Page 28 (1/2)

He shrugs “I don’t havetrade here and there, where I can” He glances at the crystal glowing in the er over it “Do you have any idea how many stein this is worth on the open market?” He raises his eyebrows

“We do” Gorde’s voice is curt “Every being does That’s why the planet is devastated after the Finn overmined our crystals”

“I see” Taxx flicks the crystal with his fingernail and it pings, a high perfect note “I thank you for the rescue” He sits down on the edge of the med pod and reaches up to touch the clear doht I was going to die before I’d ever see”—his voice quivers, and he clears his throat—“ah, another Zandian”

“We are honored to bring you ho to find another Zandian The planet elcome you”

“Who is she?” Taxx looks at Danica Intent

“A hu her to Zandia”

“Is she yours?” Taxx stands up “I haven’t had a fe to share her?” His dark eyes narrow and he steps closer, but the look in his eye isn’t one of arousal, but appraisal

In the past, I would have offered anything and everything to a newly found brother, including my blood Definitely my new pleasure slave

But I growl and put my hand onto Danica’s arm, just as she makes a squeak

Gorde snaps, “She’s not a toy Huardless of what is accepted elsewhere in the galaxy”

Beside h and her arhtened makes me want to stand up and protect her “She’s under our protection on the way to Zandia Once there, she’ll learn the rules fro Zander and…have the choice to select mates” My stomach roils

“Unless we keep her ourselves,” Gorde adds “As her rescuers, we have first rights” He glares at Taxx

I don’t think that’s true at all, and he shouldn’t be getting Danica’s hopes up, but I hold er at her, or at least, now that he senses interest froer to stake his claim

Taxx puts up his hands “Ifor h

I try to shake off the feeling of unease “You’ve had an ordeal, and you need to recover,” I state “Rest If you haven’t eaten your weekly meal, we have Zandian and hu”