Read Alien Lover (Zerconian Warriors Book 2) for Free Online Page B

care of them.”
    “I agree. It is a fault in her upbringing.” Okay, those warm, fuzzy feelings were fading. “And yet, it is a good trait for a female to have, is it not? To want to protect those they care about?”
    “Not to the extent that they risk themselves to protect them. A female should look to a warrior to protect her. Especially an Earther female. They are so fragile. It is the way it has always been on Zerconia.”
    “I dare you to tell Zoey she is weak. She believes she can take on the world. Her bravery and courage are admirable. If only she knew when to hold back and listen to me.”
    Why couldn’t he open up like this to her?
    “Zoey’s tutor has been sending me reports,” Dex said. “Her progress is slow.”
    “Zoey does not lack intelligence,” Koran defended her. Okay, so maybe she wouldn’t slip a laxative into his food. She’d been prepared to face the embarrassment of asking Thor for a laxative–or whatever it was they used to get rid of sticks stuck up stuffy male asses–just to let a little revenge on Koran. “Good sense, but not intelligence.”
    “I know,” Dex agreed. “But there are customs and duties she must learn as the Crown Princess and I worry that I ask too much of her.”
    Zoey stepped away, not wanting to hear any more of Dex’s doubts about her. She quickly moved past Jaxan, praying she wouldn’t bang into anything and give her presence away.
    “Milady? Didn’t you want to speak to the Crown Prince?” Jaxan asked as they stepped out into the corridor.
    Not right now. She didn’t want to give him more reason to doubt her. “Jaxan?”
    “Yes, milady?”
    “We were never there, understand?”
    “But, milady—”
    She swung around to glare at him. “We were never there. Promise me. Promise me you won’t say anything.”
    Looking as though he’d swallowed broken glass, Jaxan nodded. “I promise.”
    “Good. Let’s go get Boris and find him somewhere to sleep tonight. I’m tired.”
    Although she wasn’t certain that sleep would come easily tonight.
    She’d just have to pull on her big girl panties—figuratively speaking since she didn’t wear panties anymore— and deal with that old bat of a tutor and her pointless lessons.
    She could do this. She had to.
     
    “Did you hear something?” Koran asked.
    “What? No.” But then, Dex wasn’t at his best right now.
    He was used to operating on little sleep and food, under stressful situations. But right now he was distracted and unfocused.
    Perhaps it was because the mating bond was only half-formed. It added an uncertainty to his relationship with Zoey.
    He needed to concentrate on recovering his warriors, but in the back of his mind was Zoey. All the time. Worry over her. Wondering if she was well. If she needed him.
    If the bond had been firmly in place, he could have used it to reassure himself. He would have been able to sense her emotions. But he was operating blind. He forced himself to put his thoughts about his mate aside.
    “We need to discuss our rescue plan.”

Chapter Four
     
    Zoey walked into medical, head down, shoulders hunched.
    “Zoey, look out!”
    Her shin hit something hard and she went flying forward, landing heavily on the floor.
    “Zoey! Are you all right?”
    Thor rushed over and picked her up by the waist, setting her on a bed. “Where does it hurt?”
    “Ow, where do you think?” she snapped, holding her bruised shin with both hands. She glared down at the wide metal box she’d tripped over. “Why is that in the middle of the floor?”
    “It’s not,” Thor replied patiently, moving her hands away from her leg. “You were not paying attention to where you walked.”
    “Whatever. Let me down. I’m fine.” She sniffled, trying to hold back her tears.
    “I must scan your leg.”
    “It’s just bruised. I promise. Let me down.” She scooted forward, but he held her by the shoulders, staring down into her face.
    “Zoey—”
    “I just tripped. No biggie. Let