Zahin's Intended (Sukaraian Warriors Book 1) Read online

  “Eliana, I need to ask you something. I know we have only known each other a few moon cycles, but I would like for you to be my Ardhangini. I love you and after last night I know I don’t ever want to be without you.” He looked at me expectantly. I could see the love shining in his solid chocolate brown eyes. Tears came to my eyes,

  “You mean like your wife?”

  “If wife means that we spend the rest of our lives together and you will have my young, then yes I would like for you to be my wife.” The tears that had been in my eyes slowly started to fall down my cheeks. I thought about all he had told me today. I was in outer space with no way to get back to Earth. He had been so good to me. He loved me and I loved him. As long as he was faithful to me it was an easy decision.

  “Yes, I will be your wife, or Ardhangini as long as you still promise to be faithful to me. Even if we have been together twenty years.” I said the last part with a stern voice so he would know that it was not up for negotiation. He laughed out loud as he pulled me to him for a big hug and kiss.

  “Of course. You have ruined me for all other females anyway.” He laughed again, and I could hear true happiness in his voice.

  “What do I have to do to be your wife? On Earth the man, or male and female exchange vows in a ceremony and they give each other rings to wear on their left hand. It is always worn on the third finger.” I pointed to my ring finger to show him which one it was.

  “On Sukara the female will be marked with a partial tattoo on the left forearm showing that she has promised to be his Ardhangini. When we decide the time is right, we will also make vows to each other. It is followed by a feast that is attended by family and friends. Shall we go to medical to have the mark placed?” He asked hopefully.

  “Will it hurt? What will it look like?” I asked.

  “No, it want hurt. Each one is different, and it depends on the family colors. My family colors are red and black, but I don’t know what your colors would be. What would you want them to be?” Hmm. I thought about it for a moment the decided on just blue.

  “I think I just want the color blue. When you look at pictures of my planet from space it looks blue. I guess that’s because it’s seventy five percent water.”

  “Ok, so it would be coils of red, black, and blue woven together. It would only go halfway around your arm. The day of the ceremony the band around your arm will be made a complete sphere.”

  “Do you wear one as well?” I asked. He was quiet for a moment then slowly shook his head.

  “The males do not normally wear the tattoos. The vows the male makes is to care for the female and his young. And that she is the only one that will ever bare his young.” He watched me closely. He knew me well enough by now to know that this would not go over well.

  “So, I am basically bound to you but you can do whatever the hell you want?” My lips were tight and he could tell I was getting angry.

  “I have promised to be faithful to you Eliana.”

  “I don’t care!” I fumed. “If I am going to be bound to you then I want everyone to know that you are bound to me as well!” My eyes were blazing.

  “This is the way it has always been Eliana.” He said slowly.

  “Well I’m not Sukaraian! If you will not wear a mark for me then I will not wear yours! I was in a relationship where I was faithful and he did whatever he wanted. I will not go through that again. I want all females to know that you are taken.” I said with steal in my voice.

  “What do you suggest?” He asked. He knew I was serious and he would have to meet me half way if he had any hope of me being his Ardhangini.

  “I want you to wear a coil of blue around your arm to show that you belong me. I also want your vows to include that you will be faithful to me as I will be faithful to you.” I hoped we would agree because I couldn’t go through with it if he didn’t. I might run into more females like Tula and I wanted them to all know that it was hands off!

  He thought about it. He was the Prince of Sukara, and would one day be King. Nobody would ever question his decision. He had promised these things anyway, all he had to do was accept the coil of blue around his forearm. She was from Earth, if that’s what she needed from him to feel comfortable, then he could do that. “Ok. Let’s go to medical, and then we’ll go eat.”

  Zahin

  Chapter 16

  We made our way down the corridor on our way to medical. Eliana had been on board for thirty moon cycles, and she still got many stares as we walked. I could see the lust in the other warrior’s eyes, but when they noticed that I was watching them, they quickly looked away. I was ecstatic that she had finally agreed to be my Ardhangini and I couldn’t wait to get her marked with my colors. The royal family was the only ones who could use black and red and nobody else on my planet used blue. As they entered medical I spotted Cadas on the other side of the room. We made our way toward him.

  “Cadas. Eliana has agreed to be my Ardhangini and you need to gather supplies and meet us in a private room. I need my colors placed to show that she is my intended. Her color is blue and of course you know mine.” I could tell that Cadas was stunned as he stood there staring and unmoving. “Now Cadas!” That got his attention. As we all entered the private room, Cadas hesitated.

  “Commander, are you sure about this? Is your father Ok with this?” Cadas asked.

  “Yes I’m sure. It is my decision Cadas and no one else’s. Do not question me again!” I said with anger flaring in my eyes.

  “Wait.” Eliana said as she turned toward me. “Will your family be Ok with you marrying me? I don’t want to cause any problems for you Zahin.” She was so sincere when she spoke. My anger disappeared and my eyes softened.

  “They will love you just as I do. My mother has been wanting me to take an Ardhangini for a while now but there was never anyone I wanted. Until now.” I gently kissed her and she smiled.

  “Ok then,” They both looked at Cadas and he was staring at us with his mouth open and eyes wide. He had never seen me speak tenderly to a female in front of anyone, let alone say that I loved her.

  “Cadas, we’re ready.” Cadas snapped his mouth shut and started gathering more supplies.

  When Cadas finished with her mark it was beautiful! The colors were woven together in such an intricate pattern. When Cadas was about to put his tools away, I stopped him. “Cadas, I need a coil of blue around my forearm as well.” Cadas was slacked jaw. Finally he found his voice.

  “Commander, you cannot...” Cadas started but I interrupted him.

  “I CAN AND I WILL! DO NOT FORGET WHO I AM!” I yelled. Cadas startled but quickly recovered. Everyone knew that I was fair, but not to cross me. Cadas went to work on my mark.

  Hand and hand we made our way down the corridor to the Galley. Eliana had a huge grin on her face as she looked up at me. I felt exactly the same way. We entered the Galley and got tour trays. Dar, Justyn, and Firth were sitting together so we made our way to them and sat down. All three males stared at Eliana. I knew they all wanted to bed her, they had told me so. I would put a stop to their thoughts.

  “Un hum.” They looked at me. “Eliana has agreed to be my Ardhangini.” They immediately looked at her left arm. They seemed to be speechless until Dar broke the silence.

  “Congratulations! I see you worked everything out.”

  “We did. Thank you Dar.” The other two males congratulated us as well. We talked for a while. Prince Pakhi’s ship would be done that moon cycle, and they would be heading back to Sukara. There would be a formal dinner tonight with Prince Zahin and Prince Pakhi. We finished eating and stood to leave. As we headed for the door Tula walked in.

  Eliana

  Chapter 17

  We were leaving when I spotted Tula. She saw Zahin and changed directions so she could intercept him. I already didn’t like her. Zahin was mine and he had the mark to prove it. She stopped in front of him.

  “Zahin I was wondering where you were.” She reached her hand out to touch his c
hest, but he stepped back. Smart male. Her eyes widened in surprise. I guess this is the first time that has happened.

  “Tula.” He acknowledged.

  “Zahin, I have missed you so much. It was great seeing you last night. Sex is not the same with just Dar.” She glanced at me hoping I would think he had fucked her last night. Zahin clenched his jaw. I could tell he was angry at what she said. I was a little worried since I sent him away last night, but he looked as bad as I did this morning so I doubt he went off and had a good time. I stood silent…for now.

  “Tula, you know I was there to talk to Dar. Do not make it more than it was.”

  “Please Zahin, you know you will get tired of the Earth female. When you do you know I will be right here waiting. I would make an excellent queen, and I would welcome others into our bedroom.” She looked at me. “Well, I welcome Sukaraians.” She reached for Zahin again.

  “Hands off bitch! He’s mine!” I said with vehemence in my voice. She looked startled that I had said anything. If she thinks I’ll sit by and let her do as she pleases with Zahin, she has another thing coming. I stepped between her and Zahin.

  “He is not yours. Sukaraian males belong somewhat to their Ardhangini, but not really.” She smirked. I wanted to knock that smirk off her face. I slowly raised my forearm as I grabbed his arm to raise it as well.

  “Well, I am is intended, and he is mine.” The smirk left her face and disbelief and hate crossed her face.

  “What is this? “ She looked to Zahin. “You marked her?” She went to grab his arm, but my hand shot out and stopped her. “You let her mark you? Are you kidding me? This…this Earth thing is to be queen?” She shrieked.

  “Tula.” Zahin said in the lowest, deadliest voice I had ever heard. “You have just insulted my intended. One more word against her and you will find yourself in a cell awaiting judgement.” She paled. By this time Dar, Justyn, and Firth were standing behind us offering silent support. Tula turned and left. I hadn’t missed that she kept saying I would be queen. This was another thing I needed to talk to him about. Seems he forgot to tell me a few things.

  Tula

  Chapter 18

  “He marked her! He marked HER! I can’t believe it. And not only that, he let her mark him! That means that he will be faithful to HER!” Tula mumbled as she left the Galley. She had been so close with Zahin and Dar all these planet cycles. Of course she had made sure she was always there and they thought she was a trusted friend. She had worked hard and all she wanted was to be queen. She just knew he would pick her. Now it was all ruined! All those years of hard work. She had always made sure she was in the right place. “If that Earth bitch thought she was just going to give up, she had another thing coming. I didn’t work this long to give up now.” She mumbled. She had to come up with a plan.

  Zahin

  Eliana and I made our way to my quarters. I noticed that she was quiet after the Tula encounter. I knew I had more explaining to do, and I was not looking forward to that. I knew Eliana had heard Tula call her queen and now I would have to explain that I was next in line. I knew how every other female would react, but not my Eliana. I smiled to myself. I liked that she was unpredictable. As we entered my quarters, she was the first to speak as she rounded on me.

  “Queen huh? Something you would like to tell me?” Her face was expressionless and I didn’t like that.

  “I’m sorry Eliana. I’m not sure why I didn’t tell you at first, but then I started having feelings for you. Every female I have been with only cares about status. They don’t really care about me. I wanted you to want me no matter who I was, then it didn’t matter who I was. I loved you and you said you loved me. Nothing else mattered at the time.” I looked at her and hoped she could see the honesty in my eyes.

  “Queen huh? Is this why Cadas asked about your father? Oh God your fathers the King? What if he doesn’t like me? What is your mother doesn’t like me? I think I’m going to be sick.” She ran to the cleansing room. I followed her there and held her hair while she emptied her stomach contents. When she finished she washed her face and rinsed her mouth. I took her hand and led her to the living quarters and sat her down.

  “Eliana, my family will love you as I do. It may take them a little time to adjust to the ideal of us because they have never met anyone like you. Instead of waiting, I would like to have the ceremony here on the ship. Madesh, our spiritual advisor can perform the ceremony. I want you to feel secure in us when we reach my planet.” I watched her reaction closely. Her head was swimming. She kept thinking ‘he was a prince and he wanted her. He would be King one day. Could she live with that? Oh God what would she do. Suddenly she realized what he said. Marry her now before we reach the planet. Surely if they were married his father couldn’t do anything about it.’

  “Zahin, if we complete the ceremony, can your father break it if he wants to?” She asked.

  “No, it’s for life Eliana.” She already knew she couldn’t live without him. If she went through with it then his father would have to accept it.

  “Ok, let’s have the ceremony.” My smile almost split my face. I immediately got on my comm unit to make arrangements for the following night. When I was finished, I carried her to bed and made love to her slowly.

  Later that evening we found our way to the commander’s private Galley. It was only used when important guest were on board. Tonight we met with Prince Pakhi and his high ranking crew. We discussed the recent attacks of the Agrarians and how bold they were becoming. It wasn’t like them at all. Prince Pakhi kept glancing at Eliana, but never said anything. It was a little disconcerting. When dinner was over, the Vimana would be heading for Sukara. We would reach our home planet in two moon cycles.

  Tula

  Chapter 19

  Zahin thinks he can have the joining ceremony on board and I will sit ideally by and do nothing, then he has another thing coming. He will not be joining her tonight. She giggled to herself. Tula made her way down the corridor. She had made sure that Zahin was tied up on the bridge as she made her way to his quarters. That bitch had moved in with him. She tried the code to his door. The light turned green and the door slid open. She knew he wouldn’t have thought to change it. He trusted her and Dar. She slipped in as silently as possible. As she made her way to his bedroom, she saw that the bitch was asleep on his bed. That should be her sleeping there, but he’d never even let her spend the night. As she made her way closer, she held out the syringe that was filled with Drenalphine. It would sedate her, but she would still follow commands. The Agrarians were waiting for her arrival. She silently walked to the bed. Eliana rolled over. Tula was just about to inject her when Eliana woke up. She started to scream, but Tula covered her mouth and jabbed the syringe in her neck. Her eyes glazed over and she became slack. After a few minutes, Tula told Eliana to get up. She had to help pull her up, but she tried. They slowly walked down to the emergency pods. Tula made sure to take the corridors not traveled much so they didn’t encounter anyone. When they reached the pods, Tula placed Eliana in one and programmed it to head for the Agrarian ship that was waiting. A tear ran down Eliana’s cheek as she could comprehend what was going on, she just couldn‘t do anything about it. Tula bent down so she was looking in Eliana’s eyes and said; “Don’t worry, I’ll be here to console him.” Then she laughed and ejected her into space.

  Zahin

  I was on the bridge getting updates and reports finished. “Commander, an emergency pod has just been launched.” Gadin said from his control panel.

  “On screen. Contact the E-Pod.” I ordered.

  “No response sir.” The Commander watched the E-Pod getting further away.

  “Do we know who is in the E-POD?”

  “No sir.” Ensign Gadin replied.

  “We need to know who is in that E-Pod Ensign Gadin. I want you to set a course to follow it and I want to know who is on it. Understood?

  “Yes Sir.” Ensign Gadin said.

  “Dar to the Bridge.” I
said into my comm.

  “On my way.” Dar entered a few moments later.

  “Dar, and E-Pod was launched. We are in pursuit. I can’t explain it, but I need to check on Eliana. Keep me advised of any changes.” I left the bridge.

  I made my way to my quarters. I had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. As I reached my quarters I slowly made my way in. I didn’t see anything out of place. Eliana was normally still sleeping at this time since she required more sleep than normal. I made my way to my room, but she was not there. My body filled with dread. I closed my eyes and dropped my head. I almost knew she was In the E-Pod, but why? She wouldn’t just leave me would she? As I opened my eyes, my head was still dropped and that’s when I spotted the syringe on the floor. I bent down and picked it up. As I looked at the syringe, understanding now what happened, I hurried out the door heading to medical.

  “CADAS! CADAS WHERE ARE YOU?” I roared. Cadas came running out of a room not sure what was happening.

  “Commander?”

  “Cadas, I need to know what was in this syringe.” I handed it to Cadas and we made our way to some type of machine. I had never learned anything about the medical equipment.

  “It’s Drenalphine Commander. I’m not sure how it’s possible because we keep it locked up here.” Cadas said. I knew exactly what Drenalphine was. Why was it used on Eliana? I needed answers and I would have them

  “Cadas, who has been in medical in the last twenty four moon cycles?” Cadas thought for a minute before answering

  “Justyn was here. So was Gannon, Saagar, Mitali, and Tula.” My head was swimming. Who knew losing someone could be so overwhelmingly devastating. About that time Tula walked in. She was all smiles.

  “Hello Zahin. How have you been?” I glanced at her.