The Edge of it All

by Jessica Grayson

  I suppress the urge to roll my eyes even as a smile twists my lips. Rowan's right. I've created a monster. He's never going to let that one go.

  "All right," I concede. "Just be careful, okay?"

  He laughs softly as he steps out into the snowy landscape.

  While he's outside looking around, I take stock of our inventory and walk to the back of the cave to check out the pools I'd been meaning to investigate before the rabbupines made their presence known.

  Side by side, the smaller one is slightly elevated compared to the other. Water trickles from the ceiling, feeding into it first, and then flows in a steady stream to fill the larger one below it. This is good. It means we can bathe in one without contaminating the other to use for drinking water. If it's safe, that is.

  Staring at the water, I'm surprised to notice a fine mist of steam rising from the surface. Curious, I kneel and place my open palm to the floor near the pools and smile as the subtle heat radiating from the stone warms my hand.

  My gaze turns to the larger pool. Big enough to fit at least four people and shallow enough that I can see straight to the bottom. Oh my God. I'd love to strip right this second and wade in. But I really don't want to be naked and exposed if those rabbupines decide to come back.

  When Soran returns, he piles the wood at the entrance to the cave. Feeding some of the new fuel into the fire, it's not long before it turns into a roaring flame. Exhaustion hits me like a giant wave, and I yawn, unable to ignore my tired and aching muscles any longer.

  "You should rest."

  My gaze drifts longingly toward the two pools. "I'd really love to have a bath first. Is there anything in the emergency kit that can check the water to make sure it's safe for bathing and drinking?"

  He nods and begins to search the bag. After a moment, he returns with a device that looks like a ruler. Dipping it into the water, a floating display pops up from the top of the instrument. With a thoughtful expression, he studies the series of symbols before him.

  "Here”—he points to the first glyph—“is the universal symbol for safety. Memorize it, and I will teach you the rest."

  Soran

  We are fortunate to have a readily available water supply. My nostrils flare as I detect the lingering scent of many creatures. I suspect they must visit this cave regularly for this reason. I will have to be extra vigilant for any unwanted visitors. "I will keep watch while you bathe. Nothing will disturb you. I swear it to the Creator."

  She smiles, and a pink bloom spreads across her cheeks before she moves behind a large boulder to undress. My Ashaya is very shy about her body. I don't understand this. Is she worried I will find her strange? Or is it that she's been so abused, she still has lingering fears?

  I hear her quietly undressing behind me. In this modesty she has, her species is much like the V'loryns. They are very private about their bodies. When my people shift back from draken form, we are completely nude because our clothing cannot shift with us. So, our society has learned to be more accepting of nudity than hers, apparently.

  A small splash tells me she's entered the water, and when a sigh of contentment escapes her, it's the sweetest and most enticing sound I've ever heard. I clench my jaw in frustration as need burns through me. Gritting my teeth, I shake my head. She is exhausted and does not want my touch right now. If she did, she would initiate contact like she did in her quarters.

  I force my attention to the fire, adding more wood to ensure it burns for several more hours. Night is falling, and already the wind has picked up and the air grows colder.

  When she emerges from the pool, she wraps herself in one of the emergency blankets and comes to sit by the fire. Her hair glows with a reddish-brown hue in the firelight, and as she turns her gaze to mine, my breath hitches in my throat. My Ashaya is the most beautiful female I have ever seen.

  Her people may closely resemble V'loryns, but I've never found their females to be attractive. Their impassive expressions and neutral stares make me uncomfortable. But Liana is nothing like them in this respect. Her face is very expressive. I've spent enough time with her that I've learned the meaning behind almost every facial expression she makes, but it is her smile that is my undoing. I would do anything to coax one from her lips. From what I've learned of her past, I imagine she must have used to smile often. If she chooses me, I will try to make sure that she smiles every day.

  "It's getting colder, isn't it?" she asks, interrupting my thoughts.

  "Yes. And I do not know how long the nights are on this planet."

  She looks down a moment before flicking her eyes back up to meet mine. "Are you going to bathe too?"

  My nostrils flare as I discreetly attempt to scent myself. I do not believe that my odor is sour, but she must think so if she's asking if I will bathe. "Yes."

  I practically race to the back of the cave and quickly peel off my clothing. As I settle into the water, I lament the fact that there is nothing in the emergency bag to buff my scales with. Then again, I supposed preening for one's potential mate is not something one normally does in a survival situation.

  "Feels good, doesn't it?" her small voice calls out.

  "Yes. It's perfect." And it is. It would be even more so if she were in here with me, but I do not believe she is ready to claim me yet.

  As soon as I'm finished, I step out of the water and smile when I find the emergency blanket she left for me. I dry off and pull my pants over my hips, leaving my torso bare. It is cold, but not unbearably so for me. My Ashaya, however, is shivering despite her nearness to the fire.

  I move beside her to stack more wood on the burning pile and stoke the flame to ensure it will burn evenly. Reaching into the emergency pack, I pull out another blanket and drape it over her form. I tuck it tightly around her shoulders.

  "Aren't you cold?" she asks.

  I love that she thinks of me. "I am fine. My people are able to regulate our body temperatures to adjust to almost any climate."

  She moves closer and extends her arm to wrap the blanket around us both.

  Is this it? Is she challenging me to the shav-rhokan? Sometimes Mosauran females will wrap their wings around a potential mate to initiate the battle. Every muscle tenses in preparation as I wait, hoping to hear the words leave her lips, for her to tell me that she has chosen me to be hers.

  Although as she relaxes against my side, I remember that she is Terran, and their ways are very different. My body doesn't realize this though. I'm not certain how claiming one's mate is done among her people. She said that Terrans court one another to determine compatibility before making a final decision to bond. I hope that her kisses and declarations of love mean I am now hers, but I do not know for sure.

  The feel of her against me and the soft scent of her skin is intoxicating. Nervous anticipation flows through me. I desire her more than anything. Instinctively, my body begins to respond to her nearness. I need to get my reaction under control before we lay down. The last thing she needs is to be afraid as she sleeps. Her mind may know that I would never hurt her, but I know from my time in the arena that the body does not always listen to the mind; I do not want her to recoil from me in fear.

  "Before we go to sleep, I'd like to check the area around the cave. Make sure there's nothing that could pose a threat nearby."

  I do not scent any predators close to our new shelter. I'm almost certain they are able to recognize instinctively that I am something that they need to fear. A few minutes alone to focus on this task will give me enough time away from her to get my body under control.

  Worry flickers across her expression. "You want me to come with you?"

  I smile at her concern and shake my head. "I will be swift."

  She steps closer and takes my hand in her own, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Please be careful."

  Knowing how much nudity bothers her, I move behind a large boulder several steps from the cave to remove my pants and shift into draken form. I breathe a deep sigh of contentment as my body
begins the change. My draken form is always ever ready just beneath the surface, like a wild and untamed thing awaiting to be freed. To shift is one of the greatest joys imaginable.

  A thrill runs through me as I breathe in the fresh, cold air and spread my wings. The deep stretch as they unfold from my body is a feeling unlike any other. Staring up at the gray and overcast sky, I lift off and climb above the trees.

  From up here, I can just make out the tracks that show how far she dragged me from the escape pod, and my eyes widen in shock. How was she able to carry me over such a great distance?

  Scanning the terrain, I see no signs of any cities or settlements nearby. Perhaps this planet is devoid of any kind of sentient species. My heart sinks when I realize that if our companions do not rescue us, our chances of being found are very slim. From what I can tell, there are no moons rising as the anemic sun begins to set. So, when night falls, there is nothing but pitch-black darkness. And while this is not a problem for me, it is a definite problem for my Ashaya, since her people are essentially blind in the dark. I wonder if a fire is a good idea after all. I do not wish to draw attention to us.

  My eyes track movement in the woods below, and I swoop down to get a closer look. If there is danger here, I must find it before it finds us.

  Chapter 30

  Liana

  Soran's been gone a while, so I step just outside the mouth of the cave and scan the surrounding forest for any sign of him. Finding nothing, I call out his name, but he doesn't answer.

  I dress quickly and palm the blaster at my hip before I leave the cavern to search. Following his footsteps in the snow, I gasp when I reach the end and find four monstrous animal footprints in the ground beside his. Panic fills me for about three very long seconds before I remember he's able to shift into a draken.

  The first time I saw it, I was drugged by the breaking dart, but if I remember correctly, he was enormous in this form. Not that he's not already huge and more muscular than any man I've ever seen while in his humanoid form, but it was even more so when he was a draken.

  Despite the two blankets wrapped around me, goosebumps pebble my arms and legs, and I shiver as the cold wind whips through my hair. I miss the fire. Logically, I know he can take care of himself, but I still worry. This is a strange new planet that we know nothing about. I glance up at the gray, overcast sky, wondering if I can spot him from here.

  A branch snaps on the ground nearby, drawing my attention away from the clouds and to the forest around me. I turn and then freeze. A pair of yellow eyes stare menacingly at me from deep in the shadows. This is the same type of predator that watched me when I dragged Soran to the cave.

  Fear twists in my gut as sweat beads across my brow. Raising the blaster, I keep my eyes trained in the direction of the creature. It studies me with a hungry gaze.

  As it moves closer, I can just make out the shadow of its large form. At least three times my size and covered in a thick hide of white fur that perfectly matches the snow all around us, this predator looks like a wolf—but much larger than any that exist on Terra.

  I'm far enough from the cave, that if I run, I might not make it.

  Its lips are pulled back in a feral snarl as it stalks toward me, revealing a row of sharp fangs at least half the length of my forearm and dripping with saliva.

  Adrenaline courses through my veins and my hand tremors slightly as I keep my blaster trained on the wolf. The hairs rise on the back of my neck as a chorus of howls echo loudly in the forest. Just like the wolves of Terra, these things must hunt in packs. The soft crunching of snow alerts me to four more sets of hungry yellow eyes approaching behind the first one.

  In the small part of my brain that's still able to think rationally, I make a mental note to carry a knife from now on, in addition to my blaster. Two weapons are better than one, and seeing as how I'm outnumbered, I could use any advantage I can get right now.

  At my feet are two deep grooves in the snow, left behind by the makeshift sled I used to pull Soran and our supplies here. As if by divine intervention, a large flat stone with a knife-sharp edge juts up from the ground. I lower myself just enough to sweep my hand over the freshly tilled earth. Keeping my eyes focused on the wolf, I wrap my fingers around the rock and grasp it firmly. Now, at least, I have two weapons. Hopefully, I'll just have to use one.

  Rising back into a defensive stance, blaster in one hand and sharp rock in the other, I breathe heavily through my nostrils as my heart hammers in my chest.

  The wolf growls and lowers its head as it stalks closer, readying to attack as the others move to flank my sides.

  Fear gives way to blinding anger as primal rage burns through me. I didn't make it this far to be some creature's meal—to die on some unknown planet.

  I hold its gaze evenly and grit through my teeth. "If you think I'm going to die today, you're wrong. I will not be your prey. You'll be mine."

  A deafening roar thunders overhead, shaking the ground beneath us. The wolves look just as stunned as I am as they lift their eyes skyward, crouching into a defensive stance. Limbs twist and snap above us as something breaks through the trees, felling two enormous trunks. I roll to the left to avoid the one that lands beside me, sending tremors through the earth with its fall.

  A feral cry of terror echoes through the forest, followed by a sickening crunching, and then absolute silence. The scent of blood hits the air. Bitter and metallic, I can almost taste it on my tongue. My body shakes as my pulse pounds in my ears. Whatever this is, I cannot outrun it. I'll have no choice but to fight where I stand.

  Undeterred by whatever is lurking nearby, three pairs of yellow eyes continue to stare at me through the darkness. A long snout with two rows of razor-sharp teeth snarl threateningly at me, and despite knowing that I'm outnumbered, I do the only thing I can. I aim the blaster at the nearest one, readying to fire.

  A deep and threatening growl, behind me, sends a jolt of fear down my spine.

  The three wolves flee quickly, and I spin to face this new foe, prepared to defend myself.

  My jaw drops and I'm frozen in place as I stare gaping at the creature before me. An enormous, towering dragon covered in dark silver-gray shimmering, iridescent scales flicks its long, tapered tail in agitation as its eyes follow the retreat of the wolves. After a moment, it lowers its massive horned head. A large, silver reflective iris contracts and then expands as it meets my stunned gaze. Its nostrils flare, drawing in my scent before it releases a quick huff of air, nearly knocking me down. A nervous laugh escapes me. "Soran?"

  Tipping his head slightly to the side, he cocks one big ridged brow, and it looks so ridiculous, I double over with laughter.

  He narrows his eyes in mock irritation, and I place my hands on my hips as I tease him. "Don't look at me like that. I just got a condescending look from a dragon. How many people can say that?"

  He rolls his eyes, and I laugh again. After a moment, I cautiously reach out and touch his snout. He nuzzles against my palm. A quick puff of air escapes his nostrils, and a black curl of smoke tickles my skin.

  A smile curves my lips as I run my fingers along the soft, smooth scales up to his cheek, watching in wonder as the reddish-orange color there darkens even more beneath my hand. His silver eyes stare deep into mine.

  "You're beautiful," I whisper in amazement.

  I had expected his dragon scales to feel rough, like sandpaper. Instead, they are smooth and soft like a fine layer of silk, just as they are when he is in his other form. I gently trace the familiar scar of his cheek that comes down from his brow, and he closes his eyes and tilts his head into my touch, as if relishing the contact of my skin upon his.

  A sudden rush of air whips around me, forcing me to close my eyes. When I open them, he's back in his humanoid form, standing naked before me. My jaw drops, and before I can stop myself, my eyes travel down his nude body.

  Row upon row of thick, corded muscle covers him entirely. My entire body flushes with warmth. He is masculi
ne perfection incarnate, like something carved from stone that is too perfect to be real. My mouth goes dry as my eyes move lower. I'm shocked when I don't see the typical male anatomy below his waist. In fact, I don't see anything at all. I could have sworn I felt something when we made out, but maybe I was wrong. How's that supposed to work if we...?

  Softly shaking my head, I force my gaze back to his face. I don't care if he looks...not like what I expected. I'm just so glad we're both alive and those wolves are gone. I rush forward and wrap my arms around him.

  He returns the embrace, and when I finally pull back to stare up at him, I notice a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

  "I am different than your Terran males. My appearance is not what you expected," he says this as a statement, but I know it's more of a question.

  My cheeks burn with embarrassment. "Well, you are an alien, right?"

  He arches a teasing brow. "I'm the alien?"

  I laugh because he's right. I guess I'm the alien to him.

  He continues. "We are not like V'loryns. Our stav does not extend from our bodies until we are ready to mate."

  My jaw drops at his blunt words, and a small squeak escapes from the back of my throat before I close my mouth and swallow nervously. "Oh," is all I manage to finally say.

  He cups my face and runs the soft pad of his thumb gently across my cheek. "I did not mean to frighten you with my draken form. I apologize if I scared you."

  I start to answer, but something moves in the darkness, and his eyes dart in the direction of the sound. When he turns back, all traces of his warmth and teasing are gone as he gives me a firm look. "You should not have been outside the cave. It's not safe. This forest is full of predators. How could you be so reckless? What were you thinking?"

  Mad that he's upset with me, I snap back. "I was looking for you. I was worried because you'd been gone for so long."

  He cocks his head to the side. "I promised that I would return to you."