Page 103 of Emerald

“Why not just start a new pile?” I ask.

“This is treasure of a different kind, Olivia,” zha explains. “Something given, not found, or taken, or handed down from a zhann. Something special, with a rich story centered around the person who gave it and the moment they did.”

My lips quirk up at the awe in zha’s voice at this new concept. “It’s called a gift, Kroaicho, and I agree. They are special. Mostly because they remind you of who gave them.”

My smile falls when I think of the sketch book my boss gave me. I won’t ever see him again, will I? Then I remember what he said he wanted: for me to go out into the world and make a difference. I snort. Well, I went beyond it, but I will still make that difference.

I can make him proud, even if he won’t ever know about it.

There is a pang between my eyes and I rub at it. Why would I want to cry? That’s a happy thought, isn’t it? After another throb of pain and no tears come, I shrug it off, once again distracted by Kroaicho.

Zha is turned to face me, skin lit up almost completely green, but with swirls of orange to communicate zha’s contentment. Zha moves forward, taking several long strides on multiple limbs before sweeping me up and against zha’s chest.

“This would be the second time, Kroaicho,” I tease. “Are you sure you want to use up all two of your mating options?”

After a clack of tusks, zha responds. “Do you plan to steal my Rannek gift?”

“No,” I retort.

“Then there will be far more than two matings,” zha says with another two clacks of tusks hitting tusks.

Kroaicho settles down onto the knees of zha’s back limbs, holding me just the perfect amount of tight against zha.

I reach my four arms up toward zha’s face, but then feel self-conscious, remembering how bossy I was last time. “Was all four too much? Was I too rough?”

“You were perfect,” zha says. “I never knew it could feel like that.”

My heart leaps at the praise and my heart starts beating faster thinking of how good it felt for me, too.

I glance up at the spikes on the left side of zha’s head, thinking of my own new spiky additions, which Kroaicho has already adjusted to for this hold, it seems. “I guess we’ll never be able to fuck on our backs, will we?” I say with a laugh.

“Why would anyone ever do that?” zha asks, blue swirling in now. “Humans have many strange ideas about mating.”

“You have liked them so far,” I point out.

“That is true,” zha concedes. “What others do you have planned?”

It’s odd to be the one who knows more about sex, but it also feels good. Like I have power and control. Similar to how it feels to kill an enemy, but even better.

It makes me feel bold and I reach my lower arms up before I can think much of it and grab ahold of two of Kroaicho’s lower tusks. The ones that jut upward.

“I will make you feel amazing,” I growl out. “Just do as I say, like a good caterdragon. Just remember: I am in control.”

Shivers pass over Kroaicho, pink eyes widening and skin blazing green. “You are. I would give you every treasure,” zha breathes out.

“No,” I say forcefully. “There is no exchange for this. All I want is you to do what I say.”

“I will,” zha says, voice soft and eyes still wide, body trembling.

It pleases me, my own skin lighting up to a brighter green to hear the capitulation. The submission in zha’s tone makes me pant. I pull on both tusks, moving Kroaicho’s massive head closer, pushing zha’s head back so zha’s neck is arched in just the way I want it, spikes shivering and eyes looking down at my hands in anticipation.

“Don’t move,” I bark out.

With careful, teasing strokes I run the tips of the fingers of my two upper arms gently around the flaring edges of zha’s lower nostrils. Once, twice, and again. Each time zha’s breath comes faster and faster.

“You are so soft here, Kroaicho,” I groan.

With each stroke and breath, some of zha’s expellent starts to coat my fingers, exciting me. Suddenly, I can’t wait any longer, moving my hands to the upper, tighter nostrils and easing my way in.

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