Surrender (Intergalactic Loyalties 3) Read online

  “Do you need anything else?” the male inquired from the doorway.

  She turned to face him, leaning against the bathroom entrance. “No. Thank you,” she added as an afterthought. No reason to be completely rude to him. It wasn’t his fault she’d been dragged here. No, she laid that blame at Sol’s feet.

  “Actually,” she said, changing her mind, “could I speak to someone in charge? I’d like to return home.”

  His eyebrows rose. “Home?”

  “Yeah, you know, Earth? If it’s a money issue, I’m sure my brother would pay for my return. My family left us rather well-off.”

  The male shook his head. “You can forget returning home. Tarnan is your home now.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “No, Earth is my home and I want to go back. I know you can take me. Just fire up another ship and let’s go.”

  He folded his arms across his massive chest. “No. The sooner you realize you’re safer here, the happier you’ll be.”

  “Safer?” She snorted. “Yeah, because being abducted and brought here against my will is really safe.”

  He moved further into the room. “Our women are revered. There isn’t anything we wouldn’t do for them.” She opened her mouth and he held up a hand. “Except return them to their home planet. No one will ever harm you here. Can you say the same of your world? I’ve studied Earth and know that your males have a tendency to harm their females. Wouldn’t you prefer a world where no male would ever raise a hand to you?”

  “Not all our males are like that,” she mumbled. He had a point though. Earth males did leave a lot to be desired. She hadn’t had a decent date in nearly a year. And the last time she’d had sex, she’d thought the man was a bull rider. It seemed he’d stayed on for eight seconds and jumped off, leaving her feeling unsatisfied and used.

  “Just think about it,” he urged her. “You don’t have to decide right away. All we ask is that you spend time with some of us, get to know our people and our ways. You’ll see we’re not so terrible.”

  She wasn’t too sure about that, but hanging out with them would alleviate her boredom. She’d done a quick surveillance of the home and realized there were no books or magazines. Unlike Earth, this place didn’t have television. There was a screen on the wall, but she’d noticed the buttons beneath it and figured it was for communication. Since she had nothing in common with the other women, her life was going to be very dull.

  Chapter Three

  Several days later, Meghan was dipping her toes in a lake near the house when a shadow fell across her. Shading her eyes from the sunlight, she looked up at the tall warrior who had sneaked up on her. He was different from the others, his skin a light green. There had been whispers among the women that some of the Tarnans were hybrids and she figured he must be one of them. She supposed he was handsome, with his shaggy hair and golden eyes. As she took in his features, she noted the tense jaw and wondered what she’d done now. For the past several days, one warrior after another had berated her for something or other.

  “You shouldn’t be out here alone,” he finally said.

  “I’m within sight of the house.”

  “Yes, but what if a filar decided to come after you?”

  Her brow furrowed. “Filar? What the hell is that?”

  He seemed to search for the right words. “It’s similar to your crocodiles on earth. Very nasty tempered and they would think your Earth flesh was a delicacy. You wouldn’t know it was upon you until it had snapped its jaws around your ankle.”

  She looked at the tranquil water and eased her feet back onto the grassy shore. Who knew something so simple like wading through the water would be hazardous to her health? She’d only wanted to ease the ache in her feet. A vitril, similar to a draft horse, had stepped on her feet the other morning and they were still slightly bruised.

  He frowned down at her black and blue feet. “You’re accident prone, aren’t you?”

  “No. I just haven’t learned the ways of your world yet. How was I supposed to know that beast would stomp on my feet if I got close to it? It looked perfectly harmless standing in the field near the house.”

  “There are dangers on my world that you know nothing about. It would be best if you didn’t leave the house without an escort from this point forward.”

  “If all of you would quit denying my request to speak to whomever is in charge, then I’d be off this damn planet and none of you would have to worry about me again.”

  He shook his head. “You don’t seem to understand. Women, on Tarnan, are worth more than any gems, marks, or gold. There is nothing your Earth could offer us that we would accept. Is it really so bad, having men practically worship you? A warrior you took as your mate would do anything for you. He would die to protect you and would love you with his last breath. Is that such a horrible fate?”

  Perhaps not, but she still didn’t like being stuck in this strange place, with no one she knew. The other women weren’t friendly with her and she had no one to talk to. There was absolutely nothing for her to do around Tarnan and she was bored. When Meghan got bored, she tended to get into trouble. Not that she went looking for it; she just sort of stumbled upon it.

  “Come,” he said, holding out his hand. “I’ll take you back to the house.”

  “I don’t want to sit in that house all day! There’s nothing to do there!”

  She saw a flash of confusion in his eyes.

  “But you have the other women for company,” he said, as if that cured everything.

  “They don’t like me.”

  “Maybe it’s your sharp tongue they don’t like. I’ve met Earth women before -- several have made their homes here -- but I’ve never met one such as you. It is most unusual that Sol would pick up someone so prickly.”

  “So sorry for not bowing and scraping at your feet or kissing the ground you walk on just because one pirate took me from another. I didn’t ask for this life. I never asked to be taken from all that’s familiar to me, to be forced to choose a mate. Did you ever think that maybe I don’t want one?”

  Now he looked really confused. “Don’t all women wish to have homes of their own? A man to take care of them and children to play at their feet?”

  She snorted. “I took care of myself on my world. I worked hard to get where I was with my company, had a nice townhouse, a decent car. I had enough money to do whatever I wanted. Go to movies, buy books, and take vacations. Now my freedom has been stolen from me.”

  “You truly wish for freedom? To be on your own?”

  “Yes.”

  “Very well. I will speak with the Prime about finding you a job. You can earn a place to stay on our world. If you refuse to take a mate, we will not house you and pay for your needs. If you wish to be independent, you shall have it.”

  She swallowed hard. What had she done? She didn’t know anything about this place. How was she going to find a job if she didn’t understand how anything worked? If they weren’t going to house her, where would she live? How would she buy food? What if she was injured? Would she have to pay for a doctor?

  He reached down and gripped her arm, hauling her to her feet. Picking her shoes up from the ground, he began dragging her back toward the house. Meghan stumbled, trying to keep up with his long strides. She hadn’t meant to anger him, but she was just so lost in this world. She didn’t want to be a broodmare, but it seemed as if she’d had little option to do anything else. Now he was going to give her a chance to have a job, but she had to admit she was terrified.

  They reached the house and he shoved her toward the door. “Go inside. I’ll return within the hour to collect you. Make sure you have your possessions gathered and ready to go.”

  “I-I’m leaving today?”

  “Yes. You throw our hospitality in our faces. It’s time for you to learn what Tarnan is like for an unattached female who wishes to claim no warrior as her own. There will be some who might still try to convince you to choose them, but many will see you as an o
utcast.”

  “Then return me to my world,” she pleaded. “If I’m no good to you, ransom me.”

  “I’ll discuss it with the Prime.”

  Not giving her a chance to respond, he turned on his heel and stormed off.

  * * *

  Zayne approached the Prime’s office, anger surging through him. He’d never met such a rude, ungrateful woman in all his life. Not that he’d met many, but so far most had been sweet. This one though, she was every warrior’s nightmare. He supposed someone might wish to tame her, but he couldn’t imagine wanting to mate a woman who would constantly challenge him.

  The Prime’s assistant motioned for him to enter the office. He paused in the doorway, waiting to be acknowledged. The Prime looked up and smiled.

  “Zayne, what are you doing here?”

  “I need to discuss the new Earth woman. She refuses to choose a mate, to even consider one. I told her to prepare to leave the boarding house, as she would be relocated and would have to work for what she receives.”

  The Prime’s eyebrows both lifted. “Wasn’t that a little harsh?”

  “She whines, constantly, about returning to her world. Every day she’s demanded to see you about seeking a ransom for her, claiming her brother will purchase her freedom and safe return.”

  “If she’s that unhappy, maybe we should see about returning her to her world. So far, the women we’ve brought here seem happy with their lot in life. I believe the ones who are mated truly love their warriors, but perhaps this life isn’t for everyone. I know she annoys you, but I’m going to assign her to you until we figure this mess out.”

  Zayne shook his head. “I don’t need help.”

  “Zayne, you do wonderful work, designing our weapons, but I’ve seen your office. She can straighten the mess and make sure you have what you need. Surely she can manage that without getting into trouble.”

  “I have my doubts,” he mumbled.

  “I don’t have a home right now that she could move into. If she won’t be taking up a spot at the boarding house, she’ll have to stay in your guest quarters. Makes sense with her working for you, don’t you think?”

  No, he didn’t think that, but he wasn’t about to argue with the Prime. The man was being good-natured, but he could make Zayne’s life miserable if he so wished. You just didn’t piss off the leader of your world without paying a price. And Zayne was certain the price would be too high.

  “Very well, Prime. I will escort her to my residence and tell her of her fate. You will be contacting the Earth government though? To return her?”

  The Prime shook his head. “First, I will discover how she came to be with the pirates and who this brother of hers is. I have a few contacts familiar with Earth and their space program. Maybe someone has heard of him. Get me the name of her brother and find out how the pirates got their hands on her. After that, I’ll investigate and see where we go from there.” He sighed. “I can’t imagine anyone wanting to return to such a barbaric world.”

  “Neither can I.”

  The Prime dismissed him and he returned to the boarding house, hoping the woman was ready. He only hoped she didn’t make his life miserable during her stay. Zayne wasn’t sure the woman knew what gratitude was.

  When he reached the boarding house, she was sitting on the steps with a bundle of clothing in her lap. She looked scared, but that didn’t stop her from lifting her stubborn chin and giving him a defiant look as he approached. Everything about her said she was more trouble that she was worth. He didn’t care if women were scarce on Tarnan. If someone mated this Earth female, he would pity him.

  “Come.”

  She rose to her feet. “Where am I going?”

  “The Prime has decreed that you will work alongside me, and live in my home. Whether or not he decides to ransom you to your planet remains to be seen.”

  Zayne turned and began walking, assuming she would follow. If she didn’t, she could sit outside until he had a chance to come back for her. There was no way he was going to cater to this female. He had much better things to do to occupy his time. For one, he could be getting to know the others, see if one would make a good mate for him. He was tired of being alone. With a snort, he realized he wouldn’t be alone for a while. The woman occupying his home just wouldn’t be in his bed. He wasn’t sure he’d trust her during an intimate moment. With his luck, she’d stick a knife in him. She seemed to have no love for his kind.

  His home wasn’t far and they reached it within a matter of minutes. It was one of the larger homes on Tarnan and he was proud of his residence. What would the Earth woman think of it? He’d seen pictures of their homes, such a variety! Had she lived in a grand place? Or someplace small? He gave himself a mental shake. What did he care where she’d lived? She was an unwanted houseguest and nothing more. The sooner the Prime did his research, the sooner Zayne could get her out of his home.

  He entered the code and pushed the door open. Stepping across the threshold, he waited for her to enter before closing the door. He watched her, as she looked around, taking everything in. Zayne saw the wonder in her eyes, before she shuttered her expression. So she didn’t want him to know she found his home impressive? Something told him working with her would be a pain in the ass, an Earth phrase he’d found to be handy on more than one occasion.

  “I’ll show you to your room,” he said moving toward the stairs. He heard her soft tread behind him as he climbed to the second floor. Walking down the long hallway, he stopped at the last door on the right.

  “This will be your quarters while you’re here,” he said, pushing the door open.

  The woman entered the rather large bedroom, looking around. She set her bundle of clothing down on the bed before turning to face him.

  “Where’s your room?” she asked.

  “At the other end of the hall.”

  He’d made sure there was as much distance between them as possible. He saw the moment she realized it. Her eyes cooled and her jaw tightened, her lips thinned. Why she would want to be near him he didn’t understand. She’d shown nothing but disdain for any male since arriving on his planet. Zayne would have thought she’d appreciate being so far from his quarters.

  “I have work to do. I’ll leave you to get settled.”

  “You’re leaving me here?”

  Was that a flash of fear in her eyes? No, he must be mistaken. This female feared nothing. “My office is in my home. I’ll be downstairs if you need anything. Until then, make yourself at home.”

  Chapter Four

  After the warrior left, Meghan looked around the room once more. He had yet to tell her his name. Of course, she hadn’t given him hers either. As much as he rubbed her the wrong way, she’d have to give him a name to call her. He was probably referring to her as “that woman” in his head, much as she kept referring to him as “that warrior.”

  The room was spacious, bigger than any she’d ever had before. The floor was soft, but it wasn’t exactly carpeting. The boarding house had a stone floor, so this was a pleasant surprise. She imagined it would feel nice against her bare feet in the morning, or as she was climbing into bed at night. She’d been surprised that he’d put her so far from his room. If their roles were reversed, she’d want him close, not knowing what to expect of him.

  Maybe it was a good thing he stayed away. She still had nightmares about the pirates capturing her and killing the crew that had flown her shuttle. She’d terrified the other women the first night at the boarding house. After that, they’d avoided her. Thankfully, on board the ship, no one had paid her any attention. She’d wondered if the room had been soundproofed.

  There was something resembling a dresser on one wall and she opened the drawers, putting her clothes away. She only had the one pair of shoes so she didn’t have to worry about storing extras. Something told her she should be happy she had one pair. It wouldn’t surprise her to find out these aliens liked their women barefoot and keeping their homes clean.


  Although, she supposed the males had to be rather self-sufficient, since there were only a few other women on the planet. They had lost mothers, sisters, and daughters. It was sad really, and her heart ached for them; it really did, but she couldn’t allow their problems to become her problems. If she allowed herself, she could probably fall in love with a warrior easily enough. She’d watched them as they courted the other women in the boarding house. The males had been courteous, all smiles, and had often asked after the women’s well-being. As she’d silently observed them, part of her had yearned to be a part of it all, but she’d held back, knowing her place wasn’t on Tarnan but on Earth. She had to get home at all costs. Her brother was probably frantic by now!

  The warrior had said to make herself at home, so Meghan decided to do a little exploring. Leaving her room, she checked out the other closed doors along the hallway, stopping when she reached what had to be his room. The bed was even larger than hers; the décor was done in shades of gray and blue. It was a somber room, but tastefully done. She could easily see herself spending time in a room like this one.

  Closing the door, she went downstairs to check out the rest of the house. She found the kitchen easily enough, not that she really knew how anything worked. The other women had done the cooking at the boarding house. She’d never quite mastered the contraption that cooked their food. Meghan had tried, but she hadn’t been able to remember the correct sequence of buttons to push to get what she wanted. Maybe the warrior would take time to show her one again. If not, she supposed she would starve. Would he even notice she was gone if she rotted away up in her room?

  A bit more exploration and she discovered his office. The warrior sat behind a large desk, which was a complete and total wreck. There were papers stacked everywhere, on every available surface, even on the floor. He tapped away at a machine that she figured was similar to her laptop at home. After a moment, he noticed her presence and looked up.