Page 47 of Aria's Ascension

“I'll break his snout if he tries,” she murmured, staring up at him meaningfully with a private smile curling her lips. “Besides, it’s not me he’s growling at. Is it, Kix?”

Her firefly looked reluctant to answer, but he eventually sighed and shook his head. “No. He has no hostility toward you. It is us he feels presents the threat. He was wary when he thought strangers had entered his territory, yet mostly unconcerned. Knowing Aria is here has stirred his protective instincts. She is correct, much as I dislike it. He will not be receptive to questioning while we remain,” he added, speaking to Tirox.

After ten minutes, at least, spent arguing, followed by them finally caving, and another fifteen minutes of setting ground rules, Tirox turned and strode stiffly to a patch of the same pink mushrooms present in their cave and… blew on them? Whatever he did, it worked. They came to life, illuminating the chamber in a soft glow, purple for the moment since their light mixed with her firefly’s blue.

As they left, she overheard Kix whisper to Tirox that he would monitor them telepathically. Her barbarian nodded and replied that they would storm in at the first hint of danger, wherein he would shoot the dragon. Specifically, in his ‘too-pretty face,’ though he did decide stunning the ‘poor bastard’was sufficient rather than killing him… unless he hurt her, in which case he was definitely going to die.

Aria was torn between being appalled at her sweet giant’s ruthlessness and appreciation of the same.

At least she knew she never had to worry about them not being able to do what needed to be done.

The last thing she heard before they disappeared from sight was them arguing over how best to console her after they stunned him to unconsciousness to keep her from ‘lashing them with her sharp tongue.’Treats, sex, new weapons, and sparkly things were all considered options.

God, I love them, but if they think a new blade will make me feel better if they shoot the dragon in the face, they’ve got another thing coming.

Turning back to the man in question, snarling in the corner, she drew in a deep breath.

Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.

Chapter 27

“It’s just us now,” Aria called out, waving a hand toward him so he would smell that her men had left.

She waited until he stopped snarling then repeated, “My name is Aria. What’s yours?”

She hadn’t really expected him to answer, but she was still disappointed when he remained silent. Cautiously taking a step closer, she searched his face in the shadows for any sign of recognition. His posture was tense, but the tilt of his head told her interest was beginning to overpower aggression.

“Do you know me? Do you remember me?”

She heard him drawing in a deep breath, pulling in more of her scent now that she was closer, but still no answer. Another step brought her within ten feet of him. She didn’t think he had enough chain to reach her, but stayed poised, ready to jump backward in case he attacked.

Hiding any signs of tension in her voice, she continued speaking softly. “I believe we were close once. Maybe more than once. Zhrovni—”

That got her a vicious snarl.

“Yeah, he’s a real bastard. He mentioned wiping our memories, but that we always managed to find each other, regardless of his efforts. That is, until he locked you up down here. I found Tirox and Kix in the arena. That’s who you smelled earlier. But, I didn’t remember you until I saw you chained up in the canyon.”

Pausing just before she stepped within grabbing range, she gazed up at him searchingly, trying to read the expression on his face.

Deciding blunt was best, if only to gauge his reaction, she asked, “If I come closer, will you try to hurt me?”

He stiffened, whether because he was offended by the question or because he was unsure, she couldn’t quite tell, but after a beat, he seemed to force himself to relax. He lowered his shoulders and bowed his head slightly, making it appear as if he was looking right at her, then very deliberately put his hands behind his back.

Taking that as a ‘no,’ she took a step closer. They were less than three feet apart now. She could smell him. Despite being positive he hadn’t had access to a bath or the three shells, he smelled… incredible. Warm and rich, like dark chocolate and vanilla with an underscore of leather. It made her think of really good sex, the kind you don’t walk away from but wobbled drunkenly on on legs gone numb from too much pleasure.

What the hell is up with these alien men smelling like all my favorite things?

A little flustered at the unexpected image, she shook it off before Kix picked up on it and decided that was reason enough to storm in. Searching for something else to focus on, she glanced down at the shackle encircling his ankle and followed the chain to an anchor set in the stone.

Maybe if I pile rocks on top of a throwing star, it’ll direct the blast and…

She was only distracted for a split second… but it was enough.

Like a predator sensing opportunity, he sprang.

Her little passenger didn’t even have time to warn her. Between one heartbeat and the next, he yanked her off her feet, spun her around, slammed her against the stone wall, and had her pinned in place with his big body.

Aria blinked, stunned.

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