Kept by the Zandian: Zandian Brides Book 5 Read online

  His fingers dig into my asscheeks and my back slams against the washtube wall with each vicious thrust, and I welcome it. It feels so right.

  So good.

  My eyes roll back in my head, toes curl where they’re hooked behind his back.

  “More, Drayk. Harder. Give it to me.”

  “Stars, Taisha, yes!” he shouts and fucks me harder, faster.

  I can’t see. Don’t know how to breathe. All I know is the explosion about to go off between us.

  “Please, Drayk,” I beg.

  “Yes. Take it. Take it, beautiful. Take it now.” He roars and plows deep.

  I scream my climax, fingernails digging into his back, inner thighs squeezing hard around his hips.

  My internal muscles clench and pulse around his huge purple cock, milking it for his essence.

  I don’t want it to be over and yet I couldn’t have handled another moment of it.

  “Drayk,” I sob, burying my face in his neck, because he’s leaned into me.

  He finds my lips and kisses them. “Taisha. Little human.”

  “Drayk,” I croak again.

  He’s given me everything, and yet I want more.

  Keep me, I want to say, but I bite back the words. I’m not going to beg. One of these planet rotations he’ll realize he’s already lost his ability to be impartial.

  He’s already lost his heart.

  Same as me.

  * * *

  Drayk

  Taisha is almost asleep in my arms, drowsing, a look of utter contentment on her face. But as she slumbers, her expression changes to one of worry. Concern. “Please, no,” she says, still dreaming. Her body stiffens. “I can’t. No. Don’t send me back!”

  It’s a dream—one of the bad ones. I don’t know who she’s addressing in her nightmare, but clearly she’s trying to avoid something awful.

  I realize in that very instant that I need to set her free. She’s done too much for our planet—and for me—to hold it back any longer. Even in her sleep she struggles, and that is unfair.

  I brush a curl off her forehead. “Taisha, wake up. You’re dreaming.”

  She stirs. By now, I’ve learned the quickest way to end the images is by talking of something else. “Taisha, I have good news for you,” I say, and wait till she squints at me, opening her eyes slightly. “I will talk to Zander next planet rotation,” I murmur. “I’m sure he will approve you for asylum here.”

  Guilt stabs my chest. He would have approved her long ago, but for me.

  My heart pounds. Eagerness? Alarm? I don’t know why, but I’m nervous about her response.

  Her eyes flicker open fully and she burst into life, sitting up, the covers falling from her shoulders. “Drayk? You will? Oh, Mother Earth!” There is such trust in her expression, such happiness, that I almost can’t bear it.

  I should tell her the truth—that she should have been granted her freedom far sooner, but how can I ruin that pure joy? So I hesitate.

  She puts both of her small hands on my face. “Do you really think so? He’ll grant it?”

  I clear my throat. “Uh, yes. I’m fairly certain.”

  Completely certain.

  “So I can live here forever?” She puts a hand to her mouth and suddenly tears flow. “Oh, Mother Earth, how I’ve dreamt of this,” she whispers, and her whole body trembles. “For so, so long. Oh, it’s like a dream.”

  When she tears up, I’m horrified. Stars, how much has she been suffering while she waited to hear this news? Veck. I had no idea that it was such a struggle.

  Well, it was not such a struggle for me, because I knew all along that she was worthy of asylum… and that I was going to give King Zander my recommendation to grant it. Some time. She did not have that same knowledge.

  I make a sound, maybe a grunt.

  She looks up at me. “Oh, Drayk, don’t worry.” She laughs through her tears. “I’m happy, I promise, not sad. It’s just such a relief. Like I’m finally—alive.” She laughs and wipes her face. “Oh, it was all worth it! All of the sacrifice and the pain. Leylah was right about it all.”

  She gets onto her knees and straddles me, then lifts off her garment, revealing her perfect breasts, her nipples pert and firm. “Make love to me,” she demands, leaning down to kiss me, running her hands over my body. “Make this moment even more perfect.”

  This is the time I should remind myself how I can’t get too emotional, and that I can never commit to her. And certainly, if I were to do the ethical thing, I would tell her the truth about my deception.

  But because I’m unable to speak, can’t find any possible words to tell her what I did… I veck her. Over and over until we both pass out, satisfied from so many pinnacles of pleasure.

  Chapter 18

  Taisha

  “My Lady, it is an honor to meet you.” I bow, then stand up and raise my hand. How does one meet the queen, the mate of the king?

  “Oh, Taisha, call me Lamira.” She laughs and then hugs me. “We must not be so formal. We are all friends, here.”

  I’m still awed in her presence and stand in a way that feels awkward, with my arms hanging at my sides. Then I cross them instead, in case that looks better. “Thank you for seeing me.”

  “I would have seen you much sooner, but Drayk told me you were not ready. I usually make it a point to reach out to each new human as soon as possible. I was so excited the previous planet rotation when he contacted me and said you were ready to meet me.”

  I frown. “Oh? He told me… never mind.” It’s probably a misunderstanding. Except the part about Drayk reaching out. After last night’s pleasure and his promise to talk to Zander, I have such high hopes. Even if he usually lectures me about being unable to mate with a human for life, how could he feel otherwise about me after what we shared? It was so emotional.

  “Come in, sit down. Please. I have some fresh fruits to share. They are from Earth—heirloom seeds we are cultivating. Try this—it’s called an apricot.”

  She beams. She’s one of the loveliest humans I’ve ever seen, with copper hair and green eyes. But I think she’s beautiful because something in her shines out—a kindness, maybe; a zest for life.

  I lose my self-consciousness and slide into the seat she offers. “Oh stars, this is delicious. Apricot?” I smile. “I could have this every planet rotation.” I glance around the sitting area, curious about how she lives. It’s filled with color—so different from the grays and browns of Ocretia. The plaster on the wall is colored—not painted over—which gives it rich hues of yellow. Another wall is shades of turquoise and sea green. The ceilings are high with skylights letting in the light of the Zandian star.

  Just being here makes me happy.

  I’m suddenly filled with a rush of love and gratitude. I’ve been in limbo since my escape from Romon-3. I was afraid to believe I could really be free. Integrated here, as Leylah promised.

  But now life is falling into place. Drayk cares for me. He will speak to the king about my worthiness. And the queen seems so kind. I can’t imagine she wouldn’t advocate for me as well. I’m making friends and ready to embark on a new life here. I haven’t felt this good—ever.

  “I want to hear all about your story. As much as you’re ready to tell.” She reaches out a hand and touches mine, smiling as if her zest for life matches the feeling in my heart.

  When she does, I feel a tiny spark. “Oh.” I gasp and pull my hand away.

  She notices. “Static?”

  “Maybe. I don’t know.” I reach into my small bag and pull out the coin. I squeeze it once more, just in case it is going to talk to me, but it does not. I lift up my fist and take a deep breath. “I have brought you something from far away.”

  Uncurling my fingers, I hold my palm flat, like a plate, and extend it towards her.

  My gift.

  She tilts her head. “What is this?” Her voice is hushed.

  “Leylah said it was for you. She said you will know what to do with it.”
I hold my breath.

  “Leylah.” Her voice is thoughtful, and she closes her eyes. “Yes, I know Leylah. I saw her in my dreams, through a waterfall of noise and light. I didn't hear what she was saying, apart from the fact that a human was coming. Someone who would contribute to Zandia, but also ignite tensions with the Ocretions. You.”

  I flush in pride. “I am glad to be here. I feel this is my place, in my bones.” It’s true. The old things are far back: The anger of Rannah, the ire of my Ocretion Master, the joy of saving the young, my fear. Right now, my bones feel joy.

  “May I?” She tilts her head, her eyes curious under thick lashes.

  “Yes, of course! It’s yours now. Please.” I hold my hand closer.

  She gently slides the coin from my palm and holds it up. “So old. From earth?”

  “Yes, exactly. Leylah said it was an artifact from millennia ago.”

  “Thank you. This is special.” Lamira smiles at me. “I will treasure this. Perhaps we can display it in the palace, and have humans come see it, touch it? Connect with history.”

  “Yes, that is a fine idea. But…” I purse my lips. “When Leylah gave it to me, she said it will be important for you. Maybe it will speak to you. Give you visions. Dreams.” I fidget, tapping my foot. “Does it seem like it wants to… do… anything?” I hold my breath. “Do you see, maybe, colors? Pictures?” I lean forward.

  She raises her brows. “From the coin?” We both look at it in her palm, a little disc. “No, I do not.”

  “Oh.” My disappointment is palpable.

  She puts the coin down on the table with a little jingle clink when it hits the stone, and comes over to me, graceful in her skirts and crystals. “Oh, Taisha, did you expect something to happen?” She touches my arm.

  “For so long, I thought that when I saw you and gave you this”—I gesture, feeling a lump in my throat—“that it would mean something amazing. I also thought it was urgent.”

  “How do you mean?” She looks at me with curiosity.

  “It was not easy to bring this here. I struggled to find it, stole it back from Drayk’s bag, and hid it. Kept it with me all the time. Then how I took it back with me to Romon-3, where it was the key to convincing the others that Marshan was a safe bet. After all of that? I guess I just expected more.”

  I give a small laugh. “I suppose I’m a little worried that nothing happened. Maybe I didn’t do it right.”

  She laughs, but gently. “Would there be a better way to give someone a gift?” She squeezes my arm. “I will treasure it because it’s from you and from so far away.”

  I wrack my brain. “Maybe I misunderstood what Leylah wanted. Remembered wrong.”

  “All of us who have the sight have different gifts that manifest in various ways. The coin may have allowed Leylah to focus and distill her images. For me, it’s enhanced greatly by Zandian crystal.” She touches the collar at her throat, studded with priceless crystals.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “But for what? If she asked you to get this to me, you’ve more than fulfilled your promise. Taisha, think. You escaped, stowed away, survived dangerous missions, and have arrived millions of light years away onto a new planet, the one rock within the entire galaxy that welcomes humans as free. And you carried the coin, somehow, this whole way. And used it to gain us an ally. Isn’t that the amazing thing in itself?” She pulls up a stool and sits beside me.

  “Perhaps Leylah only wanted you to treat the coin with importance so it could serve you well. Maybe the journey was the destination all along.”

  “Do you think so?”

  She shrugs. “Maybe it’s a key to friendship. Maybe it’s just a symbol to help bring beings together. She told you it was for me, but it was for you all along.”

  I consider this. “That would have been very clever and tricky of Leylah.” But I can see it. I smile. “I miss her.”

  “I know.” Lamira gives me a sympathetic look.

  “I… when you said the crystals help your visions”—I bite my lip—“I don’t have visions, but sometimes I get little flashes?”

  “Are you wondering if they are real?”

  I nod, grateful that she understands. “I worry that I am not strong enough to bring them forth. That I’m not doing it right.”

  “I think you worry too much.” She laughs, but her face is kind. “If you are meant to be a seer, the visions will come, in their time. Don’t feel the need to force it.” She pauses. “One thing I truly believe, though? If you are a seer, you will never need something physical and unique, like a coin, to trigger your visions. Because they come from inside.” She touches her chest. “So the idea that this old coin holds the power to your visions? Let that go.”

  “That idea is very freeing. It’s like being out of coin jail.” I laugh loudly, relieved at her words.

  She giggles along with me. Then she says carefully, “So, what kinds of flashes did you get?”

  “I thought I saw Bayla’s human children.” I hold my breath.

  She gasps. “You did?”

  I nod. “But I don’t know if was true, or my imagination. And it was just the once.”

  “If you see them again, come tell me. Perhaps I can help you.”

  “How?” I’m eager to hear more.

  “Oh, I have no idea.” She tilts her head. “Yet. But if you have flickers, we should work together, if we can. At least try.”

  “I will.” I feel much better to have an ally in this.

  “Tell me about your escape. Killing the guard with the toxin.”

  “You know my story, then.” I use one finger to pull the coin across the table top so it sits just inches from the edge. It’s cool and remote, looking just as it did back on Romon-3. Well, just a bit shinier now.

  “Just the words. You tell me the emotions. I know that’s the hard part.” I can see from her face that she’s sincere.

  So we sit and talk, and share our stories, and little by little, I let go of my disappointment in the coin. I let our words and laughter bloom, and soon it’s clear: I have a new friend. I even confide in her about my intense night with Drayk. I know we’ve just met, but she’s so easy to talk to, and she clearly cares. She laughs and blushes with me when I disclose how he gave me so many orgasms I was almost sore the next planet rotation from all the pleasure.

  As I rise to leave, Lamira gives me a satchel of fruit. “Take these home with you.” She smiles. “Share them with that tricky Zandian of yours.”

  “Like he deserves that, after what he did.” I snort. “And he’s not exactly mine.”

  The answer is automatic, although he sort of is. After the explosion in the lab and our equally dynamic night together, where he was both masterful and tender, things changed. Nothing was said outright about a union, but I’ve never felt more connected to him.

  What she says next, though, changes everything.

  “How far you’ve come with him since that mixed-up start, right?”

  “How do you mean?” The look on her face, sort of jolly and “told you so,” confuses me.

  “When he convinced Zander to let him put you into his personal detention. That worked out well. I’m sure Zander expects him to come any planet rotation now requesting—”

  “I’m sorry, I don’t follow.” I reach out and grab her sleeve. “Lamira.” I let go of the sleeve, feeling it was too aggressive, but my voice shows my urgency. “Explain?”

  “Oh. I thought he told you.” Her face falls. She puts a hand to her mouth. “Oh, no.”

  “Tell me.” I lean forward.

  She sighs. “Oh, Taisha, please don’t take this badly. Zander was willing to give you asylum immediately and allow you to be mated. It was only Drayk who asked for extra time to assess you. But it goes to show how things work out for the best, don’t you think?”

  I stumble back. “That can’t be true.”

  Her expression is full of sympathy. “It is, but if you just give him a chance to explain?”

&n
bsp; “So—wait. I don’t understand.” I think I do, but I want to be wrong. “From the start, it was Drayk who insisted on my detention? Not Zander?”

  She nods, silent.

  “And it was Drayk who let me go on thinking, even after all the things I did, that Zander hadn’t deemed me safe yet for Zandia? That I’d not yet proved myself?”

  “Well, it was—”

  I cut her off. “It was miserable. Lamira, the whole time I didn’t know if I’d get to stay. Where I’d be sent, if I were denied. Would I go back to the Ocretions?” I shake my head. “I didn’t think Zander would do that, but I couldn’t get fully comfortable here, knowing it might only be temporary. Do you know how hard that was on me?”

  “I’m sorry. Many humans have been through it. You’re right, it is miserable. But I think he only did it because he felt something for you.”

  Lamira looks guilty. It’s not her fault, of course. She’s busy with her family and her duties, and in no way can I hold her responsible for her husband allowing one of his warriors to deceive me. No, the one I’m angry with is Drayk, and I can feel the blood pulsing in my skull.

  “Taisha, Zander often knows what’s best for his subjects. It’s not always pleasant at the time, but it works out well in the end.” She touches my hand. “This may be such a thing.”

  I shake my head. “I trusted Drayk. And he betrayed me.” My face is hot, my arms and legs cold. I start to shake. I’m dizzy. “Thought he actually cared about me.”

  “I’m positive he does care about you. He showed in a way that wasn’t, maybe...”

  There is a sound at the lintel, and we turn to see him there, ready to collect me.

  Drayk.

  “Taisha? What’s wrong?” He steps forward, brow furrowing, when he sees my face. “You look upset—”

  “You could say that. Don’t touch me.” I spit out the words and put up a hand, stopping him in his tracks.

  “What—”

  “I’ll tell you what.” My voice trembles with indignation. “You lied to me, Drayk.”