The Demon Master's Wife (Fantasy, Space Opera, Science Fiction Romance) (FORCED TO SERVE) (40 page)

“She was not with Conor to help him gain more power,” Ania said, shaking her head. “The female had a great affection for your brother. Unfortunately, Connor did not return her feelings. She’s been letting him go as a mate since he said he would not come save her. I did her a favor taking his energy away, but she misses the memories. Now she only wishes to be away from us.”

“How do you know this? Are you suddenly intuitive enough to read all the thoughts of every creature you meet?” Synar asked snidely, pressing his lips together tightly at her knowing smile.

“No—I just know how frustrating it is to be mated to a Synar,” Ania said sharply. “Sometimes I wish you were evil like Connor was and less of an enigma so I’d know what your true thoughts were most of the time. As you currently conduct yourself, I can never determine if you genuinely have good intentions towards me or not.”

Heedless of audience, Synar stepped into Ania. He reached out a hand to grab her hair and tugged her angry face up higher to lock her gaze to his. He thought of many things he’d like to do to her, but settled for brushing her lips softly with his. His restrained actions were a contrast to the churning emotions he had about her that were making his hands tremble as they touched her.

“Is that all the admission I’m ever going to get from you about us still being mates?” Synar asked. He dropped his hand from her hair and smiled at the flash in her eyes before he turned away.

“Well why should I commit to you? You’ll just get angry or disappointed and kick me out of your life again tomorrow,” Ania said to his back.

Synar turned around and smiled. “Fortunately the Liberator is small, so I should have no trouble finding you when I get over being upset and want you back. Perhaps one day I’ll simply complain when we argue, and then live with it without running you off or leaving.”

“You think sharing that kind of unsettled life is appealing to a female who longs for peace?” Ania demanded, swearing in Norblade afterwards, remembering the words from all the times Synar had said them to her.

Synar threw back his head and laughed as he walked back to her. This time when he stepped close, his mouth swooped down, taking hers hotly. His thoughts about wanting to be alone with her were equally blazing.

Instead of stopping him like she knew she should, Ania wound her arms around Synar and kissed him back instead. He drove her crazy, but she still wanted to share his bed.

“I love you, Ania Looren. I will always, always want you back,” Synar said when he freed her mouth. “And I will always want you in my bed. Yes—I read your thoughts.”

“What am I supposed to say that? You think that’s good enough to make us mates?” Ania demanded. “Well it isn’t.”

“This is getting boring. Still, as long as you two learn to live in harmony before the children are born, everything should be fine,” Malachi said, interrupting their fight.

Two shocked faces swung in his direction, making Malachi laugh.

“Yes, I know—you forgot where we were and that we’re helping Gwen. I know you have a lot to work out in your relationship, but you really must set your fighting aside for just a little longer,” Malachi said, grinning at them.

“Children?” Synar asked, staring at Malachi and then swinging his gaze to Ania.

“No, I do not think I carry one,” Ania said, shrugging. “I told Malachi females my age don’t have children.”

“I would like children if they are possible,” Synar said to her, then he looked at Malachi again. “Is it possible?”

Malachi nodded. “Yes. With me in this body and not in hers, she should be able to carry your children without issue.”

Synar blinked a few times trying to take it in, but shock still coated the truth. “Thank you for telling me, Malachi.”

Then he walked off, thinking about what it would be like to have children with Ania. Might she already be carrying a child and not know it? Had he hit that vibration the day she forced him to get aggressive with her? He had certainly emptied enough of his essence into her to conceive.

Ania watched Synar walk off in a daze, but let him get out of medical before she turned her glare to Malachi.

“Why did you tell Synar all that?” she demanded.

“Because it’s true and he’s always wanted children,” Malachi said simply. “And I want someone to inherit me. I don’t want to go to strangers in the future.”

“You just multiplied my problems with that male,” Ania said. “As if I didn’t already have enough ongoing debates with him, now I have to deal with Synar wanting children.”

“Don’t you want children?” Malachi asked.

“Sure—I’d make a great mother with all my aggressive tendencies, don’t you think?” Ania asked, rolling her eyes.

“Female warriors have children all the time,” Malachi said. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out. Your children will be special and have a little of me in them as well.”

“Great—my children will be demon babies. I notice you didn’t tell Synar that piece of good news,” Ania said sarcastically.

Malachi laughed. “I think I’ll let you tell him that one. I’m still in shock that he thanked me.”

“Enough of this chatter about a future I don’t want. I’ll stay with Gwen while you visit Issa,” Ania said. “No seducing her.”

“You take the fun out of everything,” Malachi said. “If the Greggor doesn’t claim Boca Ador soon, I’m going after her. Her energy is very alluring to me. I want to merge with her and not the same way as I do you.”

“Stay away from Boca too,” Ania said harshly. “Don’t be bonding with females until we discuss this further. Yes—that’s a command for now. I know you and your new body will need to have a full life. I just need time to think about it. So will Synar. You will have to restrain your urges until then.”

“As you wish, oh master,” Malachi said, grinning at her. “You granted my wish beyond my dreams. I will be very agreeable for some time to come.”

Ania snorted. “Do you swear by the creators?”

“Let’s not get carried away,” Malachi said, waving at her as he walked away.

***

Gwen floated in a dream space looking for him. Then she looked down at her clothes, rolling her eyes when she saw the bits and pieces she wore covered little more than hygiene straps did. She wasn’t wearing footwear either.

“Zade…this has to be your dream,” she thought, looking around for her weapon and not finding it. “I’d be wearing more clothes and have a damn stunner in my hand if it was mine.”

Gwen crept along a brick wall until she came to an opening. Slipping inside, she scanned the area. Not seeing any creatures, she walked barefoot over smooth tiles until she saw what looked like a medical facility. She got the creeps suddenly remembering her own experiences in a place like this not too long ago. Shaking away the past and peering into the room, Gwen saw him in a cage calmly sitting on a bed. She frowned, thinking he should be trying to free himself.

“Zade,” she called, running over to the bars and yanking on a door that wouldn’t give way. “Can’t you open locks like Ania? Why are you looking at me so strangely? Help me get this door open.”

“Do I know you?” he said, rising from the bed and walking towards her.

Gwen watched his eyes change and his body straighten as he neared her.

“You—
you’re the one
,” Dorian said, his tone one of complete surprise. “You’re the one I burn for. What have you done to me?”

“What the Helios are you talking about?” Gwen demanded, barely stifling her urge to scream. “And where is Sarinnea?”

“Who is Sarinnea?” he demanded, eyes flashing.

“She’s your mother,” Gwen said softly, finally realizing that Zade truly had no clue. “Do you know who you are?”

He turned from her, hands fisted in frustration. “No. I don’t know who I am, but I know for certain that I am not a slave.”

Gwen closed her eyes and counted, breathing to keep from screaming. “No—no you are not a slave. You are a lieutenant who serves on a Peace Alliance spaceship. You were abducted and I’m here to rescue you.”

Dorian was across the cell and had his hands wrapped around hers as they were gripping the bars. “Why should I trust you? Who are you? You look like a slave.”

“Well, I’m not a slave either. Look I don’t know what has happened, but you obviously don’t remember anything,” she said. “So you’re just going to have to trust me. Let me go so I can work on getting you out of this damn cage.”

“Tell me who you are and why I am drawn to you and not other females,” he said carefully.

“Zade—Dorian, you’re drawn to me because I’m your . . .
mate
,” Gwen said, swallowing hard on the word. “You sent the Siren’s call to me when you were abducted, which I am definitely going to make you pay for doing as soon as you get your memories back. Now turn me loose so I can help.”

“Leave me be,” he said, releasing her hands and walking to the bed. “You are not safe here. If you are not a slave, they will work to make you one. I have no choice but to go along for now.”

“Dorian,” Gwen yelled, gearing up to argue.

And then she woke up with her heart hammering and Ania patting her arm to calm her.

“Gwen . . . it’s okay. You’re safe. We’re in medical,” Ania said. “It was only a dream.”

“No, it was more than a dream,” Gwen said, sitting up. “Zade was in a cage and didn’t recognize me. He didn’t even know who he was or where Sarinnea was. And they cut his hair all off. He didn’t even look like himself. He was wearing some kind of collar around his neck that hummed.”

Ania frowned. “How was he dressed?”

“Shirtless, but he still was wearing his uniform pants,” Gwen said.

“He’s been sold into slavery. The Xendrin collar is to keep him subdued. When his pulse rate gets above a certain number, the collar will activate and knock him out. It works about the same as when you stunned him,” Ania said.

“We have to rescue him—them. He didn’t even know who Sarinnea was, much less care about what’s happened to her,” Gwen said.

“Where do we go to get him, Gwen?” Ania asked.

“I don’t know,” she exclaimed. “Why can’t that be part of what I see?”

“Next time you find yourself having a vision, try to find a native that will tell you where you are,” Ania instructed. “You can do this. I know you can. Find the name of the planet and we’ll go there to get him.”

“He didn’t recognize me, Ania. Zade only knew who I was because he was drawn to me. That was his word for it. It was like talking to Zade when I first knew him two years ago. He was aloof and distant, not really engaged in life, just somehow above it all,” Gwen said.

“Enlightened beings seem detached, but in reality the opposite is true,” Ania said gently. “I am sorry he did not remember you.”

“Well his body remembered me,” Gwen said, grateful now for the connection she had to him and what she had endured. “His body knew I spoke the truth. It was the only reason he trusted me at all.”

“Sleep again,” Ania said. “Remember to look for a native of the planet next time.”

Gwen nodded and lay back on the pillows.

“Boca is coming soon. I am going to go grab some sleep myself now,” Ania said.

“Are you going to the captain’s quarters?” Gwen asked. “I heard you fighting with Synar earlier.”

Ania sighed. “Sorry we disturbed you after all you’ve been through.”

“It’s like hearing your parents fight. You have to listen. It’s not my place to tell you what to do with your life, but you have to know Synar is crazy about you. You are the only female for him and that has to count for something,” Gwen said sadly. “He’s just being a stupid guy—sorry, I mean an immature male of his species.”

“I think I like the ‘stupid guy’ reference better,” Ania said, laughing softly. “That insult has a better sound to it.”

“Yeah, but Synar is your personal ‘stupid guy,’” Gwen said. “I bet if you two made a real commitment to each other, he’d get smart about you real quick.”

“And on what evidence are you basing your theory?” Ania asked, laughing more.

Gwen turned her head and looked fully at the strong female standing guard over her when she was at her most vulnerable. She knew if she asked Ania to stay, she wouldn’t leave her side. Both Ania and Synar were faithful to a fault, but they held each other to a standard of perfect behavior that no living creature could ever meet.

“Synar will always make decisions based on male logic, which we both know only takes everyone so far before innocent creatures start dying and peaceful beings head off to war. My money is on you and the way you cut through the surface stuff to drill down to the soul of a being. Look what you’ve done for Malachi and me already. You’re going to make Synar be the best male he can be when he’s interacting with you, and that’s really why he’s with you. Synar wants the same thing. He wants you to change him even though he resists. That’s your bigger picture,” Gwen said. “Just like Dorian Zade is part of my bigger picture I guess. Dorian reminds me that no creature can survive without help, no matter how tough they think they are. I wish now I hadn’t moved out of his room. Before him I thought males served one purpose only. Dorian is the only male I’ve ever really
needed
.”