Dragon's Kiss (Red Planet Dragons of Tajss Book 5)

by Miranda Martin

  There's less meat in the pack than I hoped. I'll have to figure that out soon but we have enough for a few days. Acid roils in my stomach at concern for our survival. One day at a time. One moment at a time. The only way a hunter survives is to be in the moment.

  Spreading your attention to worries will get you killed.

  I spear five pieces of meat on a stick then hold them over the fire and rotate. Olivia watches with a small smile on her face. She's so beautiful, The way the firelight sparkles in her eyes ignites desire and a longing so deep it's as if it's in my bones.

  Juices from the meat rise to the surface then drop, sizzling into the fire. Olivia's stomach grumbles again as the odor fills the air. I pull the stick back then offer it to her. She takes a piece off then tosses it back and forth between her hands, blowing on it. I hadn't considered how hot it might be or that it would be a problem for her.

  "I'm sorry," I say, instinctive and automatic.

  She looks up and I know she didn't understand what I said. It pains me, like a stab goring into my guts. She says something and damn it, if only I could understand her words.

  She smiles then nibbles at the scorched meal. I take one off for myself, popping it in my mouth and chewing slowly while I watch her. Even the way she eats is delicate, soft, and somehow sensual. The curve of her lips as she chews calls me, enticing. My lips tingle with a desire to kiss her. A touch of juice slips down her chin when she takes a bite. I'm leaning forward before I realize it, intending to lick it but I stop myself.

  She pushed me away. I don't know what she wants and I won't take anything from her she does not freely give.

  She finishes her portion so I offer her another that she takes with a smile and more strange, hard words. Her language contrasts sharply with the softness that is her.

  We eat, taking our time, I let her have three of the five pieces of meat. I can go days without food or water but she needs the traces of epis to help her body survive the heat. I also want to stretch the small supply we have as far as I can.

  Darkness grips the world outside the small light of our fire by the time we finish. Olivia's eyes are heavy and she yawns. I haven't made a shelter for us but I think we'll be fine for tonight.

  She rises and looks around then over at me. Smiling I stand up too and point at a thick patch of grass. She nods and goes over to it. I don't follow her, unsure of what she wants. The curve of her body, her rear, her hips distract me as she kneels. Looking over her shoulder she says something.

  "I don't understand," I reply, shrugging a shoulder.

  She frowns then holds a hand up and motions me over. My hearts leap into my throat. Walking over to her, the distance between us is like a long tunnel. Everything I desire is on the far side, if I can just make it through. She pats the ground behind her then lies down.

  This I understand. Lying down behind her, she snuggles in close. I wrap an arm over her and curl my legs and tail, encircling her in my body. Her beautiful rear presses hard against my stomach. The throbbing of my cock makes sleep slow to come, but eventually it finds me.

  I wake before Olivia does. The steady rise and fall of her chest beneath my arm is peaceful. The first rays of the suns are peeking through the canopy of baboa trees. The rustle of leaves and the distant cry of majmun fills the air.

  Olivia stretches, pressing back, and my cock stiffens against her sensuous rear. She rolls over on her side, facing me and says something. The expression on her face seems happy and on impulse, I kiss her.

  I meant it to be a quick kiss, but the moment our lips touch, passion burns white hot. Her soft lips against mine awakens deep desire. Her hand runs down my side, trailing hot fingers along my scales. She bites my lower lip as I drive my tongue in, seeking hers.

  Running my hands over her hips, down her legs, I hold her close to my body.

  She's beautiful.

  Her fingers move to my back and there's a sudden, sharp, stabbing pain. I pull back, suppressing a groan from the sudden and surprising pain.

  The moment is broken.

  Olivia's concern is clear as she leaps up leans across so she can see my back. The wounds burn. I was paying no attention to it, being caught up in her, but I know something is still not right.

  She gasps, confirming my thoughts.

  When she leans back she talks, rapid-fire, words flying out of her mouth, none of which I understand.

  "It's okay," I say, but I know she doesn't understand my words anymore than I do hers.

  I need healing paste. Which means we should get moving. It's obvious the wounds I suffered are getting infected. The paste will handle the problem but how do I tell her that?

  Standing, I take her hands and pull her to her feet. She's still talking while I grab our bags and my spear. She grabs my arm, pulling until I turn and meet her eyes. Moisture gathers at the corners. She says something more and I shake my head.

  A bead of the water from her eyes trails down her cheek and I wipe it away.

  "Do not worry," I say, hoping my words will carry my intention even if they aren't understood. "Come."

  I take her hand and then pull her along with me through the oasis. It doesn't take long before I spot a cvet. The first component I need to make healing paste. Turning to Olivia, I grip both her arms and point at the ground then wave a finger in front of her face.

  "Stay here," I say. "Don't move. Stay."

  Maybe if I only use simple words and gestures, she will understand. I hope. Cvet are dangerous but I've done this hundreds of times. Even as wounded as I am, a cvet is not a big threat. As long as she stays out of the way.

  She nods but her lips tremble. Still feeling impulsive and not sensing any resistance, I steal another kiss. My hearts leap into overdrive at the simple touch.

  Her finger tips linger on my cheek as I step away and the warmth of her touch stays with me as I turn to face the cvet.

  It must sense our presence. A tremor runs through its leaves before I approach.

  Whirling my spear, the red suns flash off the sharp tip. Stopping with it held two-handed over my head, I run and leap at the cvet. Almost I spread my wings, it's natural to do so, but the moment I start, I have to stop. The twinge of pain is enough to tell me how bad that would be.

  Even without my wings, I get good air and my leap carries me to the center of the cvet. As gravity pulls me back down, I aim my spear right at the eye of the plant. Landing hard, I drive the point down. The plant thrashes in shock and pain. Vines and large leaves rise, lashing out, but I push my spear in deeper.

  Olivia cries out. Out of the corner of my eye I catch her standing where I told her, eyes wide, both hands covering her mouth.

  One vine slashes my face, its sharp edge hitting the overlap of my scales and cutting through. The cvet's poison burns deep into my jaw. Hissing in pain and anger I twist my spear and it gives a final shudder before dying.

  I hate these damn plants. I'd never mess with them if it wasn't for the healing paste.

  The effort of killing the cvet leaves me worn. My back burns and the cut on my face is pulsing fire with every beat of my hearts. Breathing heavily, I climb out of the center of the plant and walk over to Olivia.

  "Are you okay?" I ask.

  I look her over for wounds, making sure she is unharmed. I'm thankful that she listened and stayed where I told her. Having interacted with Lana, I'm sure that female would not have listened. She'd have run in and caused a problem while trying to help. My treasure is much smarter.

  "Good," I say, finishing my review of her well-being.

  She stays close while I harvest the sap from the plant's large leaves. After I do one, she motions to the small knife in my hand. I give it to her and she carefully takes another leaf and duplicates what I just did.

  She's slower and not as smooth, but she does it correctly. My smile stretches from ear to ear. She's not only beautiful, but she's smart and able too. Any male in the galaxy would be proud of a mate like her.

  I finish s
ealing the jar and take great care packing it in the small bag we kept through the storm. Now I need sismis teeth. Sismis are nocturnal, so entering their caves is best done during the day when they are not active. There are normally caverns not far from an oasis if I can find one.

  As I heft our pack onto my shoulder, Olivia takes my free hand placing hers in it. Her warm skin is soft, at her merest touch I'm consumed by desire and need.

  She is my treasure and soon I will have her writhing again with pleasure and she will beg me to claim her.

  Leading us out of the oasis, I set a pace she can manage. Once we're clear of the trees, I scan the land for signs. It isn't long before I notice the small details I want. A rocky outcropping of pushed up ground. Large boulders rising to dominate the sand. A good place to look for a cave entrance.

  Olivia pushes herself to move faster. When we started she talked, almost non-stop, but it's been over an hour and she's now fallen silent, moisture pouring down her face, panting with every step.

  We reach the rough, rocky area. None of them are tall, nothing coming higher than my shoulder. I weave us through them until I find an opening into the ground. Good, just what I had hoped for.

  "I will go down into the cavern," I say, taking both her hands in mine. "Come over here."

  I lead her a dozen feet away from where I'll be going into the cave. It's next to one of the bigger boulders and should be safe, or as safe as anything in Tajss is. I motion again while talking as I did last time. It worked then so I hope she will understand again what I want.

  She nods her head but there is fear in her eyes. I have no way to fix that but it weighs heavy on me as I return to the cave entrance.

  It's nothing more than a black hole in the ground. Lying flat and peering in, it's about a ten foot drop. Getting back out may be difficult without my wings to assist. I climb back to my feet and go to the other side of the hole then lie down again and look at it from this angle.

  There's my way out. The cavern wall is only a couple of feet in from this angle. I'll be able to climb up it, then I should be able to either reach the edge of the hole or leap and make a grab for it.

  Decision made, I turn and hang my legs over the edge. Checking on Olivia one last time, I twist and drop, grabbing the edge as I fall then lower myself to the ground.

  I have to drop the last couple of feet.

  Landing in a three point crouch I wait, listening to make sure I haven't created a disturbance. A soft rustling sound drifts through the air then silence.

  My eyes adjust to the dimmer light. Sismis cover the ceiling, clinging to it. Good, finding what I need should be no problem.

  The winged creatures grow new teeth throughout their life to replace old ones. They shed their teeth like a baboa tree sheds leaves. Discarded fangs cover the ground of their nest, mingled with excrement and all I have to do is sift through their dung until I find enough for what I need. Now to make my way back to the entrance.

  My back and wings scream in pain as I climb my way up the wall. Ignoring the discomfort I pull myself higher. Almost to the entrance, just a little more.

  Stretching my fingers, I just reach the opening but I can't get a grip.

  I'm going to have to jump for it.

  Damn.

  This will hurt.

  Closing my eyes, I take several deep breaths, preparing myself. I open them and leap without further thought. My wings want to spread, my body operates on instinct too deep to be under my total control. I stop them before they open, but even the attempt is painful.

  My fingertips catch the lip of the cave entrance. I'm hanging, swinging back and forth, then pull myself up.

  My head comes above ground again and Olivia is standing just where I told her too.

  She beams and waves.

  The ground trembles beneath my hands. It's faint, just enough I notice it.

  Fear grips my stomach in a tight knot. It can't be a zemlja, nothing worse could happen right now.

  Scrambling, I rush to pull myself over the edge but as I do, cracks form in the ground between Olivia and I.

  Strange.

  I look up at Olivia just in time to see the ground open underneath her. Her scream cuts through the air driving straight into my hearts.

  11

  Olivia

  As his head rises above the ground, relief makes my knees weak. If anything happened to Ragnar, I don't know what I'd do. I know it's more than how screwed I'd be surviving on this hellhole of a planet by myself. I care about him.

  "Hi," I say, waving.

  He looks down, digging into the loose sand and pulling himself further out. When he looks up again, his face is different. Concern? Fear?

  "What's the matt-"

  Before I can finish the sentence the ground beneath my feet disappears.

  A sick feeling grips my stomach as I hang for what seems like a small eternity. Gravity is taking forever to do its thing, I'm like that coyote in the cheesy old cartoons when he walks off the cliff.

  I look around, trying to figure out a way to save myself.

  Short of growing wings and flying there's nothing.

  Time speeds up in a rush and I'm falling, head over heels, tumbling.

  Dirt and debris bounces off of me. The light is there, then gone, then there again.

  Slamming into the ground knocks my breath away. I can't inhale. My lungs refuse to inflate.

  Tears stream down my face. I'm hurt. I don't know how bad, it doesn't matter, though, if I can't breathe!

  Air!

  Gasping, trying, must inhale.

  Work!

  Air comes in with a sudden rush, bringing welcome relief.

  Focusing on breathing keeps the panic at bay.

  I fell.

  A long way, too. It's dark. Why is it dark?

  Fear fades into pain. Each breath hurts. I take several more minutes to decide I haven't punctured a lung. I think I'm only bruised.

  "Ragnar?" I ask.

  I keep my voice low but still it echoes back.

  Shifting dirt and debris slide away from my body. It takes a moment, but I work myself to a sitting position.

  "Ragnar?" I say again.

  Something clicks then hisses. Cold, icy fear drives my eyes wide as I clench my jaw shut in response. I sense more than see movement in the dark, just beyond my sight. Goosebumps form on my skin and the hair on the back of my neck stands up.

  Fear is paralyzing.

  Dirt and rock shifts. Dust falls from above, filling the light with dancing motes that swirl and obscuring my vision.

  My eyes are too slow to adjust to the dimmer light.

  Movement. I'm sure of it. Just outside the brightness. Shadows shift as a shape leaps out, flying forward, and I scream.

  My throat tears with the force.

  I scramble backwards, terror erasing thought.

  Teeth. Sharp, shiny, hundreds of teeth fly at my face.

  My arms come up to cover myself, ineffective protection.

  My feet scrabble, pushing back and away from the threat.

  It hisses, snapping its maw.

  The light from above disappears.

  A loud cry, almost a threatening hiss, then motion.

  I can't process what's happening. There's a blur of action. The teeth that are in my face, an inch away from snapping shut, fly backwards and disappear.

  Screams, not mine, cut the air with razor sharpness making my ears ring. Panting, struggling to catch my breath, my stomach is a tight knot of acid.

  Something moves behind me. Leaping from my backside to my feet, I jump back into the light.

  This time I see it, or part of it. It's a lizard looking thing with a scaly snout filled with sharp teeth. Yellow eyes gleam and reflect the harsh light from outside the cavern.

  It leaps.

  As I drop, trying to dodge its deadly intent, something moves over my head.

  The thing stops in mid-air. A hand is on its throat, gripping tight.

  It strug
gles, sharp talons scrabble, trying to tear at the arm holding it off the ground. The hand at its throat tightens then twists in a single hard motion and there's a dull snapping sound.

  The thing falls still, and the hand lets go.

  An arm wraps around me, pulling me to my feet and encircling me.

  Ragnar holds me against his chest, protected in the crook of his arm. He turns a circle, holding me close, his other hand held out ready for anything.

  Soft clicks and hisses emerge from the shadows. There are more creatures out there.

  Ragnar says something, pulling me along as he continues to turn a slow circle.

  "What?" I ask.

  He repeats himself, or I think he does. It sounds the same but I still don't understand what he wants.

  He places a hand on my shoulder and pushes down. I comply, an unspoken command communicating his desire. Once I'm on my knees he takes his hand away then walks a full circle around me, staring into the darkness.

  Clarity hits me with a suddenness that is breath taking. Gone is the fear, goosebumps, and the cold chills. Ragnar is here and I know, with a certainty that is bone deep, everything will be fine.

  Three times he completes a circle. Outside the light is the sound of sharp claws clicking on stone, hissing, and the snapping of teeth but I watch Ragnar.

  He's in his element and it shows. A smile plays across his lips, his eyes dance with light, he's excited. Muscles ripple as he moves like a cat. Crouching, turning, his tail swings side to side. My heart rate soars with desire. He steps forward then back, moving to the side then with a speed that is a blinding blur, he moves out into the shadows.

  My throat tightens with fear. Sounds of a struggle ensue as I strain my eyes to see. His tail is in the light, then his back moves in from the darkness.

  "RAGNAR!" I scream, pointing as another monster leaps from the side.

  It's almost to him.I can't move, can't do anything, there's no time. It's going to reach him, sharp teeth will tear at him and I'll lose him!

  His hand darts into the light and grabs the monster before it reaches him.