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But the Toads are the least of my problems right now. I have to figure out what’s going to happen to me now in the possession of those three Aurelians?

I have so many questions. Are they living on this Toad mothership long term? The luxurious living quarters would certainly suggest so.

But maybe they’re just here for the auction. Will they get me and Tessa off this floating hellhole?

But what if they do? What happens then?

And what happens if IamBonded to them?

I know the chances are one in a million – no, abillion. But the problem with chances are that they’re real – and sometimes you beat the odds. That’s how Queen Jasmine became Bonded to her triad – and the other Bonded women who followed her.

And it’s not all bad. Thereisone advantage to the Bond.

Aurelian warriors typically live for thousands of years – assuming a Scorp doesn’t end them first – and the older they get, the slower they appear to age.

Because she’s destined to bear her triad sons, a Fated Mate finds her DNA rewritten to extend her own lifespan – until it matches that of her three Aurelian partners.

Would I even want that?

I’d been running away when the Elnor was captured by the Toads – and my plan wasn’t a bad one. Maybe it would be best to find a hidden, peaceful planet like I’d originally been headed to, so I could live out the remainder of my natural, human-scale life in safety.

I’ve led such a fraught existence in my short life already, I don’t think I could deal withthousandsof years of additional life. In this fucking universe? It could be a curse.

I look down. My skin is now tingling and pink. The shower was the first time I’d had a moment to think for myself since I first rose from my little bed back on the Elnor.

Being aboard that ship seems a lifetime ago now. I’d been thinking about the odds of being Bonded, but surely everything that’s happened to me so far has been a game of chances.

Just think – if I hadn’t decided to go for a walk that day, I never would have met Tessa – or saved her from that rapist.

At least now I smell better.

Everyone on that death trap was ripe – but I’d become used to the smell. Now, for the first time in as long as I can remember, I actually feel clean and pure.

“Off,” I command – and after a two-heartbeat delay, the AI shuts the water off.

My mind races, and I find an explanation for the delay. The AI must be translating my commands from the Common tongue to the language of the Toads. Does that offer me any clue as to how long the Aurelians plan to remain on board?

Now I’ve had time to think, my mind is sharpening. It feels like I’m waking up from a deep fog – one that I’ve been submerged in ever since Ling’s death. I don’t think I can ever be the old me again, but I’m starting to feel aspects of her rising up inside me again, even as I let myself crave the dominance of the three Aurelians who’ve purchased me.

As the final drop of water falls, hot air suddenly blows on me from all directions. My tingling skin is dry within seconds – and my hair becomes a big, frizzy mess.

I step out of the shower, spotting my reflection in that huge mirror. Glancing around, I fail to find a comb or a brush – which makes sense. The Aurelians – with their close-cropped buzz cuts – have no need for such things.

Maybe I should just shave my damn hair off! I could ask one of the Aurelians to give me a trim with their Orb-Blade.

But I’ve got a more pressing problem first – I’ve got no clothes.

I’m completely naked – although, in a way, I feel like the Aurelians could already see right through me, even when I was wearing clothes. Now, I start to wonder: If they can smell my arousal, who’s to say they can’t smell my fear, as well? Or my anger – or any other emotion?

I bite my lip, remembering what I’d promised these three, towering alien warriors if they bought Tessa from that disgusting Bullfrog...

Anything.

Literally, anything they want.

Now, I fear they’ll be expecting me to emerge from the shower naked and ready – willing to immediately sate whatever unquenchable desires they have boiling up inside of them.

The worst part? What alternative do I have?