“You could never hold me back, female,” Dracoth growls, a fierce, almost daring gleam in his eyes. He’s challenging me, and I love it. “Though Arawnoth’s gift has left us,” he adds, holding out his hand as if trying to summon flames, but none appear.
“Is that so?” I smirk, unable to hide my delight. “Well, it’s a good thing I’ve figured out the secret, then.” I lower my head, eyes narrowing with satisfaction, enjoying the look of surprise widening his eyes.
“Tell me,” he demands, his body growing taut, heat radiating from him like a furnace stoked to its limit.
I chuckle, a low, breathy sound, loving the sense of control coursing through me. I could drag this out for ages.
“What’s in it for me?” I ask, casually taking a long draught from the canteen before tossing it onto the soft orange moss.
“Power. You know this,” his voice grows impatient, the familiar deep gruffness returning. “Only together can we—”
“I was thinking something more... financial,” I say, a teasing grin tugging at my lips as a thrill runs through me.
Dracoth doesn’t seem pleased, however. “Am I to barter with my own Mortakin-Kis like a common merchant?” He shakes his head, and I nearly falter, a flicker of regret stirring in my chest as I catch the disappointment on his face.
“Hardly!” I scoff, resisting the urge to give up. “More like a gift. It’ll be romantic.” I squeeze against him, seeking his warmth, but he doesn’t move, his frown deepening.
“A gift can only be given, not demanded,” he replies, his voice serious and stern.Mr. Frowny Facestrikes again. “You seek luxury when you should seek strength.”
Typical. Ask for a gift and he’s more likely to throw me into boiling lava to ‘strengthen’ me. I do feel bad though. Just a tiny bit, seeing and feeling his disappointment through our bond. I need to be careful. These Klendathians don’t see wealth the way we do back on Earth. But I can’t help it—I need to feel secure.
“That’s easy for you to say, Dracoth. I don’t have anything here,” I say, spreading my arms wide.Not like I had much after mother cut me off...“Except you,” I add, offering a smile, tryingto soften the tension. “I mean, back on Earth, when a woman gets engaged, she receives an expensive ring as a gift.”
“You only need me,” Dracoth replies, but his brow furrows, a distant look like he’s thinking it over. A flutter of excitement ripples through my chest. “This gift... it’s a human tradition?” His eyes snap back to me, sharp and inquisitive.
“Oh yes, it’s very traditional to get a diamond. The bigger it is, the bigger the man’s commitment,” I say in an eager rush. “Assuming they aren’t cheap skates.” I watch him carefully, waiting for his reaction.
“Diamond?” Dracoth grimaces, and I worry it’s as I suspected—he’s a space hobo. “Not Elerium?”
What’s Elerium?
“No, definitely a diamond,” I say with a firm nod. “It has to be.”
“A strange tradition,” he rumbles in his chest, eyes locking onto mine again with that fiery intensity. “So be it. You shall have your diamond.” He gives a solemn nod.
I squeal with delight, rushing to wrap my arms around him, an impossible task given he’s as broad as a bus.
“I can’t wait,” I purr against his scalding skin, enjoying his warmth as he wraps me in his huge arms again.
“Tell me the secret,” Dracoth presses, his voice a low growl as his hands begin their gentle but insistent caresses, fingertips tracing over my skin and through my hair.
“What secret?” I ask absently, still daydreaming about my soon-to-be diamond ring. “Oh yeah, that!” I realize, catching the growing Mr. Frowny Face spreading over him.
“It’s simple, really,” I say, teasing him just a bit, knowing how impatient he is. “The answer was obvious after our... little argument.” I laugh with a sardonic edge, recalling how we both played with fire, literally. “It’s our emotions.”
Dracoth tilts his head a fraction, his intense stare almost breaking through my smug satisfaction.
I close my eyes, sensing the bond between us, our flames burning close but separated. “You can almost feel it when you close your eyes,” I mutter.
He stares at me, still skeptical.
“Go on; try it.” I urge, smiling as I touch his chest, feeling the heat radiate beneath my fingers. He closes his eyes, exhaling a long breath.
“Try to sense me through our bond,” I whisper into his long ear, my voice low and seductive, tracing my finger along the ridges of his chest. “Remember what it felt like...”
I slide across him, my body brushing his, my lips just grazing his skin. “...When I spoke of your parents,” I purr, nibbling on his ear, feeling the tension rising in his body, his rage stoking like a fire roaring to life.
“What it felt like...” I continue, my voice sultry, raking my nails over his rock-hard stomach, “when you first entered me.” I laugh throatily, loving the intoxicating power, feeling him on the verge of losing control.
