Dzar-Ghan (Alien Barbarians of Vandruk #3)

4. Chapter 4

I hadn’t expected the gallis to look pleasant despite having noted Amber’s and Lexi’s beauty. Had Lexi not already been pursued by Bran-Vhul, Dzur-Khan’s First Blade, and another warrior, Dhor-Van, I might have claimed her for myself to speed things along. I could have. As a khadahr, I had the right to choose any gallis, even if she was mated. The gallis in question had the right to refuse, but it would have brought shame to her mate and her family.

I wasn’t that type of male, though. Despite the low pickings for a bride, I would never force a gallis like that. Nor did I have the time to challenge her other two suitors—whom I would have doubtlessly beaten, but I had a mission and a vow to fulfill.

How was I to know that the first gallis to walk through the red fog would be a scientist and not part of the brides? Something Amber had delighted in explaining to me as soon as I came to claim the gallis. Jenna , I thought, rolling her name over in my mind, trying to make it sound like Amber did. I didn’t want to offend her when I spoke it for the first time.

There was something intriguing about her, who, at our first meeting, had brought me to my knees. I wasn’t a clumsy person, but her bending over right when I was in midstride to meet her brought me down to the ground. She was so small and short that the top of her head barely reached my chest; I was afraid to hurt her when we collided. Her hair was a color I had never seen before, so blond, it was almost white. As bright as the sun high in the sky, but contrary to the sun, I could look at her hair without burning my eyes. It was long, falling down in waves all the way to her waist. I would have loved nothing more than to run my fingers through her strands to find out if they were as silken as they appeared.

She wasn’t very tall by human standards, barely reaching Amber’s chin, but she was well proportioned. Despite her shorter statue, her legs were long, and from what I could see of her ass underneath the unshapely gray uniform, it appealed to me. Full breasts stretched the material of her shirt, tempting me to pop a button or two to watch them spring free.

It was her face that captivated me the most, that and her skin tone. Her light blue eyes took in Vandruk with a keen interest that hinted at a strong intelligence. Red, luscious lips added to the color of her face, making her lips and eyes stand out the most, almost hiding the most adorable nose I had ever seen. It was so small and curved up at the tip, making me itch to tap my finger against it.

There was a fragility about her that made me stop and think. Maybe I should pick another , I pondered, thinking for the first time about the gallis I chose for a mate. So far, it had been an abstract idea, a means to attract more partners. Not once had I taken how my picking one would affect her and her life. Sa, I would take care of her and she would want for nothing, but I was preparing to go to war, which was not the best time for taking a khadahrshi.

My gaze moved over the rows and rows of arriving gallies, making me dizzy with their numbers. Even if they were human, they were a sight to behold.

Most of them were much taller than Jenna, more muscular, and more built to deal with a male like me. I was sure both Dzur-Khan and Amber would let me out of my vow gracefully, but a vow was a vow, I reminded myself stubbornly. It had nothing to do with the fact that I found Jenna intriguing and pleasing. Nothing.

“Tell her we need to go,” I told Amber, regretting that my English hadn’t improved yet. We only had a few days for Amber to teach me under Dzur-Khan’s ever-watchful eyes. He didn’t like me talking to his mate, a sentiment I understood and would have fully supported under normal circumstances. These weren’t normal circumstances, though, and Amber wasn’t like any gallies I had ever known. She was not only a force of nature but, from what Dzur-Khan had told me, a warrior in her own right. Strong enough to bring any Vandruk down.

“She will go with you. I promised her you won’t harm her.” Her eyes pierced me, shooting a warning I took to heart.

“I would never harm a gallis,” I vowed.

Amber added, “IC wants to find precious gems, minerals, gases, and resources to take them for themselves.”

I shrugged. Gems and minerals didn’t mean much to us. Other than pretty accessories, they weren’t of any value. Not like the meat and vegetation we ate and bones that could be shaped into tools and weapons. But I did understand her meaning. She had warned us before that the humans wouldn’t rest until they were the masters of Vandruk. Taking our resources was just the first step.

“Then it would be better I keep an eye on her,” I said, giving the little human gallis a once-over. “I will show her Vandruk on our way to the cave.”

“I thought you wanted a sort of reckoning with Bzun-Lhan,” Amber said, confused.

“The High Priest can wait. My warriors will have everything under control,” I assured her.

“We should send her back,” Dzur-Khan suggested, tipping his chin into Jenna’s direction as if it wasn’t clear already who he was talking about.

My fierce response surprised even me. “Nek.”

I amended, “I will keep an eye on her.” And for good measure, reminded them. “I made an oath.”

“I don’t think she will want to mate you,” Amber cautioned.

I rolled my shoulders, staring at the gallis in question, noticing her dilated pupils and the way she stared at me.

“Oh, she will.” I sent a smoldering grin at Jenna, liking how her nostrils flared and the way the little node by her throat bobbed as she swallowed. “Just tell her that I will take her to the cave but that I have to leave now.”

Even though I didn’t exactly understand what Amber told Jenna, or maybe because of it, I heard the reluctance in her voice. Jenna’s face, however, ignited, and I couldn’t help but stare. She was like a candle that had been just lit: bright, warm, and filled with happiness that enveloped anybody near her. My cold, dead heart awakened to the brightness of it; warmth flooded a chest that had been filled with ice for years. I didn’t like it. I didn’t like it one bit.

“Let’s go,” I emphasized more gruffly than I needed to, but damn, this gallis was getting under my skin already, and I had only known her for the breadths of two fingers’ time. If I wasn’t careful, I would develop feelings for her I could hardly afford right now.

It was that warm glow of emotions growing inside my chest that confused and drove me to keep my oath. I hadn’t felt it since Mynarra’s death. It was a reminder of feelings I was capable of having, and as much as it seemed a betrayal to my dead mate, it also comforted me in a strange way.