Page 45 of Zahhn's Mate
LEONA
I lie awake,anticipating Zahhn’s arrival. It’s the middle of the night and I’m fairly certain my cellmates are fast asleep. We’ll have a little privacy, though we’ll have to remain quiet. Of course, we can simply communicate telepathically.
Nerves flitter in my stomach, and my breaths become shallow and fast. When I heard Zahhn’s voice in my head earlier, he didn’t sound pleased. He sounded stern and authoritative.
Your obedience training begins tonight.
A shiver rushes through me. What did he mean by that?
Given my status as a prisoner, and the fact that I’m older than twenty-five, I don’t think he’ll be able to rightfully claim me as his mate. Never mind that we already copulated once.
I sigh, wishing I knew more about Darrvason laws and customs.
The truth is, I don’t know what to expect when I’m handed over to the aliens. All I know is that I won’t be free. I’ll never be free again. I’ll spend the rest of my life in captivity.
My nervousness increases.
Does Zahhn intend to keep me as his…slave?
In our recent communications, he mentioned retribution. He mentioned training me to be obedient. Neither of those things sound very pleasant.
Oh, how I wish I could escape.
If I could somehow reach a bustling trading outpost, I could disappear into the crowd. I could change my name, take a menial job on a departing vessel, and simply vanish. If only.
But there’s no escaping the brig. There’s only one way out and it remains heavily guarded. And it’s not like I could steal a shuttle. The docking bay is as heavily guarded as the brig.
My breath catches as awareness skitters through me. I sense Zahhn’s masculine presence, though I don’t see him yet. I sit up and glance around the cell. A few minutes pass, and then…
He appears out of thin air.
I blink fast a few times, astonished by what I just witnessed. He steps closer and delves a hand into my hair.
A look of reverence fills his eyes as he caresses his long fingers through my locks.
But his visage soon becomes stern, causing nerves to clench in my stomach.
I focus on the tether between us, which feels strongest when he’s near.I’m not a rebel, I send down the bond.I had nothing to do with The Saviors’ attack on your people.
He looks skeptical.I read the investigators’ reports. Your father was one of the most involved members of the rebel group.
Annoyance flares within me.And what did the investigators’ reports say about me? If I’m as guilty as you seem to believe, what specific role did I play in the attack?
The hand that’s stroking my hair suddenly tightens in my tresses, and I wince at the pain.According to the investigators, he sends down the bond,you were fully aware of your father’splotting. You were also present in your quarters when a final meeting to plan the attack was held in that very location. And let’s not forget that you founded Leona’s Speakeasy, an illegal meeting place that’s been used by rebels for clandestine operations for years.
I was horrified by my father’s scheming, especially his plans to kill Darrvasons!The thought erupts from me before I can stop it. So much for convincing Zahhn of my innocence.Once I learned about the virus, which I only found out days before the attack, I wanted to warn someone. But I wasn’t able to contact you at the time. I tried but received no reply. I considered warning Officer Brute, but Icouldn’t find him. Then the attack happened, and I’ve had over two months in the brig to regret my actions.
And do you regret your actions? he asks.Or rather, your lack of action?
Is that what you want to hear? That I regret not trying to warn someone? Well, I’m not sure if I do. Because what difference would it have made? If I warned someone, the worldship’s command team would’ve tracked down The Saviors and executed every last one of them. No matter what choice I made, people would’ve still died. But I never imagined they might use strange technology to disable your ships and attack theHaxxal. The plan… the virus… I didn’t truly comprehend what was happening until it was too late.
His eyes darken, and his grip remains tight in my hair.Were you truly horrified by your father’s plans to kill Darrvasons?
Of course I was.I inhale a shaky breath, wishing he would release my hair. My scalp is really starting to hurt.Just because your people got the better end of the alliance doesn’t mean I want you dead.
The better end of the alliance?He scoffs.Is that honestly what you believe? We are saving humankind. Without us, youwould all be dead.Jansonna’ssystems would’ve completely shut down. No more water. No more breathable air. No artificial gravity. You should consider yourselves lucky that we struck a deal with you rather than storm your ship and steal all your females. We could’ve easily just taken what we wanted without giving you anything in return.
My throat burns with emotion, and frustration singes what’s left of my patience. I don’t like fighting with Zahhn. Partly because, goddammit, his argument is well-founded.
