Free Thorn's Bondmate (Zarronian Warriors Book 2) by Mardi Maxwell Page A

you aren't going to like the answer to who helped her stay hidden."
    "Tell me his name."
    "It was Dane and Dev."
    Thorn wouldn't have been more shocked if he'd named Dag. It took him a few nano-units to gather his thoughts. "What did she tell you?"
    Aulunson told him how she'd gotten aboard and where she'd hidden and how she'd met his sons. "I think she's still hiding something but I couldn't get her to admit it."
    Thorn remained quiet throughout the entire story. "Anything else?"
    "Well, there is one other thing, Commander. I've interrogated a lot of prisoners, but never a female before. Something I'd rather not ever have to do again. I've had men crack long before she did." Aulunson's voice was full of awe. "I had to use the highest setting with her and even then it took a while before she confessed. She's very strong-willed."
    Every word from Aulunson's mouth pushed Thorn closer to the edge. He fisted his hands and forced himself to remain still when what he wanted to do was pound Aulunson into the floor then go to Daria. He nodded, buying a few moments of time while he reminded himself that what he was feeling was a result of the bonding. When he regained control he asked, "Where is she now?"
    "I returned her to her cell."
    "Anything else?"
    Aulunson shook his head.
    "You're dismissed."
    "Yes, Commander."
    After Aulunson left, Thorn paced the floor and cursed her. She'd used his sons. His protective instincts rose, building until he wanted to go to the brig and strangle her. He didn't for a moment blame Dane and Dev. Daria was as treacherous as Naline. In fact, she was worse. How had she persuaded them to help her? He thought about the questions his sons had asked him over the past seven cycles and knew they'd been asking them for her. Enraged, he stalked from his quarters and went to the brig.
    "Give me the controller for the prisoner," he ordered the guard.
    "Yes, Commander." Hastily, the guard handed it to him, then watched as he went to the prisoner's cell, deactivated the security beam and ordered her to follow him.
     
    # # #
     
    Daria remained where she was when he entered. She sat up on the side of the bed and stared at him. His face was dark with rage, and his eyes blazed with hatred. She saw his lips moving and heard his voice but was unable to comprehend what he was saying. Every nerve in her body was lit up and felt destroyed. Her muscles ached and twitched with pain.
    "Come with me. Now!"
    The words were roared and this time she understood him. She pushed herself to her feet and shuffled toward him.
    He placed his hand around her nape and guided her forward and out of the room.
    "Where are you taking me?" Her voice was hoarse from screaming at Aulunson. She cleared it and studied the floor of the elevator while she waited for his answer.
    "To your new quarters."
    "You're releasing me from the brig?" He ignored the question and escorted her out of the elevator and to the quarters next to his. Once inside she moved away from him and unable to continue standing she lowered herself onto one of the couches.
    Thorn moved to the other couch, stretched his long legs out and crossed them at the ankles before he folded his arms across his chest and stared at her. "How did you like having the bands used on you, Daria?"
    She shuddered and looked away from him for a moment then back, forcing herself to meet his eyes. "They're very effective."
    "Yes, they are." He pulled the controller from his vest pocket. "You're going to be confined to these quarters for the rest of the journey. During that time, you will earn your keep as my kourtisan."
    Daria tried to stand and failed. Instead she crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. "I most certainly will not!"
    "Yes, you will." Ruthlessly, he held up the controller silently threatening her with it.
    Tears of exhaustion and frustration filled her eyes. She couldn't go through that again. Angrily, she brushed the tears away. "Return me to the brig, Commander." On the