Series: Zandian Brides Series by Renee Rose
Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 57939 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57939 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
“When they are capable of communicating, surely they will tell us.”
Beside me, I sense Axe shift and hear his almost inaudible scoff.
“They’ll do what they can to help.” Perhaps I’m trying to convince myself. But when I think of my human, I already feel protective. Surely I wouldn’t feel that for a creature who wasn’t good for our planet?
The doctor looks at the king then back at me. “I hope so. But my initial assessment is that Sia is hiding something. In addition, the current head wound itself should not have caused such deep agitation and memory loss. She’s also experiencing severe anxiety. Right now, she’s not capable of even conversing without going into a panic attack. I suspect she’s afraid to speak freely.”
“How should we treat her?” If she’s going to be mine, I need to know how to help her.
Dr. Daneth taps his tablet again, examining some numbers, then looks up. “Vitals are better. I suggest we do our best to comfort her and help her feel safe, and as she heals, hopefully, she’ll be able to tell us more. Especially about whatever it is she feels she has to hide.” He looks at me. “Daven.”
“Yes?” My heart thuds thinking of the little human how fragile she is. How lovely, even though battered. It hurts me to think that she’s almost beyond repair.
“She asked for you.”
Because she’s mine. I hardly understand the emotion that floods me. Possessiveness. Need.
But Axe was right. I have to be careful. I rescued a human once before and wished to mate her, only to have her betray us the first moment she could.
I stand taller. “By name?”
“No.”
I ignore the stab of disappointment.
“She was babbling, then she mentioned” –he clears his throat– “The handsome one who carried me. From the report, I know that was you.”
My horns thicken.
The human thinks I’m handsome.
There’s subdued chuckling from around the table.
The king frowns, and everyone goes silent.
Dr. Daneth continues, “I suspect she already partially bonded from the rescue.” He glances at King Zander. “I recommend she be remanded to Daven’s custody for further questioning and integration.”
“Daven.” King Zander looks at me. “If she remembers you, then that’s a start. For now, you will be her master and protector here on Zandia while she heals. Bond her to you. Spend time with her, talk to her. Do everything and anything in your power to get information from her, no matter how slight. Whatever it takes. Anything could help. We know she must have something in her head that can help us. If she doesn’t take to you, we’ll find another. But give it your best.”
I bow as inwardly I glory at the assignment. “Yes, my lord.”
“And good work on getting this holo. We know at least that they’re planning something big–and potentially deadly. And soon.”
“Thank you, my lord. We will continue to do everything we can to learn more. We have scanners checking intergalactic chatter, we’re doing recon missions, and we’re reaching out to any known allies. We won’t leave anything undone.”
“Good. You two are dismissed. Get back to work.”
Axe and I bow.
“My lord?” Axe says, hesitating after he straightens.
King Zander lifts a questioning brow.
“What about the other rescues?”
King Zander studies Axe for a moment. “Did you bond with one of them?”
“No,” Axe snaps, too quickly. “I just–” he shakes his head. “They should be closely watched, that’s all. We don’t know if they can be trusted.”
The king considers him without comment.
“Of course, you know that. Forgive me, my lord,” Axe says quickly, realizing he’s overstepped.
“I will assign a Zandian master to each rescued human. If you wish to be considered for the job, or for a particular human, now is the time to speak.”
I expect Axe to deny it–I know how much he mistrusts humans, but he scrubs a hand across his jaw. “One of them will need closer watch than the others. She’s clearly caused her previous masters grief, based on her shorn hair and punishment ink.”
“I will take that into consideration,” King Zander says. “We need to pump each of them for any information they have. Even a little snippet of info they think is insignificant might help us.” He pauses. “Dr. Daneth, please give me your recommendations for assignments as the humans are ready to leave your care.”
The doctor nods. “Yes, my lord.”
King Zander dismisses us a second time. “Then get to work.”
Axe and I bow once more and walk out together. “Don’t trust that human,” he warns.
I stiffen my jaw. “She’s on our planet under my watch. She can’t do any harm.”
He glowers. “You don’t know that.”
I square my shoulders. “Hopefully she has more intel she can share with us. She could be a great contribution to Zandia.”
Axe looks at me with doubt etched on his features.
I want to punch his face in but only because I know he’s right. My judgment when it comes to females can’t be trusted.