by Ruby Dixon
Funny how I never thought of myself as a lonely sort before.
The dinner being served is a southwest soup despite the heat, because the fort has lots of corn and tomatoes and not much of anything else. I eat my bowl the same as everyone else, but Teva hands hers to the little boy next to her, who greedily takes it with a smile.
We will hunt together later, yes? she says to me.
If you feel up to it.
I do. The voices have been silent and my mind easy. I like this place, too. She watches the child next to her eat. I did not think there would be so many young here, but it makes me happy. She strokes the child’s cheek and he grins up at her. They talk to me, too. I want to learn to make the human sounds like you do.
I remember my earlier promise to teach her. Time to put that into fruition. Then we start your lessons tomorrow.
Someone walks past the table, tray in hands. It’s a woman, and I stare at the blonde braid, trying to piece together who it is as she gives me an accusing look, tosses her hair, and saunters away like I’ve done her wrong.
Kayla. Right.
A rival? I can practically feel Teva’s ears prick. Do I need to best her in a fight? Shall I claw her eyes from her skull?
Nope. I’ve never given her any reason to think I’m interested. Notice that she’s avoiding you and just sulking at me?
Teva sniffs the air. I can smell her fear scent. Puny weak female.
I chuckle to myself, earning me an odd look from the person across the table. That’s right. She can pout all she wants, but I’m a taken man. Gladly. I eye my Teva speculatively. Or should I say that I’ve already taken the best female?
I like that version better. She strokes her claws through the hair of the little boy next to her, scratching his head gently like she does the cats. The mother smiles at Teva and starts telling her all about Lucas and how much he’s learned recently, and Teva pretends to listen politely, even though I know she doesn’t understand a thing the mother is saying to her.
I definitely have the best female. Amused, I scan the hall, looking to see if anyone else is going to give me dirty looks for showing up with a new woman. A few tables away, sitting by themselves, I see the nomad man and his disguised daughter—the ones Teva was so determined to kill outside the dress shop. They keep their heads down, hurriedly eating their food. No one sits with them, and when the father looks up, he flinches when he makes eye contact with me.
I nod a greeting at him and go back to eating, making a mental note to befriend them later. I’m glad they’re here. This fort’s a safe place.
I should tell them I will not eat them, Teva offers, her hand sliding onto my thigh. Will that make them less nervous?
I grin and cover her hand with mine, then pick her hand up and put it back on her thigh. Not because I don’t want her touch—but because I have to keep control. Teva’s a battle that I’m going to need to win every day—but she’s so fucking worth it. When her hand is back on her leg, I put mine boldly on her thigh and squeeze, and I can feel the thread of arousal coursing through her mind. We’ll talk to them on another day. Some things take time.
Teva’s watching me with pure gold eyes, and she’s thinking about mating. When can we leave the dining hall and be alone?
Soon, I promise her, and slide my hand higher up her thigh, my grip firm and possessive.
Amy and Rast enter the dining hall, the delicate mayor limping into the room in a swirl of pale blue skirts and long, silky blonde hair. She leans heavily on Rast’s arm, and her mate looks like he normally does—his hair is wild and long like Teva’s, and he is completely naked, his golden skin gleaming in the candlelight. It’s always a little jarring to see him striding around—not because of his nudity, but because of the sheer size of him. He dwarfs his mate Amy, but he’s so gentle with her that you can tell he’d cut off his own arm before ever hurting her. They walk slowly toward us, Rast making sure that Amy doesn’t push herself faster than her bad leg will allow.
“Can we sit with you?” Amy asks, smiling at Teva. When I gesture that they can join us, they sit and Amy beams at the both of us. “I’m so glad you’re back and you’ve brought Teva with you. Rast tells me there’s a lot to catch us up on.”
I rub my jaw. That might be an understatement. I don’t even know where to begin. “I imagine there is.”
Amy’s eyes light up. “Rast says that you and Teva visited my sister? How is she? How’s the baby? Tell me everything.”
Something tells me that we’re going to be here a while. I slide my hand higher on Teva’s thigh and squeeze. It’ll be a little longer…but I’ll make it worth it for Teva later.
* * *
It feels like hours before we’re able to detangle ourselves from the conversation with Amy and Rast. Not that it’s not a good conversation. It’s actually fantastic. Rast seems very open to mentoring Teva through any struggles she might have with being around humans, Amy has extra riding gear I can borrow, and both are thrilled that Teva’s come to stay at Fort Shreveport.
We can always use another friendly dragon, Amy told us with a smile. If one couple is protecting the fort at all times, someone else can go out to hunt. It’s the perfect scenario.
I can tell Teva’s pleased at being considered so vital to the small community already. Her thoughts have been filled with vague pleasure all night.
Now, even as I take her toward the room I share with Lester, her sleepy thoughts are content. I like that I can be a protector here, not just a destroyer. Now that I am mated and there are children around…it is nice to change.
I keep my arm across her shoulders, holding her close to me. Her long, silky white skirts tangle against my jeans when I walk, but I can’t find it in me to care. It’s been far too long since I had my Teva in my arms again, and my body’s highly aware of her nearness. I rub the soft skin of her bare shoulder, my cock stiffening when her hand goes to my stomach. We’re almost at my room, and I’m glad the hall is dark and mostly deserted, because just the smallest touch from Teva means my dick gets as hard as a rock. I’m straining the front of my pants.
Hope Lester’s asleep or this might get awkward.
When I open the door, though, Lester’s stuff is gone. The cot he slept in is empty, the bed made. His trunk is gone, too, and for a moment, my chest seizes with worry. Did…something happen to Lester? I could have sworn he was in the cafeteria at dinnertime—
Teva moves forward and picks up a folded note on the pillow. What is this?
I scan the words, my heart pounding.
Gabe,
Thought you and your new bride might want some privacy. I’m bunking with Charlie and the cats from now on. You’re welcome.
Lester
Given how irritated Lester can get when the cats meow too often, this is a big gift. I let out a sigh of relief and look over at Teva. Guess we have privacy. ’Bout time, isn’t it?
We are always alone, even if we are in a crowded room, she tells me. Our spirits are connected in a way that will only ever belong to us. She slides out of my grip and saunters toward the bed, hauling up her skirts so she doesn’t trip over them.
I quickly shut the door behind us, and the room goes utterly dark. I want to look at my mate, though, so I light a candle on the bedside and set it back down, and when I do, I notice that Teva lounges on the bed, and she’s pulled her skirts up even further, to her waist. Her hand is on her pussy and she touches herself lightly, a daring look on her face.
She’s testing me again. Trying to take control, even though she doesn’t really want it. It’s instinctual for her, this push and pull dance. She pulls, and she wants me to push back.
And maybe I’m a sick fuck, but damn, pushing back is fun.
I bat her hand aside and grab a fistful of the dress. “I didn’t say you could touch that,” I murmur. “You haven’t earned it.”
It is mine, she tells me, her breath quickening. Her eyes are bright gold with excitement, and her lips are parted as she gazes u
Earn it, and I’ll touch it for you, I promise her.
Tell me. Her thoughts are soft and full of need.
I’ll show you. When I release her dress, I send her a mental image of her on her knees in front of me, unbuckling my pants and taking out my cock. Using her mouth and hands on me.
But your seed—
You want it inside you? Then you’d better show me just how bad you want it.
Teva immediately drops to her knees, her claws dragging at the denim of my jeans. I fist a handful of her hair tightly, trapping her in front of me. If this was another woman, I’d hate myself for how forceful I am. But this is Teva, and I know she needs it. Our minds are connected and there’s not a shred of worry or doubt or even fear in her, just pure arousal.
Take me out, I command her.
She shivers with desire and carefully, so carefully works the zipper of my jeans down and then pulls the denim to my thighs. I’m wearing boxers, and she eases them down next, purring slightly when my cock is fully exposed. Our minds are connected, Teva giving me everything, and I can feel the hot, aching clench of her cunt as she squeezes around nothing, her arousal rippling through her body.
Her hot breath plays along my cock, and then she curls her fingers around the base of me and takes me into her mouth. This isn’t the first blowjob she’s given me in the last week, and she’s oh-so-careful of those teeth and claws. It’s definitely a trust exercise between us, but what a sweet fucking ride. Her tongue is hotter than anything I’ve ever felt, and because our minds are connected, she knows what I like and goes immediately for that. There’s no casual exploration between us, just hunger and need and urgency. Her tongue works on the underside of my cock, teasing just under the crown in the place that makes my balls tighten, and she works me with tongue and lips, bringing me so close to the edge that I’m practically seeing stars.
I can feel her pleasure at bringing me so close. There’s a war going on inside her, and part of her wants to make me come in her mouth even though it’s taboo in her eyes. She wants to show me that she trusts me, too.
I growl low in my throat, tugging on her hair as she sucks my cock harder. “Off.”
Teva sends a flurry of thoughts my way, all of them protesting as her tongue continues to work me.
“No,” I tell her, and push away until she has no choice but to let me go. “I get to decide where I come, not you.” She makes a small noise of protest, but she’s even wetter than before. So I send her a mental image of how I want her—on the bed, hands and knees. She immediately complies and then I’m shoving her skirts up and thrusting deep into her in the next moment, the hot clench of her so fucking good that I nearly spill right then and there.
Yes, she encourages. Do it.
Not yet. I push my hand underneath the voluminous skirts of her dress and seek out her clit, teasing it even as I rock deeper into her. I want her to come, so hard and violent that it’s going to put my own orgasm to shame. It’s never calm between us, never gentle or relaxing—and I kind of fucking love it. I love that she’s so fierce that she’ll meet me with equal ferocity.
Come for me, I tell her, and she spasms tight around my shaft. That’s right, baby girl. You like it when I conquer you.
I do. Oh, I do. Her thoughts are full of me and how much she loves me, how excited she is, how good her body feels. I lean over her, covering her with my weight, and when I find her neck, my fangs are hard against my tongue. That’s another thing I’ve figured out recently—the fangs come out when I breathe in the scent of her skin. There’s no venom anymore, but the bite arouses her just as much. I sink my teeth in and she gives a low cry, shuddering, as her orgasm rips through her.
Her pleasure fuels mine. I pump savagely into her, my teeth locked on her neck, and then I empty my cock into her sweet pussy.
My perfect, savage, wild Teva. All mine.
28
DAYS LATER
TEVA
The human hive is different than I imagined.
But not so bad, is it? Rast interrupts. He is busy, putting on a saddle so his mate can ride while he is in battle form. They will be going out scouting this day, looking for more meat for hungry mouths and supplies at distant places.
I am amused at his interruption. No, not so bad. I sit in the courtyard, on the steps of the entrance. In the distance, Gabe and one of the elder females are hunched over an item called a “generator” and they are trying to get it working. My mate has stripped off the layers of clothing from his torso, and his skin gleams with sweat in the afternoon heat. I admit I enjoy watching his muscles move as he works, and I breathe in the musky scent of him, letting it overwhelm all the other conflicting scents of the hive.
You will be all right while we are gone? Rast asks, his tone polite. Over the last few days, he has kept in careful contact with me, offering quiet help when needed, and sharing observations of the humans and what he has learned. It is like having my brother at my side in a sense, and I am thankful for the support.
I have not needed it, but I still appreciate it. The only chaos here is not in my mind, but in the people. Their scents are everywhere, and they are noisy. Off to one side, another mother—there are so many females at this camp and few males—hangs wet laundry on a line even as her child clings to her legs, seeking attention. I watch the young one, wanting to hug him. I will be fine, I tell Rast. When the smells are too much, Gabe and I go hunting. It helps a lot.
The fort will be safe with you, he agrees. And Amy and I appreciate another dragon nearby. Liam and his mate do what they can, but he still struggles.
Odd that I should struggle less than Liam does. But now that my belly fires have gone silent and Gabe’s mind is a powerful, constant, dominating touch, all is quiet. I feel surprisingly normal, and I wonder how much of my struggle was the Salorian pushing at me, trying to bend me to his will. I scowl at the thought.
Gabe straightens and looks over at me. You okay, baby girl?
I immediately smooth away my dark thoughts. I am. Just talking to Rast. They are leaving for a few days so you and I will be in charge of protecting the hive. I like the idea, because while I do not mind being in the human hive as much as I thought, I also do not have anything to do. Gabe is constantly busy, being pulled one way or another. The only way I help is when I hunt, and that is not nearly often enough. But I am good at protecting.
Watching the fort’ll be a piece of cake, Gabe agrees, flashing a grin at me before turning back to his machine.
I am not a fan of cake, I tell him absently, thinking of the sweet, spongy thing everyone was so delighted over last night after dinner. My mate distracts me as he moves, and I enjoy the way he stretches as he leans over. His backside is quite nice in his strange leggings. You can have all my cake.
Now that I will absolutely take you up on, baby girl. And he gives his hips a shake, as if aware of where my gaze is. My thoughts must be giving me away. I do not care, though. I like looking at him and I know he likes me looking.
A small hand touches my knee. I turn to the child and he gives me a gap-toothed grin. “Teba!” he declares, shouting my name.
“Teva,” I agree, picking him up and placing him in my lap.
He pats my white dress and then babbles a stream of words I cannot follow. The mother looks up from her laundry and spots him in my arms, then lets out a quick flurry of sounds that I do not follow. I stare at her in confusion.
She wants to know if you will watch her son while she works.
Oh. I will. I need a purpose.
No, you don’t, Gabe tells me firmly. You can just be yourself.
It is easy for him to say such things. He has had humans demanding his attention ever since we returned. Not just his elders, but females that have no male and need something heavy lifted, or even now, a machine repaired. He is busy and he is happy.
Me, I mostly watch him and wait to be useful.
Do you want me to stop? Gabe asks, turning back to me. We can go hunting if you’d rather.
No, I do not want to go hunting all the time, I admit. My belly is still full from yesterday and we brought two deer back to the hive so others could enjoy. I want to be of purpose. All these humans have things that they do that shows they belong. I want to belong.
I can feel his smile before I see it. You’ll figure something out, Teva. Give yourself time.
The woman keeps looking at me, oblivious to the fact that I am silently communicating with my mate. This is another thing humans are not good at. They do not understand that I speak silently with my Gabe.
But she wants an answer. She wants to know if I will watch her child while she works. I say one of the human words I do know. “Hes.”
Almost, baby girl. It’s “yes.” He’s proud of my attempt to speak aloud, though. I figure if Atalim can learn the human sounds, I can learn them too.
“Yesss,” I correct.
The woman smiles, all white blunted teeth, and the boy grabs a handful of my hair and continues babbling. He talks and I pretend to listen, occasionally mimicking a word he says aloud.
“Bird,” he calls when a winged creature flutters overhead.
“Birb,” I say.
He giggles, and his happy laughter makes me chuckle, too. It becomes a game very quickly, with him saying words and me repeating them badly on purpose, and his delighted laughter fills the hot courtyard. His mother glances over with an occasional smile and other young ones hear the sound of our game and come sit with us. Soon enough, there are several children with me, all pointing at objects so I can mispronounce them. Small hands tangle in my hair, and two little girls braid tails into the thick length, chatting and telling stories in their singsong language.
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