  Subject to my cock.

  But it won’t be long before my superiors question why I’m wasting my time on her when she’s so clearly unqualified.

  I help Zina back into her clothing. “Are you going to be a good girl?” I ask, still playing her disciplinarian.

  “Yes, Master.” She leans into me and I don’t stop myself from wrapping my arms around her and pulling her soft form against mine.

  “Good girl.” I give her ass a squeeze and then a pat. “I’ll see you next week, then.”

  She pulls away. My sensors tell me her eyes are trained on my face. She’s probably trying to understand what’s happening between us. And I’m an asshole because I can’t explain it. Because it shouldn’t be happening.

  “Bye, Zina,” I murmur, walking her to the door.

  “Um, bye. I’ll see you next week.”

  I give her ass one last playful slap before she heads through the door, and then I head for the washtube so my captain won’t smell her on me.

  I’m going to get myself in a galaxy of trouble if I don’t pull back from this human.

  And yet distancing myself just seems impossible.

  Chapter 9

  Zina

  “We’re done. You can get dressed once you’re ready.” The doctor turns away, and I hear his instruments clink in the cleansing sink across the med pod. “The procedure was a success, and I see no reason why your sterility won’t reverse in as little as three months. I was able to remove the sterility implant device and your hormones are currently at perfect levels for human procreation. Riya will help with the bandages, so please give her your attention.”

  Once he exits the med pod, I sit up and touch my belly. “I feel numb.” My mind, too, is oddly disconnected from what just happened. After the experimentations done on me, it was hard to lie there and let a doctor examine me. I had to leave my body mentally and emotionally to keep from fighting him or running out the door.

  But now that it’s over, I should be overjoyed to hear that my fertility is almost a certainty once again. Why am I so despondent?

  “The nerve block will wear off in a few minutes. Are you dizzy?” Riya approaches with the bandages.

  “No. I don’t think so.” I look around. “That was surprisingly quick.” The med pod is sterile and spare and reminds me of previous… I shudder, pushing away old memories. My leg. I focus on the efforts some being has made to render the place cheerful. There are gauzy curtains on the high, round windows, and a gorgeous drawing—probably setta chalk on a parchment, of a Zandian landscape. It’s calming, and I’m pretty sure a human female drew it. Zandian males don’t seem like they’re much for art.

  She nods. “We’ve become quite familiar with the Ocretion devices, and the doctor has a high success rate with reversing
them. Really one hundred percent, to be honest, but we don’t want to promise just in case. You’ll just need to wait for your body to adjust. We’ll give you a medication to take for the next few months, which should help you get accustomed to the new hormones. You may feel more emotional.”

  “Okay.” I clench my fists around the white gown. “I understand.” Anxiety gnaws at my gut.

  Her voice is soft and gentle. “It will be all right, Zina. May I?” She lifts my gown and shows me the surgery site.

  The wound is tiny, barely a centimeter long, and right over my previous scar from the insert surgery. “This will heal up in a few hours with the med pack.”

  Even though I am familiar with the speed of Zandian healing, it still boggles my mind. “Wow.”

  “By tomorrow you can do everything like usual.” She smiles.

  “Great. I’ll go back to worrying about Enya and obsessing over Tarek without any issues,” I mutter.

  “Excuse me?” She tilts her head.

  “Great news. I’m so thrilled.” I glance at the door where the doctor exited, maybe trying to distract her from the fact that I talked about Tarek.

  “I know the doctor is abrupt,” she apologizes. “But he’s the best on the planet, possibly in many galaxies. And as you know right now he’s focused on his mate, Bayla and her human child.”

  “Oh, mother earth. His mate is Enya’s mother?” My heart pounds. “Why didn’t he say anything?” Tears well up in my eyes. “I’m her… caretaker. The one who helped her escape. Why wouldn’t he at least… thank me?”

  She looks confused. “I don’t know. Maybe he doesn’t want to mix personal with professional. He’s not really the warm and fuzzy type. Right now, the important thing was to complete your surgery, not to upset you with discussion about it.”

  I grab for my gown. “I want to go home.”

  It’s just another example of how I’m not worthy enough to be treated like an equal. Great that I took care of Enya for solar cycles. Awesome that I helped her escape. Now that I’m here? Get away from her. Still second tier, even in this supposedly “free” environment. Great.

  I pull on my sandals. “Thanks for your help.”

  She hands me a satchel with some medications and salves. “We’ve updated your comm with instructions on how to care for your wound. Please inform your dorm mother, Mistress Kaal, at once if you have any pain…”

  “Thanks. Bye.”

  I leave as quickly as I can, not caring if I seem rude.

  This is beyond frustrating. I need to see Enya.

  Bayla

  I don’t know what to say to my daughter.

  She sits across the room from me, looking out the large, curved glass window at the city below. Dressed in a flowing Zandian gown, her short hair sleek and styled, she’s the most gorgeous creature I’ve ever seen.

  And she hates me.

  Since we were reunited, she’s been distant and withdrawn. Sullen. I don’t know what I expected, but it wasn’t this angry little person who treats me like a stranger.

  “Are you in pain?” I’m constantly checking on her. Wanting to do something, anything for her.

  “No.” Her voice is cool and distant. She doesn’t turn around.

  “Are you sure?”

  She doesn’t answer, just crosses her arms and stares through the glass, like she wants to melt it with her eyes.

  I was the one who insisted that we be given uninterrupted time to bond. That it would be far better for Zina to adapt on her own, while Enya was given time with me. She’s my daughter! I’ve been waiting for this moment for solar cycles.

  But after our first amazing hug, where we both laughed and cried and embraced for what felt like hours, she’s withdrawn. Won’t interact with me.

  “Are you hungry?” I bustle around the nutrition station, my fingers shaking a little as I collect my ripest fruit and put it onto a silver tray. “I saved you the best ones…”

  “No.” Her voice is low and she wipes her eye.

  “You haven’t really eaten since you arrived.” I look, helpless, at her slender frame. My tone is pleading. “I just want you to heal.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Daneth, my—the doctor, says you need sustenance.” I bring the tray closer and edge it up to her elbow.

  “The doctor has no idea what I need,” she snaps. She hits the tray with her arm, sending the plump grapes tumbling to the floor, where they roll on the shiny marble surface.

  I gasp and flinch, and something in me breaks. “Neither do I,” I whisper, putting a hand to my face. “This isn’t what I expected.”

  She looks at me then, her expression unreadable. I don’t know this being. She’s mine and not mine.

  “What is it you need?” I can barely get the words out. My heart breaks inside my chest.

  “Maybe instead of keeping me enslaved here, locked up in the palace while you all decide what I do and where I go and who I talk to, why don’t you actually ask me what I want?” She stands up, her tone strident. “I was brought here and then you took me away from my only family. Nobody has even let me talk to Zina except once by holo.” Tears run down her face. “And of course I want to be here with you, I do, but I also… forget it.” She glares at me, but through her anger, I see it. She’s as confused as I am. Probably more so.

  “Tell me.”

  “All you care about is yourself and your new young.” She blurts the words and crosses her arms, her face anguished.

  “That’s not true.” I swear my heart is tearing apart at her words. “Please. I really am sorry.”

  “What?” She turns her head. I think I hear hope in her voice. “What are you sorry about?”

  I wipe my eye. “I’m sorry I didn’t get to be your mother for so many solar cycles. I’m sorry I couldn’t stop them from taking you all those solar cycles ago. I’m sorry that we were born humans into a galaxy where we’re considered the lowest, most expendable species. I’m sorry you haven’t gotten to see your… friend.” My lips twist as I say it. “Zina. I know you… love her.”

  Her lips quiver. “I didn’t mean to love Zina more than you! But you were gone. I never thought I’d see you again. And she’s the only mother I ever knew.” She sobs, her shoulders shaking. “I don’t know what to do. I don’t know!” She looks up at me, anguished. “I still need her.”

  I go to her without hesitation and gather her up. She’s so different from my halfling toddler; bonier, taller. Her face has angles and her eyes have pain and wariness. But she’s mine, my flesh and blood, my own girl.

  “We’ll make this work,” I whisper, as I rock her. She leans into me, relaxing maybe for the first time since she arrived. “I love you. I never stopped loving you. If you want… Zina”—I force myself to say her name—“then I’ll let you be with her. It’s all right.”

  It’s not all right. I need my daughter to want me. To love me. But there’s no other option.

  “I want you too. I mean, I want to want you.” She shudders. “I’m so broken. This will never get fixed.” Her whole body shakes. “I can’t handle this!”

  And suddenly I’m her mother again, just like that. I know I can right this for her, too. It’s my job.

  “It will get fixed.” I tip her chin up and look at her pretty face. Those eyes, I know them. They’re my eyes, looking back at me. “I promise. And you can handle this. We humans are fierce and we don’t give up. I never gave up wanting you and looking for you. You didn’t know it, but I was out there thinking of you every single planet rotation.”

  “You were?” She sniffs.

  “Yes.” I take a breath. “Even after I mated Daneth and found happiness, part of me was with you at all times. Every single second.”

  “I thought about you, too.” She hiccups. “But I felt bad, because it was so long ago and I didn’t remember you.” She starts to leak tears again. “I was a bad daughter.”

  “No!” You were amazing, and you’re even more so, now.” I want with
every fiber of my being to convince her of this. “There’s no way you could have remembered me, because they took you away when you were just planet rotations old. But you survived. You’re here. And you’re loved.”

  “I am?” Her voice is so hopeful that it breaks my heart.

  “I want you to know that. Even if you were alone, you were loved. And I’m so glad that Zina was there to help you through it. She’s a miracle, just like you. And starting this planet rotation, we’re going to go see her. You can spend as much time with her as you want.” My voice doesn’t even crack as I say these words. All I can do is hope it’s the right thing, and that Enya will come back to me if I set her free.

  I can tell these were the right words because she falls back into my body and wraps her arms around me as she cries and cries. I hold her without speaking, just letting her sob, letting her know that I’m here for her. I’m not going away. And I’ll give her whatever she needs.

  Chapter 10

  Zina

  “Oh, Zina!”

  It’s my friend Kara. I first met her with Mirelle and Cambry, when we ate oranges and I cried about Tarek.

  “Hi.” I adjust my satchel on my shoulder. “I’m just on my way to the, ah, nav dome. Training, you know.” I point to the building in front of me, adrenaline surging. “My second session, in fact.”

  I push away the guilt over taking his time away from real, more talented candidates. Tarek didn’t tell me not to come, specifically. In fact, I remember exactly what he said: “Come in three planet rotations if you want.”

  So that technically means I’m still on his roster, right? That’s what I’m going with, anyway. After all, standard protocol is a set of five sessions for initial nav testing plus placement.

  “I’m testing for nav.” It sounds so insane, and I try not to roll my eyes at myself.

  “So I’ve heard.” She raises a brow.

  “What exactly, did you hear?” I chew the inside of my lower lip, trying not to look too anxious. “And, from whom?”