Page 11 of Bred By Zyros
I consider that for a moment, deciding I’d much rather she do exactly that, but the idea of the other males outside my cave seeing her form is…unpleasant. I gesture with my lower arms to the basket of fabrics. Typically, I use them for carrying crystals after hunts and my nest, but they should work well for herclothes.
She catches up to my meaning fast, frowning deeply. Obviously displeased.
“You may remainnee-kidin my cave,” I assure her.
She does not look assured, quirking a brow and crossing her arms, covering her soft stomach. I bare my fangs, wanting it back in my sight. “Oh, I may, huh?”
“That is what I said,female. It is late. Come, I will show you your sleeping chamber.”
“No, Zyros, I need—”
I hiss, whipping around and away from her. “Your chamber is there.” I jerk out a clawed finger. “There is extra bedding in the baskets.”
“Hey!” She calls, but I ignore her, slipping into my chamber, taking my first full breath clear from her sweet scent.
Melody
I stare at the space Zyros occupied for a second or two longer before turning my flushed and yet somehow chilled form toward the stack of fabric. It’s roughly knitted but surprisingly strong when I test it in my hands. The material isn’t the softest thing, but I suppose it only has to work until my dress is dry. The effects of whatever toxin had infected me are still very much there, but it's less so horny now and more sluggish. Exhausted and fuzzy, or maybe that’s just because the last twenty-four zentics have been intense, to say the least. I struggle to get the dress off, the gauzy material clinging to me, and I’m immediately grateful he stayed gone while I wiggle, jump, and shimmy out of the garment before tossing it on one of the hooks he’s got embedded in the cave wall. I haven’t the foggiest idea how to style or make any sort of clothing, so I just wrap it around myself as best I can, tucking it over my chest like a towel. Grateful I’d thought of bringing some of my soap and hair cream with me this time. I use a little bit to clean my underwear in the spring the best I can before hanging it too and trying to salvage my curls.
As soon as I step foot into the darkchamberhe pointed at, my heart sinks deeper in my chest. Not because it’s not nice, it’s fine. I don’t require much. It’s just that…the first night is always the hardest, the night where you miss the comfort of your own bed the most. The same vines hang above a recessed area in the floor, probably for some sort of nest. I make myself a pallet with as many of those knitted blankets as I can find, and by thetime I settle into it, tears have welled in my eyes. Mytoo longmakeshift gown spread out around me is nearly too much in the heat, but it’s comfortable, surprisingly so. The vines make a dim, cozy glow. I blink my eyes to clear the tears, telling myself I’m silly like I do every time I get homesick for a place I don’t even want to be.
Tomorrow is a new day.
My eyelids are heavy, and I credit the alien drug for the way I slip into sleep almost immediately. My dreams filled with emerald scales and slitted eyes.
seven
Melody
The morning comes quickly, although there’s little sign of it inside the cave. My head is achy as I sit up, my body slightly sheened with sweat from the night. The makeshift dress has become no more than another blanket for the pallet. My eyes widen at the cut on the leg. If you can even call it that. It’s healed, just an angry red line where it once was, but it’s the skin around the cut that draws most of my attention. It’s tight, stretched, and slightly sunken in. The medical advancements of that alone demand to be scanned. Dad would want me to, but I don’t. The flora and fauna are more than enough. Scientists, even him, have a bad habit of losing sight ofshould Ijust because theycan.
I grimace at the sight, hoping whatever either his venom or the toxin had on my skin will fade over time. The smell of rainstorms and heady musk is every bit as strong here as it is in the main chamber as I gather mydressaround me.
Today is a new day.
Given the tension and legality of what we’re doing here, I think a straightforward approach would be best. My smile comes easily, along with a new anticipation deep in my gut. My eyes land on emerald and teal shining scales and the coppery tang of fresh blood.
“Here, female,” he offers, not bothering to turn toward me where he’s coiled on the cave floor beside the tunnel toward the entrance. My eyes finally, reluctantly leave the strong expanse of his back, and immediately my stomach revolts. He slides a rock slab, obviously fashioned into some kind of plate, to the side as an offering, piled high withrawcuts of meat.
I don’t need to hazard a glance at the fire to know it's unlit.
“Morning, Zyros,” I offer, finally reaching him, popping my head down beside his with a smile.
He rears back, huffing. “Eat.”
I eye the raw meat again, pursing my lips.
Would it be easier to just ask him to light a fire so I can cook it? Yeah, sure, but perhaps this can be an olive branch moment. I don’t have to be his buddy, but I do have to be buddy enough to fuck, so I plop down beside him. My pulse jumps as his tail slips closer to me, making something of a corral around me, close enough not to touch, but it would only be an arm’s length away. He’s engrossed in the butchering of whatever he’s hunted, slicing the meat with his claws.
My stomach heaves, too much saliva filling my mouth as I pluck a piece of meat from my plate. It’s warm but notheatedwarm. More like,hasn’t had a chance to coolwarm, and I think I’m going to be sick long before I force the slice into my mouth. I can feel his eyes on me, but mine slam closed, fighting the good fight like any warrior of peace.
It’s metallic and gamey, but the scan said it’s safe to eat.
I gag slightly.
Ew God, no, don’t chew. The meat has grittiness to it that gets stuck in my teeth.
Just swallow.
