by Rose, Renee
I believe what I’m saying. But it wouldn’t matter, because there is no way I will let them give Taisha back. I would sacrifice myself instead to save her. I would steal a ship and leave with her first. Go into hiding somewhere in the galaxy.
I break off, checking our king’s face. He knows what I feel for Taisha. Does he still trust me as an advisor?
I believe my advice now is stronger than ever. The fact that I’m more emotional doesn’t hold me back. I’m positive it only makes me a stronger advocate for Zandia, because I have a fervency to my devotion that I previously lacked. And it’s Taisha who brought that out in me.
I hold my breath.
To my surprise, he meets my eyes. Like he is staring into my soul, and approves of what lies inside. He nods. “Continue, Captain.”
My confidence grows as I speak, turning to address the entire room, making eye contact with each council member. “We must be strong and defiant, as Taisha was defiant. When she escaped Romon-3. When she engaged in the mission for us to get the discs. When she helped us make an ally in Marshan, in the Wark. The serum she helped us create. She is far more valuable to us as an ally than a pawn to trade.”
King Zander holds up his hand. “We are not considering her a pawn to trade. We are here to determine policy. We knew this day would come. That the Ocretions would get wind that the humans we keep here are not slaves held in chains. They’re not kept as property. They are integrating into Zandian culture.
“We knew it could pose a political problem with the Ocretions. It could also pose problems for our planet. If too many humans get word and escape to Zandia, we may not be able to grant them all asylum. We could easily face the situation of having more humans than Zandians here. I won’t allow Zandia to lose our identity. So we require policies for handling human immigrants. A policy for answering to the Ocretions.”
A beat goes by and then Master Seke speaks. “Captain Drayk is correct. We should never capitulate to the capricious demands of the Ocretions. This is a test; they are checking to see if we are cowards who may be bullied with threats.”
Relief washes down my back. I squeeze Taisha’s hand.
The king puts up his hand. “Taisha is indeed valuable to us for her contributions. And we will not make it a policy, ever, to return a human to slavery. It is not Taisha’s fault that she lies at the center of this controversy. Lamira’s visions show her as the harbinger of aggressions, but returning her would do nothing to help us.”
Taisha goes slack by my side and closes her eyes—relief? Overwhelmed with emotion?
I tuck her closer to my side, grateful when she leans into me. “It’s all right now,” I whisper.
The king looks at his council. “So what are our options?”
“We can play dumb,” Erick muses. “Continue to pretend humans are slaves here. They can’t definitively prove it’s not true. There’s no public Zandian law that says differently. And we can tell them Taisha’s new slave owner refuses to relinquish her, but as a concession, he’ll pay her previous owner the normal fee for an ag slave.
“Or we can make an out-and-out stand now. Declare humans are free on our soil. But I’m not sure we’re prepared to deal with the influx of humans we may get.”
King Zander turns to his mate, who sits quietly beside him. She is known to have extra-human psychic abilities. “Any insight?”
“Playing dumb feels like the lightest possibility. But they will come at us again. And soon. You require a battle strategy for when they challenge you directly.”
The king nods. “Erick, use your diplomacy. Seke, prepare for war. Council dismissed.”
The beings in the chamber all spring into motion. I tug Taisha toward the door. As soon as we’re outside the council room, I stop and face her, making the rest of the beings exiting move around us.
I cup her face. “Taisha, please forgive me for deceiving you.” I look down at her. “It was wrong, and it took me time to realize how much of a travesty it truly was.”
She blinks rapidly, but doesn’t answer.
“I did not mean to toy with your emotions, or to string you along. I just…” I hesitate. “I wanted to have you, but didn’t think I could. Or should. So I let it go on.”
She makes a little noise. I can’t tell if it’s a happy sound or not, but I continue. “I didn’t think I could be an effective judge for Zandia if I let my mind be clouded with emotion. Then I learned that a little emotion lets me use my rational mind in the most useful way. And even more importantly… I love you.”
My eyes feel strange. A little wet, for some reason. No matter. I can ask Dr. Daneth to check me later for a possible infection, if need be. Perhaps it is dust. “I love you, Taisha. I want you to be my mate. I will spend the rest of my life making up my mistake to you. Proving to you that I care about you and trust you. Give me a chance.”
For a long moment I think she’s going to say no. Repeat that she hates me.
But then the best thing in my life happens. She leans into me and puts her hands on my face. “Drayk, I’m sorry I said I hated you.” Her voice is soft and sweet. “I didn’t mean it, I was just hurt. I never stopped caring.” She smiles and the beauty of it makes my whole body go numb. “I do love you. And yes, I would like… to be your mate.” She flushes and dips her head, then looks back at me.
And I don’t give a single veck who sees and what they might say about me and whether I can be impartial for Zandia. Now that I know Zander is behind me and my decisions, that he agrees with me that Taisha is to be kept on our planet, it’s like everything is coming together.
I kiss her, pulling her head to mine, tasting her sweet lips, wrapping my arms around her.
Scattered applause breaks out, some laughter, some cheers. It seems beings welcome the chance for a little frivolity in the midst of our planetary dilemma.
Zander approaches me and Taisha. “We have work to do,” he cautions. But then he places a hand on my shoulder. “Still, there is time for you to formalize your agreement.” He smiles at me and nods. “A contented warrior who fights for love back home is the most ferocious in all of existence.” He raises an eyebrow. “A formal ceremony later, after this aggression is warded off, Drayk. But you must take the time this planet rotation to complete your private vows.”
I bow my head. “Yes, my lord. Thank you.”
He gives me a knowing look. “It is as I predicted.”
I am not sure I like being so predictable. On the other hand, a ruler who can read us so clearly is the right leader at our helm as we must decipher how to handle the Ocretion threats. Our king is wise beyond measure.
“I will take adequate time,” I promise him.
Then I whisper in Taisha’s ear, for her alone to hear, “To not only reward you for saying yes, but to punish you for even suggesting you go back to the Ocretions. That merits a very serious ass-vecking, I do believe.”
She giggles and smiles. Music to my heart. She’s back, now, my sweet human. Now, my mate.
“Let’s go.” I hoist her into my arms. “I intend to make the most of my time with you.”
I don’t know what the future holds for our planet. But I am confident that with Taisha at my side, in my bed and as my partner in life, we will accomplish everything necessary to keep ourselves—and Zandia—strong and safe.
*
Thank you for reading Kept by the Zandian! Stay tuned for Tarak’s book next. If you haven’t read the rest of the Zandian Brides series, catch up now:
Night of the Zandians, Bought by the Zandians , Mastered by the Zandians, Zandian Lights
From the Authors
Thank you for reading Kept by the Zandian!
We received several notes saying the Zandian Brides series was getting too far away from the original Zandian Masters series. You wanted to hear more from the original characters.
We hope you loved this glimpse into Zander and Lamira’s bedroom and are looking forward to the rescue of Bayla’s human children and check-ins wi
th the other characters from Zandian Masters.
If you enjoyed the book, we would really appreciate a review. Your reviews are invaluable to indie authors in marketing books so we can keep book prices down.
Read the Zandian Masters Series
His Human Slave (Book 1)
COLLARED AND CAGED, HIS HUMAN SLAVE AWAITS HER TRAINING.
Zander, the alien warrior prince intent on recovering his planet, needs a mate. While he would never choose a human of his own accord, his physician's gene-matching program selected Lamira's DNA as the best possible match with his own. Now he must teach the beautiful slave to yield to his will, accept his discipline and learn to serve him as her one true master.
Lamira has hidden her claircognizance from the Ocretions, as aberrant traits in human slaves are punished by death. When she's bought by a Zandian prince for breeding and kept by his side at all times, she finds it increasingly harder to hide. His humiliating punishments and dominance awake a powerful lust in her, which he tracks with a monitoring device on her arousal rate. But when she begins to care for the huge, demanding alien, she must choose between preserving her own life and revealing her secret to save his.
His Human Prisoner (Book 2)
HE DIDN'T BELIEVE IN DESTINY—UNTIL HE MET HER.
When a beautiful human slave steals Rok's ship and leaves him stranded on an abandoned planet, he's furious. Discovering her sister is the mate to the prince of his species only makes him more determined to find her and punish her thoroughly for her crimes. Yet when he captures her, he finds her impossible to resist. Punishment becomes exquisite pleasure as he teaches her to submit.
Lily's attraction to the huge Zandian warrior unnerves her. She's never been moved by a male, nor interested in sex before, but Rok coaxes every bit of emotion out of her as he demands her complete surrender. But he intends to turn her over to the authorities, which will mean her certain death. She must find a way to escape the handsome alien before she loses her life—or worse—her heart.
Training His Human
“YOUR OBEDIENCE TRAINING BEGINS TODAY.”
Seke has no interest in owning or training a slave. Not even Leora, the beautiful human who had captivated his thoughts and fantasies since her arrival on their pod. As the Zandian Master of Arms, he has a war to plan and new troops to train. He can’t be tempted by the breathtaking human slave, who, according to Prince Zander, grows aroused by punishment. Yet he can’t allow another male to bring her to heel either. Not his Leora.
In all her lifetime as a slave, Leora might have submitted in body, but never in mind. But the prince has given her to the huge, scarred warrior, Seke, for punishment and she finds he has unexpected ways of bending her to his will. Ways that leave her trembling and half-mad with desire. But her new master is unwilling to take a new mate, and she fears that once he deems her training complete, he will set her aside, leaving her heart in pieces.
His Human Rebel
CONSCRIPTED BY AN ALIEN ARMY, SHE PLOTS HER ESCAPE…
Cambry doesn’t believe the aliens’ propaganda for one minute. The Zandians may have saved her from one death, but they planned to send her to another. She bides her time, waiting for her chance to get away and find her brother, enslaved by a different species. The only thing she didn’t count on was Lundric, the tempting Zandian warrior who, for some reason, decided she was his female.
Lundric knew the fierce little rebel Cambry belonged to him the moment he saw her toss that auburn hair in defiance. He knows she hasn’t accepted him or the Zandian’s cause, but he vows to win her, no matter what it takes. But when Cambry steals a ship and attempts to escape, even his harshest punishment may not restore the trust between them.
His Human Vessel
HE PURCHASED HER TO BEAR A CHILD...HE WILL ALSO OWN HER SUBMISSION.
Bayla's destiny had been set from the beginning. Her body would be used for sex and breeding. Nothing changed when the sexy Zandian doctor purchased her from the baby farm and brought her to his examination room.
Nothing. And everything.
Daneth has always lived in his head, letting science govern his thoughts and choices. Having Bayla in his lab shouldn't change that, but somehow the submissive human female gets under his skin. No matter how harshly he punishes her, she responds to his touch with passion, sparking a lust that threatens to distract him from his plans.
When Bayla learns Daneth has a weakness for her, she presses her advantage, but she has no desire to bear yet another child and have it taken from her arms. If only she could figure out how to stay with the dominant alien doctor but avoid the pregnancy...
Her Mate and Master
“I’m your master. When I give you an order, you obey.”
Talia didn’t escape her slave master only to be shackled again. Not even by a sexy male built of solid muscle who does wicked things with his fingers and tongue. Not even one of her own species who says he knows her father--the father she doesn’t remember.
No, she isn’t about to trust Tomis, the Zandian warrior who rescues her from the Finn, especially after he sets her body on fire with a series of humiliating punishments. But it’s breeding season on Zandia and the crystals activate her hormones, making her desperate for satisfaction, even at the hands of the arrogant warrior bent on saving both her and his species.
Zandian Pet
“ON YOUR KNEES, PET.”
Taramina could survive slavery, even as a pet in Prium’s Intergalactic Emporium. She always knew she’d escape.
She just didn’t know escape would come in the form of a powerful handsome male of her own species. Especially one whose rough handling incites a fever in her she hasn’t felt before.
But she intends to make a fresh start, which means severing ties with the dominant Zandian who once held her collar and a leash. The male who knows just how to master her.
No, she can’t be his pet. Not after what she’s been through.
So why does she keep coming back for more?
His Human Possession (Book 8)
He doesn’t want her to offer.
He prefers to take. Demand. Conquer.
Leti only intended to seduce the alien warrior. Because the game was to survive.
Ingratiate herself to a new master.
She never thought she’d fall for the giant horned warrior who rescued her from slavery.
But it’s easy to make him lose control. All she has to do is tempt him, and his need to master her takes over.
Paal's species battle to take back their planet.
All of their futures dangle by a thread.
Leti and Paal should cling together as they fight for freedom, but her every seduction drives a wedge between them. And when he learns her secret, it just may be the end.
Their Zandian Mate (free!)
Three Zandian warriors. One female assigned for reconditioning.
They'll punish.
Demand.
Claim.
Teach.
Check out Renee’s Zandian Masters Series!
His Human Slave - Excerpt
(FREE all platforms)
CHAPTER ONE
Zandian Breeding season.
That was the last consideration in his mind before liberating his planet from the Finn.
Breeding season.
Zander sat at the round platform, looking at the faces of the elders he respected most, the ones who had risked their lives to save him when the Finn invaded Zandia and wiped out the rest of their species solar cycles before.
“You can’t be serious.”
“Dead serious,” Daneth, the only Zandian physician left in the galaxy said, tapping his wrist band. “You are the best male representative of the Zandian species, the only one left of the royal bloodline, and, more importantly, the only one young enough to produce healthy offspring. If you go to battle without first procreating, our species will die with us.” He gestured around the room at the other members of his parents’ generation.
He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes in exasperation. “And exactly which female do you think I will produce these offspring with? Last I heard, there is no Zandian female under the age of sixty left alive.”
“You will have to cross-breed. I purchased a program and entered your genetic makeup. It uses all the known gene files in the galaxy and predicts the best possible mate for breeding.”
He raised his eyebrows. “So have you already run this program?”
Daneth nodded.
He looked around the table, his gaze resting on Seke, his arms master and war strategist. “Did you know about this?”
Seke nodded once.
“And you approve? This is foolish—my time should be spent training with the new battleships we bought and recruiting an army, not—” he spluttered to a stop.
“The continuation of the species is paramount. What is the point of winning back Zandia if there’s no Zandians left to populate it?”
He sighed, blowing out his breath. “All right, I’ll bite. Who is she? What species?”
Daneth projected an image from his wrist band. The image of a slight, tawny-haired young female appeared. “Human. Lamira Taniaka. She’s an Ocretion slave working in agrifarming.”
A human breeder. A slave.
Veck.
Zander didn’t have time for this excrement. “There’s been a miscalculation.” He waved his hand at the hologram.
“No, no mistake. I ran the program several times. This female bested every other candidate by at least a thousand metapoints. This female will produce the most suitable offspring for you.”