Mika
It was unnerving to go from being certain I was going to die, to being coddled and cared for again.
I was also astonished Mazorium didn’t even get upset when he found out I’d left the medical bay under my own power.
He could’ve gotten angry and hurt me as punishment. I’d seen slaves beaten for much less.
Expecting the worst, I was braced for his anger, but he was nothing but gentle.
Then he came to the wrong conclusion about why I’d left the medical bay.
I was lucky he assumed I went looking for him, but still, his reaction was not what I expected.
When he kept assuring me he’d never let anyone hurt me, the tenuous control I had over my tears broke.
I hugged his neck and sobbed into his shoulder.
He never stopped purring or stroking my back.
I’d been so set on escaping, I hadn’t thought enough about the consequences.
Not that I could’ve anticipated running into Effik, but even if I hadn’t, what would I have done?
I couldn’t get work because I was registered as a possession.
No one on the station would’ve helped me.
A human wasn’t worth getting in trouble for.
Honestly, I was realizing that being bought by Mazorium might be the best thing that could’ve happened to me. Not that I was happy about being a slave, but things could've turned out so much worse.
I needed to face reality. Staying with Mazorium for now was the best plan, at least until Nadia was a little older and stronger. I didn’t want her to grow up in captivity, but if Mazorium hadn’t gotten to us when he did, she wouldn’t have gotten to grow up at all!
“We have some calming drugs,” one of the med techs said to Mazorium. “It might be best if we interrupt this behavior. If she keeps this up, she might make herself sick.”
I hated to admit it, but the med tech had a point. I could already feel a crying-headache forming. Forcing myself to pull in some deep breaths, I let go of Mazorium’s neck and settled back down on his lap.
“I’m fine,” I said. “I don’t need any drugs.”
The position of the Doringo’s head feathers clearly showed she didn’t believe me. I didn’t blame her, my face probably looked splotchy and my eyes red and swollen. I was never a pretty crier.
The Doringo looked to Mazorium. “Sir?”
I wanted to get angry at the med tech for ignoring me and waiting for Mazorium’s decision. But I was too weary to get upset.
“Not at the moment,” Mazorium said. “It’s better to let humans express their emotions.”
“Very well.” The med tech sounded a little chitter of agreement then pointed to the incubator. They must've put Nadia there while I’d been crying. “I’m happy to report that the pup is doing well. She didn’t suffer any damage and will probably be hungry soon.”
The med tech’s words made me feel a little dizzy with relief.
When Effik shoved me into his quarters, I’d landed hard on my knees and almost fell over onto Nadia.
I barely had enough time to set her down and face Effik before he was on me.
I didn’t have the best recall after he grabbed me and couldn’t be sure if one of us hadn’t stepped on her.
“You’re sure she's totally fine?” I asked.
The med tech chittered in agreement. “Still a little underweight, but that won’t be fixed in a cycle or two.”
“Please put together a health plan to follow for when we leave,” Mazorium requested.
“Of course,” the med tech agreed then looked at me. “I’d like to do another scan of you.”
“Sure,” I said.
“You don’t have to move out of your master’s lap, but you do need to sit forward for a moment.”
Mazorium helped me turn so I was facing the med tech. She was quick to roll a large scanner over. It only took a few seconds for it to work after she had it in place, then she was tucking it back against the wall.
“I’ll check on those results and come back,” she said. One of the other med techs came in with a bunch of milk balls and set them on top of the incubator while another checked the settings. Once they were satisfied, they turned to us.
“We will be back at regular intervals. If she wakes up and cries, please attempt to feed her.”
“Thank you,” I said and they both chittered and left.
I debated about moving to the bed or staying on Mazorium’s lap.
He decided for me. Shifting me a little, he stood up with my body cradled against this chest. He turned and sat down on the bed, then moved until he was sitting up against the wall the bed was attached to.
Parting his legs, he settled me down between them.
I wiggled a little so I could see the incubator without having to turn my head. He reached out for one of the blankets and tucked it around me. I felt surrounded by warmth.
“Is this comfortable?” he asked, still purring.
“Yes, this is perfect.”
I was suddenly so tired. No, not tired, exhausted. Giving in, I closed my eyes and let sleep pull me under.
I woke up to a whispered conversation going on around me. I kept my eyes closed and listened.
“...determined that you were within your right to use violence.” Was that the Tiltimun in charge of station security?
“Of course I was within my rights,” Mazorium scoffed. “Effik stole my property and then his cohorts attacked me.”
“Effik claims you gave him no warning or time to respond to his crimes,” the Tiltimun said. “Station law requires that someone accused of a crime is allowed to answer for the crime before more drastic steps are taken.”
Oh shit, was Mazorium about to get in trouble because of me?
“He was injuring my human,” Mazorium said. “There was no time for words, only action.”
“We don’t have any vid captures inside the living quarters,” the Tiltimun said.
“All the Tulks there have given conflicting reports on what happened. Two of them have been in trouble before and are being deported. As a representative of the Talin Empire, we’re inclined to accept your version of events.
Please speak clearly and concisely so we can add your testimony to the record. ”
“Will this delay my departure?” Mazorium asked.
“I’ll work hard to file everything quickly,” the Tiltimun responded. “If you’ll begin now, I can get everything recorded and documented sooner.”
Mazorium relayed everything that happened from his point of view. It was a cold recounting of the facts, but I could hear the hint of rage when he described seeing me being strangled.
I missed most of the fight because I was trying hard to make myself small in a corner.
Hearing him explain everything literally blow by blow made me realize that Mazorium was a badass.
The man had taken on five Tulks, a powerful species, and came out with nothing more than the equivalent of a few bruises.
Even after all that, he was nothing but gentle and soft with me, including now. I was in almost the same position I’d fallen asleep in, with a blanket around me and nestled against his warm body.
I wanted to whistle with admiration once he was done telling the Tiltimun what had happened. I knew he wasn’t bragging or looking for accolades, but it was almost more impressive because he didn’t think it was a big deal.
I’d seen Tulks fight each other. They were strong and brutal. This man was a true warrior to take them on and win.
When he was finished talking, the Tiltimun asked a few clarifying questions, then left. I considered falling back to sleep but Nadia started crying. I heard footsteps rush over.
“I can care for the pup,” one of the techs said.
“No, I’m awake. I can do it,” I said and tried to sit up. My movements were uncoordinated, and Mazorium had to help me get free of the blanket before I could sit with my legs crossed.
“If you’ll shape the nipple,” the tech said, handing me one of the milk balls, “I’ll check the pup’s everclean suit before handing her to you.”
I took the milk ball. My hands were a little clumsy but I got it done, and soon the tech was setting Nadia in my arms. It was such a relief to hold her warm weight. She latched onto the milk ball nipple and sucked greedily.
“You’re such a good baby,” I sang to her. “Pretty, smart, and strong. You’re the light of my life and fill my heart with love. You’re such a good baby.”
“Do you sing to encourage her to eat?” Mazorium asked.
“I sing so she knows she’s loved,” I said with a shrug. “My mom sang to me and my siblings."
“You learned to be a good dam from having a good dam,” he said as if making a mental note. “Do you have nurturing instincts or did you learn everything from your parents?”
“Um, both?” I said, unsure how to answer that.
Mom had been great but was overworked and tired.
Actually, I didn’t know if I’d ever met a human that wasn’t overworked.
No one trusted a species without a homeworld, and that meant it was hard to find jobs and we had to work twice as hard to get half as much as everyone else.
“Sir,” one of the techs said, walking up with a package in her hand. “This was delivered for you.”
She handed him the wrapped item as I went back to singing to Nadia. He pulled something out and was fiddling with it as I burped and then snuggled her.
“I have something that will help keep you safe,” he said, making me look up. I sucked in a breath when I saw what he was holding in his hand.
It was a collar.
He didn’t force it around my neck, only held it up between us. “This has a tracker that’s keyed into my Ident. No one but me can unlock it without using a special tool or a great deal of force. No one would be able to steal you away again.”
When he moved the collar toward my throat, I felt tears burn the back of my eyes, but I also lifted my chin to make it easier to put it on.
The sound of the collar latching seemed like a boom to my ears.
It was cold against my skin, making me shiver.
“You’re a good human,” Mazorium said, tucking me and Nadia against him so I was once again surrounded by strength and warmth.
“Sleep, my human. I’ll watch over you and the pup. No one will touch either of you.”
I blinked back tears and forced myself to focus on his words and ignore the weight of the collar around my neck.
This was only my present circumstances, I reminded myself. Who knew what my future would hold?