I have done worse.
A flock of birds take flight from the thick canopy of verdant trees, shaking me from my reverie. Bright, multi-colored plumage winks like jewels in the sun. Here, in the water, the sky is wholly visible, and the asteroid belt that circles the planet makes for a dramatic horizon line.
“It’s beautiful here.” My hands swirl through the water.
“I have never seen such beauty before you,” Draz says, taking another step closer. His movements are careful and quiet, like a hunter afraid of scaring his prey.
I’m the prey. His diamond-shaped pupils expand, his body so close now that his leg brushes against my calf. His tail lashes in the water behind him, creating waves that sparkle with sunlight.
“I brought you can-dee,” he says.
“Candy?” I echo, nonplussed.
His finger moves to my chin, tilting it up and forcing me to lock eyes with him.
“You said you liked sweets. That is why I left you this morning, my fierce warrior human, to forage for food you might like.”
Another unbidden surge of affection goes through me. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“Of course, I did.” He lavishes a smile on me, showing sharp fangs. “I am courting you. I will provide for all your needs.”
I want to press him on that, sensing an opening here. Could I tell him I want proof Earth has the tech they promised? Would he ensure it was sent there if I told him that’s all I wanted?
A roar bursts forth through the jungle, raising the hair on the back of my neck.
Maybe I should wait on the tech until we make it out of this jungle and back to Suevan civilization.
“I have always taken care of myself,” I say instead, then scrunch my nose, hoping I haven’t offended him.
He studies me, pursing his full lips.
I lick my own, and his gaze darts to my mouth. Desire twinges through me, and I still. Is it the aftereffects of their sacred lust-inducing snail?
Or am I actually attracted to this huge alien?
“I did not mean to upset you, my mate. I know you are a fierce creature, and intelligent as you are beautiful.”
“Oh,” I say, my eyes widening.
“Why do you look surprised?” he asks, canting his head lower. His breath rushes across my forehead. I stand stock still, trying to make sense of all the emotions rushing through me.
“It’s just nice to hear, I guess.” I splash some water over a dirty spot on my arm, rubbing it clean.
His chest puffs up, so close to my face that I can’t avoid noticing how ripped his pecs are. “Then I will remind you of it every day.”
“That’s really not necessary,” I choke out.
“If it makes your eyes wide like a star in the sky and curves your lips like a waxing moon, then it is necessary, my perfect Ni-Kee.”
If anyone else told me that, I would laugh in their face. But Draz is so damn sincere, his expression so full of longing, that I can only believe he thinks that of me.
“I’m not perfect,” I tell him, my voice slightly wobbly.
“Ah, but that is your opinion. I am of the opinion that you are perfect for me. And now it will be my honor to prove to you that I am also perfect for you.”
I close my eyes and blow out a breath, pursing my lips and trying to slow my furiously beating heart. I need to focus. We’re in the middle of the damned Suevan jungle, where it seems like everything wants to kill me, including other Suevans, with a dangerous alien warlord who thinks I’m his mate.
Now is not the time to think about how much I like hearing what he’s saying, or how his body feels against mine, or how it feels like I can trust that he’ll take care of me.
How nice it feels to have someone that wants to take care of me.
“Thank you,” I breathe again.
“So I have your consent to court you?” he asks carefully, his eyes narrowing.
This is it. This is the moment that decides how the rest of the mission goes.
“Yes,” I say, and his fangs gleam white as he smiles. “You have my permission.”
“I am eager for the challenge of winning your affection,” the warlord purrs, and his tone sends heat spooling through my body.
I swallow hard, and his thumb traces the motion, skating over the fragile expanse of my neck. It’s more sensuous than the last time I was kissed, more intimate. I breathe out carefully.
I may be in over my head, but it’s too late now.
CHAPTER TWELVE
NIKI
I step from the water gingerly, the steamy jungle air gnawing at the weeping blisters scattered across my torso. I inspect them with careful fingers, hissing as I graze an extremely sore spot.
A frisson of concern rolls through me. An open wound on an alien planet seems like an invitation for infection.
“That does not look good,” Draz intones. A large, glossy green leaf hangs from his hands, and my stomach rumbles as he holds out a fistful of deep purple berries. “Does it trouble you?”
“It doesn’t feel great,” I tell him. “I’m worried about infection.”
He frowns, still holding out the berries. “Eat the sweets first, then we will worry about finding a solution for your sores. Sit,” he commands, pointing at the flat black rock. The zoleh blinks up at me, chirrups a greeting, then promptly falls back asleep.
There’s no point in arguing, so I simply scoot my damp clothes out of the way and plop onto the warm rock. It’s hot against the wet fabric of my underwear, and I squirm a little, trying to get comfortable. As humid as this planet is, hanging out in wet clothes seems like a recipe for disaster.
I wrinkle my nose. Yeah, that’s just what I need next. A yeast infection.
“Try it?” Draz says, tipping his palm towards me. His thick, muscled tail lashes back and forth, the way it does when he seems to be feeling a strong emotion.
“Okay.” I open up my hand, but he ignores it, popping a berry straight into my mouth.
All righty, then. I guess he’s going to feed me.
“This isn’t going to be poisonous to me, right?” I hold the berry in my cheek, not quite sure enough to bite down on it.
“You think I would poison you?” His tail whumps against the ground, his fangs glinting.
“No,” I exhale. “But how do you know it will be safe for me to eat it?”
“Ni-Kee,” he says, and there’s a hint of reproach in it. “We did extensive research on your biology before you arrived. Our species have much in common, despite the differences in our physical appearance. I would not feed you something if I thought there was even a chance of it harming you.” He’s vehement, his strange eyes wide and serious.
I chomp down on the berry, and a sour-sweet flavor fills my mouth, making it water. Suddenly, I’m ravenous.
“This is so good,” I moan.
“Better than can-dee?”
“It’s pretty damn close.”
“Will you eat another?” Draz’s voice is soft.
I nod, my eyes closed in ecstasy. Wow. This is the best fruit I’ve ever had. Something soft presses against my mouth, and my eyes fly open in surprise.
Draz’s fingers rub against my lower lip, another berry pinched between his thumb and forefinger. I don’t know when he moved closer, but he did so silently. His knee nudges between where my legs dangle from the rock, keeping them apart.
“Here,” he says, releasing the berry into my open mouth.