Page 32

VEGA

Last night had left its mark—literal marks, fresh on my neck. I wore them like a badge of honor. Every swallow reminded me they were there. And the ache between my legs? It was well earned.

Zarvash’s scent haunted me, clinging stubbornly to my hair, beneath my skin. There would be no doubt who I belonged to. Who belonged to me.

But the city had its own demands, louder and fiercer than my own. So, I shoved it all down and headed for the human quarters.

I found Kinsley sprawled on the floor outside my room, legs splayed, head tipped back as she breathed in shallow gulps of thick air. She clocked me, her hand darting to the knife at her side, a quick warning in her eyes. She never let her guard down. I respected that.

Reika crouched nearby, jabbing frustrated fingers at a battered comm device that had been scavenged from our downed ship.

I knew Orla liked working on broken tech; maybe Reika was learning from her.

Reika’s hair was a wild mess, her eyes sunk deep in a face stretched thin by anxiety with nowhere to go.

Kinsley watched her like a hawk, tension stringing the air tight between them.

“When were you planning to tell me that the lizard was more than your partner?” Kinsley demanded.

Reika glared and turned away from me while the others—Selene, Orla, Kaiya—turned my way, eyes wide. It was a party.

Wonderful.

“If I told you, would you have risked escaping?” If I was in her shoes, my answer would be a hearty hell no. Even with the taste of Zarvash embedded deep in me, I still have a default level distrust of this place that told me to be on my guard.

Kinsley shot me a sideways glance, suspicion still lurking in her eyes. “I had a right to know.”

Maybe she did. It didn't make me regret my decision.

Eden's shoes squeaked on the stone. She was too bright, too young for this place, but she had a knack for fitting in. She swiped a smudge off her cheek with her thumb. Her hands wouldn’t quite stay still.

She was young, only twenty, though her eyes said otherwise, sharp, jumpy, always scanning the room for something.

“How did Kira take the news?” I kept my voice low, not wanting to stir the tension. I should have told her myself, but I'd been a bit … distracted.

Eden’s gaze darted away. “Not good.” She pressed her lips together, her pulse flickering fast in her throat. “She’s locked herself in her room. Won’t let anyone in. I left her some food. She’ll come out when she’s ready.” She tried to sound casual, but I heard the worry beneath it.

Guilt twisted inside me. I’d promised Kira answers, a rescue. Instead, I’d handed her fresh grief. Classic me—kick down a door, forget about the collateral damage.

Before the silence could thicken, Terra stormed in, ponytail swinging, boots kicking up dust. Her eyes found me immediately, electric and wild. She didn’t bother with a greeting.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” she demanded, her voice crackling with barely contained energy.

I arched a brow. “You’ll have to be more specific, Captain.”

There was really only one thing she could be talking about, and she'd been there for the declaration. This wasn't about confirmation; it was to make me eat crow.

To say I'd hated the Drakarn over these last few months was an understatement. That I was now snuggled up next to one who'd nearly gotten Orla killed? Yeah, this was going to take some getting used to.

She stepped closer, arms folded tight. “You and Zarvash?”

I met her stare, unflinching. “Yes.”

Her jaw dropped. Delight sparked in her eyes, feral and shameless. “Ha!”

Behind her, Selene let out a snort, and Kaiya’s lips curved into an uncontrollable grin.

Terra gasped, dripping with mock outrage.

“Vega Cross—Miss I Hate the Drakarn—hooked up with a seven-foot lizard tactician. If you’d bet me—” She pointed at me, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

“You’re sure he’s not got you under mind control?

Alien pheromones?” Her eyes sparkled with mischief.

Eden wheezed while Kaiya’s grin bordered on wicked.

I leveled a glare at them. “One: If there is alien mind control, it's not like I'm the only one. Two: talk to the doc about alien pheromones. Three: Anyone who says ‘Vega’s gone soft’ will learn what a melted face feels like.”

Someone giggled. A real, honest giggle; my dignity never stood a chance.

Terra eyed me like I was a ticking bomb. “You nearly slit Darrokar's throat just for talking that first week. I thought you would never speak to me again after we got together. What changed? Tell me it was the tail.”

I groaned, burying my face in my hands. “No details, you vultures. Also—” My voice caught, just for a second. “Nope, never mind. You don't deserve it.”

Terra, relentless, leaned in. “It's the whole thing, huh? The full claiming, scent marking, mated thing?”

I shot her a glare that could kill. “Let’s just say I’m sleeping well. That enough for you? Go ask Hawk about her love life if you need more. Or do you want us asking about you and Darrokar?”

Silence. Terra had a stare that could peel paint.

Eden, bless her, clapped her hands once and broke it: “Who’s spreading the word? Is this a city-wide holiday? Should I sneak out for more wine?”

I snorted. “If Scalvaris partied every time a human hooked a Drakarn, they’d burn through their rations by sunrise.”

Something in my chest loosened. The air felt lighter, the danger a distant hum. “For the record, I’m still emotionally stunted, extremely suspicious, and allergic to group therapy. This just … happened.”

Terra laughed. “Drinks all around. Also, I need the details; Orla’s running a betting pool.”

I scowled. “You had a pool?”

She smirked. “Obviously. Odds were four-to-one you’d stab a Drakarn before you’d sleep with one. Some of us got creative. Hawk owes me big.”

“Perfect. Did anyone bet on bronze scales in particular?”

Terra shook her head. “No one was that stupid.”

Something knotted in my chest went loose. Just a little. Enough to breathe.

“I’ll try not to let it tank my reputation,” I said, my voice close to breaking.

Terra’s grin was wide and sharp. “Too late, Cross. Welcome to the lizard-wranglers’ club.”

Laughter smudged the tension, turning it into something warm. Eden leaned in, conspiratorial: “So … is his tail as impressive up close as it looks from here? And does it really?—?”

“Say one more word, and I will show you that I can still use a knife.”

Eden just laughed.