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    Bound
    Bound
    Bound
    Ebook95 pages1 hour

    Bound

    By Erin Zarro

    ()

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    About this ebook

    ***SECOND EDITION****

     

    This edition of Bound includes a never-before-published epilogue!

     

    Princess Tasa of Aridia has been kidnapped and enslaved aboard a spaceship, forced to mend clothing and suffer horrific abuse. As the days go by without a rescue, she loses all hope of ever being free. Until one day, she calls out for help with her psi ability and someone, an unlikely ally, answers….

     

    The ship's new engineer, Orin, hears the princess's call and vows to free her. In order to do so, he must teach her how to use her psi ability to defend herself. He is Larinu, possessing magic, which Princess Tasa was raised to believe would taint her soul.

     

    Can Orin convince her to let him help her to have this one chance at freedom? And possibly love, too?

     

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherErin Zarro
    Release dateOct 12, 2024
    ISBN9798224429851
    Bound

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      Book preview

      Bound - Erin Zarro

      Also by Erin Zarro

      Poetry chapbooks

      Life as a Moving Target

      Without Wings

      Reaper Girl Chronicles

      Reaper Girl

      Fireborn

      The Vanishing (forthcoming)

      Nonfiction

      Gain with Pain: Chronic Illness Productivity Hacks

      Fey Touched series

      Fey Touched

      Grave Touched

      Ever Touched

      Sun Touched (forthcoming)

      Horror flash collection

      In Flames

      Anthologies

      Seasons Eternal (Stasis)

      Winter's Night (Various poems)

      Under Her Protection (Reaper Girl)

      To Rule the Stars (Bound)

      Bound

      Erin Zarro

      Copyright © 2016 by Erin Zarro. All rights reserved

      This book or any portion thereof

      may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

      Printed in the United States of America

      Second Edition, 2024

      First published by Turtleduck Press, 2016

      Appeared in Celestial Hearts: A Science Fiction Romance Anthology, 2024

      Cover design: Sharon Lipman/Fantasia Designs

      Interior design: © Erin Zarro

      BOUND is a work of fiction. Any similarity to a person – living or dead – is purely coincidental, as are any places, events, or locales.

      Website: http://www.erinzarro.com

      Stalk me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ekendall

      or on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/erinzpoetry/

      Chapter 1

      Orin’s first day on his new job was an odd one. He was the ship’s new engineer, working under a man the others said was a tyrant before swearing him to secrecy. And, to make things even more interesting, the spaceship had been attacked by Mordians and had nearly lost an engine. He considered boarding an escape pod and getting out of there.

      But he wasn’t getting out of here without finding out the truth about the missing Aridian princess. His job here was simply a cover.

      Still, it was bad luck. He mulled this over tea—the actual tea from his home world, Larin—in the Mess Hall while people-watching.

      There weren’t many people. It was the early morning hours, and everyone was probably still shaken up from the attack. He saw a young man and a young woman with their heads together. An older man sat in the corner alone. A woman and child sat on the other side, the child yawning and the woman—presumably her mother—scolding her.

      He caught the little girl’s eye. Her eyes were filled with tears, and it pained him to see her so upset. Would you like to see some magic? he asked.

      The mother’s expression softened. I think Palla would like that.

      The little girl—Palla—grinned, showing her front teeth missing. Yes, sir, I would like that very much.

      Orin chuckled. He knew just the thing. He raised his hands and focused his magical energy into his fingertips. Then he sent two glowing blue strings into the air, to the ceiling. Then he moved his hands, moving the strings with them, like a puppeteer. He made the strings dive and jump, twirl and bend. He added a third string that glowed yellow and intertwined them all together in a complex dance.

      Palla clapped her hands and giggled. More, more!

      Orin smiled and separated the three strings, making them dance independently of one another—a tiring task, but a visually stunning display. For the finale, he made them burst like fireworks and fall to the floor. How’s that, dear?

      That was wonderful, Palla’s mother said with a smile. Thank you.

      You’re very welcome.

      The dancing strings were pretty, Palla said. Will you make them dance for me again soon?

      Orin tweaked her nose. Of course I will. But right now, I must get going.

      Goodbye, Mr. String Man, Palla said with a wave.

      Orin chuckled. Goodbye, lovely girl.

      He went back to his tea, which had gotten cold, and obtained more. He didn’t want to drink his tea alone, so he approached the man he saw earlier. He was still alone, eating a concoction that had to be an acquired taste because it had something moving in it. Hello. I was wondering if I could join you.

      The older man, who had ice-blue irises and black sclera, smiled. And were those fangs? How odd. Of course you can. Are you the new guy? He picked up the squirming part with his fork and slurped it down. That was a lovely display, by the way. I bet you made her day.

      Orin focused on the man’s eyes. Thank you. I am Engineer Orin, at your service. He extended his hand for the man to shake.

      The man smiled. Ever try Fillini worms? There’s nothing like them. I am Jacob, Head of Sanitation. Basically, the head janitor.

      Pleased to meet you, Orin replied. Everybody’s jobs are important for the smooth operation of a spaceship.

      Jacob snorted. Today’s incident notwithstanding.

      Orin took a sip of tea. He didn’t want to pry, but it appeared from the whispers he’d heard that the attack had been personal. Do you know anything about the attack?

      He could sense Jacob’s heart rate accelerate, which usually meant panic. That did not bode well. Uh, well, you see… Jacob slurped up another worm while it tried to wiggle away. Orin averted his gaze. Jacob leaned forward. I’m not really supposed to be gossiping. I hear things, but it’s not proper to spread it all, you see? But I can give you one tidbit if you promise not to tell anyone else.

      Jacob’s heartbeat decreased a bit, and Orin could think again. He leaned forward and pitched his voice low so no one would hear him, even those with superior hearing. I promise.

      Good, good. Sure you don’t want to try a worm? Jacob asked, and then laughed. I can tell you aren’t a fan of your meal still moving around. Larinu, right?

      What gave it away? Besides our drastically different appearances, of course?

      I’ve got a feel for these things, Jacob said. He pushed his plate away. Okay, well, it’s been said that the attacking ship was Mordian—

      Looking for the missing Aridian princess? Orin asked.

      Jacob smiled. They believe she’s here, he said, with us. Isn’t that absurd? What would we do with an Aridian princess?

      Orin laughed, but wondered. What could they do with her? A flicker of unease ran through him. That’s totally absurd. People love to spread stories. He took another sip of tea. He cast his energy around him, searching. He continued out the door and down the hallway…three more people. Several rooms, most likely living quarters. Ten more people. Two in the process of bonding, in fact.

      He kept going, farther and farther away,

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