Page 312 of Scorching the Alien Empire
Xandor only shrugs.
“What is she even like?” I sigh, betrayal’s oily aftertaste bubbling in my gut. “Let the shameless hussy go Double Agent Red Squirrel it up across the cosmos for all I care.”
I take a steadying breath. No, she’s a great friend—deserves her own Red Dragon, a blonde goth assassin to match her Ginga Ninja.
“I hope she’s happy.” I whisper, smiling.
“Xandor. Krogoth’s Second,” Dracoth growls, voice like manicure-nails dragged across a filer. “Last we spoke was atop the Peaks of Scarn...”
He inches closer—a muscle mountain looming. “Where, under the Elders’ protection, you named mebloated mutant.”
Our bond flares like wildfire—Dracoth’s fury not born of hate, but challenge. It sends a delicious ember fluttering through me, and I can’t help but grin at the idea of my Red Dragon wiping that smug off Xandor’s perfect face.
“Did I really say that?” Xandor gasps, clutching his chest with faux innocence, eyes glowing like molten gold.
“UUUUGHH!” A scream echoes from beyond the door, making me wince.
“Oh wait, yes,” Xandor snaps his fingers, a glint of fang beneath narrowed eyes. “Now I remember. Ididcall you a bloated mutant. And now? You’re abald, bloated mutant.”
My fists tighten. “Listen, you little—”
“They say the Gods blessed your union. Made you fast,” Dracoth cuts me off like a sexy knife, turning me into buttery toast. “Your speed versus my strength. What say you?” He lifts a massive fist. Bone and sinew creak like breaking trees. “Arawnoth demands it.”
“Careful Arawnoth doesn’t lead you off a cliff,youngWar Chief,” Xandor replies, slow and deliberate. “But if you insist...” He shrugs nonchalantly. “Later. At the proving grounds. A spirited spar. For your safety, of course.”
His eyes flash like amber warning lights. “You won’t land a single blow. That I swear on my ancestors.” He smirks. Confident. Too confident. Something about it gives me pause.
“Ignore him,” I snort, waving a hand like he’s a stinky Todd fart. “We’ve got more important—”
“Hubris,” Dracoth mutters with a low chuckle. “Later, you choke on those foolish words, Second.”
“Brilliant,” I sigh, throwing my arms up.
“OOOHHH!” Another wail slices through the door, and my lady bits flinch in feminine sympathy.
I shoot a glare at Dracoth, suddenly annoyed at him. “That’s it. No more touching. You’re officially banned.” I point at his giant frame like his man meat is the harbinger of torture.
He doesn’t speak. Just stares—molten ruby eyes boring into me. Extra salty. Extra frowny.
Ut-oh.
Then—heat.
Warm. Pulsing.Centered.
“Ohhh...” A moan slips out. Cow-like.Betrayer.
“You’re such a che—” I catch the naughtiest, faintest smirk curling his lips.
“Ahh!” I squirm back against the wall, legs snapping shut. Now there’s—three?—little sneaky, dancing, throbbingpleasure bombs, turning me into a quivering goo.
Xandor sniffs, face scrunching. “Do you two smell burning borack meat?”
“You’re... probably having... a. Ah!” My hands brace against the wall as the waves build, converting my lyrical outburst into a perverse song. “A wonderfulstroke!” I gasp, throwing in jazz hands for flair.
“That must be it,” Xandor says, nodding as ifthatmade perfect sense. “I must have left the food dispenser on again,” he sighs, walking down the corridor. “Gods, their demands are unending.”
He disappears behind a door. I release a half-breath, half-squeal.
