Page 38 of Captured By the Dragon Warlord (Fated Mates of the Sarkarnii Warlords #2)

I wait 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?”

“Now he is a warlord, like the rest of us,” Dexx says.

“Perhaps we can leave the biting and the venom for another day. Maybe after you’ve spoken with Darax?”

Dexx snarls to himself at the mention of Darax’s name.

“He is mated too. He will know. And his mate is pregnant.” The words rush from me like water, unstoppable, a flood of truth I didn’t want to let free.

Dexx rumbles. “His mate is with young?”

“Yes.” I hold up my comm device. “I found out earlier.”

Dexx rubs at the scales on his chin. “I have something for you, little mate.”

He turns away from me and goes down into the depression in the center of the room where we sleep, digging away at the cushions until he has revealed the metal floor. I watch as he presses a hidden button, and the area opens up like an iris.

Something glitters within.

“Come, Scarlett.” Dexx holds out a clawed hand to me.

I climb down into the dip and get a better look at what lies beneath us.

A pit, filled with sparkling gems.

“Has this been here the whole time?” I stare down into the jewels. They are every single hue I’ve ever seen and maybe more. Light rainbows emit from them and I am completely mesmerized.

“All Sarkarnii protect their hoard with their lives,” Dexx rasps. “But you are my hoard now, Scarlett. These trinkets cannot match your beauty.”

He pulls out a long glittering strand of diamonds. I’m pretty certain these are far, far more attractive than me, but I will accept what he says because it makes my stomach squirm pleasantly. Dexx lifts the strand up and over my head. The jewels settle on my chest with a cold but perfect weight.

“My hoard is yours, little mate,” He says.

“Why?”

“Because you belong to me.” Smoke curls from Dexx and his eye is filled with heat. “And I belong to you.”