Go out there, I mean?”

Shaking his head, Rever resumed eating. “No. It is my job to train now that I am older.” He didn’t look happy about it.

“You aren’t old. You don’t look more than thirty-three.” He smiled, meeting her eyes. “That is old for an Outlander officer. They retire us in our late twenties to let the younger, faster warriors deal with the very aggressive. They make males like me trainers. I don’t miss the harsh living conditions and I get to come home every night. While I was an officer and then a leader I would spend weeks in the Outlander areas living roughly.”

Ali chuckled. “There are no women in the Outlander areas. Most of the males don’t like working there because they have no females to mount.” That shocked Brenda. “None at all?”

“Not that we have ever come across.” Rever sipped his drink. “Women would not survive for long out there without a very strong warrior male to defend her. The uncivilized males are brutal.”

“The wild males would fight and kill each other over women,” Ali softly said. “The women would be abused like in the old times of our history unless a family was strong and had many good fighters so they could protect the women from being stolen. The brutality stolen women would face gave them very short lives. Males would kill each other over the captured woman and she would be passed to the winner of each battle for her many times until her body couldn’t take the stress anymore. We advanced but there are wild males in the Outlander area who refused to change. Any woman out there would face that brutality.”

“It sounds scary.”

Rever nodded. “It is very dangerous. Your bound will never take you there so you will never see it or be in danger. Volder lives on the battle cruiser the Drais. We are not at war currently but we have had issues with a few other planets in recent years so the cruiser is out there more as a preventative measure.”

“I don’t think I would be happy living on a cruiser.” Ali finished her dinner. “You will be the only female on a ship with a few hundred males.” That drew a frown from Rever. “She will be well protected and guarded. Don’t frighten her.”

“Sorry, Argis Rever.” Ali lowered her head instantly. “That was not my intention. I know her bound will protect her. I meant she will be lonely with no other females.” Rever frowned. “Of course he will protect her and make sure she is happy.” His attention turned to Brenda, their gazes locking. “He would not take you there if it was unsafe. You will be well cared for.”

Dread hit Brenda at the mention of her future bound. What if she hated the guy?

What if Volder was an asshole? Living on a ship in space didn’t sound so great. She hadn’t exactly enjoyed the trip to Zorn but then again, they’d been attacked and Valho had been killed. She didn’t want to leave Rever knowing she’d never see him again.

“You will be well cared for,” Rever repeated softly, trying to assure her. His expression softened. “He will cherish you.”

She desperately wished it were Rever who would cherish her. She didn’t say that aloud but she sure thought it as she nodded at him.

Rever tore his gaze from hers to look down at her food. “You have barely touched your meal. Eat.”

“I’m not hungry.” She forced a smile at Ali. “I had a big lunch. It was delicious though. Do you need help with dishes?”

Ali shook her head, standing up. “No. Sit with Argis Rever to keep him company.” The Zorn woman collected the dishes and fled.

Brenda had a sinking suspicion that Ali had left them alone in the dining room on purpose. The second she was gone although, Rever was on his feet looking anywhere but at Brenda.

“I should go.”

Her chin lifted so she could study his face. “You don’t want to be alone with me, do you?”

Those amazing eyes met hers for the briefest second. “You tempt me. I must go.” He walked away without another word. Sighing loudly, Brenda stood up, feeling depressed, knowing that was how he was going to handle the attraction between them.

He was going to avoid being alone with her.

Chapter Five

“Tomorrow your bound should arrive.” Ali carefully watched Brenda. “Are you nervous? I would be a little afraid since he is unknown to you. I have never gone to live with a stranger before. I always knew the few males I became house helpers to and was given the choice of living with them or not.”

Biting her lip, Brenda pushed back her shoulder-length blonde hair. It was a hot day and her hair kept sticking to her skin. “I’m petrified. What if I hate Volder? What if he’s an asshole? What if he’s the total opposite of his brother? Valho was so damn sweet and he made me laugh.”

“I wish that I could relieve your fears but I don’t know this male.”

“It’s all right. I guess I’m going to get to know him really damn well since I have to bound with him.”

“You are lucky to be bound. It is a great honor to be chosen to birth future Zorn.” Sighing, Brenda stared at her hands. Her heart was breaking but she didn’t dare say why out loud, instead choosing to just talk about how she was feeling about Volder.

“What I am is terrified because I don’t know this guy. What if I’m really unhappy?” She glanced at Ali. “Is divorce allowed?”

“What is this word?”

“Can I leave him if he’s an asshole? What if he’s abusive?”

“He is highly honored to have his position. He would never abuse a female and you must trust me on this. He will treat you well, Brenda. It is a matter of honor and he has much of it to be given the job he has. He will protect you and see to your needs and you will see to his. You will be happy.”

What if I’m not? She wasn’t happy right now. Brenda looked around the kitchen where she was seated at the table while Ali fixed dinner while Brenda kept her company. For the past five days Brenda had barely seen Rever since he’d gotten good at avoiding her except at dinner and those had been damn uncomfortable meals.

Tina was a mega bitch who took over all conversation at dinner, not letting anyone speak while she had gone on rants over stupid things, how the sky was a shade of red she hated or complained because on Zorn they didn’t have television. Rever had eaten quickly every night before leaving the table. He was gone at breakfast, off to his job, and didn’t return until dinner. After the meal he’d kept to the other side of the house, far away from Brenda.