Page 29 of The Dalgur’s Pet

She had considered it, of course, deep in the back of her mind, when things weren’t going well. He had been obsessed with his nieces and nephews and she couldn’t help but wonder if some of the exaggerated antics were for her benefit, to remind her of what they were missing out on.

“Is it common for humans to remove their wombs?”

His eyes were on her now, his look so sincere she didn’t try to stop herself from answering.

“It’s not uncommon, no, but often it’s for a medical reason, to remove a disease or reduce symptoms. I had a difficult time finding a doctor willing to do the surgery. They all said I should just deal with my pain, that I’d change my mind about not wanting children.”

Vrix nodded, his gaze returning to the window.

“It is difficult for me to understand. I feel the imperative to reproduce so strongly it hurts sometimes. Though, that is minor compared to how I feel about Thase…”

He squeezed her hand, and for a moment, she wondered if there were unsaid words that he wanted to add.

How I feel about you.

Without warning, he pulled her into a hug, his chin fitting snugly on the top of her head, as if they were made for each other.

“What I do know is that your former partner is a fool for letting you go. If we were returning to Earth, I would find him and tear his limbs from his body. I would enjoy making him scream for how he hurt you.”

Giselle swallowed hard, tears welling in her eyes despite the ferocity of his words. Promises she had no doubt he’d act upon if he had half a chance. Her heart swelled, trying to believe the truth in his statement.

Anthony was a fool.

She wrapped her arms around Vrix’s waist, soaking in the comfort. And it felt real, not the fabricated peace that encompassed her when he touched her with his tentacles.

His voice was a whisper in her ear.

“But we will care for you, treasure you. Our perfect little pet.”

A tear spilled down her cheek and she sniffled hard, trying to stop the floodgates from opening. She pushed out of his grasp, looking him in the eye.

“If you mean what you say, then don’t force me to have surgery. Please. I’ll go with you. I’ll be good, I promise. I’ll do whatever you want, but please don’t try to reconstruct my womb.”

Vrix’s eyes widened, a look of horror crossing his face.

“Did you not enjoy the way we filled you before?”

She considered it, choosing her words carefully.

“I did, in a way. But it also hurt me. Not physically, but emotionally. I don’t want children, whether they’re human or Dalgur. I want to have at least some control over my body. Please don’t make me do it.”

Giselle’s voice was trembling, her body quivering in his arms, and he nodded, his face clouded with concern.

“I will speak with Thase. If you truly are so opposed to hosting our broods, I suppose we can be content with using you for pleasure.”

A statement that should have been frightening, but instead lit a beacon of hope. She was eager enough to be used by them again, the hazy memory of Umuna filling her chest with lightness.

Earth was slipping through her fingers, but perhaps that wasn’t such a bad thing.

As long as she wouldn’t be host to some horrid brood, she could find happiness in being used as a doll, a plaything for two overeager aliens.

She could survive.

Vrix dragged her to him again, squeezing her tightly, refusing to let go.

CHAPTER 9

GISELLE STARED AT THE blinking lights of the cockpit, one of Thase’s arms wrapped around her waist as he pointed out the different functions.