by Hope Hart
She grins back at me, obviously ecstatic. “Now we eat, drink, and dance.”
Tables have been set up around the clearing, and food appears as if out of thin air. This ceremony was a last-minute arrangement, yet you’d never know by the bunches of wildflowers sitting in tall wooden vases and the platters of food waiting for us to dig in.
I take my seat and can’t help but laugh as someone begins playing an instrument similar to a violin and Beth drags her huge warrior onto the small area being used as dance floor. He looks exceedingly uncomfortable, but he gazes at her like she hung the moon and the stars as she wraps her arms around his neck and beams up at him.
One by one, couples pair off. Ellie is sitting on Terex’s lap while he murmurs into her ear. Nevada is obviously teasing Rakiz because she elbows him in the gut and says something to him with a sly smile. He glances down at her, buries his hand in her hair, and takes her mouth in a kiss that has me fanning myself again.
Alexis and Dexar are still talking to well-wishers, although Dexar has his arm wrapped so tightly around her that it’s like they’re one person. She grins up at him, and the look he gives her is so tender that I have to glance away.
Even Zoey is dancing with her stone-faced warrior, although he insists on a slow, gentle swaying motion as she gives him an exasperated look.
And Ivy? Ivy is currently pressed against a tree on the very edge of the clearing, and I can see nothing but her arms around Vrex’s waist as he leans down and kisses along her neck.
These warriors obviously have no problem with PDA.
“Nothing but love around here,” Vivian murmurs, sitting next to me.
“How do you deal with it?”
She raises her eyebrow. “How do I deal with what? Being alone?”
I feel my cheeks heat. “That’s not what I meant.”
She laughs. “Well, first, I’m not currently pining for a guy who I lived with for several weeks, so that helps.” She shoots me a meaningful look, and I sigh.
“I miss him. I look around at all these happy people, and I just want to find my way back to his mountain.”
“So why don’t you?”
I chew on my lip. “I guess…if he can’t put his hatred for the Braxians aside and help us fight, then it doesn’t matter. I miss him so much, but he said he doesn’t belong here. And I’m not going to let those purple bastards win.”
Vivian is silent for a long moment. “I saw the way he looked at you. It was like it was painful for him to look away. I’m sorry it didn’t work out.”
“Yeah. Me too.”
Dragix
My family is buried on the east side of our mountain. Beneath trees that have stood here since my father was a youngling.
I never brought Charlie here. I’m not sure why. She would never have judged me for my grief.
Maez is kneeling by my mother’s grave, and she looks up, her eyes widening in surprise at my presence. I don’t know what it says about me that I do not come here. That I can’t stand to see the place where my family rests without me.
I glance at where Maez has been gardening, tending the area and making sure it does not become unkempt.
Something I have never thought to do.
“So much time has passed that the very landscape here is different. And yet it still feels like I lost them yesterday.”
Maez gets to her feet, brushing dirt off her dress. “Grief is like that. I don’t think it ever truly leaves us. But if we’re lucky, it can become muted. It will always be there, Dragix, but your family wouldn’t want you to suffer like this.”
“I got to live.”
“Yes,” she says. “You got to live. It’s up to you what you do with that precious gift, but from the stories I’ve heard about your mother, she wouldn’t want you to waste it. She’d want you to make the most of the years you have.”
“I don’t know how.”
She gives me a sad smile. “You never mourned, did you? You grew from that tiny boy into a huge dragon, and you went almost feral so you wouldn’t have to think about what you lost.”
“It worked.”
“It did. But it was a temporary measure. How are you to move on if you never truly grieve?”
“I don’t want to move on.”
“Moving on doesn’t mean forgetting them. It means honoring their memories by living. By loving.”
My gaze has dropped to the cool dirt beneath my feet, but I raise them at that. Maez sighs at whatever she sees on my face.
“You have not left this mountain in days. This is the first time I have seen you in this form.” I shrug, and she sighs again. “There’s something you should know.”
Charlie
After the mating ceremony, I spent the night curled up in my kradi, clutching the last of Dragix’s scales to my chest and sobbing.
I wish I had spent less time comparing him to Ben. I wish I’d jumped him that night when we first kissed and I left, comparing him to my sociopath ex.
Dragix is nothing like Ben.
If he were, he never would’ve let me go.
All day, I kept glancing up at the sky, expecting to see his huge form coming closer and closer.
I kept expecting him to come for me. To announce that he would help us.
But it’s not going to happen, and I need to move on with my life.
I roll out of the furs and brush the tears off my face. I will get over this. I’m resilient as fuck. It’s one of my best qualities.
I need to get out of here. I need to go and do something. Yesterday’s trip to Khax’s tribe was a good distraction. Maybe I can find another way I can help that will also keep me busy.
I find Dexar and Rakiz arguing when I get to Rakiz’s tashiv. Nevada and Alexis are eating in the corner, watching the show with amused expressions.
Dexar throws up his hands, glowering at Rakiz. “You heard what he said when we rescued Ivy. It was a clear threat. What happens if he decides to kill you or hold you hostage?”
Rakiz raises one eyebrow. “I’m honored that you’re so concerned for my safety.”
Dexar is not amused. “And your pregnant mate? What happens when you don’t come back?”
Rakiz growls at that, taking a step toward Dexar. Behind them, Nevada shakes her head and tosses a handful of nuts in her mouth.
Alexis smirks. “If you guys are going to fight, can you at least take your shirts off first?”
They’re all insane.
Rakiz turns and glowers at Alexis, and Dexar tenses.
“Watch yourself,” he says very softly.
I step forward. “Uh, guys?”
Maybe I should’ve chosen a better time for this. Rakiz gives me an unfriendly look, and Nevada gets to her feet, stepping forward and elbowing him in the ribs.
“Ignore these barbarians,” she says. “What’s up, Charlie?”
“I was just wondering if I could help out at all. Do you need Vivian and I to travel to any other tribes?”
Dexar glances at Rakiz, and Rakiz shakes his head.
I frown. “What?”
“We’re currently talking about traveling across the water to speak to the king. However, we know nothing about him and therefore couldn’t guarantee your safety.”
Nevada tilts her head. “You know, Charlie and Vivian could be a good option. That guy was an asshole, but Braxians have a code of honor, right? He’s much less likely to be an asshole if two females go. If either of you guys go, it’s riskier.”
I nod. “Let me go. I’ll do it.”
Rakiz snorts. “And what happens when your dragon discovers we sent you into danger?”
My chest tightens, and I clench my fist, fighting the urge to rub at it. “Dragix won’t care. He left.” Dexar laughs at that, and I glower at him. “Either way, it’s my life. I don’t see him here. Do you?”
Alexis’s eyes shine with sympathy, and I glance away.
Rakiz turns to pace, sending me the occasional considering look. “We would have to send en
ough warriors with her to keep her safe without it looking like a show of force.”
Dexar lifts his shoulders in an elegant shrug and then moves to one of the chairs near the unlit fire, reaching out his hand to snag Alexis’s wrist and pulling her onto his lap.
I narrow my eyes at Rakiz. “Do you think this guy could help? Could he really make a difference if he showed up?”
Rakiz nods. “I know little about him, but even a hundred of his warriors could be all we need to wipe out our enemies.”
“Then it’s settled. I’m going.”
Rakiz frowns at that, and Nevada moves close, wrapping her arm around his waist. “It’s a good idea, Rakiz. You’re just mad ’cause you didn’t think of it,” she teases. He gives her an exasperated look but finally nods.
I let out a relieved sigh. I don’t know why I need to do this so badly. Maybe it’s because I spent so many weeks hiding out with Dragix while these guys were looking for me. Or maybe it’s because I’m hoping to replace thoughts of Dragix with the adrenaline I’ll feel on this mission.
Either way, it’s happening.
“Do you think Vivian will want to go with you?” Nevada asks.
I nod. “I’d be surprised if she didn’t. I’ll go ask her now. When can we leave?”
Rakiz frowns, obviously still unhappy about this turn of events, but he must realize it’s the best option.
“Today,” he says. “If you’re going to go, it has to be as soon as possible.”
I nod. “I’ll go get ready, then.”
Vivian is still asleep in her kradi when I arrive. She lets out a long groan, finally rolling onto her back and opening one eye.
“How the hell do you look so good when you first wake up?”
She scowls at me. “Good genes. Why are you here at the crack of dawn?”
I laugh. “You want to come on another adventure?”
Her eyes light up with interest, and she reaches for a dress as I tell her my plan.
“Excellent,” she says. “I heard all about the city across the water when Nevada and Ivy got back, and I was pissed I didn’t get to see it myself.”
I raise my eyebrow. “You’re not scared?”
She snorts. “If we can handle the giant barbarian we dealt with yesterday, then we can handle one Braxian king with a stick up his butt.”
I wince. “You know you’ve jinxed us now, right?”
Vivian laughs. “How bad can it be?”
Chapter Sixteen
Charlie
The water is rough. Apparently, the last time the warriors with us crossed, it was about as calm as a puddle. Today, Hewex is throwing up over the side of the boat. Even Vivian looks slightly green next to me.
We’re now close enough to the shore that I can see other boats, and I stare as Jozet and Duvix tie up ours.
Hewex attempts to pull himself together while Tagiz says something low and taunting that makes the other warrior narrow his eyes at him.
On the shore, there are many different types of aliens going about their days, so focused on pulling in fishing nets and bargaining at the small market that they pay no attention to us.
I wanted a distraction, and I’m sure getting it here. I glance at Vivian, and her gaze is darting around like she doesn’t know where to look first. I laugh.
“This place is crazy,” I murmur as the warriors surround us.
“It’s the closest thing to actual civilization I’ve seen since we got here. I’m a fan. Let’s go explore.”
She links her arm through mine, and we walk up the long dock. The Braxians surround us as we make our way down a narrow, cobbled street. The buildings are close together, and I glance up at where a blue alien is hanging laundry on a balcony. At every intersection, vendors have set up carts of food and tables holding jewelry, weapons, and clothes.
We turn to the right, and Tagiz points at the huge black castle. It’s situated downhill, which is the only reason we couldn’t see it from the dock. I wonder if this is a strategic move.
“How the hell are we going to get in there?” I murmur as we walk down the hill.
Duvix shrugs. “We sent a messenger ahead, asking for a meeting with Arix. The king,” he says as I frown. “We haven’t yet heard back, but he is aware that we are coming.”
This does appear to be the case, as the guards leading to the castle allow us to pass each time that Hewex steps forward and murmurs to them.
“Am I the only one starting to get nervous?”
Vivian shakes her head. “I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this.”
The guards are dressed in spiffy black uniforms with gold buttons. They’re armed with swords, and they stand at attention as we walk closer to the castle.
We cross a wooden bridge, and I take a moment to peer over the side, into the river below. People are traveling down the river in small, canoe-like contraptions, and a few of them glance up at us curiously.
Finally, we arrive at the castle entrance, waiting at the huge black doors, which are flung open.
Guards are standing at attention on each side, but they’ve obviously gotten the memo because they let us enter.
I gape at the walls, which must be a hundred feet high. The rock is a deep black, with veins of silver running through it, making the walls gleam. In front of us, a huge staircase is made out of what looks like white marble, the banister gleaming silver.
Vivian holds my arm tighter. “It doesn’t even feel like we’re on Agron anymore.”
A guard approaches us. “You have been given an audience with the king,” he says.
Jozet steps forward. He insists on walking first, with Duvix bringing up the rear, sandwiching us between them. Vivian and I likely look like tourists at Disney World, our heads turning from side to side as we follow the guard to the left and into a huge throne room.
It’s lighter in here, with huge windows on either side allowing the sun to enter.
A long silver carpet leads from our feet to the throne. On either side, aliens of all kinds are sitting on plush sofas and chairs, talking amongst themselves. They go silent as we walk between them, toward the throne.
It’s a deep jet black, gleaming like polished obsidian. An immense behemoth of a Braxian is currently lounging on it, a cup in one of his paddle-sized hands.
“Whoa,” Vivian murmurs next to me. The giant Braxian’s gaze lifts to me before flicking to Vivian’s face, where it stays.
“Hello, lovely,” he purrs, and for the first time, I see her blush.
She looks as surprised at the color of her cheeks as I am, shooting me a wide-eyed look. She recovers quickly, stepping closer. “Hello yourself.”
His eyes—such a dark blue they’re almost black—turn feral.
He gets to his feet, and I suck in a breath. Dragix is a big guy—taller and more built than any human man I’ve ever seen. But while he’s lean, his movements a kind of rolling prowl, this tribe king is pure bulky muscle.
“You look like you’ve been bench-pressing that throne,” Vivian says.
A Braxian sitting close to the throne leers at her. “You look like you’re ready for a good, hard—”
Jozet steps forward and cuffs the guy around the head. The Braxian immediately jumps to his feet with a growl, while Vivian stares down at her feet for a long moment.
Arix retakes his throne, and the entire clearing goes deathly silent. He points to the loudmouth and then to the door behind us. The guy looks shocked but doesn’t dare argue. Instead, he turns and shoves past Jozet, stalking out.
I clear my throat, and Arix glances at me. The remaining courtiers remain silent, obviously deciding that now is not a good time to piss him off.
“We have heard of the strange, tiny females who have mated with our barbarian cousins,” Arix says. His eyes flick to Vivian’s empty wrists and then return to me.
I almost laugh. If he thinks Rakiz and Dexar are barbarians, what would he think of Khax?
I don’t know what to say
to that.
Vivian clears her throat. “The Braxians have so far been most generous with their help.”
“Is that right, lovely? And I’m guessing you’re here to ask for some of that generosity for yourself.”
He makes it sound incredibly dirty, but Vivian has regained her composure, and she simply raises one perfectly plucked eyebrow.
“You’re right,” she says. “We are currently looking for allies.”
She explains our situation to the tribe king, who listens intently. He glances at me occasionally, but for the most part, his eyes stay steadily on her face, even after she falls silent.
I open my mouth and then clamp it shut as he flicks me a look.
All righty then.
Arix angles his head. “Why did Rakiz not come here himself?”
“He thought you would prefer to see why we need your help. As you mentioned, we are much smaller than Braxian females. If the aliens who are coming for us manage to take us with them…” She bites her lip and visibly shivers.
The woman deserves an Emmy for this performance.
The king’s eyes soften minutely, and he stares at Vivian for a long moment, considering it.
“We have never worked with the barbaric tribes on the other side of the water before,” he finally says. “There are reasons for that.”
“There’s a first time for everything,” I say, and Arix gives me an unfriendly look. “Plus, if these guys are landing on Agron looking for us, who’s to say they won’t decide to take Braxian females with them as well? This entire planet is at risk.”
Murmurs sound at that, and I glance at the courtiers. One of the Braxian women has turned pale, and a warrior—obviously her mate—pulls her into his arms, shooting me a look.
Arix ignores that, returning his attention to Vivian.
“We will think on it,” he says. Then he stands, walking down the stairs that lead to his throne.
His voice is low, intimate as he gazes at Vivian. “If you are frightened, you may come here, pretty female. My guards will protect you with their lives.”
Her eyes widen slightly at that. “Thank you for the offer,” she says carefully. “But I will stay with the other human women. A threat to them is a threat to me.”
