Free Tha-lah by Nena Duran

was how swift Pendo’rahns were despite their size.

Chapter Thirteen
     
    Reunion
     
    Rag’ mar was secured in the upper-level docks. The asteroid belt was huge with massive bridges connecting them. This particular area was more upscale than the one they’d left. Most businesses there catered to the rich and bored with expensive overindulgences.
    “What happened?” Groo’lat rushed to Tha-lah’s side, wrinkling his nose.
    “It was nothing.” Except for the part where she’d thrown up all over the prince. His expensive robes were now ruined.
    “Priestess, you forget I can sense everything you feel?”
    No, the deeper her fear, the angrier he became. His wrath wasn’t directed at her, but she was certain he’d kill anyone who’d cause her pain.
    “I had to carry the priestess to make a hasty retreat,” Xy explained, removing his soiled tunic. Of course he wasn’t wearing anything underneath in true Galadonian fashion. “She got a bit sick on the way.”
    “You touched her?”
    No one appeared to move a muscle, waiting to see what her lover would do. Touching a Pendo’rahn’s branded mate was an unforgivable offense.
    “There was a fight. Xy had to get me out fast.” A simple explanation wouldn’t be enough when he was so close to violence. She used their spiritual connection to make him understand. It worked. Groo’lat gathered her tenderly into his arms.
    “Explain.” Commander Dru-lah had been silent until now, but she saw the tension etched in the hard planes of his face. Tha-lah sensed every minute Mah’yanna spent in captivity was like a sharp knife through his heart.
    “Wait,” O’frahm exclaimed, entering the Rag’ mar followed by her father. She wanted to run and hide, but her mate kept her firmly in place. “You better sit down, priestess.”
    Tha-lah stared blankly into space after learning of her father’s relentless search over the past five years. Lies, everything had been lies from the beginning. He’d never sent her away, never indentured her as a surrogate. She’d been kidnaped by the consortium to force him into giving up control of the mines.
    Goddess of mercy. She sobbed. Was Mistress Dal’vyaa involved in the dealings as well? How could she ever forgive her?
    Heed my words, daughter, the goddess whispered. This path of bitterness and resentment can only lead to your soul’s total consumption. You can’t be my servant while carrying them inside. Open your heart, my child. It’s time to forget. You now possess a unique perspective no other wandering priestess has. Draw from that source, and become a healing instrument. I’ve given you a strong supporter as a mate, forever branded on your soul.
    “I’ve missed you, Ne-yii.” She rushed into her father’s loving arms, hugging him tightly. Ne-yii was the name a Trac’xian young female called her father. Tha-lah had never stopped calling him that even when she came of age.
    “Prince Xy, I’ll offer you all my fortune for the release of my daughter.”
    Poor Ne-yii had endured so much suffering. While she thought herself indentured, he was dealing with uncertainty. For her the possibility of going home kept her centered. Her father had roamed the galaxies like a puppet with hope as his only companion. The consortium was, in a sense, a worse enemy than the Kreeh-nosh. They used emotional blackmail to keep everyone in check.
    “What?” Xy looked horrified. “No, it won’t be necessary…” he blundered, pleadingly looking at her.
    “Surely you understand she was never meant to become a slave?” Ne-yii responded indignantly.
    “We understand, however, you have it all wrong.” O’frahm stepped in, handing the prince a clean robe.
    “Then why are you dressed like one?”
    Thank the goddess she’d covered up as soon as they’d returned. Having her father see her dressed like that had been humiliating.
    “Because we’re undercover, trying to find information about a kidnapped officer.” She saw no harm