Stolen by the Zandian - Renee Rose Page 0,43

be irritation. “This is highly irregular and inappropriate.” He looks at Bayla then back at me. “You need to settle down, so we can proceed.”

“Doctor Daneth.” Khrys’ voice is firm and convincing. “You’re right; she’s angry at me, and she has every right. I’d like the chance, anyway, to explain things to her. Help her understand what’s at stake.” He meets the doctor’s gaze. “I don’t think she’ll be able to settle down until she feels safe and secure. I can help do that for her.”

Even though I’m angry beyond belief at Khrys, being near him still has an oddly calming effect. I’m relieved that he’s all right. When they took him from me, I was so terrified for him—

I take a deep breath.

The wristband on my arm beeps. One of the red lights has turned yellow. Another one starts to blink green.

“Interesting.” The doctor glances at my wrist. “It appears that being around you does seem to help her vitals improve.” He frowns.

Bayla steps closer and looks into my eyes. “Do you want to go with Captain Khrys right now, Kailani?”

I nod.

Bayla looks at the doctor. They seem to have a conversation without words. She tilts her head; he nods.

“All right.” The doctor crosses his arms. “You may leave the med bay for a short time.” He touches my wrist and looks at Khrys. “But if these turn red, you must bring her back for her own safety.”

I ignore him and promptly take Khrys’ hand back in mine. “Let’s go.” I’m moving to the door before Khrys. The moment we’re out of the lab, I start running. Khrys keeps my hand tight in his, keeping pace.

We’re in some kind of marble-floored building—more beautiful and expensive than any I’ve seen. Nothing like the kinds of medical buildings I’ve known before.

“This way.” Khrys tugs me down a corridor then out a door. We burst outside, and I draw up, blinking in the afternoon light.

“Where are we going?”

“Anywhere you want to go, little warrior,” Khrys says softly. “The waterfall. My domicile. Off-planet, somewhere. It’s up to you, just know that you won’t be going alone. Anywhere you go, I go. You’re my mate.”

I turn and face him, my eyes filling with tears. “Khrys, what’s happening?”

Guilt and regret wash over his face. “Let’s go to the waterfall, and I’ll tell you everything. I’m sorry, Kailani. I’m so vecking sorry. I never meant for things to happen this way.”

“What way?” One of my tears spills, hot and hurried, down my face.

He takes my face in his hands, thumbing away the moisture. “Come with me. Please? And I’ll tell you everything.”

I nod, another tear tracking down my face. Because what other choice do I have? It’s Khrys or that horrible med bay back there. Even if I want to kick Khrys in the nuts, I’d take him over a doctor any day.

I’d take him over any being.

“What about Whimmie?” I ask, remembering the only other being who seems to care for me right now.

Khrys pauses in surprise. “We’ll get her, too. All right? I may end up in the dungeons for this but…”

“But what?” I tip my face up to his, trying to figure it all out.

“You’re what’s important to me.”

Chapter 12

Khrys

I take Kailani’s hand and lead her to my hovercraft, which I fly to the clearing above the waterfall. I appear to be in luck—there are no other crafts parked in the area. We will have the waterfall to ourselves.

She eyes me nervously. I’ve lost her trust, and it won’t be easy to recover. She still seems to think I’m trying to trick her.

“Come on. You’re going to love this,” I promise, taking her hand and jogging with her toward the falls. She runs along beside me, picking up speed when she hears the sound of the crashing water.

We circle around where twin waterfalls cascade over zandian crystals, sending rainbow prisms in all directions. Kailani stops and gasps.

“Oh! It’s beautiful.”

I squeeze her hand, grateful when she doesn’t pull out of my grasp.

“The water is warm. One waterfall is hot, one is cold, so the pool below is the perfect temperature.” I strip off my clothes.

I know we need to talk, but I’d do anything to show her something nice right now. Something beautiful.

She nibbles her cheek, then strips out of her clothes, too.

“Do you know how to swim?”

She answers me by jumping into the water ahead of me. I smile and follow her in. She’s a fantastic swimmer, and she kicks straight toward the