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As I took long strides down the corridor, I realized that the little human had already gotten under my skin with her sass and verve.
She belonged to me and always had.
My destiny.
And no one was going to try to take her away from me and survive.
No one.
CHAPTER21
Sunny
“So, you’re a dragon, huh?” The purple creature remained with his tail swishing back and forth, studying me intently. “Did anyone ever tell you that you reminded them of Barney?” I might be the only human left alive, other than my parents, who had a clue who Barney was from a gazillion years before.
The sound of the creature’s huge tail wagging grated on my nerves. Thor was certainly curious about him, continually pacing around him. I’d seen the dragon’s huge canines. Did everyone in Zatan’s world have sharp teeth? I shuddered from the thought, easing my hand between my legs. Then I skirted around Zaz, heading for the door.
The squawking sound the beast made was shrill, a warning.
Or maybe the beast was issuing a threat.
“Don’t worry, Barney. The door isn’t opening. It would appear I’m not going anywhere. Why don’t you go feast on smaller creatures or whatever it is you do when not playing guard dog.”
Woof!
Thor’s bark was followed by one sounding exactly like my puppy’s by the dragon. I glared at the purple creature, shaking my head. “Very funny.” There was no recourse but to hang tight until the massive rough and tumble hunk returned. I rubbed my eyes. Exhaustion must be settling in if I was thinking of Zatan as anything other than my abductor.
My alluring abductor.
And what was all the hogwash about me being his queen? That was crazy. Why would he select me? My thoughts continued to roll back to the Tantian attack and to my father’s odd behavior. At this point, I wasn’t entirely certain what was the truth any longer. I closed my eyes briefly, suddenly remembering something my mother had told me about destiny many years before. I’d asked her what the word meant, and her reply had been flowery at first, which I’d grown accustomed to. But I would never forget the clearest portion of her answer.
“Destiny is a predetermined future that cannot be altered by space, time, or living creatures. It is set in motion the day someone is born, challenged often by those who believe they can conquer the fates. But they will always fail.”
She’d looked so forlorn, stroking the side of my face. Then she’d pulled me into a tight hug. I couldn’t stand what I was thinking: that my parents had known I’d be hand-picked by this Vektorian creature. Why hadn’t they told me? Why hadn’t they put something into place to keep it from happening? What if they’d ordained this? I had to stop thinking that way. Certainly, my father would use his power and influence to get me back. Right?
I heard a sound and turned around, sucking my breath when the door was opened, the soldier who’d walked with Zatan easing inside. “What are you doing here?”
He cocked his head as if I didn’t know he could speak the language.
“Don’t fuck with me. I’m not in the mood,” I told him. “You can understand me. Unless you’re releasing me, just get out.”
Amusement crossed his face. “I have come for the beast.”
“Zaz? Good. I don’t need a dragon watching my every move.”
“No, the… furry creature.”
I immediately walked closer to Thor, placing my hand around his collar. “If you touch him, I will kill you.” Thor finally sensed I was in discord, his growl deeper than normal.
“He’s to be checked. Nothing more.”
“Who the hell are you? What authority do you have?”
The creature seemed amused. He was similar to Zatan, although not as large or as rugged. However, there was kindness in his eyes, a reflection that drew me in immediately.
“I am Lieutenant Manta, also considered a friend of Commander Soltar.” He studied me intently, the amusement remaining. “I need to ensure that he is healthy and will not infect our creatures.”
I studied him for a few seconds, trying to decide if I could place any trust in him. His smile was genuine. “Then I will go with him.”
