Intergalactic Loyalties

by Jessica Coulter Smith

  As much as he wanted to stay distant from this troublesome female, he couldn’t deny her request. It wasn’t in his nature to be cruel to a woman, even if he had wanted to punish her after their first encounter. Zayne slipped into bed beside her, trying not to focus on the fact she, too, was naked. His nudity didn’t seem to bother her as she wrapped herself around him. Her body still trembled from fear and he wished he could help in some way.

  “Thank you for staying,” she said. “I know you’d rather be anywhere other than in my bed.”

  “Just try to relax and sleep, Meghan. I have a feeling we’ll hear from the Prime in a day or two and you’ll want to be rested when you hear his news.”

  “Why? Do you think he’ll send me home?

  “I don’t know what to expect. It will depend on how his investigation went.”

  “Investigation? I thought he was just searching for a way for me to return home?”

  Zayne didn’t know how to answer her. He wasn’t sure he should divulge the truth and have her sputtering at him again, trying to tear strips from his hide with her sharp words. He’d noticed she was rather excitable and didn’t pause to think before opening her mouth to spew her hurtful words. Part of him realized it was a reaction to her fear, for he’d seen it in her eyes on several occasions, but to his way of thinking, it still didn’t excuse her behavior. Why couldn’t she act like the other females and turn to a strong warrior for protection, if she was so scared?

  He lay awake for a long time, listening to her breathing evening out as she fell back asleep. Another nightmare woke her before dawn, but he settled her. He didn’t know what had happened when the pirates had captured her, but something told him more was involved than just her kidnapping. The thought of their hands on her creamy flesh angered him. It also made him wonder if her refusal to take a mate had anything to do with the aliens who had taken her from the shuttle. If they’d molested her or, worse, raped her, he could understand her fear of being with a male. For once, he wished she would talk to him, confide in him. Something told him that wasn’t going to happen though, not with this strong-willed woman.

  After the sun had been up for a while, he extracted himself from her embrace and returned to his room to go through his morning ritual of getting clean and dressed, and then he quietly walked downstairs, not wanting to disturb her sleep. Zayne entered his office and sat in his chair. There was plenty for him to work on, but he found himself staring at the mess on his desk and wondering about Meghan’s situation. How would she react if the Prime told her she had to remain on Tarnan?

  He didn’t have long to wait. The Prime’s voice came across the communicator on his desk.

  “Zayne, are you awake?”

  “Yes, Prime.”

  “I have news on the Earth woman.”

  “Her name is Meghan.”

  “It’s her brother’s name you should be worried about. Bryan Trent Masters, as she claimed, is on an elite team with NASA, which is their space travel division, from what I’ve surmised. I contacted Sol and had him tap into the pirate ship’s communications history. It seems the captain was in contact with Meghan’s brother. Her brother arranged for her capture. He paid quite a hefty fee for her to be taken to another galaxy. The pirate was told to make sure she disappeared and would never return to Earth.”

  Zayne cursed. “So if she returns to Earth, her life will be in danger?”

  “Yes, I’m afraid so. When her brother realizes his plan failed, he may take other steps to rid himself of her. More permanent ones than sending her to another planet. I’d fear for her life if she were to return home.”

  “So what am I to do with her? She can’t stay here indefinitely.”

  “I’m sending one of our most trusted warriors to your home this morning. He knows of her sharp tongue and still seemed interested. Cynz will make a good mate for her, if she’ll accept him.”

  Zayne was familiar with the warrior, even if he hadn’t grown up with him. There was an age difference between them, but he knew the male was trustworthy. He’d also seen him checking out every shipment of women they’d received, in hopes of finding a mate. For some reason, it bothered Zayne that Cynz might win Meghan’s affections and take her away. Which was ridiculous! The female drove him to the point of insanity. He should be thankful she would leave soon. So why wasn’t he?

  A movement in the doorway caught his attention and he looked up to find Meghan standing there, her eyes wide, her face pale. He rose, but wasn’t sure if he should approach her or not. Would she welcome the attention or push him away?

  “Meghan,” he said. “How long have you been standing there?”

  “Long enough,” she said softly. “My brother did this to me?”

  “I’m afraid so.”

  She shook her head. “But why?”

  “That I can’t answer.”

  She looked lost and hurt. Zayne didn’t like seeing her this way and decided to try and comfort her, even if his attentions were unwelcome. When he pulled her into his embrace, she melted against him. He’d completely forgotten about the Prime until he spoke again.

  “Zayne, Cynz is in training this morning but will come to your home shortly.”

  Meghan burrowed into him. “I don’t feel so well, Zayne.”

  “Prime, I need to take care of Meghan. Thank you for calling.”

  Zayne gave the command for the communicator to disconnect and lifted Meghan into his arms. He carried her to the small bathroom down the hall and set her down. Her feet no sooner touched the floor than she was rushing for the waste receptacle. Since she hadn’t eaten yet, there wasn’t much for her to throw up. Zayne held her hair for her and rubbed her back. When she was finished, she slumped to the floor. Zayne wet a cloth that had been hanging on the wall and wiped her face, hoping it would soothe her. Prickly attitude or not, he hated to see her this way. There was only one thing he knew to do for her.

  Zayne picked her up and carried her to the living room, where he laid her down on some colorful pillows he had on the floor. Then he went to the kitchen and made her a steaming cup of joba, adding in some dried liblee. The plant was known for its calming effect and he hoped it would help her sleep. He returned to her side and helped her sip the drink. When she’d finished it, he laid her back down and sat on the floor beside her.

  “That should help you feel better,” he said.

  “Thank you.” Her words were softly spoken and he could tell she’d given up the fight. All this time, she’d been fighting to return to someone who didn’t want her. He couldn’t imagine what she was feeling after having been betrayed in such a way.

  He stayed by her side until she drifted to sleep. The chime sounded just as he rose to his feet, letting him know someone was at the front door. He wasn’t expecting anyone other than Cynz. The warrior had deplorable timing. Still, Zayne let him in and motioned toward the office.

  “Why are we in here?” Cynz asked. “I came to see the Earth woman.”

  “Her name is Meghan,” Zayne said, “And she’s sleeping. I had to give her some liblee after she received bad news this morning. She was so distraught she was ill.”

  Cynz looked concerned. “Is she all right?”

  “I think she will be. Her brother betrayed her, paid the pirates to kidnap her and make sure she never returned to Earth. She overheard the Prime telling me his findings this morning and didn’t take it well. Not that I can blame her. She’s been fighting this whole time to return to her brother, and he doesn’t want anything to do with her.”

  “Is she going to remain here with you?” Cynz asked.

  “I guess for now. The Prime was hoping she would mate with you. I’m not sure she’s ready for that. She may need some time to adjust after facing the truths she learned today.”

  Cynz nodded. “I will be happy to give her as much time as she needs.”

  Zayne was about to ask the warrior to come back later in the day, or even another day, when Meghan’s cry reached his ears. He rushe
d around Cynz and hurried to Meghan’s side. She was curled onto her side, her body flushed, and hair damp with sweat. When he knelt beside her, her eyes opened and he held her pain-filled gaze.

  “What’s wrong, Meghan? What hurts?”

  “Everything. Hurts everywhere.”

  Zayne saw Cynz enter the room. “What’s wrong with her?” the warrior asked.

  “I don’t know. Go into my office and use the communicator to call the medic. Hopefully he’s done his research on Earth women and can help her.”

  Cynz hastened out of the room to do his bidding and Zayne pulled Meghan into his arms. She cried out as his arms circled her and he wondered if his touch was painful. She didn’t pull away though, if anything, she seemed to press closer to him. Twice now she’d accepted comfort from him, had seemed to enjoy his touch. Did she, perhaps, favor him more than he thought? He hoped she wasn’t starting to bond with him, not if she was to belong to someone else. The results would be disastrous.

  After a moment, Cynz returned, letting him know the medic was on the way. Zayne hoped he hurried. He didn’t like seeing Meghan in such pain. Especially since he felt he was the cause. Had the drink he’d given her made her ill in some way? He’d never heard of someone having severe pain from drinking joba or taking liblee before, but then, he’d never been around someone from Earth before, except in passing.

  When the door chimed, Cynz answered it for him. A moment later, Paysir rushed in, medic bag in hand. He looked harried and Zayne wondered just what Cynz had said to the man. Considering the fearful look he cast the warrior, Zayne was betting the warrior had threatened the medic’s life if he didn’t arrive with all due haste.

  “What’s the problem?” Paysir asked.

  “Meghan received bad news this morning. I gave her some joba with liblee to calm her and help her sleep. She woke up crying out in pain. When I came to her, she was curled onto her side, looking much the way she does now.”

  Paysir pulled something from his bag and scanned Meghan. He studied the gadget for a moment then nodded.

  “I’ve never heard of a human having a reaction to joba before, but I’m thinking the liblee did this. Her heart rate is elevated and the flush to her skin is from the pain. I can inject her with something that will lessen the symptoms, but it will be later tonight before the pain subsides completely.” He paused. “Assuming she takes to it. If not, it could be several days before the pain goes away.”

  Days? Zayne wasn’t sure he could handle Meghan being in pain for days. He wasn’t sure she could handle it. As an inventor of sorts, he hadn’t been around many injured Tarnans before, not even when he went on his trip with Sol on the Lynten-12, but he imagined watching a woman suffer was far worse.

  “Please,” she said softly. “Hurts so badly.”

  He smoothed her hair back from her face. “Are you sure, Meghan? There could be other side effects. I doubt it’s been used on a human before.”

  “Don’t care.”

  Zayne looked at Paysir. “Give it to her.”

  The medic nodded and pulled out a syringe filled with a light blue liquid. He inserted the needle into her arm and pushed the plunger, injecting the substance into her vein. Meghan bucked in his arms, her back arching, as she gasped and closed her eyes. Her face paled and she moaned loudly.

  “You didn’t say it would cause her more pain,” Zayne accused.

  “Take it easy, Zayne,” Cynz said. “I’m sure it just takes time.”

  The medic nodded. “It’s just a reaction to it entering her bloodstream. Just give it a minute and it should start working. Don’t expect a miracle. It will still take a few hours before she’s in noticeably less pain, but I promise it will work.”

  “But you said it could be days,” Zayne said.

  “Yes, it could. But regardless of how long it takes, it will work,” Paysir stressed.

  “Now, obviously, isn’t a good time for a visit,” Cynz said. “I’ll call in a few days and see if she’s well enough to receive company. She probably needs lots of rest.”

  Zayne nodded absently, his focus on the woman in his arms. He barely noticed when both Cynz and the medic left. Gently, so as not to hurt her more, Zayne lifted Meghan into his arms and settled her back onto the pillows. She might be more comfortable upstairs in her bed, but he’d never hear her all the way down here. It was better to keep her close. He doubted he’d get much work done, for worry over her, but he had to try. There was a project due in the next ten moon cycles and he was nowhere near finished.

  After making sure she was once more asleep, he went back to his office, but no matter how hard he tried to focus, his mind lay with the sleeping woman in the other room. The fact that he was so worried about someone who had been a thorn in his side since her arrival should have concerned him, or at least made him stop and question himself, but his thoughts were consumed with her and little else. He placed a call to the Prime, letting him know the latest development, and then checked on Meghan once more.

  Chapter Four

  Agony, unlike anything she’d felt, gripped Meghan. She felt achy, her body so sore she could barely move. Her stomach cramped and she fought the urge to be sick. What was wrong with her? She vaguely remembered a doctor coming, and something pricking her arm. Just how sick was she? Would she live?

  She opened her eyes, slamming them shut again when the bright light hurt. In that brief glimpse, she hadn’t seen Zayne and wondered where he was. Did he even care that she was sick? She had to admit he must care a little, since he’d called for a doctor, but he didn’t seem to care enough to be by her side. Typical man.

  Concentrating hard, she managed to move her fingers without too much pain. Sitting up was another matter though. She tried to call out, but her mouth was too dry and her throat felt like she’d swallowed sand. A pressing need to use the bathroom forced her off the pillows she lay on. Sweat coated her skin as she managed to rise to her feet. She swayed a moment before taking a tentative step forward. As she entered the bathroom, her knees buckled. Panting, she managed to pull herself up using the doorframe and made it the rest of the way into the bathroom. She sat to relieve herself and wondered if she’d make it back up onto her feet.

  Zayne called her name and her face burned with embarrassment. What if she needed his help pulling up her pants and getting out of here? She’d never be able to look him in the eye again. She struggled, but she managed to get herself put back together and stumbled to the door. No sooner had she stepped out of the bathroom than she hit the floor face first. Her legs refused to cooperate.

  Zayne rushed to her side and carefully rolled her over. She could see the concern in his eyes and hoped it meant he was warming up to her. Having him comfort her during her nightmare had opened her mind to possibilities she never would have considered before. She’d painted the Tarnans with a brush, assuming they were all hardened warriors incapable of feeling, regardless of what they claimed. Maybe there was hope for Zayne after all.

  “Are you all right?” he asked.

  “I don’t think I can move anymore. It hurts too much and I’m too weak.” She hated to admit that, the weak part. She’d always prided herself on being strong.

  Zayne picked her up and carried her back toward the pillows but she stopped him.

  “I don’t think I can lie there anymore. My body aches. I need my bed.”

  “I can’t hear you if you cry out while you’re in your bedroom.”

  You could stay with me. She didn’t voice her opinion though.

  Zayne sighed and carried her upstairs. Laying Meghan down on the bed, he removed her shoes and pulled the covers over her. She knew she’d be more comfortable naked, but she wasn’t about to let him strip off her clothes. It didn’t matter that he’d held her against his nude body the other night, while she herself was without apparel. That had been an emergency. Being sick, to her, wasn’t an emergency. Besides, if the doctor had to return, she wanted to be dressed.

  He frowned as he looked down
at her. “You can’t be left alone. It isn’t safe. What if you get worse? What if you need something?”

  “You worry too much.” She smiled weakly. “I’m sure the doctor said I would get better. He wouldn’t have left me in your care if he thought you couldn’t handle it.”

  “Is there anything you need right now? Anything I can do for you?”

  “A drink. My throat is dry.”

  He nodded and turned to leave the room. He paused in the doorway, giving her one last look, before hurrying to complete her request. She sank further into the pillows after he left, wondering how long the pain would last. She hadn’t exactly been coherent while the doctor was here, only getting every other word. The pain was admittedly better, but it still hurt like hell. Meghan wouldn’t wish this on her worst enemy. Well… she reconsidered. Perhaps her brother deserved to go through this, without the cure. She still couldn’t believe what he’d done to her. Her own flesh and blood! The one person who was supposed to have her back, to take care of her when she was down, and he’d betrayed her in the worst way.

  Meghan thought back to her capture by the pirates. Not only had they killed everyone in front of her, but they’d taken delight in making the deaths bloody and had drawn it out as much as possible. Then the real nightmare had started for her. Once on their ship, they’d stripped her naked, forcibly washed her, and left her locked in a cell without clothes. The guard had leered at her. It wasn’t until the translator had been implanted that she’d understood his words though. The things he’d wanted to do to her… she shivered. Finally she’d been given an outfit and the guard had been changed out. It seemed they wanted to sell her, something about humans being worth so much more than other women in their galaxy.

  It was the fear of what would happen to her once she was sold that had left her trembling in that cell. Then the Tarnan had shown up with his crew. He’d promised her safety, but she hadn’t believed him. Even after he gave her his cabin to sleep in, alone, she still hadn’t completely trusted him. Now she realized that perhaps he had been right. If he’d returned her to Earth as she’d requested, she would probably be dead now, or sold into slavery.