"No," I say flatly. "My mate—my wife—is not a pet."
"Nassakth," Kim says, touching my hand. "We've come this far. It's all right. I promise." She pulls her head wrap down and shows me her smile. "This is just temporary. It doesn't reflect who we are any more than this does." She gestures at the decorative collar around her neck. "I trust you."
She is the best female, and I am not worthy of her. "I am not leaving you here unguarded."
"I'll stay," Kaspar offers. His grin is a little too quick, too bloodthirsty, and something about the way he scans the cantina tells me he's started his share of bar fights.
"Just protect her." I point a finger in his chest. "Do not leave her side." I glance at my mate, uneasy. I want to stay at her side and protect her. More than that, I want to get her away from here. I want to take her home and go back to our quiet life where I coax her into my arms.
Kim just unhooks the chain from my belt and wraps it around her wrist. "It's fine. I'll be here." She glances over at the human woman and a worried look crosses her face as she sits down. "Hi there," she says gently. "I'm Kim."
Bethiah moves toward me as I watch my mate. "Are we doing this or not?"
“We’re doing this,” I say, and reluctantly leave my mate behind.
65
KIM
Every plan's bound to have a few little kinks in it. I tell myself this is normal as my big, protective Nassakth disappears, leaving me in the “humans” room of the cantina. More like a storage closet, but it's not the worst treatment I've had, so it's fine. I'm glad Kaspar stays by the door, even if it's on the other side. He leaves it cracked so I can see his blue form as he watches the room and looks as if he desperately wants to be anywhere but here. Adiron said his brother loves an adventure, and I guess guarding humans isn't much of one.
Since I'm going to be here a few, I turn my attention to the woman seated at the table with me. "Hi there. I'm Kim."
She glances up at me, and her expression is one I remember well—hopelessness, sadness, and she looks as if the life has been beaten out of her. "Hi."
"What's your name?" I don't recognize her, not that I expect to, but it's oddly fascinating to see another human face in the space station.
She ducks her head again, her curly hair masking her expression. "Does it matter? No one calls me that anymore. My owner calls me Fat-face."
I grimace. "Mine used to call me Skinny Flanks." Not that mine are particularly skinny, but compared to his, I guess they were. "What's your human name?"
"Sophie."
"Hey there, Sophie." I can't help but notice her shock collar. "So…did your owner just buy you?" Her clothes are rich and her hair is clean, but that doesn't tell me much. Her dress is entirely see-through, which could mean she was just purchased, or her owner doesn't care if she's cold or not.
"Oh no. I'm just his favorite toy." Sophie gives a bitter little laugh and messes with one of the folds of her dress, picking at invisible threads. "He doesn't like to go anywhere without me. Shows me off to all his friends."
Ugh. Jerk. "I hate him already."
Her mouth tugs up in one corner, a reluctant almost-smile. "He's not the worst master I've had, but he's pretty close. How long have you been in captivity?"
"I was for five years, but I'm free now. I'm actually here with my husband."
Sophie looks stunned at my words. "Your husband? You married an alien?"
"A good one! I promise." I smile happily, thinking about Nassakth. "The best alien, really. He's very kind and generous and—"
"And he still makes you wear a collar?" Sophie clearly doesn't believe me.
I touch the band at my neck. "This was my idea, actually. I knew we were coming here and I suggested it. He wasn't happy but I also know what it's like for a human that isn't accompanied by anyone." I shrug. "So I'm putting up with it."
The look on her face is openly skeptical. It's clear she doesn't believe me about my “good” alien husband. I can't blame her. Maybe a year or two ago—or even a month or two ago—I'd have said the same thing. But Nassakth has taken his time with me. He's been