Page 23 of Rescuing Mara

“Yes, L’Ren really likes her…”His message is silent, telling me there is something he is not telling me.

“But?”I press.

“You can read me far too well, my friend. L’Ren says there is something about her. Something she cannot put into words, but it is a feeling… You have to be careful with her. L’ren is unsure if we can trust her. She believes Ananta still has influence over her.”

My blood freezes at those words. Could that be? Could my precious mate be tainted by our nemesis? By the one that vowed to eliminate us all.

I cannot stop the memories from overflowing my mind and close my eyes. Within seconds, I hear the screams in my mind and smell the burning of the destruction. The Sternotheri destroyed our planet, my planet, in one night that is the darkest in our history. It was also the night that I lost my entire family, and I was to become king way before I was even remotely ready.

I did everything I could to save as many of my people as possible and find our race a safe place. But the crown holds a responsibility I still do not want to hold. That night broke something in me, so much death, while I was powerless to defend my people. I should have been the savior of our people, not the one they got stuck with.

All because of the Sternotheri, their greed, and their need for destruction. I open my eyes, only now noticing D’Var’s hand squeezing my shoulder. To think that the source of all that destruction has its claws still hooked in my mate, my Zarra.

“I have to tread carefully, then. Find out what it is that is keeping her tethered to Ananta.”

“You will earn her trust, my friend.”He pats my back.“If I could win my L’Ren’s heart, you will be successful. You are the sensitive one, after all.”

I shake my head, nudging his shoulder. My friend did not have an easy time with his mate, but he persevered, and in the end, he won. I just have to have faith in the stars.

Breakfast is uneventful. Once we have eaten, L’Ren asks Marra to join her in her garden. The bond protests at the separation, but if it is what she needs, I will join D’Var in command. Before I can get anything done, I am being hailed. I sigh, M’Ran.

I quickly update D’Var before I answer his call, the hologram appearing above my wrist.

“Hello, M’Ran, how can I help you?”

“Did you find her? How are you doing? Sir, I apologize, but I just could not wait any longer to hear from you. Please tell me you have good news.” His rambling makes me smile. He gets on my nerves often, but he is a good man who always wants the best for our race.

“I am doing well. We were on Centauri VI for a handful of days, when we got word of a Sternotheri ship. Upon investigation, we found the ship abandoned but one human lifeform.” He gasps.

“Her name is Marra. She was hurt, but she is better now.”

“She is your Zarra? My… Sir?”

I flinch at the slip-up. “Yes, M’Ran, she is my Zarra. She is here, and she is safe. We are on our way to Novarron now.”

He perks up at this news and continues to update me on everything that has been new with Novarron since we last spoke. I do my best to listen, but my mind drifts off until I hear him speak about humans.

“Humans?”

“Yes, sir, the ones you saved with D’Var on the Caudata moon. Queen Rahna updates me on their welfare. Since they cannot go home, some other species also decided to stay on Novarron, and the Queen generously granted them asylum.”

I shudder when I think about the carnage we found at the Caudata moon he talks about. Besides me finding - and losing - Mara and D’Var killing Yalix, L’Ren’s abuser, there was a whole dungeon filled with enslaved people who needed saving. We sent them to Novarron, one of the safest places we know, and their Queen did not disappoint.

“Excellent,” I tell him. “We will visit them when we get to Novarron. It will do the females good to see how well they are treated, and it might even help them with their challenges.”

M’Ran continues speaking, but I stop listening. If I can show Marra that we are good people, that we do not own but save and protect, it will help me gain her trust. As my father, our king, used to say, actions speak louder than words. In this case, the way my bond pulses shows me that I am on the right path.

I cut off M’Ran when I see T’Rak entering command, promising him to call when we leave Novarron.

I discuss our reports and navigation plan with T’Rak, and the day falls into an easy pattern. Before I know it, the evening has passed.

The next day follows the same pattern of working, eating and more working. I long to be with my Marra and make a deeper connection with her, but she is content with the company of L’Ren, and I let her. If it makes her comfortable, it is her choice, after all.

On the third morning, I notice Marra is jittery. It is the day we are to arrive at Novarron, and it will only take us a couple more hours. After breakfast, L’Ren retreats to her room to get some more sleep, leaving Marra with us.

Fidgeting with her clothes, she hoovers up the entry to Command. It is obvious she does not know what to do with herself.

“Care to join me?” I hold out my hand in invitation. She nods, eagerly accepting. Instinctively, I pull her into my lap. She blushes, a strange human phenomenon, but she does not move from her spot. The bond is pulsing, her incredible scent almost overwhelming me, but I need to keep my calm and not scare her by acting like a horny youngster.

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