Page 3 of Taken By the Naga King

“Yes.”

“And you chose my ship as a way to do so?”

“I… I can leave. I will leave. I apologize.”

Azha moved, but before she could get far, Gravon’s tail whipped out to stop her, holding her back by her waist. He could feel her curves against his muscled tail, and this did not help the wakening desire coursing through his body and heading straight for his mating pouch.

“You will not leave,” he informed her.

He knew that harboring a lost slave in his ship could result in trouble, but he did not care. A king held more power and sway than the Jorvlen scum who called Noxxa a home base.

Besides, she chose to shield herself within his ship. His. He could not let go of this thought, and something told him that letting her go back to the Jorvlens would result in far worse than if he were seen showing sympathy for this slave.

“How did you get away from them?”

Azha opened her mouth to answer, but she paused, eyeing Gravon as if she wasn’t sure she could trust him. She would learn she could trust him with everything. “I triggered a false alarm on their ship. When they were distracted, I was able to sneak out.”

At that moment, Gravon decided her fate. The sheer bravery of this girl would’ve been enough alone for him to grant her this, but coupled with that overwhelming scent of her that seemed to draw him in, there was no question about it.

He would hide her on the Imperial Nirum and bring her back to his planet.

“Get back in your hiding spot and stay here. I will return for you,” he told her.

Without waiting to see if she obeyed, he darted past her, out of the cargo bay and through the corridors until he reached an exit to the ship. He slithered outside, surveying everyone who passed.

As he stood watch, he spotted a group of Jorvlens nearby. He eased forward ever so slowly, using the crowd to his advantage as he slowly extended his body’s hood and opened his mouth, fangs dripping venom. Unfortunately, as soon as they saw his flared hood and fangs, they scurried off. They knew exactly who he was and what he could do to them with his venom should he choose.

Gravon was the deadliest Niri alive today. No one would interfere with his decision to keep the girl.

Not even her.

Chapter 2

Azha

Azha was used to being in situations where she couldn’t control the outcome. Where she was completely at the mercy of others no matter her desires. She was, after all, a slave. Bodily autonomy was not a right she had ever possessed. But that did not mean it ever got easier.

Standing in between the crates, waiting for the return of the half-serpent creature, she had to force herself to stop trembling. He reminded her of stories of Earth Naga beings. Half-serpent, half-man. All deadly. She didn’t want her fear to show, as it usually only made situations worse, but it was hard for her to control her terror at this moment.

Azha had no idea where the alien creature had gone. For all she knew, he was bringing the Jorvlens to take her back to their ship as she stood there waiting for his return.

She couldn’t explain what made her stay put, regardless of that possibility. In any other situation, she would’ve tried to sneak out while he was away. In any other situation, she would’ve been long gone by now. But something inside of her made her keep her feet planted as he’d demanded.

She didn’t know what to make of the creature. The way he had looked at her was unusual, and he didn’t seem like the Jorvlens she was usually around. In fact, he had appeared to get angry when she mentioned them.

A shuffling sound made Azha’s heart pound rapidly. She attempted to hold her breath while someone entered the cargo hold, but the effort was not needed. Whoever it was swiftly left and did not return.

She let out a breath of relief and began to wonder if listening to her gut was going to get her into a world of trouble. Maybe she misinterpreted the feeling.

Azha did not have the time to change her mind before the green, hooded Naga appeared in front of her, seemingly out of nowhere. “Come out.”

Her breath caught in her throat from the surprise of his sudden reappearance. She hesitated for only a second before carefully stepping out from her hiding spot. Azha looked around the cargo hold, avoiding staring at him as she made sure he was alone. A part of her was surprised to see the Jorvlens absent from the room.

“They are not here,” he announced as she continued to look further around the area in case they were on their way.

Her eyes snapped to his, and she was shocked for the second time at how striking his yellow eyes were. She had never seen such a shade before.

“Who?” She played dumb.

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