Chapter Twelve
There were many hints of the curves of Grace's lithe body in her loose black clothing. Her color was the slight pink it had been last night. And her perspiration carried the aromatic flower of his home planet and his cabin's cleansing agent.
Zhadra's temper subsided a notch when he realized it did not carry the scent of arousal.
"This area is for the crew."
"I didn't think I was a prisoner. Or a slave. Even a pretend one."
"You are not allo --"
Her eyes narrowed. "If you say 'allowed', I will not be responsible for my actions."
He glanced up at the females on the ropes near the dome. Cruuk. From what he'd seen of human anatomy, they would probably break into small fragments if they were to fall.
He folded his arms across his chest and met the stormy blue eyes of the woman who had set him afire last night. "Our females do not exercise in this manner. Especially with males."
"Why not? And how do they defend themselves?"
"They are protected by their males."
"Until they're not," muttered Grace.
The crew members standing close by gasped and the silence became deadly.
"What do you mean by that?" He knew his voice had taken on a silky purr.
Had she learned what had become of the female chosen for him? That he had failed in his attempts to protect her?
The rope nearby shuddered and Grace's Captain, Keri, landed between Grace and the Zhadra. "What Grace means is that no one can be protected one hundred percent of the time."
"Everyone," Grace added, "should at least have some defensive skills."
Khaid took a step closer to Zhadra's side. His friend didn't look quite as weak as he'd been even an hour ago.
He thought maybe Khaid sought to protect Grace from his wrath. But Khaid wasn't looking at Grace. His eyes were bright green and looking up at Tina.
The science officer was hovering far above, with coils of rope wrapped about her like an elaborate gift. All it needed was a bow.
"Little cat," Khaid said. "Come down here."
Tina waited long enough to make a point. Zhadra heard her sniff as she tossed her head, then rapidly unfurled toward the ground, before landing, still as a Storm Leopard. The crew in the gym gasped.
"Ten," Grace said.
"Except from that bitch of a Russian judge," Keri added.
He started to sort through the possible translations of their comments but gave up. He didn't understand half of the terms these females used.
But he did understand force and the proper use of it. "Demonstrate these skills." He'd seen Grace take down the Vermian on the pirate ship, but he'd thought it had been a stroke of good luck. Perhaps not.
He could accomplish several things here.
"Captain Philleh?" He wanted to bust his friend's balls for letting this situation develop. And the bastard's eyes were still glowing gold with desire, like most the men in here.
Philleh stepped forward and met Zhadra's eyes with resignation and some humor. They'd known each other for years.
"If these females can bring you to the ground, they may use the gym. They can use any weapons they want. But you, my friend," Zhadra paused to show his teeth, "had better not unsheathe a single claw or bare your teeth. “And the bastard better not let his horns come close to any of them. Especially Grace.
"I understand, Admiral."
The three women shared a glance and went to the nearby weapon wall with no hesitation. The available choices were basic, placed there to develop technique rather than harm.
Grace chose a simple staff. Keri came away with a chain. The little scientist picked up a set of ancient nunchakus, which she began spinning with practiced speed.
They circled Philleh. As fast as the Obosian was, the females worked together, darting in and out, using Philleh's size against him. His friend held back initially, but Zhadra saw his eyes widen in surprise after a few good clips with Grace's staff, especially the shot to his balls. By the gods, she was a woman like no other.
Philleh finally unleashed his strength, but by then, the damage was done. Keri soon took his legs out from under him with the chain and had him flat on his back.
The crew cheered and laughed. And Philleh stood up and bowed to the ladies, a sardonic smile upon his face.
Zhadra nearly smiled at the women as they slapped each other’s hands in the air. Grace's face was flushed with triumph. He wanted her again. And again.
Philleh's eyebrows rose when he saw Zhadra's eyes, but he merely fell into step beside him on their way to the exit. "They are clever," Philleh said. "And well trained."
"And?" Though Zhadra knew.
"In a real fight, I could have gutted all three of them with my claws in the first second." He looked thoughtful. "However, that is not to say they could not delay or take down some bastard whose goal was not to kill them."
"You mean the way I wanted to kill you when I entered the gym?"
"Face it, my friend. You would have allowed their presence."
Zhadra merely growled.
"They are women who are unused to males protecting them every moment of their lives. You need to get used to the males on the ship, and the planet, reacting to them." He stopped at the door. "Unless you plan to confine them?"
"Of course, not." He was growling again.
"They all know the yellow haired one is yours."
"She is not . . . "
"Koaloonshit."
A screeching alarm brought the conversation to a halt. Philleh checked his communicator. "A Vermian pirate ship just came into range."
Zhadra had asked Philleh to scan widely to see if any other of Grace's crew mates might have been captive instead of lost.
Philleh raised an eyebrow. "Immobilize and board?"
"Exactly." Zhadra nodded. "I'll lead the boarding party. And I want the humans in the docking station to help with any prisoners we might free. Send medical there."
He glanced at the humans. "Come with me."
In a short amount of time, Zhadra was on board the Vermian vessel. He was not surprised to find cages filled with various species not there of their own volition. He was gratified to see four humans. Grace would be pleased.
The freed captives were transferred to the Cyclone. When Zhadra re-boarded the Obosian ship, he saw Keri, Tina, and Grace in various stages of touching and hugging the newcomers with tears running down their faces.
He was not pleased to see Grace crying over the sole human male, who had been carried out on a hover pallet and appeared to be gravely injured. Two of the medics were hard at work on him.
"Scotty," Grace said, "please don't die. Not just when I've gotten you back."
Zhadra could feel his temper surge along with a strange ache behind his ribs. But he did not like to see the tears on her face.
He gently pulled her out of the medics’ way. "This male is important to you."
To his surprise, she went into his arms. "I can't lose him, Zhadra. Please."
Chapter Thirteen
Grace wanted to go to sick bay with Scott. She didn't want to let him out of her sight. Instead, Zhadra had grabbed her hand and hauled her to the bridge with him as if he was afraid to leave her alone. Right now, he was on a vid chat with his brother.
"Jhergh. How far out are you?"
"I was about to hail Philleh to prepare the landing bay. Why?" The male on the screen shared Zhadra's silver skin and features. But his hair was a dark brown and his horns were a similar color. He kept trying to get a glimpse of her, but Zhadra kept her behind him.
"Cruuk. I don't suppose Lhiranna came along for the ride?"
Jhergh showed his teeth. "You know she wheedles her way on board for anything less than a Class III mission. Of course, she is with me." He frowned. "But the Counselor General will break my horns if the trip just got dangerous."
"Bring her right to medical as soon as you land. One of the humans is in bad shape."
"Ah.
Will do. Out."
"Who is Lhiranna?"
"The best healer we have, especially when it comes to other species."
"You don't have healers on board?"
"We do. And they are excellent. For Obosians."
"Okay, can we get back to sick bay?"
She saw the muscles in his jaw clench.
"No. I must speak with the freed prisoners to see where they wish to travel. That is why Jhergh was summoned. To help return them home."
She was torn. Getting to meet the other life forms would be cool, but she should really be with Scott.
"Female. Unless you have hidden healer talents, the male is in the best possible hands right now and you will be in the way. In truth, the healers begged me to remove you from his side."
She was hurrying down the hall with him. She supposed he had a point.
They soon dealt with the released prisoners from the Vermian ship. She was surprised to discover that the brown shelled ones on the original Vermian vessel were gentle. They had been reaching tentacles toward Tina's cage there in order to try to heal her.
Finally, Grace and Zhadra headed back to sick bay. She wanted to check on Scott, but she also wanted to meet the female Obosian healer. There had been a lot of admiration and caring in Zhadra's voice when he discussed the woman. Not that the fact should bother her. She'd had her fling, and they were over. So over.
"Tell me about these new crew members of yours," Zhadra said.
"The one with the broken arm and brown hair is Sophie. She's our navigator. And the one with the blood on her face and the nearly shaved head is Emma. She's our resident spook."
"You have ghosts?"
"No, no." She laughed. "She’s our intelligence officer. Our spymaster. She ferrets out the enemy's secrets."
"Ah. My brother, Qrurk, serves this role for Agra-Obos, and sometimes for the entire Obosian planet's Council."
Grace marveled sometimes at the similarities among different cultures. "And Charlotte, the one with all the black braids, is the best damn engineer in the entire fleet."
They finally reached the upper level and stopped outside the door to medical. But before they went inside, Zhadra spun her around against the wall and braced his arms on either side of her. "And the male?" His voice had deepened, and his eyes were glowing.
Geez, he was potent. She could feel the heat radiating off his chest. "Wh-what?"
"The human male, Grace."
"Scott? He's our physician. Our healer, as you say." She hoped to god that he pulled through.
"And?" His voice purred like a big cat lurking in the weeds.
"And what?"
"What is he to you?"
She pushed at his chest, but he didn't budge. "He's my cousin. And if he dies, I may lose the last connection to my family, especially if I can't get back to earth's galaxy."
If anything, his eyes glowed brighter. He lowered his lips and hungrily took her mouth. Grace couldn't resist. His big, hard body felt so good against hers. If they kept at this much longer, she'd let him take her against the wall. For now.
She pulled away and tried to catch her breath. "We had our night, Zhadra. You nailed the new alien species. Let's just move on."
He growled and pinned her hips with his.
"We will not move on." He thrust forward. "Until I get enough of you."
She was swollen and achy and wanted so badly to respond. But she leaned forward with her lips close to his ear. "I don't want to risk you getting addicted to me."
He jerked his head back and she could see the wheels spinning in his big alien brain. "The scientist? This Tina? She speaks Obosian?"
"Tina speaks a little of everything." She pushed at him again. If he didn't let her go, she was going to slap those beautiful horns on his head. "Move away."
He showed his teeth. "No."
She narrowed her eyes and went ahead and did it. She slapped his horns like the earthers of old used to box people's ears. This man would not intimidate her. Or play with her heart.
"Female." He growled the word, but he did move back a bit. "We are not finished."
"Oh. We so are."
"You will be in my bed tonight."
"In your dreams."
"Yes. But also, in my arms."
With that, he slammed his palm against the entry to the sick bay doors.
Chapter Fourteen
Zhadra could see that the medical unit was nearly full. Healers worked to mend the injuries of the humans as well as his warriors who had been injured in the boarding of the Vermian vessel.
He held on to Grace's hand so she would not get in the way and made his way to his sister.
Lhiranna was at the human male's side. The male was in a healing chamber and she was overseeing the readings with great concentration.
He sensed Grace's dismay and concern.
"Lhiranna. How is he?" Zhadra asked.
She turned her head slightly and met his gaze. "He is still alive."
He could see the worry and concentration in those soft violet eyes, which had been the light of his family since they had lost their mother.
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
Her lips twitched. "No." She knew he was not a good medic. "Give me a moment."
As she made further adjustments to the controls and observed the results, Zhadra again marveled at the fact that his baby sister was now a grown woman and exuded such confidence. It was not always so in their father's home.
She was not dressed in the traditional robes she favored in her father's household. Instead, his petite sister Lhiranna wore a comfortable black one-piece garment.
It was loose enough, but it still revealed her feminine figure. It made him uncomfortable. Her long waves of black hair were currently in a loose plait down her back. She was a stunning Obosian woman.
Lhiranna finally turned and walked to Zhadra. She halted two paces before him, schooled her features into a neutral expression, and began the traditional female greeting to a senior male of her family. He had never given it a second of thought. She placed her palms together and began to bow her head, but he caught her chin and kissed her cheek instead.
Lhiranna's eyes widened. "Brother?"
Zhadra felt Grace's posture soften beside him. "Lhiranna. This is Grace Summers. She was on the human vessel and is kin to this male."
Lhiranna nodded her head at Grace and studied her closely. "He has many injuries, my lady. Broken ribs and both legs are fractured. I believe it was deliberate to keep him immobilized while in captivity. But the graver danger is the injury to his internal organs, specifically his liver and his lungs."
Grace sucked in a breath. "Is he - -- dying?"
Lhiranna's eyes softened. "I believe he is now stable, my lady, but will not know for certain until more time has passed."
"Please. Call me Grace."
"May I ask, Grace, what do you call your male?"
"Oh. Not mine. He is family. A cousin." Grace smiled. "His name is Scott. He is also our healer."
"I see."
Zhadra had always objected to his sister sneaking onto their craft for excitement. It was dangerous and no place for her. But now he saw his sister blossom with the responsibility and use of her skills.
"Thank you, Lhiranna." He hesitated. "I am glad you are here."
Lhiranna raised an eyebrow and turned her gaze to Grace. "I look forward to getting to know you better, Grace. You have had a good influence on my brother."
"What do you mean?"
"He generally disapproves of my adventurous nature."
"But you are clearly a skilled physician. And he respects your expertise."
Lhiranna did not look convinced. "Perhaps."
Zhadra began to feel uncomfortable. This did not seem to be a fruitful avenue to win Grace over. And he was afraid that he didn't just want her. He was very afraid he needed her.
Lhiranna elaborated. "But he believes my place is in my father's household, managing his staff."
&nb
sp; Grace turned cool blue eyes his way, "Is that so?"
Cruuk. He needed to get Grace away from here.
"Lhiranna. We will leave you to your work." He tugged on Grace's hand. "There is nothing you can do here."
Grace glanced around. "I need to check in on the rescued crew members."
Zhadra could see Keri and Tina circulating among the berths. "It is too crowded. And you will interfere. I will return you shortly."
"And what is so important that I must go with you?"
The mating glands in his mouth were so full they were about to burst. He needed her desperately.
"You, little warrior, and I have much to discuss. And we will do so in my quarters."
She looked torn. "Well, one of the things we will discuss is what is going to happen to me and my crew. I don't see us fitting in on your planet."
She fit in better than she knew. He needed to kiss her.
"I mean, do little girls dress up in burqas on Halloween?"
"I do not understand this burqa or Halloween. But I do know of small girls. And we do not have nearly enough on our planet."
They were finally in his quarters. He backed her against the wall and lifted her hips in his arms.
"Zhadra, this isn't talking." He was satisfied to see her pupils dilate and her voice whisper. Her arousal was intoxicating.
He took her mouth in a hungry kiss. It felt so good to have her in his arms again. "Later."
"You promise?"
Anything. "Yes."
Zhadra wanted ... everything from this woman. Without taking his lips from hers, he used his claw to open her shirt from top to bottom. Her full breasts spilled into his hands.
Grace moaned and Zhadra felt triumphant. This strong, beautiful warrior wanted him.
He could not wait until she removed her lower garment. He divided it neatly into two, once again with his claw, taking great care not to mar her soft, pale skin.
She pulled back from his mouth and breathlessly muttered. "You had better replace those, Zhadra."
He would rather leave her naked in his quarters, but he had learned this much. She would not tolerate such high handedness.
Zhadra Page 5