Zahin's Intended (Sukaraian Warriors Book 1) (6 page)

Zahin

     Eliana and I walked to the bridge.  She seemed to be in good spirits today, and after last night with Dar, I was happy about that.  When we entered, Dar came over and was giving me an update.  Prince Pakhi was onboard and headed to the bridge.  As Dar was talking to me, Tula walked up.  I hadn’t seen her in several moon cycles.  Since the first night Eliana was on board.  I had told her to leave that night, and I’m glad there was no hard feelings.  She’s a good Navigations officer.  I introduced her to Eliana and before very much could be said, Prince Pakhi walked up.  I never got a chance to introduce her to him as she left to go back to her quarters.  She was looking especially pale.

“Prince Pakhi, it’s nice to see you again.  I just wish it was under better circumstances.”   We clasped arms in greeting.

“You as well my friend.  We appreciate your assistance.  My crew is working on the ship but I’m afraid we would be vulnerable until it’s fixed.”

“We’re glad to offer any assistance you need.  I know you would do the same for us.”  I replied.

   After meeting with Prince Pakhi for several hours, I left my ready room.  I was hungry and kept thinking about Eliana.  As I was leaving Tula came up beside me. 

“Let’s get something to eat Zahin, I’m starved.” 

“I think I should check on Eliana first.”

“You can do that later Zahin.  I know you’re very hungry after all of those meetings.”  I had to agree with her, I was starved.

“Very well.”  I headed to the Galley with Tula beside me.

We got in line for our food, then found some seats.  It had been a long day and I was anxious to see Eliana.  The only reason I came here first was because I missed second meal, and it was past the time Eliana would have eaten.  My mind kept turning to her today, as it does every time I’m away from her.  I knew I was falling for her, but after last night I knew I was falling hard.  I’ve never been in love before so I’m not sure if that was what’s happening now, but I know I want to spend all my time with her.  The one thing I was worried about was what mother and father would think of her.  Would they be supportive, or would they expect me to take a Sukaraian female for an
Ardhangini? 
Maybe this was why I’d held off on telling my family about her.

“Zahin, what’s going on with you?”  Tula asked.

“Nothing is going on. Why do you ask?”

“I haven’t seen much of you lately.  That is unusual because we have a great time when we have sex.  Dar has been tight lipped about your whereabouts, and then you show up on the bridge with a female unlike anything I have ever seen before.  So, what’s going on?”  She looked at me and I could tell she was worried, and maybe a little hurt.  I’m not sure if it’s because I once confided in her, as Dar and I spent a lot of time with her, or because I hadn’t sought her out.

     “We rescued Eliana from Ketu.  She had been kidnapped by the Agrarians and was being sold as a slave.  I have been with her every night Tula and I have developed feelings for her.  I’m sorry if this upsets you, but I’m glad you have had Dar to ease you.”  I looked at Tula. Hurt, then anger filled her eyes.

“You have been with
that
?”  She whisper yelled.

“Watch your tone Tula.”  I said in a low deadly voice.  “I am still Prince, and you will NOT talk about Eliana that way.”  Surprise passed over her face.  I rarely talked to anyone like that, and have never talked to her that way.

“Are you thinking of taken
her
as your
Ardhangini
?”

“Maybe”

“And what does King Yayin think of this?”  She smirked.

“Who I take as an
Ardhangini
is my business.”  My eyes and voice was filled with anger.  I stood to leave.  I needed to see Eliana. 

Eliana

Chapter 13

     I spent all day in my quarters.  I couldn’t stop thinking about Zahin and Tula.  She spoke to him like she had slept with him recently.  My stomach was upset and I felt physically ill.  This could not be happening again.  The only other man I had been with was Steven.  We had dated for eight months and had even talked about marriage.  I was upset when I found him with Stacey.  I felt betrayed by both him and my friend.  I not sure what bothered me the most, the fact that Steven slept with Stacey, or that Stacey slept with Steven when she was supposed to be my best friend.   I thought I loved Steven, but I didn’t feel nearly as bad as I do right now.  I have only known Zahin a short time, but I’m already head over heels in love.  “Oh this is ridiculous! I’m going to get out of here and get something to eat.”  I got dressed and combed my hair.  I didn’t have any makeup so I pinched my cheeks to get color back in them.  This was the best I could do.  I headed out toward the Galley.  As I turned the corner, my heart almost stopped.  I could see Zahin and Tula walking away from me also heading to the Galley.  I know that I should have made my presence known, but for some reason I just couldn’t.   I watched them enter and find seats after they got their food.  I couldn’t watch anymore, so I headed back to my quarters.  Not long later, my door chimed. 

“Enter.”  I called out, and Zahin came walking in.  He looked amazing with his black pants on.  They were tight with pockets up each pant leg.  He had a red form fitting sleeveless shirt on and was wearing black combat boots.  His hair was tied back at his nape, and his eyes were blazing as he took me in.  I wish I could feel the same, but all I could feel was…betrayal.  I needed to find out.  He crossed the room and put his arms around me.  I hugged him back lightly and then stepped back.

“What’s wrong Eliana?”  “I could see the confusion in his eyes.

“I need to ask you a few questions.  Is that Ok?”

“Of course it’s ok.  What do you wish to know?”

“Is Tula your lover?”

“No.  Why would you ask that?” 

“She called you lover earlier on the bridge.  She was rubbing you on the chest and arms.  She even eluded to the fact that you two were having sex.”   I watched him closely.  I was looking for any signs he was being dishonest.

“Tula is not my lover, although I have bed her in the past.  I didn’t even notice that she had her hands on me.  I’m sorry if that upset you.”  He had a bad feeling about this.  Sukaraian females never cared if a male was with other females.  This obviously wasn’t the case with his little human.  I looked him straight in the eyes and asked the question I needed to know the most.

“Have you had sex with her since I’ve been on this ship?”  I stood there trembling.  This is the answer I needed most.  He visibly swallowed.

“Yes.”  He slowly said.  I closed my eyes, but it didn’t prevent the tears from falling down my cheeks.  He reached his hand out to grab mine, but I stepped back.

“Eliana, please let me explain.”  But I couldn’t.  Not tonight.

“Zahin, I have a headache and I can’t talk about this tonight.  Please leave and I will talk to you later.”  Tears were still falling down my face.  He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them and nodded to me.  He turned and left without another word.

Zahin

     I turned and walked out of Eliana’s quarters.  My heart felt like it was breaking, and right now I had no idea what to do about it.  I needed a drink, and I needed to talk to Dar.  I headed down the corridor toward his room.  I really hoped he was there.  When I got there, I let myself in.  I walked in and found him and Tula having sex.  I stood there a watched them for a few minutes.  It was a scene I was familiar with.  When Tula saw me, she grinned.

“Are you joining us Zahin?”  Tula asked.

“No.”  Came my immediately reply.  “I just came to talk to Dar, but I can see he’s busy.  I’ll come back later.”  I turned to leave, but Dar’s words stopped me.

“Zahin, wait for me in the other room, I’ll be there in a moment.”  Dar said.  I nodded and left.

I heard Dar shout his release, then a few minutes later he entered.  Tula walked in after Dar.

     “Thank you Tula, but you can leave now.”  Dar said.  Tula seemed like she wanted to stay, but she finally turned and walked out the door.  Dar was looking at me.  I was on my second glass of Barla and wasn’t planning on stopping anytime soon.

“What happened?”  Dar asked.

     “It’s Eliana.  Apparently this morning on the bridge, Tula called me lover.  She said Tula was rubbing on me, but I didn’t even notice.  When I went to see her tonight she asked me if I had bed Tula since she had been on board.  I told her I had because we had been together the first night Eliana was here.  She had a look of total devastation on her face and her eyes cried tears.  She wouldn’t let me explain.  She said she couldn’t talk about it tonight.  I don’t know what to do Dar.  It never even occurred to me that it would bother her if I was with another female even though I haven’t wanted to be with anyone but her.  Even that first night when I fucked Tula, all I could think about was Eliana.”

“Well shit!”  Dar said.

“Exactly.”  Zahin murmured.

     “I did notice that when she first appeared on the bridge with you, she was in a good mood.  I was glad she got over last night.  When Tula walked up to you, she went pale.  It wasn’t long after that she excused herself to her quarters.  I’m sorry Zahin, I didn’t realize it was because of Tula.”

     “It’s not your fault Dar.  I have never been around a female that was jealous of other females.  All the ones around me only want to be queen, they don’t care who or how many I bed.”   I thought I was going to be sick.

“What’s wrong Zahin?”  Dar was concerned.

     “What happens when we reach our home world Dar?  Raaka is in the palace and she fully expects to be queen.  I have three other females that I bed as well that are at the palace.  Oh Goddess!  What do I do?”  I asked.

“Well, who do you plan to take as your
Ardhangini
?

“Eliana.”  Zahin responded immediately.

“And if your father and mother don’t agree?”

“I don’t care anymore Dar.  I can’t live without Eliana.  I think I love her.”

“Then I’ll help you as much as I can with the females.”  Dar took a deep breath and blew it slowly out.

“What do I do about Eliana?”  I asked.

“Wait until morning, then go talk to her.”

We sat there half the night drinking Barla and talking.  I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway.  I couldn’t wait for morning to come.

   Several hours later, I was in front of Eliana’s door.  I was a prince, but I was nervous.  I prayed she gave me a chance to explain.

Eliana

Chapter 14

     I couldn’t sleep.  Not only did I feel like shit, I looked like shit.  My eyes were bloodshot, my nose was red and runny, and my skin was still pale.  I was a mess.  I thought of Zahin all night.  Maybe I should have talked to him last night.  I don’t know why I thought I’d be able to handle it better today.  I was just as emotional this morning.  My door chimed.  I had just brushed my teeth but I hadn’t combed my hair yet, I really didn’t care though, “Enter.”  I said.  Zahin entered the room.  I took a good look at him.  For the first time I felt hopeful.  He looked just as bad as I did.

     “Eliana, can I please explain?  I will answer any questions you have, but I have to tell you what happened.”  He was so hopeful, and scared.  I could tell he expected me to make him leave.

“Ok.”  I said.

     “Ok?  Ok.”  He took a deep breath.  “When I saw you at the market, I thought you were the most beautiful creature I had ever seen.  Even with your bruises.  Your eyes were what caught my attention.  They shined like jewels.  I had never seen blue eyes before.  Actually I had never seen blonde hair before either.”  He smiled at me. “You were scared of me when we arrived here, and while I was waiting for my translator to update, I took you to your quarters.  It was after that when Tula came to my ready room.  She asked if Dar and I would join her that night for sex.  I didn’t commit.  I told her that if I could, I would be there.  It was hard to even tell her that because I had already seen you.  After the healer came to visit, you fell asleep.  I went back to my quarters and Dar was there fucking Tula.  I joined them.  When Dar released into her he was done.  He had already been at it for a while.  We called Justyn to join us because that’s the way Tula likes it.  I know you don’t want to hear this, but all I could think about was you while I was with her.   I haven’t been with anyone except you since then.  I hadn’t even seen Tula until yesterday.”  He took my hand, and I let him.  I didn’t pull back.  “Eliana, even when the males of my species take an
Ardhangini
it is still Ok for them to bed other females.  That’s why I didn’t think anything about what she was doing. I can tell you that I don’t want anyone but you.  I will promise to be faithful to you if that’s what you need.”  He was looking into my eyes.  That was a lot to process.  I took my time to think about everything he had told me.  He slept with Tula before he knew me.  He hasn’t been with anyone since then except me.  But the big one is that the males sleep around even when married.

“You can be faithful?”  I whispered.

“Absolutely” He replied.

     “I need to tell you something Zahin.”  I could tell I had his attention.  “My society believes in one male and one female forever.  Not… I’ll get married and then fuck as many females as possible.  The moment you leave my bed for someone else, you’re gone.  I told you I had only had one boyfriend before I met you, but he cheated on me.  I will not put up with a cheater. 

“I understand Eliana.  I promise to be faithful to you.  I love you and have been miserable.  Please forgive me?”

“You love me?”  I whispered.

“Yes, I love you Eliana.  I was a miserable last night without you.  I kept Dar up all night.”  He smiled at me.

“I love you to Zahin.  That’s why I’ve been so upset.  If I didn’t love you then it wouldn’t matter.”  I had tears in my eyes.  He came forward and gathered me into his arms.  He now knew what he had been missing…love.

“I know I sound like a jealous girlfriend, but I want you to stay away from Tula.  I don’t want her touching you anymore.  I’ll kill her if she does!”  I was getting angry just thinking about her.

“If that will make you happy, then consider it done love.”  He could do that.  He thought of other males touching her, and he would kill them as well.