Page 60 of Captured By the Dragon Warlord
“Not in your present form. But you will need to bite her to claim her.”
“When?”
“Your rut will know when the time is right.”
“But my venom…?”
“Is compatible with her,” Dalox rasps. “I want no more distractions, Dexx, we need to deal with these devices. The females have encountered the Veseli and the other creatures. We need more information from them.”
I don’t hold back my growl.
“And you are to get it, Dexx.” Dalox drops a huge paw onto my shoulder. “Once we have vanquished our enemies, we will deal with your shifting problem.”
“No problems here.” I am unable to keep the lie from my lips.
Dalox’s gaze doesn’t waver. I am an idiot if I continue.
“If my clan and I do not shift twelve nova-hours out of a nova-day, we get sick.” I dip my head. “It has been this way since we came through the wormhole.”
The huge male, his dark red scales seemingly getting darker, says,“The wormhole was bad for all of us. But what we have become is greater than ever. Your work fuels us. It gets us the power and the respect we deserve. All we need to do is deal with the threat within and it will be time for us to take everything we desire.”
SCARLETT
Iwait for Dexx, unsure what to say or whether to say anything at all. I don’t know my own feelings in the matter, so how can I possibly discuss what bothers me if I can’t pin down what it is? I dislike that I may be breaking one of my own rules, however. But what can I do?
I pick at some of the food Cestapal has left out for me. Eating in the dining hall without Dexx is virtually impossible. As much as none of the warriors would intentionally touch me, the regular roughhousing means I’m usually dodging food and body parts if we eat there, and that’s with Dexx. If I was on my own, I think I’d end up squashed.
But nothing tastes good or captures my attention. It’s like every nerve ending is waiting, waiting, waiting.
The door to Dexx’s quarters slides open, and he stands there, staring at me.
He is a magnificent specimen of a Sarkarnii. It might be my imagination, but I’m sure he’s larger than when we first met, bulkier, with more than a bit of danger glittering in his scales.
“Heartsfire.” He breathes out a stream of smoke.
My eyes are now accustomed to the dim light on his ship for it to mean I can see the sparks which float, almost invisible, in the air between us.
“Dexx.” I look at the floor.
“I have something to tell you, little mate.” He crosses the room in two strides, and I have a big male in my personal space, the scent of spice and smoke surrounding me. “I have spoken with Dalox.”
“Oh?”
“And if I am to claim you, I need to bite you.” Dexx smiles, revealing his long, sharp fangs. “And give you my venom.”
“What?” I stare up at him. He’s practically vibrating with this information. “Are you sure that’s what Dalox said? I thought venom was a bad thing.”
“It is, from females,” Dexx grumbles. “I have seen an envenomated male. He could hardly walk for several nova-days.” He shakes his head at the memory.
“But you want to bite me?” I squeak.
“Male Sarkarnii venom is different. It is good for a female, like my seed is good for you.”
“I’m really not sure about any of this.” I can’t back away from Dexx, and his grin has taken on somewhat of a terrifying aspect. “Do you believe Dalox?”
Dexx cocks his head on one side, some of his fangs disappearing. “When he was fleet leader, we followed his orders without question.” His brow furrows.
“And now?”
