"But… he can't!" I sputter.
"It's his city," Lana says. "Or so he claims."
"There was another Zmaj there with him," I observe.
"That's Sverre," Lana says. "He's arguing for our side but Ladon isn't budging."
"But… why?" I ask.
Lana inhales deeply then lets it out in a long, slow exhale. "Sorry," she says. "I shouldn't lose my temper like that."
She talks rapid fire in Zmaj with Ragnar, Astarot, and the Commander. Delilah and I look at each other, waiting for her to translate. The Commander taps the ground with his staff three times before turning and walking away.
"We're screwed," Delilah sighs.
"No, not yet," Lana interjects. "We can figure this out."
"Look, I just got here and I don't know what's happening or why. Can someone please explain how we got to this point?" I plead.
"Edicts," Lana says. "It's all about the damn Edicts."
"Why?" I ask. "I thought they were good, that they helped."
"Sure, those who get it, those who follow them. Ladon doesn't. They're foreign to him. He wants to establish his dominance before he'll let anyone in the city."
"What does that mean?" I ask. "Can't they have an arm wrestling match or something?"
"It's not that simple," Lana says. "He has to beat the biggest and the best."
"What the hell? Is this some macho male bullshit?"
"Of course it is!" Lana screams, turning and making a rude gesture at the city beyond the dome.
"So why doesn't he fight and we move on?" I ask.
"Because the Commander won't agree to it. He says it would be a violation of the Edicts."
Closing my eyes I try to reason my way through the morass. Conflicting views, alien concepts, none of this makes sense.
"What about them?" I ask, hooking a thumb over my shoulder at the men standing along the dome with their sticks.
Lana sighs and her face looks crestfallen. "That's a whole other issue."
"One you failed to mention before?" I ask, sarcastic yet but that's the way I'm feeling right now.
Surviving all I've been through only to reach the end of the rainbow and find out some jerk stole the promised pot of gold.
"Look, it wasn't a problem when I left. It's still not a problem."
"Well what is it, exactly, that's not a problem?" I ask.
"Those are followers of Gershom."
"What's a Gershom?" I ask.
"Not a what, a who," she corrects me. "He's an asshole. He's been spouting Human First nonsense since Ladon found us. He's got followers who think we shouldn't be so… friendly with the Zmaj."
"Are you kidding me? Intergalactic racism?" Delilah chimes in.
"I wish I was," she says. "I think the technical term for it is xenophobia. They hate aliens."
"Beautiful, we've been set back centuries," Delilah says.
"I know, but it's fear. They're scared for their future. They see the alien men taking the human women and they worry if there are enough of us to go around. They're also scared what will happen to our race."
"So they want the Zmaj to die out and the human race to carry on, no matter what the girl wants? Are we talking forced breeding or what?" I ask, anger rising.
"It's not that bad, well for most of them," Lana says. "They don't think it through like that. Fear isn't rational."
"Oh well that makes me feel so much better," Delilah says.
"What a mess," I observe.
"Yeah, well we have to work this out," Lana says. "There has to be a peaceful resolution."
"So the Zmaj in the City don't follow the Edicts?" I ask.
"No," Lana sighs, throwing her hands up and shaking her head. "I never heard of them until we met the Tribe."
Ragnar says something, pulling Lana's attention. The two of them talk back and forth, leaving me with time to think. The tribe has their Edicts, rules that bring them together. I assumed all Zmaj had them, but obviously that's not the case. I don't know much about the Zmaj, only bits and pieces I've picked up talking to Lana and just paying attention. Random pieces of data I've put together. That's how my mind works, it's what made me good at my job on the ship.
Being a data analyst is nothing if not seeing patterns in information. Fine but how do I use what I know? How can I make this better?
Ragnar hisses, his wings spread and his tail goes still. He leans forward, aggressive, but Lana holds her ground, raising her voice.
"What?" I ask, stepping closer to Ragnar and putting my hand over his balled fist.
"He's an idiot!" Lana yells, then says something in Zmaj.
Ragnar hisses low, dangerous, and Astarot steps up beside her. Great, now these two will get into a fight. Just what we needed.
"Stop!" I yell, pulling down on Ragnar's arm.
Its ineffectual, he's stronger than I am and I know I won't move him if he doesn't allow me to but he lowers his fist, turning his head until our eyes meet. He says something I wish I understood. If only I could talk to him I know I could make things better.
Lana looks back and forth between the two of us, her eyes wide and her mouth hanging open. She knows what he said but isn't saying it out loud. Astarot says something but Ragnar doesn't take his eyes off of mine.
"Olivia," Lana says.
"What?" I ask, my hand on Ragnar's fist, my eyes locked with his.
"So… do you know…" Lana says, trailing off.
"Know what Lana?"
"How he, uhm, feels about you?"
"Yep, I think I do. Why?"
"Okay," Lana says. "Do you know… what that means?"
"Lana, tell me what he said. Enough beating around the bush."
"He said he'll take the city, for you, alone if he has to."
My heart melts. Why does a professed act of violence have this effect on me? I'm not even going to pretend to understand. He would do that for me. Because I'm that important to him. More important than anything else in the world.
Placing my hand on his cheek, I rise on my toes until our lips meet. He wraps his arms around me, lifting my off my feet. We kiss, in front of everyone, and I don't care. Let them stare. Let them see he chose me. I'm his, the only one he wants.
Lana clears her throat loud enough to cut into the moment. I break the kiss with great reluctance and Ragnar puts me back on my feet.
"So you're… okay with this?" Lana asks.
"How could I not be?"
"Okay, good," she says.
She says something to Astarot who smiles then steps forward and takes Ragnar's hand. He pulls Ragnar into an embrace, patting his back with his closed fist. The two Zmaj break apart and then that moment is over.
"Has anyone talked to the Zmaj inside about the Edicts?" I ask.
"Ladon isn't listening," Lana says.
"Why is it all up to Ladon?"
"The City is, technically, his," Lana says. "No one has challenged him on that. It's never been necessary before."
"But there are other Zmaj living in there with him."
"Yes, but they came one or two at a time. He could control them and establish himself as the dominant one," Lana answers. "This is more threatening."
Looking out across the tents dotting the desert it makes sense, in a primal, alpha male sort of way.
The only question is, how do we get past it?
A commotion on the inside of the city dome pulls my attention. The humans standing in a line along the dome have turned, too. Two Zmaj approach the airlock. It's the same two I saw before.
The one in the lead punches at the box next to the airlock then they enter. It swooshes as it shuts.
I'm holding my breath, waiting to see what happens next.
The crowd on our side murmurs and shifts as the Commander makes his way back.
Tension is so thick I could cut it with a knife. The oppressive heat beating down is making me light-headed. Maybe it's stress.
I have no idea what's about to happen, this could go wrong in an
instant. I gasp a quick breath as the outer airlock door hisses, letting out the pent up air.
The Zmaj in the lead steps out, aggressive and angry looking.
16
Ragnar
Pushing Olivia gently behind me as I turn towards the dome, I'm ready.
The ancient airlock opens and two Zmaj come out. The one in the lead is aggressive, his anger showing in the color of his scales. He moves forward, a storm of emotion. His balled fists, tight jaw, stiff tail all give away his feelings.
He's close to losing control to the bijass. If he does, this will go bad quickly.
Visidion steps out of the crowd, his second, Drosdan, right behind.
"I didn't ask you here," the new Zmaj says, coming to a stop before the Commander.
"No," Visidion agrees. "You did not."
"Why do you camp here? You are not welcome!"
"We come in peace. Together we are stronger," the Commander answers, remaining calm.
The anger pulsing off of the new Zmaj calls to my bijass. That primal part of me surges in response to his threatening posture and words. Crying out to establish dominance.
"One, I am myself. Two, together we are stronger. Three, survival of the group matters," the Commander says, leaning on his staff as he recites the Edicts.
Drosdan hisses in agreement, or he's just being a general ass, I'm not sure. Drosdan leans towards the latter, depending on his size and strength to carry him through.
"What are you talking about?" the new Zmaj demands.
"As I've said, Ladon, we should talk. Violence is unnecessary here," the second Zmaj says, holding his hands out palms up.
"They came to my city," the one called Ladon snaps over his shoulder. "Uninvited!"
"I wasn't invited when I arrived either," the second says. "Yet you welcomed me. We have space, let us work this out."
"My space," Ladon snaps. "Shut up Sverre. This is no time for your diplomacy."
"Rosalind asked that I be here," Sverre says.
"This is not her city either!" Ladon retorts.
"Ladon," the Commander says. "We intend no threat to your domain."
"Yet you are here," Ladon says, leaning into his words..
"Yes, we are," the Commander nods.
"You're not welcome, I do not want you here," Ladon says.
Drosdan hisses and steps up beside the Commander. Ladon shifts his focus to the big Zmaj.
As if watching it happen in slow motion, I can see where this will end.
"Your size doesn't intimidate me," Ladon hisses, his scales flushing with a red tint.
"Let's see," Drosdan answers, his massive fists coming up.
"Drosdan, stop," I interject. "Edicts, together we are stronger."
Drosdan glares before nodding and lowering his hands. It's obvious he's struggling with his own bijass. Ladon shifts his glare from Drosdan back to the Commander.
Olivia rests her hand on my back, just below my wings. Glancing over my shoulder at her, she smiles reassuringly.
She is all that matters. I have to make this work for her.
"We have much to discuss," the Commander says.
"There is nothing to discuss, I don't want you here," Ladon repeats.
"Ladon," Sverre cautions.
The door to the city whooshes and everyone turns to look.
Two women are in the airlock about to walk out, unexpected enough, but what they carry in their arms changes everything.
Olivia gasps, stepping next to me.
Blinking I look again, then again.
Babies.
They're carrying babies.
With wings.
And Scales.
The babies have wings and scales yet they aren't fully Zmaj.
They're carried by two human females.
One baby is larger, the female carrying it has a long mane that comes past her shoulders, pale skin, and full red lips. The baby on her hip is several months old. It has to be. It's been so long since I've seen a child that I can't really tell.
The baby smiles, laughing, tiny, membranous wings spread then close. A tiny tail shifts back and forth excitedly. Its small, perfect little hands grip the blouse of the female tight. It has dark hair and its scales are a light yellow-tan color.
"Papa," the baby says.
The other baby is every bit as miraculous. The female carrying it is shorter in stature, with golden skin and her eyes have an interesting tilt. Different from the other human females. Her child is smaller, obviously not as old yet. Its hair is sparser and its scales have a darker tint with a stronger blue cast.
Ladon turns when the first baby speaks and everything changes.
Olivia says something in a soft exhale. I may not understand her words but I share the sentiment, as does everyone here.
"Those are…" I say.
Ladon turns to look at me, frowning, anger flashing in his eyes.
"What?" he asks, moving his body to block the view of the child.
Shaking my head, I struggle to find words that won't come out wrong.
"Yours?" I ask, giving up on finding better words.
"Yes," Ladon answers, leaning aggressively.
"That means…" Turning, I look at Olivia and a new, brighter future than I ever dared hope for shines. I hadn't considered the possibility that maybe we could…
Olivia, her hand on my shoulder, gasps as the woman with the larger baby says something in their human tongue. One drop of the moisture rolls down my treasure's cheek and I wipe it away.
She throws her arms around me and I take her in my embrace.
A future.
"So what are you boys all doing out here in the heat?" the female with the older baby asks in perfect Zmaj.
She stands next to Ladon, and it's more than obvious that they belong to one another. No Zmaj could miss the connection, the claim he has on her.
"We are discussing the terms of our entrance to your fair city," the Commander says, diplomatic as ever.
"And all these girls are just out here melting while they wait?" the other female asks, also in perfect Zmaj.
The Commander says nothing. Ladon looks away.
"Ladon, honey," the first female says.
"No," Ladon replies, not meeting her eyes.
She moves over to him, placing a hand on his chest. The baby on her hips holds its arms up towards him.
"Papa," the baby says, its voice high and almost squeaking.
Ladon takes the child, lifting it up, then kisses it on each cheek before holding it close to his chest.
"Ladon," the female says again. "Let us bring the women inside."
She puts a hand on his chest next to the baby. They look into each other's eyes.
"We do not have enough epis for them," he says, making a sweeping motion with his arm.
"We'll be fine," she assures him.
"Our supplies are low," he says.
"They brought their own," she answers.
He frowns and it's obvious he wants to argue more, but it's also just as obvious that she will win.
"Fine," he says at last. "The females only."
She rises on her toes and kisses him. Deep and passionate. When they part, she takes the baby.
"Come to mommy, Illadon," she says.
The baby coos and laughs, switching from his father to his mother.
Everyone is watching. No one dares speak.
Lana walks over and speaks with the two women holding the babies. The three of them embrace each other and it's obvious they are all friends. Olivia slides an arm around my waist and I rest mine across her shoulders.
Our two species can have babies.
Astarot and I lock eyes across the heads of the females. He smiles. He knew this was possible. He nods as if understanding what I'm thinking.
The females huddle together and talk. When they're finished the one talking with Ladon whistles, getting everyone's attention.
"All right boys," she says. "You will all stay out here and w
ork our your differences. Meanwhile, the women are all coming inside with us."
Cold shock hits me. No.
Instinctively I tighten my grip around Olivia. She places a hand on my chest and I look down, feeling selfish at seeing her terrible condition. The heat is too much for her, she needs the better air inside the city. She needs epis.
She says something. Her fingers trail a hot line across my cheek, down across my neck.
I close my eyes, bracing myself for what I know I must do.
I let her go.
The hardest single thing I've ever done in my life.
She lingers against me then steps away, staring over her shoulder as she walks over to the women with the babies.
More females come out of the camp until they are all huddled together. As a group they're led to the airlock and through. Olivia is among the last, then they are all inside the dome.
Inside the city. Blocked off from me.
As the group heads into the city, she looks over her shoulder until we can't see each other any longer.
It feels as if a part of me is walking away, leaving an empty void where she should be.
17
Olivia
"This is nice," Delilah says.
"Yeah, it's not bad," Calista says, shifting the baby from one hip to the other. "We're working on it."
It's strange to be walking down a ruined city street like this. The ship was meant to feel like a city, but you still knew you were in an enclosed area surrounded by empty space.
Here is different. The sidewalks are some kind of manufactured stone where the ship was steel covered with a rubber. The buildings are in a bad state of repair. There are a lot of broken windows and dirt and grime. Topping it all off, red sand dusts everything. Everything has a reddish-yellow cast to it thanks to the dome. Looking up, it is so far above, arcing over the entire city. It filters the light of the dual suns, dimming it and also reducing the heat.
The temperatures aren't as hot inside as it is outside but it's not cool and comfortable either.
One of the new girls drops back through the group to walk next to me. The baby on her hip coos and waves with the most adorable smile I've ever seen. I wiggle my fingers and he giggles. Him. Well I assume it's a him.
Dragon's Kiss (Red Planet Dragons of Tajss Book 5) Page 10