A cool breeze brushed across Sara’s face and she sighed, yet contentment hadn’t produced the sound. She felt restless, homesick, and confused. Everything was strange here. Even the air smelled different. The sky was bluish green, teal—like Toxyn’s hair. She shuddered, refusing to waste energy thinking about her obnoxious abductor. Surrounded by aliens and elves, she’d never felt so out of place.

And then there was Xorran.

“Are you all right,” Lily asked as she gathered the remains of their meal and put everything back in the alloy crate she’d used to bring the food here. They sat on a thick blanket beside Wenny’s completed enclosure. The workers had surrounded the area with eight-foot-high wire fencing complete with a gate, installed grates over each side of the stream, and even built Wenny a simple house before returning to their original assignments. The Outcasts had many faults, but no one could deny they were industrious and efficient.

“I’m conflicted,” Sara admitted. Their conversation during lunch had been light and superficial. Knowing they both needed a break from the dramas surrounding them, they’d avoided darker, heavier subjects. Well, Lily was preparing to leave and Sara needed a sounding board. “I’d convinced myself I wanted to refuse all my matches, even the ones I liked. I was ready to stand on principle, like Thea taught us, to leave the Outcasts no option but to take us back to Earth.”

“Then Xorran kissed you?” Lily’s smile was patient and understanding. “I felt the same way. I thought I’d lead by example, show the other women how resistance was our only weapon. Then Jillian volunteered for the program and the vote came back in favor of cooperating. Arton stopped being so arrogant, and everything just unraveled from there.”

“Xorran makes me want things I’d never thought I’d want, at least not here. He’s sweet and attentive, and he seems to enjoy my sense of humor, but they kidnapped us.” Sara sighed. “This is not what I signed up for. I didn’t want to sacrifice my family and friends. With a battle born mate, I would have been close enough to visit my brothers, or at least talk to them. I have two nieces and a nephew. I don’t want them to forget about me. Am I just supposed to shrug all that off for the chance at a happy marriage?”

“Oh, Sara, this is so much more than marriage,” Lily said with a secret smile.

Sara stood and brushed off her pants, frustrated by the continual reminders of how wonderful life would be if she just bonded with one of the males. Doubtlessly the sex would be amazing. Last night had proven that wasn’t an exaggeration. But the instant connection and lifelong happiness couldn’t be real. Life, at least her life, never worked that way. “I understand it’s different, maybe even better, with a Rodyte, but it doesn’t matter. They took away our freedom when they brought us to this remote planet. We’re isolated and completely dependent on them. That’s not okay. If we don’t give in to them, our only alternative is to live alone and watch everyone else revel in bonded bliss. No matter how good they are in bed, that’s emotional manipulation. I won’t stand for it.”

Lily pushed to her feet, her expression filled with compassion. “Arton’s father will take you home if that’s what you really want.”

Shocked by the statement, Sara searched Lily’s vivid blue gaze. Was she serious? “What are you talking about?”

“The overlord is still debating when and how to tell everyone, but Kryton Lux has offered to take anyone home if they’ve interacted with at least three of their matches and still want to return to Earth. Apparently, you qualify.”

The news was so unexpected that Sara felt dazed. It took her a moment to speak at all, then her mind filled with questions. “How long ago was this decided? Why hasn’t there been an announcement? Everyone has a right to know, not just those who have turned down their suitors.”

“I agree, but the overlord doesn’t. He feels the females can’t make an informed decision unless they hear both sides of the argument. He insists that all the remaining females consented to becoming a mate when they volunteered for the original program. He just changed the location.”

Blood rushed through Sara’s ears, pulsing with such force that she could hardly concentrate. She could go home, see her brothers, her mom, her friends? Family had always been important to her. She’d never been tight with her parents, but her brothers were a different story. Especially Timothy, the youngest. He was twenty-two and about to graduate from college, the first in their family to accomplish the feat. Sometimes it felt more like Tim was her son than her brother. She was that invested in his life.

But if she left now, the spark she felt for Xorran would fizzle out before it had a chance to burn. He was so different than she’d expected, so different than the guards, or even Arton. Most of the Outcasts were war-hardened and bleak. None of them remembered how to smile. Xorran’s smile was slow and often filled with secrets, but he still allowed himself to feel joy.

Wenny’s soft growl drew her attention to the fence. The cub stared up at her with big blue eyes, head tilted to one side. Shit. What the hell would she do with Wenny? She couldn’t just walk away from the cub. She’d promised to protect and care for her.

A strange tingling erupted in her head and she heard Wenny’s uncertain vocalization again. Only this time, the sound played inside her mind. Sara thought she’d imagined the sound, then she heard it again.

What the hell?

A rush of images flowed through her mind accompanied by distinct emotions. She saw herself through Wenny’s eyes and felt curiosity and uncertainty. Then she saw Wenny clinging to Xorran’s body, trembling with cold and fear.

The memories faded as more detailed and evocative images took their place. She saw Xorran’s slow, sexy smile, heard his warm laughter. She remembered his mouth moving over hers, tongue sliding deep into her mouth. His hands touched and teased with such skill, and selfless determination that it seemed like a dream. She’d never come that easily or that often. And she suspected every time with him would be that intense.

The two sets of memories contrasted and clashed. The sexy set had come from her mind, but the first... She couldn’t explain how those had happened. It was all very strange.

“It’s not just sexual, is it?” Lily guessed as the silence lengthened. “You really like him.”

Shaking away the disconcerting muddle, Sara nodded. “Xorran’s not like the others. He’s quiet, thoughtful, not in-your-face aggressive. He seems more, dare I say, human.”

Lily smiled. “He’d probably consider it an insult, but I understand what you mean. Many of the Outcasts had to become aggressive and hard to survive.”

“And many were born that way.”

Lily didn’t argue. “At least now you can honestly decide if you want to bond with Xorran or not because you have another option.”

Sara laughed. “I have seventy-one other options.”

Lily smiled. “That’s not what I meant.”

“I know, and thank you for telling me. It definitely gives me something to think about.”

“And I’ll keep working on Arton about some sort of announcement. I’ve said all along that all the women have a right to know.”

“Are Arton and the overlord as close as everyone says?”

Lily nodded. “They’ve known each other forever and have been through a lot together. If not for Kage, I’m not sure Arton would still be with us.” She waved away the past with a flick of her hand. “But that’s all behind us now. We’re all focused on the future, and you should be too.”

“It’s easier to focus on the future when you know what you want it to be,” Sara grumbled.

“I know.” Lily gave her a hug. “You’ll figure it out. I have faith in you.”

Sara laughed. “Glad someone does.”

“Thanks for having lunch with me.” Lily bent and picked up the crate. “It felt wonderful to leave the lab for an hour or so. We need to do it again soon.”

After Lily left, Sara carefully let herself into the enclosure. Wenny greeted her with a friendly head butt and her usual figure eight around Sara’s legs. “I missed you too, silly cat.” She scratched behind Wenny’s ears and allowed her to show her excitement for a moment, then said, “Deztee.” She did her best to mimic Arton’s authoritative tone. Wenny immediately sat. Sara raised her hand, palm out, and Wenny stopped growling and watched Sara attentively. “Whoever said cats can’t be trained?”

Arton had also taught Sara the command for ‘lie down’, ‘return to me’, ‘advance’, and ‘follow’. He’d demonstrated each and Wenny obeyed without hesitation. Clearly, the cub was smart and eager to please.

Sara looked deep into her expressive blue eyes, wondering what sort of life the cat had lived in the Underground. Was being trained for battle any better than life in the labor pool? Both seemed pretty horrible to Sara.

The tingling in her temples reappeared. She kept her gaze fixed on the cub, convinced this wasn’t imaginary. The same plaintive growl sounded inside her mind, and then she heard a faint, tentative voice ask, Sentiata? Sara froze. That was the Sarronti word for mother.

Her eyes widened. Had Wenny just communicated with her?

“Did you enjoy your conversation with Lily?”

Her head snapped to the right and she found Xorran closing the gate behind him. He’d left when Lily arrived, but apparently hadn’t gone far.

“I think she’s telepathic,” she told him, thrilled, yet still uncertain of the discovery. “Twice now, she’s tried to communicate with me.”

His brow furrowed as doubt narrowed his gaze. “What did she say?”

“The Sarronti word for mother. I’m not sure if she was calling me mother or asking where her mother is.”

He smoothed his expression, but she still heard disbelief in his tone. “Did you try to respond?”

Refusing to react to his doubt, she bent to one knee and looked in Wenny’s eyes. “What are you trying to say, baby. I don’t understand.”

Wenny’s head tilted one way, and then the other, unblinking eyes staring back at Sara.

“She doesn’t understand English.” She unfolded her legs with a heavy sigh. “We need Torrin. He could talk to her in Sarronti.”

Xorran frowned, obviously annoyed by the suggestion. “You should have him teach you how to do the loop thing with your translator so we can stop bothering him.”

She agreed, but knew his concern had nothing to do with monopolizing Torrin’s time. “Can you contact him, please?”

“Already did. He’s on his way.”

She nodded, anticipation starting to gather inside her. If they could talk to the cub, and if she could actually respond, that would change everything. The information they’d hoped to gather from Alonov’s son might be accessible in the karron. “I wonder if there’s a command for go home? Isolaund was worried that Wenny would turn up back in the Underground because Wenny knows how to get there.”

Xorran glanced at Wenny, then shook his head. “If there’s an actual command, Isolaund will never tell us.”

Sara agreed, though a command might not be necessary if she could ask Wenny questions. “I know how to find the approximate area where Arrista and I emerged. Do you think Wenny would point out the actual entrance if we took her there?”

He walked across the grassy clearing and stroked Wenny’s head, studying her as he milled over the possibilities. “It’s certainly worth a try, but we’ll have to be careful. Didn’t you say she’ll be in danger if she returns to the Underground?”

“I did, and she will.” Sara looked at the cub. Wenny watched them trustingly. Sara didn’t want to put her in danger, but this might be their only chance to find the underground fortress. “We have to find a better harness than the rope. She didn’t like that at all.”

He chuckled. “I’m not sure she’ll like this any better, but I had the same thought.” He walked back to the gate and picked up a wad of what looked like leather straps. “I went and saw the programmer who designs our weapon belts and other accessories. He can print almost anything your imagination can conceive.” He unwound the bundle and showed her the new harness and leash. It was sleek yet strong. The straps would circle Wenny’s chest and upper legs rather than her neck, allowing her handler to guide her without fear of choking the cub. “The reinforced handle will make it easier to hang on and decrease the chances of being dragged.”

“The new commands will help too,” she reminded. “If she gets rambunctious, I know how to calm her down.”

“Shall we give it a try?”

She nodded. “We can leave right after Torrin speaks with Wenny. I know Isolaund thinks she can protect Heather from Alonov, but I saw the look in his eyes. He will find a way to have her if we don’t get her out of there. And the fear I saw on Heather’s face.” She shivered as compassion and anger combined to shake her composure. “I’ll never get that image out of my mind. Heather is counting on me to save her. I can’t let her down.”

Xorran placed his hands on her shoulders and waited until she looked at him to speak. “This is a shot in the dark. We could get lucky. I hope we do, but it’s more likely that this will fail. You must be realistic or I won’t even attempt this.”

Her chin raised and she squared her shoulders. “If we head into this thinking it’s pointless, it will be pointless. I’ve always found optimism more helpful than being realistic.”

“Fair enough,” he relented with a smile. “We’ll try it your way.”

Wenny allowed them to strap her into the chest harness, but as before, she resisted the leash, desperately wanting to choose her own direction. Sara found the stubbornness endearing, yet corrected her with firm commands whenever she veered off course. They had the cub moving around the enclosure at a manageable lope when Torrin arrived.

“Did you capture another elf?” he asked, one hand grasping the alloy fence. His apparent cheer did little to disguise the lethal intensity lurking behind his gray-green eyes.

Hearing an unfamiliar voice, Wenny lunged forward, growling fiercely. “Easy, girl. He’s a friend.”

When the cub didn’t react to Xorran’s reassurance, Sara said, “Deztee.”

“Where did this little monster come from?” Torrin asked as he let himself into the enclosure. Despite the derogatory term, his tone was friendly, almost playful. He walked right up to Wenny and introduced himself in Sarronti. “Hey there, little monster. I’m Torrin and you’re adorable.” He bent to one knee and the cub approached, though a bit hesitantly. He held out his hand and the cub licked it, her way of saying hello.

Sara watched the exchange, shocked by the assassin’s softer side. Had he known Wenny was telepathic or would he have tried to converse with any animal?

Female name? Wenny shifted her gaze from Torrin to Sara and back.

Sara was still processing the shock of hearing Wenny’s mind voice again when Torrin replied in Sarronti. “Her name is Sara.”

Holy crap. He could hear the cub too. She looked at Xorran. “Did you hear her question?”

Xorran shook his head.

Sara save me.

“Did she now?” Torrin stroked Wenny’s head. “What did Sara save you from?”

The cub’s head dropped and she made a soft, mournful sound. Bad Wenny. Fail test.

Torrin looked at Sara, confusion clear in his expression. “Do you know what that means?” He effortlessly switched between the two languages.

“Yeah, but it’s not true. She did nothing wrong. Tell her the rules are bad not Wenny.”

He repeated what she’d said in Sarronti and Wenny cautiously lifted her head. Master send Wenny away. Must be bad.

Desperately wishing she could speak directly to the cub, Sara knelt in front of her and took her furry face between her hands. “Mistress Isolaund was protecting you. She wanted you to be safe. Bad people are looking for you, so Mistress Isolaund asked me to take care of you until it’s safe for you to return.” She knew that day would never come, but the cub was clearly upset and frightened already.

Torrin translated.

It took the cub a few minutes to absorb what she’d been told, then she asked, How long?

“I don’t know, sweetheart. But you’re safe here. We won’t let anything bad happen to you.”

Bad already happen. Wenny alone. Apparently finished with the conversation, the cub lay down and rested her chin on her paws.

Sara sighed. She didn’t know how karrons behaved in the wild, but she was pretty sure Wenny had been surrounded by other karrons her entire life. Well, there was nothing she could do about Wenny’s loneliness right now. Heather had to take priority.

Shifting her gaze to Torrin, Sara asked, “How long would it take you to teach me how to speak Sarronti?”

He shrugged. “The technique is simple, but I have no idea how long it will take you to master it. Humans aren’t used to manipulating energy.”

“Can we at least try?”

“Of course.” He took a step toward Sara, then paused and looked at Xorran. “I’ll try to talk her through it, but I might need to touch her again.”

“Understood,” Xorran grumbled, arms crossed over his chest. Wenny’s leash was still looped around his wrist though there was plenty of slack in the long synth-leather strap.

He had yet to act on his jealous instincts, so Sara let his attitude slide. She’d always steered clear of possessive men, found the characteristic often led to violence. Xorran was clearly possessive, yet he seemed focused on her safety rather than some deep-seated insecurity that he couldn’t trust her. She wanted to learn more about him before she decided if it was a problem or not.

Torrin stood in front of her, within reach, but his arms remained at his sides. “Let’s start with the basics. Could you feel it when I entered your mind?”

“Definitely.” Torrin felt like a force of nature. She couldn’t imagine anyone not realizing he was there.

“Good. Then follow with your mind. I’m going to lead you to the nanites.”

“Okay.” She sounded as uncertain as she felt. He might think this was simple, but it was surreal for her. He entered gradually. Not only could she sense his energy, she could sense the care with which he worked. The narrow stream wound and dipped, flowing like water, or blood. Then he stopped and tingles burst deep inside her mind.

“Can you feel that pulse?”

“Yes.” She closed her eyes, concentrated, tuning everything out but Torrin’s voice and the pulses of energy.

“I’m going to switch to Sarronti so you can feel the translator working. Memorize the sensations, the direction of the energy, the speed with which it flows.”

She nodded.

“Ignore my words. Focus on the nanites. Try to see them if you can.”

She pictured tiny fireworks, miniature bursts of silver and gold. He continued to speak, but she wasn’t listening. His energy meshed with hers, then drew her closer to the translator. He flowed through the microscopic circuitry, guiding her, teaching her. He demonstrated how the devise worked, and how she could control it. After she’d followed him through several rotations, he paused.

“Say ‘have a nice day’,” he coached.

“Have a nice day,” she said in English.

He captured the pulse and looped it through the translator. The phrase repeated in Sarronti. The words weren’t audible, yet she heard them clearly in her mind. “Lartice san esfarno.” Her eyes flew open as she spoke the words aloud, then gave a happy cry. “I did it.” She looked at her teacher, his stern expression curbing her enthusiasm. “Was that right?”

“You tell me, but try it without me this time.”

It was awkward and took much more concentration, but she finally heard the Sarronti phrase and repeated it aloud. “I was almost right. Have a nice day is lartice sin esf marono.”

“Much better.” Torrin finally smiled. “Now all it will take is practice. But remember practice doesn’t make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect, so check your accuracy until it becomes more natural.” He stepped back and motioned toward the cat. “Are you trying to tame the karron, and does the overlord know she’s here?”

“The overlord knows and the cub is the reason the elves let Sara go,” Torrin told him.

Confusion still clouded his gaze, but he didn’t ask for clarification. Instead, he turned to Sara and asked, “Did you need anything else?”

“No. You’ve been extremely helpful. Thanks again.”

He dipped his head with a faint smile, then departed.

* * *

XORRAN WATCHED THE assassin until the forest swallowed his tall form. He hated that Sara kept turning to Torrin for assistance. He wanted to provide for all her needs, and ensure she was happy. Being this focused on another person was so strange. He’d always been concerned about his fellow soldiers, and then the males under his command. This was different, infinitely more intense. He wanted Sara to trust him and turn to him whenever she needed anything. It was physically painful to stand aside and let another male assist her.

She knelt in front of Wenny and spoke in stilting Sarronti. The cat didn’t speak out loud, but apparently both Sara and Torrin were able to hear the cub’s thoughts. After numerous exchanges, Sara stood and brushed off her knees.

“I didn’t think humans were telepathic,” he grumbled. Was he really jealous of a cat?

“I’m not. This has never happened before.”

“Then how are you doing it?”

“I’m not doing anything,” she insisted. “Wenny must have created some sort of link.”

He accepted the explanation with a thoughtful nod. “Will she show us one of the entrances?”

Sara placed her index finger over her lips and shook her head. “We’ll be right back,” she told the cat, then led him from the enclosure. They walked well out of earshot before Sara stopped again. “She’s remarkably intelligent, but she’s also leery of us. I said one negative thing about Isolaund and Wenny’s responses became very guarded, almost hostile. She’s upset that she was sent away, and she is still loyal to ‘the master’.”

“Damn.”

“Oh, I haven’t given up,” she insisted. “I hate to trick her, but I don’t see any other way. We’ll pretend we received word from Isolaund that it’s safe for Wenny to return to the Underground. Then we’ll take her to the area of the forest where I emerged with Arrista. Hopefully, Wenny will get excited about going home and do the rest.”

“And I’ll pray she doesn’t rip us to shreds when she realizes she’s not going home and we tricked her.”

She stilled, concern filling her expressive eyes. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

He considered the options for a moment, then said, “Let’s check with Dr. Foran, see if he can give us some sort of fast-acting sedative to use if things get ugly.”

“That’s probably wise. If Wenny is anything like a human child, we could be in for a world-class tantrum.”

Sara looked back toward the enclosure. “Maybe I should stay with her while you go—”

“Not a chance. She’s safely confined and the construction site is teeming with workers. You’re not staying here without me.”

She smiled and color spread across her cheeks. “My striptease in front of the warlord was an exception not the rule.”

He returned her smile, warmed by the memory. She’d been fiercely protective last night, like a mother guarding her young. And seeing her calves and lower thighs simply made him eager to see the rest of her supple body. “I only have your word on that, now don’t I?” He moved closer, needing to touch her.

“My word should be good enough.” She lifted her chin and playfully glared at him. “I’ll never consider the claim of someone who doesn’t trust me.”

“Trust must be earned,” he said sternly, thoroughly enjoying their game. “And you’ve been very naughty.”

“Is that right?” Her brows arched and she placed her hands on his chest. “What’s your strategy for reforming my behavior?”

His heart leapt at her touch and desire stirred inside him, rapidly building to a demanding roar. “I could lock you in my cabin. That will keep you out of mischief.”

She grinned. “Thea and I caused all sorts of mischief when the overlord locked us inside a cabin.”

“His mistake was leaving you together.”

She laughed. “His mistake was leaving us unguarded.”

“A mistake I’ll be sure to avoid. In fact, the only way to ensure your appropriate behavior is if I guard you myself.”

Challenge arched her brows even more dramatically. “You think you can handle me?”

“I’d sure as hells like to try.” He leaned down and cupped her ass with both hands, easily lifting her off her feet.

She gasped, then laughed as she wrapped her legs around his hips. “I didn’t realize you were an exhibitionist.” She loosely circled his neck with her arms. “This should be fun.”

Her gaze locked with his and her smile never wavered, so the importance of her words took a moment to sink in. Exhibitionist? He wasn’t even sure what that meant. Then he looked to his left and groaned. The workers had all stopped and were watching them with lustful fascination. Did they honestly expect him to strip her naked and claim her right there in the grass? Well, if they hadn’t had an audience...

Instead, he squeezed her butt and nipped her jaw. “We better take this somewhere a little more private.”

“Why?” she whispered. “I’m not shy.”

Desire exploded through his body as he imagined her wild and uninhibited, so lost in passion that she didn’t care who was watching. She didn’t pull away as he lowered his head, so he sealed his mouth over hers and filled his lungs with her scent. Her lips parted beneath his and her tongue boldly sought out his. They kissed and kissed until his knees threatened to give out and he had no choice but to come up for air.

“Dr. Foran,” she panted, when he tried to capture her lips again.

“What about him?” Xorran supported her with one arm and fisted the back of her hair, slowly pulling her head back until their gazes locked.

“We need to go see if he has a sedative that will be safe to use on Wenny.” Her breath puffed across his lips and her legs still clung to his sides.

Gradually, the world came back into focus. Sara was right. They couldn’t do this right now. Heather was still in danger and Sara had no intention of resting until she knew her friend was safe. Accepting the inevitable, he reluctantly slid her down his body and set her feet on the ground. His aroused body protested loudly as he stepped back. “Shall we?” He swept his arm toward the path leading to the Wheel.

A collective groan erupted at the construction site, and Xorran remembered their audience.

Sara waved and blew them kisses, then called out, “Get back to work or I’ll sic my battle cat on you!”

Laughter rumbled through the workers, then they turned and resumed their tasks.

Xorran and Sara walked for a moment in silence. He fought for composure, but he wasn’t sure what occupied her mind. She seemed agitated though he couldn’t name the cause.

“Are you all right?” he finally asked as they neared the Wheel. “You seem distracted.”

She glanced at him, then stopped walking and met his gaze. “You’re not what I expected. My other suitors were very different from you.”

He searched her expression, trying to understand her emotions. She seemed controlled, even guarded right now. It was hard to believe this was the same woman who had kissed him so passionately a few minutes before. Of course, it hadn’t taken him long to figure out her sarcasm and humor were tools she used to keep anyone from getting too close. He’d only sensed her emotions a couple of times, and each had been while she was extremely upset. “Is that good or bad?”

“Good for you, and I haven’t decided for me.”

She sounded sincere, but her answer seemed needlessly vague. With everything that was going on, he was tempted to leave it alone, give her the space she appeared to need. Yet she’d stopped walking as she brought up the subject, so it was obviously important to her. “How am I different?”

She started to speak, then sighed and looked away. “I don’t know how to say this without insulting you.”

“Just say it. I’m pretty hard to offend.” Ordinarily, he wouldn’t give a damn what anyone thought about him. But Sara was no random female. He wanted her as his mate, which made her opinion of him crucial.

“You don’t seem as obsessed with all this as the others. You didn’t even care enough about finding a mate to see how many females you matched. That part really bugs me. Do you even want a mate, or do you feel obligated to court me because we’re compatible, and that’s what the Outcasts expect of you?”

He caught her wrist and drew her into the trees beside the path. “After last night, can you really doubt how much I want you?”

“I know you want to have sex with me. That’s not what I’m asking. Do you want to share your life with another person? Are you ready to commit to me for the rest of your life, never touch another female? Do you want children?”

He placed his hands on her shoulders, wishing they were alone instead of two steps away from a busy trail. “Most battle born soldiers don’t dare to dream of such things. They are unattainable to us. The rebellion changed that, gave us license to dream. But I’m...” He lowered his arms and shifted his gaze beyond her. “I’ve been at the mercy of others for so long that this still doesn’t feel quite real.”

She nodded and the tension melted from her shoulders. “I’ve been there. Actually, I’m still there.”

He met her gaze again and gently took her hand. “I don’t want to give you the wrong impression, Sara. This might have come out of nowhere for me, but I’m thrilled by the opportunity. And the answer to all of your questions is yes. Yes, I desperately want a mate. Yes, I’m more than ready to commit to you. And yes, I want as many children as you’re willing to give me.”

Her only response was a smile as she pulled him back onto the path. Soon they headed up the ramp leading to deck one of the Viper. The commons was unusually crowded and it was clear from the excited buzz of overlapping conversations that something important was about to happen.

Sara paused near one of the other females and asked, “What’s going on?”

The female, a rosy-cheeked blonde, responded, “There’s supposed to be some big announcement.”

All the ships were integrated now, so the overlord could easily send his signal to every display on all twelve ships. Humans seemed to band together whenever they faced uncertainty, so maybe this gathering was to be expected.

Their exchange seemed to be over, so he started across the room.

“Wait. I want to hear this,” she objected.

“If it’s important, the announcement will be transmitted throughout the Wheel. There’s no need to wait around.”

Her steps still dragged, but she continued walking.

They’d just reached deck two when the transmission began. The overlord’s face filled every surface capable of producing an image. Xorran stopped and faced the display inset in the corridor wall. Sara stood beside him, tense and silent.

Kage had styled his hair, creating a tall, stiff ridge down the center while leaving the sides bare. The effect was most dramatic when paired with his barbarian-inspired garments. Today, however, he wore a khaki uniform, just like everyone else.

“Gossip pisses me off,” he began without preamble. “Though peppered with elements of truth, it’s ever-changing and never accurate. So, I thought I’d take a minute and set the record straight. As you’ve likely heard, we are not alone on this planet. We’ve encountered a race of beings known as the Sarronti. We know they visited Earth, so it’s likely they’re responsible for your mythological elves. We know very little about them, but we’re actively working to learn more. For obvious reasons, they consider us a threat. It is not my intention to start a war. However, we will defend ourselves.” He went on to explain about the kidnapping and the captured elf, as well as most of what Sara had told him.

“Do you realize how much of this he knows because of me?” Sara whispered as the overlord rambled on.

Xorran looked at her and smiled. “I’m proud of you and so is the overlord. You showed remarkable bravery in the face of terrifying danger.”

She met his gaze for a moment before returning her attention to the display. “I wasn’t fishing for compliments. It still seems like a bad dream.”

He reached over and slipped his arm around her shoulders. “You’re safe now and we’ll get Heather back very soon.”

“One last thing,” the overlord was saying. “I’ve debated long and hard nabout this decision, but I feel it’s time.” He squared his already broad shoulders and import roughened his voice. “Any female who has interacted with at least three of her potential mates and still wishes to return to Earth will be allowed to leave. Retired General Kryton Lux has agreed to facilitate transportation. I fervently hope every one of you will decide to stay, but the decision is yours.”

The image blinked off, but Xorran just stood there. Was the overlord serious? Without the females this place was just another mercenary outpost. “Did you know about this?” he asked Sara.

She nodded. “Lily told me at lunch.”

The tension in her tone dropped a rock into the pit of his stomach. “Are you considering it? How many suitors did you refuse before you met me?”

“Four.”

“Then you qualify for this...ride home. Are you planning to leave?” His heart lodged so firmly in his throat that he barely got the words out.

She shook her head. “Not right now anyway.” A smile tugged at one corner of her mouth. “I can’t leave Wenny.”

“Is Wenny the only thing keeping you here?” If she wasn’t serious about this, he’d rather know now. It wouldn’t make her rejection any easier to bear, but at least it would be over quickly.

“I really like you, Xorran, and I didn’t think I would.” She took a deep breath and paused to lick her lips. “That’s why I’m being completely honest with you. Being kidnapped is making this decision much harder than it would have been on Earth. I love the idea of having a mate, and children are something I’ve always wanted. But I’m not sure I can sacrifice all the other people in my life so I can build a future with you.”

“You don’t have to choose one or the other,” he insisted. “I have access to spaceships. I can take you home to see your family. And the ban on off-world communications was to keep the battle born from finding out our location. If we’re not hiding anymore, I can arrange for you to speak with anyone you like. I’ll get clearance to make the call right now if that will make you happy.” He took a deep breath and backed off. He was starting to sound desperate and that wouldn’t help his cause. He had to earn her trust, not guilt her into feeling sorry for him.

“I won’t lie to you. I simply don’t know what I want right now.”

“I understand.” He cleared his throat and motioned down the corridor, but his heart was beating so fast he feared he’d pass out. “Main medical is that way.”

With a sigh, she fell in step beside him.

As usual, main medical was busy. It took several minutes before Dr. Foran was able to speak with them, so they waited in his tiny office. Not only was Dr. Foran responsible for overseeing the other clinics in the Wheel, he ran the transformation program, with a strong assist by Lily. Xorran didn’t know him well, but the doctor was surprisingly likeable, considering that he was a doctor.

“What a night,” Foran said as he joined them in the office. He sank into the seat near his access station. “Speak very slowly so this lasts as long as possible. I’m exhausted.” His hair was a lighter brown than a Rodyte’s, and his strange green-gold eyes looked almost human.

“We need a safe way to sedate a battle cat cub if and when we lose control of her,” Sara explained.

“How large is this cub?”

“Between fifteen and twenty pounds,” Sara said.

“It needs to be a dart or something similar,” Xorran warned. “If the cub goes off, it won’t be safe to be near her.”

“Understood.” He pinched the bridge of his nose, then rubbed his eyes. “I have several medications that are used on Earth’s big cats. I’ve never treated a karron before, but I’ve acquired quite a sampling of other animals from this planet and most are very similar to Earth’s fauna. Anything we try will be experimental. However, my primary choice is frequently used by veterinarians on multiple worlds because it’s tolerated well by a wide variety of animals.”

Sara looked at Xorran, concern clear in her gaze. “Maybe we should just—”

“We’re not even going to attempt this unless we have a way to interrupt a temper tantrum. She’s scared and still very young. That’s a dangerous combination.”

“I know, but he said experimental. I don’t want to do anything that could hurt her.”

Dr. Foran reached out and carefully patted her hand. “I’ll do everything in my power to minimize the risk, but I agree with Xorran. Karrons are predators. They’re unpredictable. You cannot expect them to behave well all the time.”

With a heavy sigh, Sara gave in. “I guess I don’t have a choice but to trust you. How long will it take to synthesize?”

“I have the drug in stock. The problem is delivery. Prisoners are sometimes darted, but I don’t think we have anything like that aboard any of the ships in the Wheel. Let me make some coms. If I can’t locate a dart gun, I’ll have my programmer print one.” Foran scratched his chin and sighed. “This could take some time.”

“Are you talking hours or days?” Xorran asked.

“Hopefully hours. Worst case scenario, tomorrow afternoon.”

“Thank you,” Sara said, though she was clearly disappointed with the outcome.

Dr. Foran just nodded, then returned to the chaos that was main medical.

“Two or three hours,” Xorran muttered as they left the clinic. “However will we kill that much time?” He looked at her and allowed desire to ignite in his gaze.

“Actually, I’m kind of hungry.” She batted her eyes in mock innocence.

He chuckled as he threaded his fingers through hers. “My thoughts exactly.”