Thorn's Bondmate (Zarronian Warriors Book 2) (16 page)

Chapter Eight

Daria sat on the couch, staring at the blank viewing screen, her thoughts on Thorn and the time they'd spent together while they traveled to Zarronia. He'd visited her every cycle but she never knew when he would drop in. Sometimes he showed up after the sun's zenith and other cycles he'd stride in late in the evening. He'd even dropped in one cycle while she'd been eating breakfast. He never spent the night but recently he'd begun holding her until she fell asleep after they made love. That made her want to romanticize his behavior but they had sex and there was no love involved, at least not on his part. He'd made that clear many times. She wished she could say the same thing but she'd always been attracted to the bad boy type and he was certainly that.

As far as she knew he planned to hand her over to the Council when they arrived on Zarronia. When she'd asked what he thought they'd do with her he'd told her he didn’t know. She wanted to believe that once she spoke with Ambassador Eirikson and the Council they would let her return to Earth. She knew the chances of that were slim and it was more likely they'd make her remain on Zarronia. She still refused to give up the hope of seeing her home and family again.

The less she and Thorn talked the better they got along which was too bad because she felt obligated to tell him about the baby they'd created. She tried to convince herself that the morning's sickness was just nerves but now it was time to accept the truth and tell Thorn, even though she doubted he'd care.

According to her calculations he had gotten her pregnant the night they met which meant she was a little over two moon phases along in Zarronian time. She'd tried to calculate the time in Earth time and thought it came out to around ten or eleven weeks. They'd reach Zarronia in three cycles so she'd have to tell him this cycle and get it over with. Rising, she wandered to the window and stared out. In the far distance, she could see a planet surrounded by several small moons. Was it inhabited, she wondered. And, if it was what were they like? Lost in her thoughts, she jumped when a hand landed on her shoulder. Spinning around she found Thorn standing behind her, looking down at her.

He glanced out the window. "That's Alteria in the distance. It means we're close to Zarronia and my family." He slid his hand around her waist and pulled her against him.

"It's very beautiful but such a strange color. I guess I expected all planets to be blue like Earth."

"Alteria is dark red because of its many volcanoes. If you look closely you'll see the largest one even from this distance."

Daria watched the planet then nodded when she saw the volcano. It appeared to have a glowing river of lava running down one side of it. She hesitated then turned to face him. "I need to talk to you." She tried to control the trembling in her voice and failed.

He focused on her and pulled on a silky curl. "Then speak to me."

She put a few more feet between them so she wouldn't strain her neck looking up at him. She licked her lips then blurted out, "I’m pregnant."

Thorn's face darkened with anger before he turned back to the window. "I'm sure the Council will take that into account during your judgement."

She moved on shaky legs to a couch and sat down. For a moment, she watched him and felt like crying but didn't know why. "I don't want anything from you. I just thought you had a right to know about the baby."

He turned to face her. "Why should I care if one of your lovers impregnated you?"

"The baby is yours."

"I can't have any more children so don't even try to tell me or anyone else that I'm the father. I don't believe you and neither will they."

"Why wouldn't they believe me?" His words didn't make sense. "How could everyone know you can't have more children?"

"The Council will answer your questions if they decide to let you live."

"How can you be so cruel? How can you sleep with me night after night and yet feel nothing for me or the baby?"

"There was no sleeping. It was just sex sharing." He turned around. "I'll turn you over to the High Ruler and the Council and they'll deal with you."

"Good! The High Ruler couldn't possibly be as horrible as you."

Thorn laughed. "The High Ruler is my grandfather, Eirik Dagson."

"But that would mean that Ambassador Eirikson is your father. That's impossible. He can't be over forty."

"Zarronians age slower than your people."

Thoughts were speeding through her mind. She suddenly realized what his name meant. Thorn Valanson, the son of Valan. So, Valan Eirikson would mean the son of Eirik. She couldn't wait to speak to his father and grandfather. She wondered what he'd think if he knew he was doing her a favor. While she'd been lost in thought, Thorn shrugged out of his vest and removed his boots.

"What are you doing?" she asked, amazed that he expected her to go to bed with him after all that had happened.

"You haven't won the challenge yet. We're going to bed. "

"We most certainly are not."

"Drop the drying cloth." His voice was harsh with determination.

"No. I want you to leave. Now!"

"You have three more nights to try and win the challenge so drop the cloth."

"No. "

"Are you forfeiting?"

She threw the towel to the floor and stood before him. "I'll win this time, Commander."

"You'll try, but you won't win. Not tonight." He pulled her close and lifted her chin until his lips hovered over hers. When her violet eyes met his, he said again, "Not tonight."

# # #

Three cycles later Thorn entered Daria's quarters but she ignored him and continued to study the huge, docking station in the distance. "Spying?"

"Just looking, Commander." She pressed her hand against the glass. "Did you come here for a reason, or just to harass me?" Her tone was hostile.

"Watch how you speak to me. You're still on my starship and in my power."

"But, not for long. Right?"

"Actually, I'm going to be around for a while. My grandfather has ordered me to stay close to Zarronia until they decide what to do with you."

"Am I going to be held here on the Invincible?"

"No, on Zarronia." He examined her. "Get dressed. My father is waiting for us at the transfer station."

She began laughing but tears rolled down her cheeks and dropped onto the towel she had wrapped around herself.

"Daria?"

She slammed her hands against his chest and shoved him away. "I am dressed, you big oaf," she screamed at him. "I didn't have time to pack anything before I left Earth because I was too busy trying to stay alive."

Thorn frowned and walked away, going into the bedrooms and bathing chambers and searching them. He opened the closet doors and found them empty then returned to the living area and saw that the shelves were bare. There wasn't a book or viewing disc in sight. "You could have asked me for something to wear."

"Really, Commander? And, what would I have had to do to 'earn' some clothes?" she asked him, bitterly, "Entertain a few of your buddies?"

It was the worst thing she could have asked him. For weeks, since their bonding, he'd been fighting his need for her. Then she'd told him she was pregnant by another male and he'd had to fight his jealousy. Since then he'd tried to stay away from her as much as possible, only giving her what she needed to control the fever then leaving her alone. But, now, his control vanished. He stalked toward her, forcing her back until he towered over her, trapping her between the wall and his massive chest. He curled his fingers around her throat and lifted her chin with his thumbs, forcing her head back until they were eye to eye.

"Thorn?"

He slammed his mouth down onto hers. She resisted his demand for entry until he scraped her lips with his teeth forcing her to open to him. He clenched his hand in her hair and held her captive while he plundered her mouth. Finally he lifted his head and looked into her eyes. "Don't ever mention another male in my presence."

"Let go." She tried to jerk away but he held onto her then reluctantly released her and stepped away. She spun away from him.

"I'll be back in a few micro-units."

The warriors Thorn passed on his way to supply took one look at him and scrambled to get out of his way. He forced himself not to think about what she'd just told him while he grabbed a gown and a pair of sandals and carried them back to her quarters.

As he entered her bed chamber the bathing chamber door opened and Daria walked out wrapped in a towel. She rubbed another one over her hair but froze when she saw him then lowered the towel to her side.

Thorn handed the clothes to her. "I'll wait for you."

# # #

Daria closed the door, dropped the sandals to the floor and shook out the white gown. It was a sleeveless, boat-necked sheath. The silky material stretched and clung to her from her shoulders to her thighs then fell straight down to her knees. For a moment, she studied her image in the mirror then combed her fingers through her hair until it was smooth. She sat down on the edge of the tub and strapped the sandals onto her feet then joined him in the living area. He escorted her to the door. She stepped into the empty corridor and together they took the elevator to the first floor. The corridor they stepped into was crowded with warriors who stared at her, bringing a blush to her cheeks.

He took her arm and pulled her behind him as they made a path for him. An attractive warrior with long, blond hair and bright blue eyes joined them and began speaking to Thorn. Daria moved closer and eavesdropped on their conversation.

"-boys to your Mother, Thorn. She's taken them home."

"Good. After you secure the ship, Dag, I want you to get the engineers started on replacing the number two engine. I want the Invincible repaired as soon as possible."

"Garrikson said it will take about four cycles to remove the damaged engine and another six to install the new one."

Thorn frowned. "I'll be staying on the Invincible after I deliver Daria to my father."

The door to the transfer room opened as they approached it. Dag stepped aside and Thorn went through it, pulling Daria into the room behind him.

As Daria passed the warrior Thorn had called Dag, she looked at him and smiled. He had really fantastic, neon-blue eyes. He wasn't as tall or as strongly built as Thorn, but he was still very attractive. And, he looked nice, she thought, until he glared at her.

Thorn jerked on her arm and pulled her onto the low platform he stood on. She was familiar with this part of the transfer process. She squeezed her eyes shut and waited for the funny tingling to begin. She really hadn't enjoyed being transferred the last time. Just the idea of it gave her the creeps.

She heard a masculine chuckle and opened her eyes just as the room around her began to fade. A nano-unit later she found herself in a larger room surrounded by hundreds of warriors.

"It's better if you don't close your eyes," Thorn said.

Before she could reply she saw Ambassador Eirikson waving at them. She smiled with relief and followed Thorn when he stepped off the platform. Now, that she saw father and son together she could see how much they looked alike. Same hair, same eyes, same build.

"Daria, we've been waiting for your arrival." Ambassador Eirikson took her hands into his, sounding pleased to see her. "I hope your journey was comfortable. Did Thorn take care of your needs?"

Confused, she nodded. He'd taken care of her alright. For a moment, she wondered what the Ambassador would do if she fell against him and sobbed out the story of how his son had treated her.

"Excellent! My bondmate is waiting for us at home." He took her arm and began escorting her from the room. "We want you to stay with us. You, too, Thorn."

"I don't understand," Daria said. "I thought you'd be upset to see me."

He smiled. "We'll discuss what's happened later. Right now, just try to look pleased to be here. Can you do that?"

"Yes, because I am happy to be here, Ambassador. I need your help."

"I know only something dire would make you break our laws. We'll talk at my home. In the meantime it would please me if you'd call me Valan."

"Thank you—Valan." She sent Thorn a resentful glare as she spoke, silently letting him know what she thought of the situation.

Thorn flicked a dark brow up then moved next to his father. "What's going on?"

"We'll talk at home," Valan said. "It's good to see you, son."

Daria glanced at Thorn then ignored him. As they walked to Valan's home, she tried to accept the fact that she was actually on another planet although her surroundings helped convince her. The trees were different. Their trunks were white, and their leaves were bronze and pink. Even the grass had a pink tinge to it. The sky was a soft green color. Only the clouds were white like Earth's. Every now and then, there was a break in the trees and she caught a quick glimpse of a house. Some looked like the houses on Earth but larger while others definitely looked alien. After several micro-units of walking the Ambassador led her through a gate. Daria looked ahead and saw what she assumed was his home.

It was a beautiful, white, two-story cylinder. There were two rows of windows all the way around it. The bottom row was broken by the huge double doors which led into it. Flowers bloomed on either side of the doors. In fact, there were flowers and bushes everywhere and she felt as if she was walking through a fragrant jungle.

As they approached the doors, they flew open and Madami Valan came out. Thorn rushed to her and hugged her, lifting her from her feet as she patted his back and scolded him for taking so long to arrive. His behavior surprised Daria. Who would have thought that the big oaf cared about his mother? Beside her, Valan laughed then led her forward.

"Put her down, Son, before you damage her."

"Yes, Thorn, put me down so I can greet our guest."

Thorn lowered her to the ground.