Fantasy Warrior by Jaylee Davis

are you?”
    His grin subsided a bit.
    “We’re Taurans.”
    “All of you? Even the shorter guys? Do they have sharp weapons hidden in their arms too?”
    “No. Thoren and I are different, because we are warrior born. Our Tauran males are very similar to human ones.”
    Pam thought for a few moments, trying to recall more of the conversation she’d overheard. Kord took advantage of the silence and shifted her on his lap until she sat upright and sideways with her legs draped across his sturdy thighs. She grabbed the hem of her baggy shirt and tugged it down over her knees. At that moment, the lighting flickered in the cabin, once, twice, then it changed colors to red. She noticed Thoren had found a seat up front and had buckled a harness around his chest. Kord released her and did the same, then he reclaimed her with his arms. He held her even tighter.
    “Should I move to one of the seats?”
    “No, I have you. As we approach for a landing, the gravity fields between our ship and the shuttle fluctuate. It can get rough before the Defiance’s control system takes over. Don’t be afraid. I won’t allow any harm to come to you.”
    The shuttle lurched, shook slightly, then leveled off. The strangest sensation came over her. Her hair floated up and away from her shoulders. She felt light as a feather. The feeling only lasted for a second or two, but it was long enough. Any longer and she would’ve lost the contents of her stomach. A more urgent need made an untimely request. She needed to pee in the worst way. Pam clenched her teeth along with her thighs and slumped against Kord’s chest.
    “Is there a bathroom on this thing?”
    “Yes, but the discomfort will pass once we’ve landed.”
    “I really have to… Um…use the toilet.”
    “After we land, if you still feel the need, I’ll show you.”
    The ship lurched sideways, stabilized and seemed to hover before it settled to a smooth, gentle landing. Pam gritted her teeth the whole time. The entire experience wasn’t something she wanted to repeat anytime soon. She’d never liked flying. Now she could add space travel to the list. Then she realized how ridiculous her thoughts were. She wasn’t on Earth anymore. The shuttle had landed on another ship, apparently a much larger one, if her suspicions were correct.
    The lighting returned to normal, and Kord released her to unbuckle his harness. Pam glanced toward the front of the shuttle. The Taurans were out of their seats and milling around. Thoren stood beside the exit door.
    “How do you feel now?”
    Kord’s question prodded her to evaluate her condition. The urgency to urinate was gone. Sure, she could go, but it could wait. She’d always been able to hold it longer than all her friends. He’d been right about her feeling better after they’d landed. Her stomach wasn’t threatening to revolt anymore.
    She smiled weakly, and said, “I’m fine now.”
    Kord let her slip off his lap and made sure she stood before he did the same. In the short time it took to travel to his ship, she’d forgotten how tall he was. She wasn’t considered a short woman, by any means, yet he towered over her.
    “Remember what I told you. Don’t speak. Stay beside me and do as I say. There are no females on our ships so the males will be curious about you. I don’t want to kill any of them, but I will if they try to approach you.”
    “Why would you do that?” She gaped at him, shocked by his words.
    “Instinct. You’re mine.” He stated the fact so nonchalantly, as if it were an everyday occurrence.
    She wanted to disagree, but shelved the idea for the time being. It just seemed like the best thing she could do was go along with his delusion. She nodded meekly and waited for the doorway to open.

Chapter Seven
     
    As soon as the shuttle door opened, Thoren stepped aside to allow the Taurans to leave first. He and the last one exchanged conspiring looks before the smaller male walked down the ramp. Afterward, he