Page 97 of Captured By the Dragon Warlord
“You are my ultimate treasure,” I say into her ear. “I’d give all the jewels in my hoard and more, all the stars in the universe, all the air, all the light, to have one moment in your presence.”
“You don’t have to do any of that.” She smiles up at me. “You already have me.”
“Mine.” I dip my face into her hair, drinking in all I can of her.
“Yours.” Scarlett runs her hand over my scales and grasps the tip of my tail.
“Ours.” I gently stroke over her stomach.
Scarlett laughs and falls into my arms.
I have to be the luckiest Sarkarnii in all the galaxies.
SCARLETT
Following a flurry of activity for most of the day, I finally settled on an outfit which I hope Dexx will like and which is suitable for an entire gathering of his clan. Helped by the ever present and reassuring Cestapal, we create something I’m sure he will like and I find comfortable.
We’re slowly getting through them with the serum and about half have had it. So far, there has been no sickness in those who have not shifted, so I’m hopeful it will be possible for the rest to take the serum in the next few days.
To say this has made Dexx’s warriors exuberant is putting it mildly. Even those yet to have the cure are more than happy to put up with the flames of the others, despite their eyesight still not being able to deal with brighter lights. Instead, they consistently tackle their fellow warriors to the ground, rolling around in great balls of Sarkarnii scales, wings, and tails, filling the air with growls and happy snarls.
It’s as if they are all young again, given a new lease on life. I’ve even seen Dexx grinning at some of the antics, rather than glowering like usual.
All of which means the atmosphere in the dining hall is supremely raucous, aided and abetted by the fact Driok, Darax,Dante, and Dalox are present with their entourages. Entourages who are as encouraged by the mayhem Dexx’s warriors are engaged in as they are getting stuck into the vats of ale-wine Dexx has laid on.
I can see all of this ending in tears. But as long as it ends up with Dexx dancing for me then carrying me off into the night, all hell could be let loose afterwards.
And, with these Sarkarnii, it probably will.
Lydia sits next to me at one end of the dining hall, along with Kerra, who looks very interested in the proceedings she avoided, with Rosalie and Maggie next to her, where we are protected by a number of burly warriors. Her eyes are on stalks virtually.
“Are they always like this?” she asks, her voice barely audible.
“Yes and no. Sometimes they are asleep or eating,” I reply.
“Oh god,” she says and closes her eyes.
I give her hand a squeeze, probably more for my benefit than hers as nerves are really setting in as the noise ramps up and there is a roar from the crowd.
It’s followed by the most almighty fireball sent into the air and silence descends. It’s only for a brief moment before a loud thumping rhythm reverberates around the hall. The Sarkarnii are keeping a beat which is so loud I feel it in my chest.
Ahead of us, the warriors part, and I see Dexx at the other end of the hall, flanked by the warlords. Dalox leans into him and says something in his ear.
Dexx snarls at him as his hips snap from side to side in time with the beat. All the Sarkarnii are swaying, and it’s mesmerizing with the multi-colored scales flashing in the myriad of lights. Those who have yet to take the serum are in a darker area, but their scales still glint out at me.
“Has he shed?” Kerra whispers in my ear.
“Yesterday,” I reply.
It was an experience I will never forget, Dexx in the bathing pool, asking me to assist and with no ceremony at all, he had slipped free of his skin and was bare as ever before me, scales brighter than ever as he begged me to claim him with my bite.
I obliged, of course, and he wears the small mark I made on his shoulder with pride. But now he is all serious again. His face is concentrated on me as the crowd around us draws back and he begins what looks like a slow, sweeping step towards me. It’s as if he knows what he needs to do innately, without thinking, so he can concentrate entirely on me.
I get to my feet, drawn up by his movements, my hips swinging in time to the beat, mirroring his. I can’t help myself. I know Dexx can’t read my thoughts, but he doesn’t need to, not this time. I want his dance. I want to be the Sarkarnii version of a wife.
His claim is my claim. I love him with all my heart and soul.
The beat changes up. Dexx shifts his wings and performs a series of sinuous somersaults, each one landing with perfect timing to the thumping and swaying. His clan begins a low hum, almost a purr as Dexx gets closer, his tail swishing and his good eye flashing fire at me.
