by Sadie Carter
“I’m not sure. I feel a bit wonky.”
“Wonky?”
She really needed to get these guys up to speed on Earther slang. “Umm, dizzy. Do you think I’m sick?”
“Your vitals are fine. No fever. Your pulse is a little fast, but nothing to worry about. Dex, help her lie down again.”
“I’m starting to think I’m allergic to this place,” she joked.
“Zoey, can you feel Dex?” Thor asked her.
“Feel him?” She looked over at Dex. “Uhh, yeah, of course I can. He’s standing right there.”
“Inside you. Can you feel him in your head?”
“What?” She gaped at Thor. “You’re joking right?”
Thor glowered at Dex. “I thought you were going to explain everything.”
Dex looked uncomfortable. “I meant to. I got distracted.”
“Of course you did.” Thor sighed. “After a joining, each mate can feel the other. You’ll be able to sense what Dex is feeling, some mates can even tell where the other is and what they are doing.”
She gaped at him, aghast. “So I’ll have no privacy?”
“Actually—”
“That’s correct,” Dex interjected. “Remember, you’ll have access to me as well.”
She supposed that was fair. It still felt creepy.
Thor gave Dex a strange look then turned back to her. “Well, Zoey? Can you feel him?”
She fell silent, focusing on her body. “Umm, no. But then I don’t really know what I’m looking for.”
“Dex, maybe you could describe it?” Thor turned to Dex, who was frowning ferociously.
“I can feel her, but it’s faint. Why would that be?”
Thor studied her. “This is the first Earther-Zerconian mating. There is bound to be some differences. Perhaps it will take longer. It’s to be expected considering how weak she is.”
She growled in frustration. “I am not weak! And the next person who calls me weak is going to be able to scratch their balls through their mouth.”
Thor chuckled, slapping Dex on the shoulder as he turned away. “If her body was as strong as her mind you’d have a warrior on your hands.”
Zoey poked her tongue out at his back.
Chapter Seven
“I don’t want to exercise, Dex,” Zoey complained as he tugged her into the training room.
Yeah, she sounded like a kid about to go to the dentist. But exercising was on an even keel with having someone poke and prod around in her mouth.
“You need to build up your strength. You’re weak.”
Irritated, she pulled on her arm, knowing he’d stop. He turned immediately. She scanned the room, thankful to see they were alone. “I am not weak.”
He raised an eyebrow. “You’ve fainted twice in my presence.”
“Yeah, well, there’s a common denominator there,” she muttered.
Both eyebrows went up. “You’re saying I caused you to faint?”
“Look, I’m not weak.” She pulled her arm free, folding her arms across her chest. “I’m lazy.”
His brows came together in a frown. It was like they had a life of their own sometimes. “That is not a trait I want my mate to have.”
“Tough shit, buddy. Life sucks and then you die.”
“What?” He sighed, looking pained. “The sooner you learn Zerconian, the better. These riddles you speak in hurt my head.”
“Oh, poor barbarian. Do my big words hurt you itty bitty head?”
“Zoey,” he growled.
Whoops. Pushed him too hard. “Look, I’m sorry, that was uncalled for. I’m just in a grumpy mood.”
Immediately, his stance softened and he pulled her against him. “What is it, my own? Is it that time of the month?”
“No,” she snapped then took a deep breath. It wasn’t fair to get grumpy at him when she’d been the one to warn him about PMS. He’d been both fascinated and horrified. But not as horrified as she’d been to learn they didn’t have chocolate on Zerconia.
No movies and no chocolate. And they were supposed to be the superior race?
Apparently Zerconian women had a menstrual cycle, but they didn’t behave any differently during that time. She couldn’t wait to meet them. Not.
Seemed every time she did something Dex didn’t like he would compare her behavior to that of a proper Zerconian mate.
They sounded too good to be true.
“It’s not that time. Sometimes it just seems that you find fault with everything about me. I’m not Zerconian, Dex. I can’t just change who I am for you.”
During the past two weeks, their bond hadn’t grown any stronger. Something she knew both confounded and worried him. She’d hoped that he would come to like her the way she was. That they could at least reach a level of compromise; learn how to blend their cultures together. But it seemed like Dex thought that she should do all the compromising while he got to live his life the way he always had.
And when she protested, she was being difficult or foolish.
“I don’t want you to change.”
“No? But I need to learn your language. I’m supposed to obey your rules. I have to learn how to be a proper mate to the Crown Prince of Zerconia and to top it off I have to exercise as well.”
His face was stoic. “I just want you to fit in. I don’t want you to be embarrassed.”
“You mean you don’t want to be embarrassed. By me.”
“Zoey—”
“Why is it that every man in my life wants to change me?”
“What do you mean, every man?” he growled.
“My ex wanted me to need him, he felt like I emasculated him or something idiotic like that. You’d think he would be grateful that I could do everything myself. It wasn’t like he was going to get off his fat ass. Even my own father didn’t like me the way I was. If he had, he would have stuck around or at least stayed in contact. And now you want me to change, to become this perfect, Zerconian mate. You can just—”
The ship jolted and Zoey would have gone flying if Dex hadn’t grabbed her, pulling her against him. He turned, pushing her against the wall and shielding her as the ship jolted back and forth. An alarm shrieked and then the world stabilized.
“What the hell?” Zoey yelled above the sound of the alarm.
Dex ran his hands over her, his gaze frantic with worry. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” She grabbed his hands. “Dex, I’m all right. What was that?”
“I don’t know. I need to go.” He grabbed her up in his arms and raced out of the training room, flagging down a passing warrior.
“Take my mate to our quarters and stay with her,” he ordered, putting her down.
“Dex, no, wait!”
But he raced off, ignoring her. Damn him.
“If you will come with me, milady?” the young male asked her.
Zoey let the young male warrior steer her down the passage to Dex’s quarters. Men thundered up and down the passage. Everyone seemed to have a purpose. Except her.
She should be with Dex, not stuck with this poor warrior who looked like he’d rather be anywhere but with her.
“What’s going on?” she yelled up at him.
“I don’t know, milady.”
“Please, call me Zoey.”
He gaped down at her, horrified. “I could not.”
The alarm shut down as they arrived at her quarters. She opened the door, but the warrior just stood on the other side.
“You can come in.”
Truth was, she didn’t really want to be alone. Although no one was yelling or panicked, there was a sense of urgency as everyone raced around.
“I cannot.”
Irritated, she glared up at him. “Am I not the mate of the Crown Prince?”
“Yes, milady.”
“Doesn’t that mean you have to do as I say?” Not quite correct. Dex had been trying to school her about her role as his mate. She had very limited power over his warriors. Basically
, they would show her every respect and deference, but they followed Dex, not her.
Once they returned to Zerconia, there would be a proper joining ceremony during which time she would be officially recognized as his mate and the Crown Princess of Zerconia.
They better have booze at the party after.
The young warrior shifted around uncomfortably.
“Oh, get in here.” With an older warrior, she’d never have swayed him. But this kid looked barely older than her, even though she knew it was possible he’d seen half a century already.
He stepped in, closing the door behind him.
“Please find out what’s going on,” she requested firmly.
“I can’t do that, milady.”
“Yes, you can. Just use the communicator to ask the bridge.”
“I don’t have clearance to contact the bridge.” He looked at her aghast.
“Tell them that I’m worried about Dex. That I’m crying, scared.”
“Are you going to cry?” He actually took a step back.
“Just contact them.”
With a nervous look, he strode over to the communicator, speaking in his own language. Damn it, she hated when Dex was right—she really needed to learn how to speak Zerconian.
“Well?” she asked impatiently when he stopped speaking. “What is it?”
“Teargans. They attacked us.”
“Teargans? Really? Are you guys at war with them? How did they sneak up on us?”
“We’re on friendly terms with the Teargans.” He frowned in confusion.
She paced back and forth. Why would a friendly race attack them? A dozen scenarios ran through her head. She dismissed them one after the other as she muttered to herself.
“Milady? Are you all right?”
“I need to get to the bridge.” She needed more information.
“But you’re supposed to remain here,” the warrior said, looking worried.
“Don’t worry. You won’t get in trouble.”
“No, because you’re not going anywhere.”
“God, even the young ones are arrogant,” she muttered. “Look, all you need to do is look the other way for a minute.”
“I think not—” The ship rocked on its side, sending her flying into the wall. Zoey lay still, fighting for her breath. With a groan, she rolled onto her hands and knees.
Shaking, she looked around. Everything that hadn’t been secured down was on the floor.
“What a mess.” Slowly, she pulled herself to her feet, swaying. She pressed a hand against her throbbing head. “Someone needs to turn down the volume.”
She drew her hand away, staring down at the blood on her palm in disbelief. Moving over to a mirror, she grimaced as she saw the gash on her forehead.
“Oww. What the hell happened…oh God.” She turned around, searching for the young warrior who’d been with her. She spotted him across the room, lying on his back.
“Oh, crap. Please be breathing. Please be breathing.” Stumbling over to him as the ship bounced and shuddered; she knelt down and tried to find a pulse.
“Please, please, please.” There it was. Strong and steady.
“Okay, okay, good.” She needed to get help. “Wait here,” she ordered despite the fact he couldn’t hear her.
Zoey clumsily made her way over to the door. She needed to find Dex. The ship rocked again and she flew against the wall, groaning. She was going to be black and blue tomorrow.
After what seemed like hours she made it to the bridge. How the hell was she going to get inside? She banged on the door. Nothing. She studied the communicator next to the door. Part of it was hanging off the wall. Useless.
She pulled her foot back to kick the door in frustration when it suddenly opened. Koran stood there, frowning at her.
Surprise. Surprise.
“You better watch the wind doesn’t change or your face could freeze like that.”
“What? Zoey, what are you doing here? I was coming to get you.” His face grew alarmed. “You’re bleeding. What happened?”
“I need Dex.” Yeah, she liked to pretend she was tough and strong. But this was more action than she was used to and she really, really needed to check that Dex was all right. This was one time when she wished their bond had properly formed. Then she’d know he was all right.
“Come on.” Koran took gentle hold of her arm.
“What’s going on?” she asked. “Why did Teargans attack us?”
“Zoey?” Dex turned to frown at her. “What are you—you’re hurt.” He strode over to her and tilted her chin up so he could check her head.
“It’s just a scratch. I’m okay. Are you all right?”
“Yes, of course.” Dex appeared slightly offended. “Where is Leland?”
“Was that the kid you gave me to?”
“He’s not a kid.”
“He’s injured, back in our quarters. He needs help.”
“Contact medical, get Thor up here and send someone to my quarters,” Dex ordered Koran.
“Is someone else injured?” she asked, looking around worriedly.
“Everyone here is fine.” He lifted her, placing her in a chair and belting her in. “I want Thor to check you over.”
“I’m fine. We need to talk about the Teargan ship.”
“That’s nothing for you to worry about,” Dex replied, turning away from her.
Oh no, he did not just dismiss her. Again.
“Dex, listen to me.”
“I don’t have time to listen to you, Zoey. This isn’t the time to argue with me.” He glared at her.
“I’m not arguing. I think I can help. I don’t think that the Teargans are attacking us. Why would they attack? They’re your allies, right?”
“Not our allies.” Koran watched her suspiciously.
“But they’re friendly. Why would they attack?”
“Why doesn’t matter.” Dex turned to look at her then Koran. “The fact is that they lured us close with a distress signal then attacked us. Take her back to our quarters and wait for Thor there.”
“What? No. Dex, I can help. Just listen, what if someone else is operating that ship? What better way to get close to attack than to pretend to be someone you trust.”
“It’s a Teargan ship.” Koran crossed his arms.
Dex slashed his hand through the air impatiently. “Doesn’t matter. Point is they did attack and now we have to fight back.”
“But what if there are innocent Teargans onboard?”
Dex turned away without a word. They were going to have a chat about the way he kept dismissing her.
“You needed me?”
Zoey turned in her seat to find Thor moving onto the bridge. He frowned as he saw her. “Zoey, you’re hurt.”
“I’m fine.”
Thor ignored her, kneeling in front of her.
“Damn it, Dex, you need to listen to me. We must have sustained a lot of damage. We need to land, not fight back.”
Thor flicked his gaze from her to Dex. “He’s not listening.”
“I need him to. I know what I’m talking about. I’ve analyzed the situation; it’s the best outcome for everyone. Are we close to a friendly planet?” She spoke loudly, but everyone ignored her, speaking in Zerconian.
Thor gave her a sympathetic look.
“What are they saying?” she asked as he placed a bandage on her forehead. It tingled, going straight to work. Within a few hours, she’d be as good as new. These guys had some old-fashioned values, but they were very advanced in other areas.
Thor looked grim. “You don’t want to know.”
Dex yelled out something and once again the ship shuddered and rocked.
“We need to land,” she insisted.
“We’re firing back,” Thor told her grimly.
“No, that’s a stupid thing to do.”
“Thor, get her out of here,” Dex ordered.
“Sorry, Zoey,” Thor told her regretfully, quickly releasing the seat
restraint. He pulled her up into his arms.
“What are you doing?” she yelled as he took off. “Dex! Dex! Damn it, Thor. Put me down.”
“Can’t. Got my orders. Dex wants you in an escape shuttle.”
“What? No, I’m not leaving. Thor, take me back.”
“We’re not leaving. Not yet. This is a precaution.”
She fought against him, trying to get free.
“Zoey, stop it! If Dex is worried about you, then he can’t concentrate on keeping everyone safe. You come before everyone else on this ship. He will risk them all to save you. Is that what you want?”
Zoey gaped up at Thor. “Low blow, doc.”
“I know. But it’s the truth. He needs to know you’re safe.” Thor reached the shuttle bay of the ship and moved quickly over to a shuttle. Around them, men rushed back and forth.
“Are we going to evacuate?”
Thor deposited her on a seat inside the shuttle. “I don’t know.”
“You need to go and help deal with any wounded. I’ll wait here.”
He gave her a skeptical look.
“I promise. I’ll be fine. I would never forgive myself if someone died when you could have saved them.”
“Dex ordered me to look after you.”
“And I’m safe. I will not leave the shuttle bay. Go, Thor. Please.”
“All right. But if you leave the shuttle bay, I will beat your ass myself, got it?”
Zoey waited until he was gone to leave the shuttle. She was willing to bet anything that this was the first shuttle that would set off and that Dex wouldn’t be on it with her.
She glanced around, looking for someone who would help her. She didn’t intend to break her promise to Thor, but she wasn’t leaving without Dex either. There was a young male working frantically on another shuttle.
“Hey, hey!” she yelled down at him.
He turned, his eyes widening. “Milady? What are you doing down here?”
“Dex, umm, the Crown Prince, asked me to wait in his escape shuttle, but I don’t know which one he would take.”
He frowned. “He would be take the last one in the line, milady.” He pointed over at one of the larger shuttles. “But are you sure he wanted you to wait there?”
She smiled brightly. “Yep. Thanks.”
Zoey turned away before he could question her further, making her way over to the shuttle, her stomach tied in knots. An alarm screamed, and around her, everyone froze for a moment. Then a loud voice came through the speaker system, speaking in Zerconian.
