Entwined (Intergalactic Loyalties) Read Free

pink of the natural lantan stone, completely stain free. She was a little surprised when Bane pulled into the driveway of the plain home. But then, maybe she shouldn’t have been. He’d always seemed to appreciate the natural beauty of his world. It made sense that he wouldn’t want to tarnish that beauty when it came to his home.
    She stepped off the machine on shaky legs, grateful for the arm that came around her waist, as Bane led her to the front door. It was a pretty bronze color and had a small round window cut into the top of it. He pushed the door open, turned off the alarm and closed the door behind them.
    “I’ll have to show you how the alarm system works,” he said. “I want you to be able to come and go as you please.”
    She frowned. “I can’t roam around Keshpa without an escort.”
    “Maybe not the city, but you can venture into the front yard, enjoy the garden and small spring out back, and visit with the neighbors. I’m sure Lunara will want to meet you.”
    “Lunara?”
    “My friend Fel’s wife. She’s very sweet and welcoming. I would imagine she’ll stop by to meet you as soon as she knows you’re here.”
    Ariana shook her head. “I’m just a slave. I doubt she’ll want to waste her time on me.”
    “You’re not a waste of time. You’re precious to me and others will see your worth, as well. And no, I don’t mean how much someone paid for you. I mean your value as a person.”
    “One day at a time,” she said softly.
    “Come on, I’ll show you to our room. You can get settled in bed, and I’ll get the Furea.”
    “Furea?”
    “Hmm. It’s kind of like your iPads on Earth. It has games and reading material on it. As you know, we don’t watch television here so there are no videos or anything like that, but I thought it might help pass the time while you recover. And of course, you can use it anytime even after you’re better.”
    “I need to get my things from my apartment.”
    Bane shook his head. “Those aren’t your things. They belong to Arko and will go to his next slave. I’m afraid all you have is the dress you’re wearing right now, which is why I’m picking up two more stretchy garments like the one you’re wearing, until you can have some things made. I’ll have someone come to the house tomorrow to take your measurements and discuss fabrics and such with you. I don’t think you’re really up for it today.”
    “No, it sounds exhausting and the ride here was rather tiring. Lying down sounds lovely right now.”
    Bane lifted her into his arms. “Let’s get you upstairs and settled, then.”
    He took the stairs two at a time and ventured down a short hall. There were four doors on the hallway, and he went to the far left. The room was rather large with a bed that would make a king jealous. There was a large wardrobe and a chest on one wall, a small writing desk on another. Through an open door on the far wall, she saw gleaming tile and pretty blue walls. A large tub could be seen from where they stood, and she wondered if he had a separate shower. It was a luxurious master suite.
    Bracing her on his thigh, he jerked the covers back on the bed and settled her on the soft mattress. It was like sitting on a cloud. He fluffed the pillows behind her, then covered her legs with the thick blanket. At home, it would be called a comforter, but she had never learned the name for them on Keshpa. Arko hadn’t bothered teaching her his language since he had a translator in the apartment, but now she wanted to be able to talk to people on her own. Wouldn’t it be grand to be outside in the neighborhood, as Bane had mentioned, and be able to speak to the people she met? Bane had taken the time to study her language. It only seemed fair that she learn his, especially since she was living on his planet.
    “I want to learn Keshpan,” she said. “I don’t want to rely on a translator all the time.”
    He smiled. “I would be delighted to teach you. Actually,