Page 6 of Grumpy Dragon Christmas

She furrows her sweet brow. “I’d have thought…”

Her words trail off as there’s a second explosion. This time I’m not smiling, not at all.

“If you’re responsible for all this”—she waves her hand at the glow in the darkening sky—“I think you might be in trouble.”

“Iamtrouble.” I shove my face in hers. “So, you’d better run.”

“Oh yeah?” she retorts, putting her hands on her hips and making my cock jerk again. “I know that game,Sarkarnii.”

“This is no game, little snack.” I lick my lips.

The female huffs at me. “I don’t run,” she says. “No matter what you do or say.”

I can feel my scales itching, and annoyance at her refusal to be scared eats at me. But I have a reason why flames are licking the sky, and I can’t waste any more time.

Not if I want to get into the spaceport and get the part I need.

“You will run, I promise you,” I reply, shifting out my wings and taking to the sky, beating upwards while I inhale her scent until it’s gone.

If she has any sense, she will leave too.

JADE

Iliterally cannot…a Sarkarnii? Here? How come the much lauded starmap my group of Sarkarnii found didn’t pick this one up? Maybe it doesn’t do individuals.

My head is shattered, I’m shattered, and all I want is to get back to my egg-shaped apartment and fall into bed. Everything else can wait. Including the fact I’m pregnant, even if it’s something which can’t wait forever.

All of this is going to take some head space, which I don’t have. This is not what I planned at all. None of it, and certainly not meeting a snarly Sarkarnii male who is too smug for his own good, and who makes me feel…wanted.

Nope. I am not going to let him make me feel any way at all. I have far too many problems of my own. I do not need to add him to the list.

By the light of his damage, I make my way out of the square and it’s not long before I encounter life. A pair of cute, furry Lepke, all feathery antenna and rodent-like features, are hanging out of their door staring at the damage.

“Excuse me,” I say, hoping not to startle them.

I startle them.

“I’m a bit lost. I’ve not been here long.”

Their faces brighten immediately. “Are you the new human?”

I nod, although I wasn’t aware there were any old humans on Kitchik.

“I’m Racil and this is Frank!” The smaller of the two claps her hands together. “I’m so pleased we met you!”

Excitable, but in my current mood, I don’t mind so much. Anything to keep me from thinking about my current condition.

And the big red, very muscular Sarkarnii I’ve encountered tonight.

“I’m Jade.” I do my best to sound happy. “Is there any chance you could get hold of Qrow er…Riverside? He knows where I live.”

Racil puts her hand on my arm, her whiskers twitching like a mouse. “No need. Everyone knows where you live, Jade. We can show you the way to your home.”

Home. I hadn’t thought of it like that. Will it be baby proof? How will I manage on my own?

“If that’s what you want?” Racil queries.

“Yes, please.” I stumble over the words, caught in my thoughts.

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