by Lili Zander
“I wonder what sort of genes were used to make draekons.”
“It’s anyone’s guess, aida,” Nyx says, shrugging.
Arax gazes at the sky, his expression thoughtful. “There is no mention of Earth in the ThoughtVaults,” he says. “Not even in the restricted sections. Yet the scientists sought a cure for whatever ails Zoraht on your planet.” He lets out a long sigh. “The scientists conceal much.”
A little lizard darts near us, and Arax catches it, quick as a cat, to show me its tiny scales. “But, since I am exiled,” he finishes, a grin growing on his face. “The scientists aren’t my problem. They’re Lenox’s.”
The sun sinks, and the stars come out. They point out the ones they recognize and others they’ve named. I wonder if I can see Earth from here. If I can, it’s too small to pick out from the endless cluster, a speck of diamond dust in the endless night.
I hug my knees to my chest. “Can we sleep here? Under the stars?”
“If you’d like,” Arax answers.
Arax and Nyx fall asleep easily, but I lie awake in the dark. It’s slowly sinking in that I can’t go back home. No spaceship is going to come to our rescue. This world, this lush rainforest world, with its poisonous fungi and fruit that tastes like pudding, is my home now.
Is that such a bad thing, Vi? There was nothing left on Earth for you.
And here?
Here there are Arax and Nyx, a voice inside me replies. Your mates.
I think I’m falling for them. It’s absolutely crazy. Back home, if someone had told me that I would have the warm and fuzzies about a guy after two days, I’d have laughed in their faces.
Things are different on this prison planet. From the moment they met me, Nyx and Arax have protected me. They’ve fed me and taken care of me. They’ve held me in their arms, and they’ve made me feel safe and loved.
What did I have to look forward to on Earth? I’d quit my job when my dad got sick so I could take care of him. The government paid us for becoming Zorahn lab rats, but I’d used it to pay for the crippling medical bills. When I go back home, I’ll need to find a job to support myself.
And men? I’ve never been lucky in love. My dad always told me my soulmate was out there, but after the horrors of the online dating scene, I was ready to give up and settle for being single. I had my dad, I’d told myself. It isn’t like I’m all alone.
Then cancer took him away from me.
My home planet has held nothing but disappointment, but can I really give it up ...forever?
Things aren’t going to be easy here. I’ve never been a particularly girly-girl, but I still like my creature comforts. This world doesn’t have any. Then there are the missing girls— Olivia, Paige, Felicity, Bryce, and May. We aren’t even close to figuring out who took them, and from the grimness that covered Arax and Nyx’s faces when they saw the Draekon scale, finding them is going to be an impossible task.
It would be easier if they were dragons. Then, they could fly the skies, and search for the other women from the air. But they still haven’t shifted into the beautiful beasts.
Once again, we’ve had sex, and nothing.
Arax appears unworried, as does Nyx. But each time we do it, and they don’t transform, my heart clenches, and it’s not just because of the others.
I’m starting to fall for them, but what if they’re wrong? What if I’m not their mate?
22
Viola
The next morning, we climb to the top. It’s quite an arduous climb over beautiful white and orange striped rock, but I manage it with relative ease. Arax watches me thoughtfully, and I dismiss it as his usual protectiveness. I’m sure we’re both in agreement—I have no desire to tumble down the cliffs.
“How did they manage to carry Harper up?”
Nyx shrugs. “We’ve done this for sixty seasons, sweet one. We’ve had a lot of practice carrying things up and down.”
Wait, what?
“You’ve done this for sixty years?” I gape at the two men, my mouth falling open. “How old were you when you came here?”
“Twenty,” Arax replies.
Whoa there. I’ve been sexcapading with a couple of eighty-year-olds. Oh my God, I’m one of those twenty-somethings that shack up with much older sugar daddies. Except, instead of Christian Louboutin shoes and bottles of Cristal, it was vanilla pudding fruit, poison licked from my skin, and some fish.
Intergalactic dating service, indeed.
“What’s the matter?” Nyx asks. I’ve stopped climbing. There’s a small ledge, and I sink down on it, still shocked.
Viola Lewis, you’re a dirty, dirty girl.
“You’re eighty.” My voice is strangled. “On Earth, that’s really old.”
Nyx gives me a look that suggests he has no idea what the problem is.
“Zorahn age differently,” Arax says, his voice amused. He’s obviously trying not to laugh at me.
I guess he’s right. I’m attracted to them; they’re attracted to me. If the ‘turning into dragons’ part isn’t a problem for me, then I guess that this shouldn’t be either.
“Yes,” I reply wryly, getting back on my feet. “I can see that.”
Nyx smirks. “And when we get home,” he says, “we can show you that we’re not decrepit.”
That makes me laugh. Because they might be eighty in Earth years, but the two Draekons are the furthest thing from decrepit. The aching muscles between my legs are an ever-present reminder of that.
Then again, I’m not going to pass up a chance for some more alien loving. “You should do that,” I purr.
Lost in banter, I don’t realize we’ve reached our destination. It isn’t until Arax says, “We’re here,” that I look up.
And my mouth drops open.
The Draekons don’t live in caves. They don’t sleep on the floor. Whatever concerns I had about roughing it are totally misplaced.
In front of me is a clearing the size of two football fields, and in the clearing, are houses. Actual houses. With real walls. And windows, with some kind of fabric stretched over them to cover them.
I think I want to cry from sheer happiness.
A large open-air building is in the center, with a long table running down the middle, and chairs on either side. They’re a bit bigger than grandma’s Shaker set because they’re built to fit Zorahn, but I won’t complain. “That’s the dining hall,” Nyx says.
I’m not listening because my eyes have locked onto the two women that are sitting at the table with eight men. It’s Sofia and Ryanna.
My friends are safe.
When they see me, the two women jump up with shrieks. “Holy crap, Viola,” Ryanna screams, throwing her arms around me. “I thought you were dead.”
Sofia hugs me tight too, her eyes swimming with tears. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
I’m ready to bawl my eyes out too. “Harper?” I ask, almost afraid to hear the answer.
Sofia takes a deep breath. “I don’t know,” she says. “She’s alive, but she’s in a coma. Vulrux thinks that she’ll come out of it, but I’ve never seen a reaction like that.”
“What happened to you?”
Before we can exchange stories, Arax nudges me. Right. I guess it’s time for introductions.
Arax takes my right hand, and Nyx grabs my left. Everyone’s attention is instantly upon us. Once the chatter dies down, Arax speaks, his voice clear. “This is Viola Lewis. When Nyx and I first laid eyes on her, we shifted into dragons.” He pauses for emphasis. “She is our mate.”
Whispered conversations break out among the men. On their faces, I see curiosity and naked need. “The legends are true?” one of them asks, wonder in his voice. “We shift into beasts when we sight our mate? That’s not a myth?”
“It’s not a myth,” Nyx answers. A couple of the Draekon do the ‘we-can’t-hear-the-Lowborn-talk’ thing they seem to do so well, but the others acknowledge his words, their eyes widening with awe.
“It is sai
d that once the bonding is complete, the Draekon may shift at will,” another man asks. “Is it true, Firstborn?”
A hot flush of shame fills me. I know I’m not being rational, but their failure to transform into dragons feels like my fault.
“Not yet,” Arax says calmly. “Our mating bond will take some time. But let there be no doubt,” he says, his tone hardening, “Viola Lewis is my mate. Nyx is my pair-bond. They speak with my voice.” His eyes lock on the two men that ignored Nyx earlier. “Is that clear?”
23
Arax
Zorux and Odix stare back at me in a futile display of defiance, but as I expected, their eyes drop to the floor. “Your will, Firstborn,” they mutter.
I’d have preferred to avoid a scene entirely, but this can’t be allowed to slide. It’s not Nyx I’m worried about—he can take care of himself—it’s Viola. I want to give her everything. On Zoraht, she would have been Empress. This prison planet is a poor substitute for the homeworld, but she will still be treated with the respect she deserves.
Our mate’s companions wear translators. I walk over to them and introduce myself. Once the pleasantries are over, I get to the important matters. “Are you being treated well?”
They both nod. “Everyone’s been really nice,” Ryanna Dickson says. “Ferix even gave us his house to stay in.”
“And,” I hesitate before asking, “Everyone’s been respectful?”
Nyx rolls his eyes at the way I tiptoe around the touchy topic. “What Arax is asking,” he says bluntly, “is if anyone has tried to force themselves on you.”
“They’ve been perfect gentlemen,” Sofia Menendez replies. “No one has even flirted with us.” There’s an undertone of disappointment in her voice, and as she says it, her eyes seem to linger on Rorix and Ferix.
Ah well. I might be the leader of our exile batch, but even I can’t solve matters of the heart. I don’t understand how the Draekon mating bond works, and I don’t understand what causes us to transform when we sight our mate. It’s all a mystery to me.
When the two scientists get better, I’m going to have a long conversation with them. If they intend to survive in this world, if they seek our help, then it’s time for them to give up their secrets.
24
Viola
As soon as we’re alone, the two women turn to me. “Our mate?” Sofia asks with a sly grin on her face.
“Shifted to dragons?” Ryanna says at the same time. “Tell us everything.”
We exchange stories. I tell them about being cornered by the Dwals, and how Arax and Nyx turned to dragons when they saw me, about how I was poisoned by the kilpei flower. “And you slept with them right after,” Sofia says slowly. She gives me a troubled look. “You know it’s because of the toxin, right?”
“What?”
“I spent the morning with Vulrux. This world teems with medicinal plants. The kilpei flower is a mild aphrodisiac.”
I snort. “For the Draekon, maybe. It almost killed me.”
“You probably got a higher concentration,” she replies.
Her implication is clear. I wasn’t in complete possession of my senses when I slept with Arax and Nyx.
And maybe I wasn’t the first night, but the rest of the times I’ve slept with them? That was my decision. “I don’t care what you think,” I say firmly. “I’m attracted to Arax and Nyx. I’m not going to give them up.” I don’t want to get into a fight with the two women about this, and besides, we have more important things to discuss. Like the fact that we’re stuck on this world forever.
Yikes. “Forget Arax and Nyx for a second,” I begin nervously. “I don’t know how to tell you this. I don’t think we’re going to get rescued.”
They nod. “We already know,” Ryanna says. “The men told us. That was a fun surprise. I want to punch Beirax. How dare he make this decision for us?”
Despite her words, she doesn’t sound too broken-hearted at the thought of never being able to go back home. I glance at Sofia, who doesn’t look upset, just resigned. “You’re both taking this better than I expected,” I say cautiously. “How come?”
“Maybe I’d be a lot more agitated if I had family back at home,” Sofia says. “Plus, Ryanna has a theory about the Zorahn.” She looks at the other woman. “Tell Viola what you told me.”
“Sofia and I compared notes.” Ryanna’s voice is serious. “Do you realize that none of us have close family ties? That has to be part of the reason the Zorahn chose us. And after Beirax’s actions, I’m not entirely convinced the trip was on the up-and-up.”
“What do you mean?”
She gives me a cynical look. “I mean, that despite their pretty words and their promises of safety, personally guaranteed by the High Emperor himself, we’re lab animals to the Zorahn. If we die, how much of a fuss do you think our government is going to raise? The aliens cured leukemia, Vi. The US Army is probably dying to get their hands on some alien weapon technology. They won’t make a fuss about ten volunteers who signed on for fame and fortune. We’re collateral damage.”
“The High Emperor is Arax’s brother.”
Ryanna chuckles. “That makes sense,” she says. “He’s pretty damn bossy but really polite about it. You can tell he’s used to being in charge.”
“So you’re okay about this? Really?”
To be honest, I think we’re all in shock. When it sinks in, I’m not sure we won’t be more distressed. I’m lucky; I have Arax and Nyx to comfort me. But the others?
Sofia shrugs. “I’m not thrilled about what Beirax did, but on the bright side, we survived the crash, we’re alive, and we have plenty to eat and drink. We have shelter. It could be a lot worse.”
“And Rorix and Ferix have nothing to do with it,” Ryanna says with a sly grin.
Sofia flushes. “You’re one to talk,” she retorts. “You were completely checking out Thrax’s ass.”
Before this conversation goes high-school-hormonal, I clear my throat. “You still have to tell me what happened after we split up,” I remind them.
“Let’s see,” Ryanna says. “When we split up, Harper was still conscious, wasn’t she?”
Sofia nods. “Yes, she was. She was pretty weak on her feet, and really light-headed, but we were able to walk. We thought we were walking back to the ship.”
“You got lost?”
“Horribly,” Ryanna says ruefully. “We’d been walking for two hours when we reached a waterfall.”
“I don’t think we got very far,” Sofia says. “I think we were walking in circles by that point. We were delirious with the lack of water. Harper was moving slower and slower, and she kept wanting to rest.” She shudders. “It was awful.”
Obviously, they didn’t get eaten by the Dwals, because they’re sitting in front of me. “You didn’t see the big dog things?”
“Striped yellow and black, as big as a horse?” Ryanna nods. “Not at the start. We drank the water and forced Harper to stay awake long enough to drink too. Then Sofia and I tried to figure out what to do. We weren’t sure how many hours of daylight we had left, and we needed to find shelter.”
That must have been right around when Arax and Nyx were sucking the poison out of my body. Not that I’m going to tell the others that story. That memory is all mine.
“We thought we saw a cave behind the waterfall,” Sofia says. “We were trying to figure out how to get Harper there when the damn dogs showed up.” She shivers. “They started whistling to each other like they were laughing at us. You remember that scene in Jurassic Park where the raptors figure out how to open doors, and you realize the predators are a lot more intelligent that you give them credit for? That was us.”
“I still had the gun you gave me,” Ryanna says. “So I shot two of them.”
“You did? That’s badass.”
She grins. “The guys showed up just as I was about to nail the third one. We were pretty glad to see them, I have to tell you.”
Ryanna and Sofia didn�
�t let Raiht’vi’s warning spook them. They’re a lot smarter than me. “They didn’t shift to dragons when they saw you?”
Sofia shakes her head. “Nope. Just as well. I’m still a little shocked you aren’t terrified of Arax and Nyx. Had I seen them become twenty-foot beasts, I’d still be screaming.”
“I was never scared of them.” I’m not sure if Sofia or Ryanna believe me. It makes no sense that I wasn’t afraid, but it’s absolutely true. Even when I told myself to be wary of them, something inside me always knew I could count on Arax and Nyx.
“Well,” Ryanna continues, “we gave three of them translators, and we stole Harper’s to give Thrax, because, by this time, Harper was unconscious. Vulrux said we all needed to get back to the camp before the rains came.”
“That’s when we found out that we’re stuck here,” Sofia adds. “We told the men that we just needed to survive until our rescue, and Vulrux laughed bitterly and told us there was no escape.”
“Because of the asteroid belt,” I reply.
The three of us are alone in the dining hall. All the Draekons seem to be busy. I see them cooking, skinning furs, and chopping logs. “They’re preparing for the rainy season,” Sofia explains. “There’s four extra mouths to feed. Possibly more, if we can find the other women.”
“You know about the others?”
“Be patient,” Ryanna chides. “I’m getting to that part. So, once we found out that we weren’t getting rescued, we knew we had to move the others before the rains. And we had to find you, of course. We refused to go to the camp without you or the other women, but we couldn’t leave Harper alone either. So we took shelter in the cave behind the falls and figured we’d come up with a plan in the morning. Ferix and Vulrux stayed with us. Thrax set out to get more Draekon to help with the injured, and Rorix went in search of you. If he couldn’t track you down before the sun set, he said he’d spend the night by the spaceship, just in case you managed to find your way back.”