Page 40 of Possessed by the Dragon Alien (Zarux Dragon Brides #6)
TWENTY-EIGHT
The morning light filtered through the gossamer curtains of their dwelling, casting dancing patterns across the polished stone floors.
Nena stretched languidly in their bed, savoring the warmth of Zarux and Teria’s sun on her skin through the wide windows.
One mig -cycle. It had been just over one mig -cycle since the fall of the Axis, since they had reclaimed their homeworlds and begun the long work of healing what had been broken.
She rose and padded barefoot to the window, marveling as she did every morning at the view beyond.
The Axis had left Teria a poisoned husk, but now verdant hills rolled toward the horizon.
The terraforming efforts were exceeding even their most optimistic projections.
Native grasses swayed in the breeze. Silver-green fronds caught the light like scattered jewels.
In the distance, she could see the carefully tended groves where they were reintroducing the crystalline trees that had once been Teria’s crown jewels.
Each one was a living work of art that sang in harmonious frequencies when the wind moved through its branches.
The village below their hillside home was already bustling with activity.
Terian families moved through the settlement with a lightness that still amazed Nena.
No longer did people keep their heads down or move with the careful, fearful steps of the oppressed.
Children ran laughing between the houses in playful delight that would have been unheard of in the old settlements.
The sound never failed to make her chest tight with emotion.
The males were learning. Many female Terians had chosen to leave their bondmates.
Some had formed communities of their own and chose no bondmate.
Nena couldn’t blame them. Had she not met Madrian, it would have been her choice, too.
Others found mates, and a surprising number of Terian males had been eager to shed the old ways.
Those males adored their mates as the memories of starvation and fear began to fade away and new prosperity began.
Her ex-bondmate Niratt, resided in a village far from theirs.
That suited her fine. Madrian wasn’t likely to warm to him and frankly, Nena didn’t know and didn’t care enough to know what his status was.
He was in her past. If he mistreated someone ever again, the local law would deal with him.
She hoped he learned and grew. She hoped, once the misery and trauma of Axis rule faded, that he became a good person.
Nena wrapped a light robe around herself and stepped onto the terrace that overlooked their private gardens.
The air was sweet with the scent of blooming kethara flowers—another species they’d successfully reintroduced.
The delicate blue blooms released a gentle fragrance that was said to promote peace and healing.
She breathed deeply, letting the familiar comfort of growing things settle into her bones.
Movement in the garden caught her eye, and her breath hitched as it always did when she saw him.
Madrian worked among the raised beds they’d built together.
His blue scales gleamed with a fine sheen in the morning sun.
He’d foregone his shirt. Now there was a luxury he’d discovered he enjoyed immensely after so many mig -cycles of rigid Axis uniforms. She enjoyed it too, as she ran her gaze over his powerful shoulders and muscular torso.
He moved with easy grace as he tended to a section of heritage grain that they were trying to coax back to full vitality.
His wings were partially spread for balance as he knelt among the plants.
Their dark membranes looked like stained glass in the light.
The sight of him—former High Chancellor of the Axis, one of the most feared beings in the galaxy—carefully nurturing seedlings with hands that had once commanded fleets, never failed to make Nena’s heart race.
This was the male she’d fallen in love with, not the weapon the Axis had tried to create.
He was a protector, a healer, and one who chose to build rather than destroy.
As if sensing her gaze, he looked up and caught sight of her on the terrace.
The smile that transformed his features was radiant.
All sharp edges softened into something that belonged only to her.
He straightened, brushed soil from his hands, and began walking toward the house with that fluid grace that marked him as both predator and prince.
Nena’s pulse quickened as he approached. Even after all this time, after everything they’d been through together, the sight of him still made her feel like that nervous garden worker who’d been caught hiding in the ferns. Except now, instead of fear, anticipation thrummed through her veins.
He took the stone steps to the terrace two at a time.
His silver eyes locked with hers and he smiled.
That smile, which she saw frequently, now, made her skin warm.
Before she could speak, he swept her into his arms and his mouth claimed hers in a kiss that tasted of morning air and possibilities.
She melted against him, running her hands across the warm scales of his chest as he deepened the kiss.
He tasted like hunger and devotion and pleasure.
When they finally broke apart, both breathless, Nena tilted her face up to his and smiled. “Good morning to you, too.”
“The best kind of morning,” he murmured, his arms tightening around her waist. “Waking up knowing you’re here, that this is real, that we have all the time in the worlds to just…be.”
The wonder in his voice never failed to move her. For someone who had spent his entire life in service to schedules and duty and the brutal efficiency of empire, the concept of simply being was still a revelation.
“The kethara seedlings have taken root,” he continued. “Three more crystalline saplings are showing signs of growth. And I think—I think the heritage grain might actually produce a full harvest this season.”
Nena traced the line of his jaw with her fingertips, marveling at how he could speak of growing things with the same passion he’d once reserved for tactical discussions. “You sound surprised.”
“I am, constantly.” His expression grew thoughtful.
“I spent so many mig -cycles focused on bending the galaxy to the Axis’ will that the idea that I could nurture something instead of dominating it…
That I could help something flourish rather than simply survive…
” He shook his head. “It still amazes me.”
“You were always capable of this,” Nena said softly. “The Axis just never let you discover it.”
They settled onto the cushioned bench that overlooked their gardens.
Nena curled against Madrian’s side as they watched the morning unfold.
In the distance, she could see other Terians working their own plots.
Many wanted to farm. It was a skill they knew, and the idea of farming on their home planet was appealing to many.
Some had left. Some had decided to live on Zarux.
A handful had chosen to remain on the planet where the former settlements now lay abandoned.
The Hecron people had welcomed those into their villages.
“I had a transmission from Ellion this morning,” Madrian said, his fingers playing idly with her hair. “Turi gave birth two cycles ago. A daughter. They would like us to move up our visit.”
Nena sat up, eyes bright. “She’s early! Are they both well?”
“Perfectly healthy. Ellion sounded…different. Softer somehow.” Madrian’s smile was tender. “He’s completely besotted with both his mate and his daughter. Turi says he spends hours just staring at the baby, as if he can’t believe she’s real.”
The thought of the stern, controlled Ellion transformed by fatherhood made Nena’s heart warm. “Does she have wings?”
“Yes, but they’re smaller, and no scales.
I told Ellion that we are excited to meet her.
They have our suite prepared in the fortress ship.
They finally located the exact location where it sat when our mother ruled.
Ellion says it will remain there.” Madrian’s voice carried a note of deep satisfaction.
“He also said that twenty-six more Zaruxians have returned. There are precious few of us, but the population centers are being rebuilt, and with better planning this time. No more of the Axis’ cold efficiency—they’re designing spaces for families, for community, for joy. ”
“What do you hear from the others?” Nena was in regular contact with her friends, and they gathered together frequently, but she liked hearing Madrian’s updates.
“Razion and Lilas are currently somewhere in the outer rim, helping establish new trade routes between liberated worlds. Last I heard from Razion, they’d gotten into a spectacular betting match with a Wi’luon merchant prince and somehow ended up with three new ships and a contract to transport luxury goods. ”
Nena rolled her eyes, imagining Lilas’ sharp tongue and Razion’s roguish charm wreaking havoc on unsuspecting merchants. “Those two will never give up the wandering life, and Lilas loves it.” Although Lilas and Razion were technically based on Zarux, they were rarely there.
Madrian chuckled. “It sounds like they’re having the time of their lives.”
“Undoubtedly.”
“As you know, Takkian and Sevas are doing well setting up training and defense systems on Zarux. The planet needs to be able to defend itself, even though it’s unlikely anyone will touch this system again. Sevas is apparently a terrifyingly effective instructor.”