by Lili Zander
Herrix is indeed a fine shot, but the TwelfthBorn of Laris is nowhere as good with a bow and arrow as his kinsman. Liorax never boasts, but he is the best hunter in the camp, though he takes care to conceal it from everyone.
“The Draekon with the shot closest to the heart will have the first chance to court the human woman.”
I move next to Liorax. I’m well aware that he does not want a mate. He will not want to compete for the woman, so I’m going to have to approach this from a different angle. “I know you’re thinking of throwing this contest,” I say under my breath.
His shoulders stiffen, but he does not acknowledge my words in any other way. “But before you do,” I continue, “I want to remind you of your kinsman’s reputation. We both know Herrix has hurt more than one of his Lowborn servants. Ask yourself this. Would you have Olivia spend a day with him, unwarned?”
He still doesn’t speak, but I know I’ve said enough. Despite everything that’s happened to him, Liorax has an innate sense of honor and chivalry. He won’t allow Olivia to blindly walk into danger.
Liorax:
Bast.
I want to strangle Zunix for pointing out what I’ve been doing my very best to ignore. I want no part of this stupid contest. Yes, the ability to shapeshift at will is a useful one, but no matter what my dragon thinks, I’m not going to take a mate.
I’m not concerned about the other human women. I trust Rezzix and Magnux, Yasix and Thesix. Luddux and Xanthox are a little too inclined to be swayed by the opinions of others, but they too are honorable men.
Herrix, on the other hand…
Zunix is always startlingly well-informed. Herrix has a nasty temper. When he loses it… there have been stories. Rumors. The Laris scion is wild and uncontrolled.
I fetch my bow and arrows as Bolox and Narix set up the target. Belfox lines up to shoot first. He draws the string back and releases his arrow. It flies straight and true and hits the target in the chest.
“A very good shot,” Dariux says, sounding impressed. “But you missed the heart.”
“I’ll go next.” Zunix steps forward. I watch with interest as he steps up to the mark. With a minimum of fuss, his arrow flies through the air, landing next to Belfox’s.
“Another good shot.” This time, Dariux’s voice is grudging, not admiring.
Herrix’s arrow is closest to the heart, a mere finger’s thickness from the center. He turns to me, his smile mocking. “Your turn, Liorax.”
The House of Laris is famous for its marksmanship. I medaled in the Empire-wide Skill Games ten times in a row. It was a long time ago, but I’ve lost none of my abilities on the prison planet.
I met Kat’vi at the Skill Games. She’d grown up in Beleris, and she’d been awed to be on the homeworld for the first time.
She was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen, and I’d been flattered by her attention, so flattered that I’d ignored all the signs that she was more interested in power than in me.
I’d been young and foolish, and I paid the price.
This human woman, Olivia, is beautiful as well. Too beautiful. This time though, I’m better prepared.
I lift my bow and draw my arrow to my ear. For some strange reason, I think of the feel of Olivia’s hand gripping mine as her leg healed, her green eyes swimming with pain. Yet not a word of complaint had crossed her lips.
The bowstring rings. The arrow speeds through the clearing, and I don’t have to look. I know my aim is true.
I’m still not going to court her. But my honor demands that I warn her about Herrix.
7
Olivia:
Ladies and gentlemen, let the games begin. In one corner, we have Belfox and Herrix—or the fox and the hare, as I’ve nicknamed them. Both men are tall, muscled and tattooed. Their long blond hair hangs in braids down their backs. Remember the ghost twins in the Matrix Reloaded? That’s what the two men remind me of.
In the other corner are Liorax and Zunix. If I’m being purely objective, the ghost twins are actually better looking, but something tugs me toward Liorax and Zunix.
Here’s the deal. Whatever Dariux might believe, I’m not going to pick a pair of Draekons to mate with. The whole thing is a little too ‘barefoot and pregnant’ for me, thankyouverymuch. However, I fully intend to exploit this situation to my advantage, for as long as I can.
The five of us have nothing. No clothes, except for the NASA-issued garments we’re currently wearing. Last night, we’d shared two thin sleeping mats, stripping our grubby clothes off and sleeping in our underwear.
This morning, I had no other option other than to wear the same clothing again, even though the left leg of my pants is crusted with dried blood.
And it’s not just clothes. Had I not had two sets of Draekon suitors, we would have been short of food. None of the Draekons seem to think that Bryce needs to eat. I don’t like being so dependent on their goodwill for survival.
We need to figure out what plants on this strange planet are edible, and what aren’t. Whether we can cultivate crops or not. We need to learn to hunt—shudder—and fish.
These Draekons have had sixty-five years to figure out how to survive. We have three months.
Because it’s perfectly obvious what’s going to happen at the end of that period. Dariux was vague, but I can read between the lines. The others might be technically allowed to reject their mates, but I’m pretty sure that if they do, all the goodies will come to an end.
No more free lodging. No more food. No more protection from the freaky crab-like detsena. We’ll be on our own.
I’m self-aware enough to know that I’m in shock about the prospect of never going back to Earth. If I think about the future—about spending the rest of my life on this primitive planet—I’m going to lose my mind and become a sobbing, whimpering mess.
I can’t go there. I have to leave the whining and the crying to May and Felicity. I have to concentrate on learning enough to ensure our survival.
Then there’s Step 2: Finding Viola, Harper, Ryanna, and Sofia. We flew a long way to get to this camp. How long would it take to get back to the Fehrat 1 on foot? Days, if not weeks.
Can I convince one of my suitors to make the journey to look for the others? I’m fully prepared to do whatever it takes to make that happen. If I have to put out, that’s fine. Four lives are at stake, after all.
I’m watching the proceedings in the clearing as I plan my next move. Herrix is not happy about losing. The moment he sees that Liorax has beaten him, he throws his bow down on the ground and stalks off in a huff.
He’s not the only one who is pissy about the outcome. I get the distinct sense that Dariux is just as annoyed, but he’s less obvious than Herrix.
Zunix moves purposefully to me, Liorax a half-step behind him. “Olivia.” His eyes rake over me. “You look better today.”
Charm school dropout. “That’s a very backhanded compliment,” I reply acidly.
He laughs unexpectedly, his hazel eyes dancing with merriment. “I can see why you would think that,” he acknowledges with a smile. “How’s your leg?”
“A little tender.”
“That shouldn’t happen,” Liorax frowns in concern.
“It’s not that bad,” I hurry to assure him. “Look, no bones sticking out anywhere.” I definitely don’t want to seem ungrateful, because whatever I might think about this whole mating thing, there’s no denying that I owe Liorax and Zunix.
It’s time for an appearance by Ditz-Olivia. I intend to pump Zunix and Liorax for information, and I need to convince them I’m as dumb as a bag of rocks. “Are we going on our date now?” I ask, looking up at them with wide eyes. “I don’t have anything to wear.”
Liorax exhales in irritation, but Zunix’s lips twitch. “That’s a pity,” he murmurs. “You’re going to have to manage for just a bit longer.” He looks at the crowded clearing with distaste. A couple of the Draekons are very obviously trying to eavesdrop on our conversation. Ste
pping closer, he inclines his head toward me. “Let’s go somewhere more secluded, Olivia.”
My insides do a funny little quiver as he draws near. “More secluded?” I stammer and immediately scold myself for my reaction. For fuck’s sake, Liv. You’re not a horny teenager. Pull yourself together. “Is that against the rules?”
“Dariux isn’t in charge here,” Zunix replies dismissively. “He just thinks he is. We aren’t going far. Just to my house.”
He leads the way, and I follow, Liorax bringing up the rear. We walk through the woods for five minutes. Our pace is leisurely, and I suspect that they’re slowing down to accommodate my tender leg.
I’m looking straight ahead, so I don’t realize we’ve reached our destination until Zunix comes to a stop and gestures to a nearby tree. “We’re here.”
So far, the Draekon treehouses have been nothing to write home about. They’re small. Kind of poky. Pretty bare-bones and minimal.
But Zunix’s treehouse is in a different league altogether. First, it’s on multiple levels, with stairs winding up the side of the tree. Second, it’s on the banks of a small lake. Third, dangling from one of the upper balconies is a canoe. I don’t care much for wildlife, but I used to row in college. I love the water.
My mouth falls open. “But everyone else…”
“Are fools,” Liorax cuts in. “Most people in camp follows Dariux’s lead, bartering for everything. He has them convinced it’s the fairest way. This, on the other hand, is a demonstration of what a little cooperation can do.”
“I don’t understand.” I’m not saying it to keep up my cover identity; I genuinely don’t get it. “Your house isn’t hidden. Everyone can see it. Why haven’t they tried to copy it?”
“I helped Zunix build this house because I knew that he would help me with mine,” Liorax replies. “Not everyone has the same level of trust.”
I think about the tiny room that we slept in. With five of us, the air had been hot and stifling. When May had a bad dream in the middle of the night and kicked out in her sleep, she’d accidentally connected with my shin. Painfully. “You could have offered us your house last night,” I accuse Zunix.
“That would have been unwise,” he replies. “Dariux is perceived to be neutral in this matter. I am not. Shall we go in?”
So the other Draekons might get in a snit if he swoops in and moves us to his fancy-ass treehouse. Men have such fragile egos. Not much different from Earth then.
We climb up the flights of stairs until we reach the top. Zunix holds his palm over the door, and it swings open.
Interesting. Every indication so far is that this is a primitive world. A prison planet. Yet the Draekons seem to have access to some technology. Dariux’s med-kit yesterday, Zunix’s palm-reading door today. What else are they hiding?
Zunix allows me to enter first. The room I walk into is large and circular, with a couch running all the way along the curved wall. It’s covered with soft cushions, and could easily seat a dozen people.
I give into temptation and sink down, belatedly remembering that I haven’t thanked them for my meal this morning. “Thank you for breakfast.”
Liorax sits down as well. “What was your favorite?”
Ah, so they were responsible for the assortment of dishes. You should pick these guys, Bryce had said. Whoever assembled this package put some thought into it. They gave you choices.
Pushing her words to the background, I reply to Liorax’s question. “The fruit. The fish was pretty great too, but I’m not used to eating seafood for breakfast.” Another thought occurs to me. “There was a lot of food. Did you really think I could eat the whole thing?”
Liorax gives me a small half-smile. “Not really. None of the others thought to feed your friend though, did they?”
I shake my head ruefully.
“I’ll take care of it,” he says grimly. “None of you will go hungry.”
“Thank you,” I mutter. Ditz-Olivia would be happy with that answer, but quite honestly, I’d really much rather learn how to survive here than be dependent on the two Draekons. No matter how gorgeous they are.
Liorax gives me a sidelong look. “If you’d like,” he says. “I can also teach you how to hunt.”
“With a bow and arrow?” I’ve got to admit, watching him hit that target had sent a thrill through me. Excellence in anything is incredibly sexy.
“If you’d like.”
I doubt I can actually bring myself to kill an animal, but I appreciate his offer nonetheless. He seems like a good guy, Liorax. The kind of guy a girl could trust and depend on. Even if he’s making it perfectly clear that he’s not interested.
Zunix settles down on the couch next to me. “Tell me, Olivia,” he asks, “what do human courting rituals look like?”
Oh boy. He’s really close to me, and he smells yummy. Like fresh air and pine trees, and something else that’s entirely male. For a second, a powerful heat washes over me, short-circuiting every thought in my head. “Well, everyone’s different,” I murmur.
His voice deepens. “What do you like, Olivia?”
My breathing quickens. What do I like? I like men who don’t treat me like a brainless twit. I like guys who see past my boobs to the person underneath.
Zunix is just asking these questions to win the contest, I remind myself.
“Well, I like flowers.” I bat my eyelashes for maximum effect. “And shoes and pretty clothes.” Perfect. I’ve brought the topic around to my clothes again. “My poor luggage.” Okay, time to add some sexy to the mix. I put my hand on Zunix’s bicep—holy crap, somebody works out—and lean forward, so that my boobs are just inches from his chest. “I’d be ever so happy if I could get my luggage back.”
Liorax snorts. Man, the guy is not charmed by me in the slightest. It rankles a little. “It can’t be done,” he says bluntly. “It took us more than a month to get to the Lowlands. Even if one of us sets out tomorrow, we’ll never arrive before the rainy season.”
“A month?” I’m aghast. “It didn’t seem that far.”
“That’s because we flew,” Zunix replies. I’m still leaning into him, still resting my hand on his arm. When I realize it, I pull back, and he doesn’t make any attempt to stop me. “To the east of us, there’s a desert. Past the desert is a mountain range, and the only safe crossing is a five-day journey south.”
“What were you doing so far away from home?”
To my surprise, Liorax actually answers the question. “Every year, men fail the Testing and are exiled to the prison planet,” he says. “But we’ve never found any of the others. We were searching for them.”
“Why?”
“Why not? Time hangs heavily here, Olivia. Looking for the others gives us a purpose. A goal.”
I seize on the thin thread of hope that his words offer. If there are other Draekons, maybe they’d have found the four missing human women. “But you think they’re here? Others?”
“I do,” Zunix replies. He’s watching me curiously, and I realize I’m acting uncharacteristically interested in something that isn’t shoes, clothes, or my manicure.
Okay, time to thrust the boobs in his face again. That’ll distract him.
I lean forward, and his eyes glaze over. “So there’s no way to get to my luggage quickly?”
Zunix’s lips curl into a smile. “One rather obvious way, Olivia,” he says. “If you complete the mating bond…”
They’ll become dragons.
I know I said I was ready to put out to ensure the safety of the other women. I shouldn’t hesitate. Zunix is basically telling me that if I mate with him, he’ll get me to Fehrat 1.
Should I do it?
Liorax cuts in before I can open my mouth and reply. “Enough.” His voice is cold, and his blue eyes glitter with anger as he rises to his feet. “I will take you back to the other women.”
What the hell just happened?
My emotions are decidedly subdued as I follow him back to Dariux�
�s house.
Liorax is immune to my big boobs, and I’m just a pawn to Zunix. I’ve achieved nothing this morning except a guarantee that Bryce won’t go hungry and an offer from Liorax to teach me how to hunt.
Yes, there might be a slight hope that Viola, Harper, Ryanna, and Sofia found another set of Draekons, but it’s not enough. The truth is, I’m no closer to finding the other women.
So far, Step 2 is a colossal bust.
Sigh. Hopefully, tomorrow’s two Draekons are easier to manipulate.
8
Liorax:
I escort Olivia back to Dariux’s dwelling, then return to Zunix. “Are you out of your mind?” I demand. “Bartering with her? Implying that you’d fetch her luggage if she completes the mating bond?”
He takes in my obvious anger. “Relax,” he says. “I wasn’t planning on following through. I was just curious to see if she would accept the offer.”
Games. Always games with Zunix. I give him a hard look. “You want to transform again, don’t you?”
“Yes.” His lips twist. “And I can’t do it without you. What’s it going to cost me?”
He’s direct, I’ll give him that. “I want this camp to change. I want us to cooperate with each other.” I stare at him. “Dariux set the tone around here when he demanded payment when Jorix was hurt and needed the med-kit. Remember?”
“That wasn’t his finest moment.”
“There were twenty-four of us on the drone ship. Herrix drove away the Lowborn right at the start. Jorix and four others left after that fight with Dariux. We don’t know if they’re alive or dead. We’re down to fourteen.” A familiar anger rises in me. “The camp is toxic, Zunix. Rezzix couldn’t believe I was giving him a translator without wanting anything in exchange. Why are we doing this? There’s no tech on this planet, but we have everything we need. Food. Shelter. Why are we fighting like seerats over a bareth corpse?”
Zunix frowns. “We’ve been this way for sixty-five years. What’s different now?”