Chapter Ten
One Month Later, Zelthrane-3
Suki stretched and reached for Tark, but his side of the bed was empty. She should have known he was gone, since she hadn’t woken up wrapped in his arms. Light filtered through the window and she rolled out of bed. Padding across the room, she peered out at the world around her. The suite they’d taken as their home was spacious, and Malin had been correct, it had an incredible view. She could see most of the city.
It had originally belonged to one of the scientists who now lived on Earth. The entire floor was theirs, and the space had been renovated to accommodate a large family. If they had more than one child, they would have plenty of bedrooms. Even though Suki had been skeptical about coming here, she had to admit that she loved her new home. Not just the penthouse, but the city itself. She hadn’t seen so many humans in a long time, at least not walking around freely.
While Suki still preferred to keep to herself for the most part, she’d made a few friends. The Chief Councilor’s mate was really sweet, and Suki found it amazing that the woman didn’t allow her lack of hearing to keep her from doing whatever she wanted. She’d been attempting to learn sign language so she could communicate with Charlotte and Borgoz’s daughter, Arabella. Jacie had become a good friend as well, even though she stayed busy with her four children.
Suki washed and dressed. Pulling her hair back into a braid, she tied off the end and slipped on her shoes. A gorgeous day was too hard to pass up, especially for someone who had been locked up for so many years. As she exited the building, Suki closed her eyes and smiled, lifting her face to the suns. A warm breeze teased her hair and brought a sweet scent with it.
“Suki!”
She opened her eyes and smiled wider when she saw Jennifer and young Wareck heading toward her. She’d met Jennifer and Siril on her first day on Zelthrane-3, along with the other council members. It had surprised her to learn that Siril, a member of the council, was blind. She hadn’t wanted to pry, but she’d been curious how it happened. During lunch with Jennifer one day, the woman had noticed Suki watching Siril and she’d explained that the councilman had lost his sight during a battle. He’d once been a revered warrior among his people and feared across the galaxies.
“Morning, Jennifer!” She waved. “And how are you today, Wareck?”
The little boy shyly looked up at her and smiled.
“We were going to the diner for breakfast and thought we’d see if you wanted to join us,” Jennifer said. “Tark is with the council. I heard he left before you woke and thought you might be lonely.”
“It was sweet of you to come by,” Suki said.
“You keep to yourself too much. I promise we don’t bite. Besides, there’s someone I want you to meet.”
Suki tried to contain her sigh. She knew Jennifer meant well, but sometimes being around so many people was a little overwhelming. Nodding, she fell in step next to her new friend.
The city was busy, but despite the ever-growing population, they didn’t have issues like pollution, or litter. Terran Prime was the cleanest city Suki had ever seen, considering all the things around to do, and the vehicles that hovered over the city as they zipped from one place to another. Most of those in the city proper walked everywhere they went. Suki didn’t mind. She liked to stretch her legs and enjoy the fresh air. Despite the greenery on the planet, it seemed to seldom rain.
Suki followed Jennifer and Wareck into the diner. A scarred warrior sat at a table with a woman who appeared to be just as damaged physically, and a very cute little girl sat beside her. The girl colored on a piece of paper and didn’t even look up, but the way her head was tilted, Suki could see how beautiful she was.
“Beren. Rena. This is Suki. She’s mated to one of the cyborgs assisting the council,” Jennifer said.
“Hi,” Suki said.
“I thought you might like to meet Rena, since she was also a slave,” Jennifer said.
Suki was in the process of sitting and the shocking statement made her land hard on the bench seat. “What?”
Rena nodded. “My scars are from my old master. But Ryx came to make a trade and ended up taking me back to his ship, where I met Beren.”
Suki glanced at the little girl and Wareck, knowing better than to ask the question on the tip of her tongue.Were you a whore too?Not that it was something she should ask anyway. Some things were better kept to herself.
“Tark, my mate, found me at a…” Her gaze shifted to the kids again. “A trading post.”
Rena gave her a sympathetic smile and Suki knew she understood.
“While a lot of the mates here came through the Bridal program, you’d be surprised how many didn’t. Most weren’t in our situation,” Rena said, “but they suffered in their own way.”
“I thought you and Rena might have enough in common that maybe you could be close friends,” Jennifer said. “I know that being in a strange place can be unsettling, and your mate is very busy. You aren’t alone here, Suki. You can visit with any of the mates anytime. We welcome drop-ins.”
Rena nodded. “Definitely.”
Were they right? Had she been hiding herself away too much? Suki had thought she was just overwhelmed, but maybe it was something more. Maybe she was just scared. Earth had been her home nearly all her life, and after that had been a nightmare. She hadn’t been on Xpashta long enough to really call it her home, and while Zelthrane-3 was nice, it was almost too much at times.
“I guess I have been hiding,” she admitted. “I’m not sure I remember how to act around people. I haven’t had a friend in so long.”
Jennifer reached out and placed her hand over Suki’s. “Just be yourself. None of us bite. I was a single mom on Earth until Siril brought me here. Rena was sold when she was just a kid. Charlotte was given to Borgoz as part of a contract with a powerful politician on Earth. She was miserable before Borgoz fell in love with her. We all support one another. You don’t have to be alone, Suki.”
