We walk in silence, the moonlight illuminating our path. Amara struggles through the sand and I'm sure she's operating on determination and willpower. She hasn't slept since the previous night and the signs of exhaustion are unmistakable. It's a testament to her strength and yet another part of her I admire.
It's much easier for me. This is my home. My wings and tail allow me to move across the sand without being pulled down, so every step is not a struggle as it is for her. Still she refuses my help. So strong, so beautiful, so damn perfect. I'll make her mine, sooner or later.
We crest another rise. The night is receding as the suns rises, a brightening of the gloom. In the distance I hear the screech of the large, vampiric, bat-like sismis returning from their nightly hunt. Except for the pirates, our first night of travel was uneventful. Amara drinks water while I take stock of our progress.
I love this planet. It's beautiful and the rising suns shows off all its glory. The first rays create sparkles across the sand. Shades of red blend towards white then back to a deep, rich color. Amara gasps next to me. She shields her eyes and looks out across the rolling dunes.
"Beautiful," she exhales.
"It doesn't compare."
I want to build the bridge between us. Fix the upsets and stress of last night. She glances at me then returns her gaze to the rising sun.
"You say the dumbest things," she mutters in Common but a smile plays at the corners of her lips.
On impulse I put my arm around her shoulders. She doesn't move away or resist. We stand there together watching the suns rise and appreciating the beauty together. I'm happy. Watching the suns crest the horizon I realize I'm content. This is the life I want, and it revolves around her.
Chapter Eleven
Amara
"This place sucks," I mutter.
Shidan says nothing. He's been quiet since this morning. I don't know if it's a good thing or not. It leaves a void and I hate to admit it but I miss his cheerfulness. I almost gave in last night. I wanted to, damn did I want to, but I will not let him think I need him. I don't have to have his help. I'm not dependent on anyone but me and I won't let him change that. It doesn't matter how big and sexy he is.
No! No! No! Damn it I will not, I admonish myself.
"You suck too," I mutter behind Shidan's back in Common.
His tail shifts faster and his wings rustle. Just for an instant I wonder if he understood me but that's nuts. He doesn't speak Common. I only speak Zmaj because of the machine that implanted the language into my mind. Besides, who would teach him to speak Common? When would he have time? He's always with me, right in the damn way.
The heat beats down. I'm so hot that I quit sweating which isn't good. One more step, one more. Focus girl! One foot in front of the other. Damn sand slides when I put my foot down as we climb yet another stupid dune. This entire planet is nothing but dunes of god awful sand that gets into every thing. I've got sand in my boots, under my pants, hell I've got sand in my underwear.
My head is pounding, another sign the heat's taking its toll. My vision doubles and when I put my foot down for my next step, the sand slides faster than usual. I'm thrown forward. Putting my hands out to catch myself I slam against the ground, planting my face in the sand. The air is forced from my lungs as I slam down. I can't breathe. I'm pushing up, trying to rise, but the sand shifts and I can't seem to do it. Suddenly I'm lifted into the air.
Shidan has a grip on my backpack using it like a handle to lift me out. I'm hanging two feet off the ground dangling in his grip like a doll. Damn it he's strong as anything I've ever seen! He doesn't appear to be straining in the slightest. It's effortless to lift me and my heavy pack.
"Put me down!" I yell, kicking my feet in mid-air.
He cocks his head to one side as a slow smile spreads across his face. My face flushes as anger flashes white hot.
"Of course, lyutik," he says, placing me on my feet.
"Didn't need your help," I mutter, dusting sand off.
"As you wish."
I glare at him but it doesn't phase him. I'm lying. I know it and I think he knows it too. I needed his help. Worse I still do. I can't do any of this on my own. He crosses his arms over his chest waiting for me to finish and I can't help but notice the way his biceps bulge. The early morning light sparkles on his exposed scales making him look radiant. Why does he have to be so damned attractive?
"Quit looking at me like that," I grouse.
"As you wish lyutik."
"Quit calling me that!"
Anger runs hot and I can't stop it. It takes over and I'm along for the ride. Storming at him with my fists balled I pound against his chest. He steps back under my onslaught taking my punches and I know damn well they're not hurting him. That pisses me off even more.
"I don't need your help!" I scream. "I can do it on my own. I need no one!"
My head pounds, my throat is dry and scratchy, and the screaming isn't helping. Every muscle aches, deep down, like it's in my bones. I stop from exhaustion.
"When did you take the epis?" Shidan asks, his voice soft, gentle, and much nicer than I deserve.
"Before we left."
He shakes his head then takes my pack from me. I'm too exhausted to resist and some part of me is grateful. I don't know how to show it to him because if I do, I'll appear weak. That scares me more than anything I've had to face in my life. How strange is that? Fear. Underneath everything else there it is, staring at me, waiting and fueling my anger. What if I need him?
Shidan digs through my pack and pulls out a leather bound package which he opens. The few strands of epis lie exposed to the sun. Their color is already fading, a sure sign they're losing potency. He offers a strand and I take it, grateful that he doesn't make a thing of it. Putting the strand into my mouth I close my eyes and savor the plant. The familiar sourness explodes on my tongue followed by a spicy aftertaste. It's losing potency. I'm not a fan of spicy, fresh epis would make my eyes water. This isn't much stronger than some weak red pepper.
Still, it does the trick. I keep my eyes closed until I feel the effects spreading through my body. It works fast. Relief. That's the best way to describe epis. When you're dying of thirst, which I am here on this hell hole piece of shit planet, the epis is that cold drink of water you've been praying for. A sense of wellness spreads out from my stomach, a glowing ball of light that burns away all the bad things.
The ache in my muscles fades as they relax and tension drains. My scratchy, dry throat soothes. Eyes that were burning and having trouble focusing cool down. At last it reaches my head and the headache eases then fades away. I take a deep breath then sigh.
"Better?" Shidan asks.
"Yes, thanks."
Shidan nods then holds my pack up. I turn and slide my arms into the straps letting him help me put it back on. I can do that. It's okay. Doesn't mean I'm weak, just being nice. Nothing wrong with being nice.
"There is an oasis a short distance away that Sverre told me about," he says. "If we can make it there, we can make camp and refill our water supply."
I want to argue with him but I can't. We've walked all night and into the day. I'm done. No matter how much I want to carry on, my body is reaching its limits.
"Fine," I say. "My epis supply won't hold out for long. It's already losing potency. We have to hurry, not to mention that Calista needs us."
"I know," he says, his mouth a grim, hard line.
There's nothing more to say about it so we walk. His idea of a short ways and mine must be different I come to realize after an hour more of walking. I haven't seen a sign of any oasis. Red damn sand broken by the occasional rock protrusion. This place sucks. Sucks so damn bad.
"How much further?" I ask.
"Not long now, lyutik," he says over his shoulder.
I roll my eyes. No matter how many times I ask him not to call me that he still does it. I don't know what it means. I've never heard the other Zmaj say it and it isn't in the embedded vocabular
y in my head. It must not translate to Common. He's nice, too damn nice, and he always wants to help.
And his kiss! Damn he's a good kisser. The memory of his lips on mine, the pressure of his huge body pinning me to the wall comes back and I can't help but focus my attention on the way his erection dug into my stomach. It felt huge, if I didn't know better I'd worry if we were compatible. We are, Calista and Jolie have proven that. Jolie has been coy about what Sverre is like down there but she's dropped hints. Her and Calista both get the same far away look and knowing smile if the subject comes up. I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that sex with Shidan would be amazing.
If I do that though he'll want more. It wouldn't be just sex with him there'd be strings so thick I'd in a web. And I have to admit, if only to myself, the idea has an appeal. The way he looks at me, it'd be nice. If I was a different girl. If everything wasn't what it is.
Stop it. It's a damn Merry-Go-Round in my head and I can't. That's it.
"There," Shidan says, pointing.
Climbing up the loose sand next to him I follow his finger and see a stand of trees in the distance. They have fat, bulbous bases that go straight up fifteen to twenty feet before branching out with thick limbs and foliage. Relief floods through me to see something besides more sand. Exhaustion lies heavy but seeing our goal, a second wind pushes it back.
"Okay." I give a wan smile.
"I can carry you," Shidan offers.
"Are you kidding me?"
He tilts his head to one side, staring at me then looks away from my glare. "Yes lyutik," he says as his shoulders slump.
Idiot, I think. You should have said yes!
Sure, I should have, if I was someone else. If I could open myself up. If, if, if, too many damn if's. Regret. I hurt his feelings and damn it I feel bad. Shidan is the kindest man I've ever known. Why can't I be nice to him?
"Let's go," I say, my voice sharper than I want.
I start down the dune and the sand slides from under my foot then I'm on my ass and sliding down fast. I yelp as I scramble, trying to stop myself but the more I fight it the more the sand falls. I'm picking up speed until I'm flying down the dune. My foot catches on something hidden and I'm going fast enough it causes me to flip up into the air then I hit face first and continue my descent. Sliding to a stop sand is in my mouth, my eyes, my ears, and through my hair. It's even more miserable than before.
As I try to climb to my feet Shidan is here helping. I take his hand and I'm grateful for it even if I don't want to be. My muscles quiver with adrenaline. I'm shaking uncontrollably. The good side is, my slide down the dune closed the distance with the oasis. It hurts my pride, which is the worst part.
"Are you okay?" Shidan asks.
"I'm fine," I reply, dusting myself off.
I don't waste any more time. The distance isn't far and Shidan falls in next to me.
The shade of the first trees stretches across the sand. I swear the temperature drops twenty degrees as I step into the shadows of the branches. I stop and sigh. Shidan stands close, quiet, waiting. Glancing up at him a slow smile spreads across my face.
"Made it this far," I say.
"Yes," he nods. "I will gather materials and make a shelter. We can rest for a while and refill our water."
"Okay," I say. "I will rest here by this tree."
He looks to where I point and nods then heads deeper into the oasis. He disappears behind the trunk of a tree before I drop my pack. Leaning against the strange tree I look around, taking in my surroundings. A beautiful, huge flower catches my eye. It has a large center that is reddish brown with long, floppy leaves that lay out around it. The entire thing has a rusty color set in a splash of green. It looks gorgeous so I go close to inspect it but being careful because I know everything on this planet is never as nice as it looks.
The leaves vibrate as I approach or maybe there's a slight breeze. I'm so hot and tired I can't be sure. I move as close as I can without stepping on any parts of it because I want to see the center portion. It's dark, almost black, which is odd. Wondering why I lean in to get a good look when the hair on the back of my neck stands on end and fear runs down my spine. I jump back but I'm too late. The beautiful rust colored leaves snap shut on my head and grip tight. I pull back and scream at the same time but I can't get free.
I'm being pulled forward. Terrified, I scream again with everything I've got. A throat tearing primal sound that starts deep in my core and rips its way out of my throat. I swing my fists against the plant from the outside but to no avail. Struggling, my feet slip out from under me and I fall into the plant. It does some kind of weird push pull dragging me close to its center. Its grip is on my throat making it hard to breathe. I gasp air each time the tension eases.
A loud thump. So loud it echoes through my ears and around my head. One thump follows another and another until its a repeating pattern. The leaves gripping me shudder then spring apart and I fly backwards and away, landing on my ass. Shidan is wielding his staff/sword weapon they call a lochaber. He swings it around his head and circles in front of him and with each swing he slices into the plant. It waves its leaves and shudders trying to defend itself. Shidan is relentless in his assault until in moments the plant is nothing more than shredded foliage decorating the oasis.
"Are you okay?" he asks, dropping in front of me.
He takes my head in both his hands tilting it to one side so he can inspect the wounds on my neck. He makes a tsking hiss sound then digs in his pack and pulls out a container.
"I'm fine," I say, pushing myself away.
"You're injured."
"I said I'm fine!" I say, angry at myself for having been so stupid.
Nothing on this planet isn't trying to kill me. I know this. Why did I do that? How could I have been so damn stupid?
Shidan ignores my protests and slathers a smelly paste along my neck then forcibly yet gentle pushes my head to the other side so he can tend the wounds there. He's close, and he smells musky, a man's man. I grab him and kiss him without thinking about it, pulling him close.
He drops the salve and gives himself over to the kiss. His hands touch my legs then push them apart, moving right to my pussy and rubbing it through my pants. He moans as he touches me. I'm wet. Desire is a roaring bonfire rising and out of control. I want him. I need him.
I can't have him.
I break the kiss and push his hand away. He looks at me confused and I shake my head. There's no denying his erection, it's enormous. He leans in but I move back and shake my head again.
"No," I say. "I can't."
I'll hurt him. I'm no good for him. I can't be the woman he wants. I'm not a treasure to protect and I can't tease him along. He deserves someone better than me. His mouth opens like he's about to speak but then closes without saying a word. Nodding, he stands up and sets up a shelter for us without a word. I watch silently. Once it's finished, I lay down. The taste and feel of his lips against mine circles my mind as I drift to sleep.
Chapter Twelve
Shidan
Amara lies on her side next to me. Holding my head up on my arm I watch her chest rise and fall as I study her curves. Committing them to memory. She's perfect. Amara stirs but I remain still, unwilling to wake her. I don't want this moment to end. This time with her I can at least pretend she is mine. This time alone is what I need to show her how good our lives could be together. She is so strong. I think I'm understanding her. Maybe. She rolls onto her back and her eyes blink then open.
"Are you staring at me?" she asks.
"No," I say, my scales itch with the lie.
Amara rolls her eyes. "Yeah, right," she says, stretching her arms over her head.
The soft mounds of her chest compress as she stretches, the shirt pulls up revealing a hint of smooth, perfect, unscaled skin. I know how soft it is and my fingers tingle at the memory. My hand twitches as I resist my desire to touch her. She sits up, rolls her neck, then yawns. The suns are low in the sky and shadows
are thickening through the oasis. I lean in closer to inspect her wounds but she slaps my hand away.
"What are you doing?" she asks, scooting away.
"Your wounds lyutik."
"I'm fine," she says, standing up. "What do we have to eat?"
I dig through my pack and find guster meat. Amara stretches then we sit down and eat.
"We should be to your ship before sunrise."
"Good," she says around a mouthful of meat.
We finish our meal then pack up our bags. I shoulder mine and hold out my hand offering to take hers. Amara stares at my hand until I drop it. I shrug and smile as she shakes her head. She hefts her pack onto her shoulders. As we turn to leave, I hear something. A whine, machine made, not natural. Its growing louder.
"Did you fill the water-" I put my hand on her mouth to silence her while straining my ears. "Hey! Don't yo-"
She cuts herself off now hearing the sound I already heard. Her eyes widen and her mouth snaps shut.
"Hide!" I hiss and she nods.
The oasis doesn't have sand I can bury us in. Looking around, I point to two trees that aren't too far apart. Amara runs for one and ducks behind it. The whine becomes a deafening whir as the machine comes closer. I move towards the sound. I hear Amara's sharp intake of breath but I have to know what we are facing. Flattening myself against a different tree I peek around to see the source.
Two Zzlo climb down off a land skimmer and walk into the shade of the oasis. They're both armed and dressed in their space leathers. They don't look around making me certain they're not looking for us. The two men talk with each other in their harsh, guttural language. Something snaps behind me. I whirl around and see Amara with her mouth open and eyes wide. She's stepped out from behind the shelter of her hiding spot and was making her way towards me.
Damn it!
I glance back and see the two pirates also heard it. They draw their weapons, coming closer.
Hide! I mouth at Amara motioning her back.
She drops low and crawls towards her hiding spot. I turn in towards the tree I'm hiding behind and climb up its bare trunk finding small crevasses I can use as hand holds to pull myself higher. I'm above the eye level of the pirates by the time they pass by underneath me. Watching them over my shoulder I count my hearts beating to keep myself calm. One man is a few steps ahead of the other, weapon ready, closing with Amara's position.
Dragon's Love: A SciFi Alien Baby Romance (Red Planet Dragons of Tajss Book 3) Page 9
