Page 10 of Pursued by the Dragon Alien (Zarux Dragon Brides #4)

TEN

Lilas

Lilas stepped onto the docking bridge of Vexir Trade Station, her booted feet hitting the cool metal before she forced herself to move forward. Why had she said yes to this? It was loud—a steady hum of voices, the clatter of cargo being moved, the mechanical hiss of air locks opening and sealing. And it smelled . Something sharp and metallic burned her nostrils beneath layers of unfamiliar spices and the synthetic sterility of processed air.

Her fingers flexed at her sides. This was…a lot.

The ceiling of the trade station arched high overhead, crisscrossed with transparent panels showing glimpses of the stars beyond. Ships of various sizes lined the sprawling port, some streamlined and sleek, others bulky and rust-bitten. Beings of all shapes, sizes, and species moved between them, many shouting over the noise, others bartering in rapid, clipped exchanges.

“Busy cycle,” Cozax muttered from behind her, adjusting the strap of the pack slung over her shoulder. She carried one of the inventory datascreens, same as Vedd and the other six crew members accompanying them. Each had a list of inventory to sell or trade.

Lilas barely heard her. Her focus snagged on something across the way—a trio of figures with deep green skin, their elongated heads tilting toward one another as they chittered in a language she didn’t recognize. Further ahead, a tall, six-limbed alien gestured at a screen, his armored body gleaming under the lights.

Wind funneled through the port, carrying shouts, the scent of tangy oils, and something faintly sweet. The sheer scope of it all pressed in from every direction.

And suddenly, she felt very, very out of place.

Her feet stuttered. A queasy wave rolled through her stomach. She knew how to navigate a farm, a penal colony, a ship’s cargo hold. But this? This was something else entirely. Too much movement. Too many people. Too many unknowns pressing in all at once.

Then, warmth. A steady, solid presence at her side. A large, calloused hand closed gently around her wrist.

Razion .

He didn’t pull her, didn’t hold her in place—just let his fingers curve around her skin, grounding her. She hadn’t even realized she was reaching for him until her own fingers curled instinctively over his wrist in return.

“I’ve got you,” he said quietly, just for her.

Lilas swallowed, forcing a slow breath in. He gave her a moment, his grip firm but reassuring, and just like that, the swirl of sensations around her dulled. His presence anchored her, gave her something to focus on besides the overwhelming scope of the trade station.

She nodded once, her jaw tight. “I’m fine,” she said, even though she wasn’t entirely convinced of it herself.

Razion’s lips tilted, just a fraction. “I know.”

He didn’t let go of her wrist as he led her forward, guiding her with easy confidence through the currents of bodies. Lilas stuck closer than she meant to, the brush of fabric against fabric, the press of others moving in different directions too foreign for her to ignore. The farm settlement hadn’t prepared her for this—this buzzing, shifting, relentless energy that filled the air.

But Razion navigated through it effortlessly, his grip shifting so his fingers tangled loosely with hers, as if he knew she needed it even if she wasn’t going to admit it. She focused on that—the warmth of his skin, the solid certainty of his movements.

“We’re heading toward the main trading stalls,” he said, his voice pitched just above the surrounding noise. “That’s where Vedd, Cozax, and the others will begin negotiating sales.”

Lilas blinked. “What are we doing?”

“We have a bigger sale to make,” he replied. “Stay close. Don’t want you wandering off and getting yourself sold again.”

“Like I’d do that.” She shot him a glare, but the teasing edge in his voice loosened some of the tension in her chest. “I’m not a fool.”

“Indeed, you’re not,” he agreed, leading her down a side path lined with various vendors. “But I’d rather not deal with the trouble of rescuing you twice.”

She snorted, but didn’t pull away, too busy absorbing the sights around them. There were stalls stacked with shimmering fabrics, gravity-bound displays of high-tech weaponry, racks of dried food that exuded sharp, foreign scents. Beings of all kinds barked in different tongues, arguing prices, trading goods.

Razion steered her slightly to the left. His hand pressed lightly at the small of her back to keep her from bumping into a squat, four-legged alien hefting a crate filled with glowing rods.

“Careful,” he murmured, his breath warm against her ear.

She swallowed hard. “Yeah. Got it.”

He pointed ahead, toward a set of low, glowing platforms where items hovered weightlessly for display. “Those are high-value trades. Anything kept on an anti-grav platform is either rare, dangerous, or both. It’s how vendors make sure valuable goods stay in sight without risk of theft.”

Lilas eyed the platforms with newfound interest. Hovering just above the surface were objects she couldn’t begin to name—sleek metallic devices, jewellike stones pulsing with inner light, even what looked like a fully intact blaster rifle suspended as if caught in midair.

Razion moved them smoothly through the crush of bodies and mechanical beings, keeping her close as they approached the central trading district. The crowd thickened here, the noise intensifying, but she found it didn’t overwhelm her as much as before. Probably because Razion was still there. His touch was a steady point of reference in the chaos.

“Razion,” she asked, eyeing a vendor with a row of small, tightly sealed metal vials. “What’s in those?”

He followed her gaze. “Depends on the vendor. Some traders deal in medicinal compounds. Others in boosters, pheromone enhancers, even illegal stimulants.” His lips tilted in amusement. “Let me know if you get the urge to experiment.”

Lilas snorted. “I think I’ll pass, thanks.”

They went by a stall where a towering, furred alien was loudly haggling with a two-headed vendor. The dispute was growing animated—one of the vendor’s heads arguing with the customer, the other muttering calculations aloud. Lilas blinked, marveling at the dynamic.

Razion leaned in slightly. “Trade negotiations can get intense. But violence isn’t allowed in this sector, so most disagreements end in shouting instead of bloodshed.”

“Good to know,” Lilas muttered, sidestepping a small, floating drone that zipped past carrying a wrapped parcel.

They finally broke through the densest part of the crowd, emerging near a ring of wide counters where the real bargaining began. Cozax and Vedd had already started discussions with local traders, datascreens flashing figures and inventory logs as they bartered for the best deals.

From just a glance, Lilas could tell they were in their element. Vedd leaned casually over one of the counters, relaxed as he listed out specifications in a language she didn’t recognize. Cozax, who was less flashy, spoke steadily, her tone calm but firm as an alien vendor gestured wildly in what Lilas assumed was frustration—or possibly just normal enthusiasm.

Razion exhaled, watching the transactions unfold. “This is where the real work happens,” he said. “Cozax and Vedd handle most of the bargaining. They know how to get the best value for what we bring in.”

Lilas nodded, trying to take it all in. She had never seen this much trade happening at once. Back at the settlement, bartering had been limited to farm goods and tools, and always under strict Axis supervision. Here, it was all chaos and negotiation, fast-talking vendors and traders scrutinizing every deal like their lives depended on it.

A shout rang out from one of the stalls as a scaly, reptilian merchant slammed his fist onto his table, growling in frustration. Across from him, Vedd just smirked, tapping on his datascreen like he had all the time in the world. Lilas turned to Razion. “Is he winning?”

Razion snorted. “Depends on how you define winning. The more pissed off the merchant gets, the better the deal Vedd’s about to land.”

Lilas raised a brow. “That’s a strategy?”

“One that works for him,” Razion said, tilting his head toward Cozax. “Cozax has a different style. Less flash, more numbers. Traders don’t realize she’s bled them dry until after they’ve agreed to the terms.”

Lilas glanced back at the negotiations, watching as Cozax calmly gestured to something on the datascreen. The merchant she spoke with frowned, then sighed heavily and nodded. Moments later, a digital confirmation chimed, sealing the trade.

She let out a quiet whistle. “That was fast.”

Razion’s lips curved in approval. “She doesn’t waste time.”

Lilas absorbed that, watching the ebb and flow of the marketplace. She wasn’t sure what she expected coming here, but now that she was standing in the middle of it, she realized how little she understood about life beyond the settlement. Space stretched far beyond ships and captains and penal farms. Lives moved in a rhythm she had never been taught.

She exhaled, steadying herself. This was new. Big. A little terrifying.

But Razion had been right—he had her. And for now, that was enough.

As if sensing her thoughts, Razion turned, dragging his gaze over her face like he was making sure she was still with him. “Think you can handle a full cycle of this?” he asked.

Lilas straightened her spine and lifted her chin. “Yeah,” she said. “I can handle it.”

Razion smirked, something warm flickering in his storm-gray eyes, like he knew she wasn’t going to back down. “Good,” he said. “Because we’re not done yet.”

He led her away from the trading stalls, weaving through the thick crowds with the same easy confidence as before. His touch on her wrist remained loose, more of a guide than a restraint, but she didn’t let go. Not when the press of bodies still threatened to pull her off course.

They moved toward the far side of the trade hub, where docking platforms stretched beyond the main market. Here, the merchants were fewer, their stalls smaller, filled with heavier goods—ship parts, scrap metal, propulsion cores strapped to levitating pallets.

A lone vendor stood against a wide counter, his deep violet skin contrasting with the dark gray cloak draped over his thick shoulders. Twin tusks jutted upward from his lower jaw, his piercing golden eyes narrowing as they approached.

“I know that walk,” the vendor said, crossing his thick arms. His gravelly voice carried a hint of amusement beneath the gruffness. “Still riding that Darkslip of yours into trouble, Razion? Let me guess—you have another ill-gotten prize to offload.”

Lilas blinked in surprise, glancing at Razion, but he grinned, slow and sharp. “Call it what you want, Hurik,” he said easily. “I’m here to sell. That’s all that matters.”

Hurik let out a deep, rumbling chuckle, shaking his head. His gaze flicked to Lilas, and his thick brows dipped. “And this one?” His tusks parted slightly as he studied her with open curiosity. “Did you steal her too, or is she here by choice?”

“By choice,” Razion said smoothly, his tone leaving no room for argument. “You know better than to ask such a thing.”

Hurik’s gaze lingered on Lilas for a moment before he snorted. “Well, it’s interesting. You normally don’t keep company.” He tapped his palm on the counter’s surface. “Come on, then. Let’s see what questionable goods you’ve brought me this time.”

Razion tapped a command into his wrist communicator, and a projection flickered to life between them. It was the schematics of Gribna’s vessel—sleek, expensive, and only slightly scorched from the raid.

The vendor narrowed his eyes at the projection, his broad fingers tapping against his armored forearm. “It’s in good shape,” he admitted. “But you lot aren’t exactly mechanics. How do I know you didn’t strip out all the vital systems in the process?”

Razion arched a brow. “Because we don’t touch the internal systems,” he said. “Repaired the hull breach, too.”

The vendor snorted. “That so? Because I bet there’s a round scar to show how your raiders got into it.” His golden eyes flicked to Lilas again, assessing. “You look like one of those Terians I’ve been hearing so much about.”

Lilas’ belly tightened at the vague reference to Terians. Hurik had to mean her friends. They were the only Terians taken away from their planet, that she knew of. “What have you been hearing?”

“Causing quite a stir. Why?” The vendor let out a dry laugh, leaning forward. “What’s the information worth to you?”

“Tell us what you know,” Lilas said before she could stop herself.

Hurik shot her a dry look. “I could, but information, like raided starships, is bought with credits.”

Lilas stiffened, but Razion’s hand brushed against the small of her back, a grounding weight. “I’ll fully charge the power cells rather than draining them off,” Razion said with a shrug as he gestured toward the projection of Gribna’s ship. “Other than the previous owner’s poor taste, the ship is tight and the specs are accurate. You have my word. We’ve done business before, Hurik.”

The vendor grunted. “The moment I take this off your hands, everyone will know it was raided. Can’t sell a ship like that without questions. Especially not to buyers who care about maintenance records.”

“You’re not looking to sell it to someone who asks too many questions,” Razion said smoothly. “But we need you to answer ours about the Terians.” He glanced quickly at Lilas. “Do I have a problem on my hands, Hurik?”

Lilas watched, fascinated. She’d never seen negotiations like this before and she was suddenly very, very invested in the outcome.

Hurik crossed his arms. “You say the ship’s in good condition. I say it’s questionable. I could take it off your hands for…forty thousand credits. Thirty-five with the information you want.”

Razion let out a short laugh. “Try again.”

Hurik tapped his fingers on the counter, unimpressed. “Forty-five.”

Razion shook his head. “Eighty.”

“Sixty, you smug bastard.”

“Seventy-two.”

“Sixty-five.”

Razion considered. Lilas held her breath, but then he shrugged. “Seventy, final offer.”

The vendor grumbled under his breath, but something flickered in his golden eyes. Then he exhaled through his nose and extended his hand. “Seventy.”

Razion took his hand, gripping firm as they sealed the deal. The vendor grumbled some more, clearly displeased that he hadn’t managed to argue Razion down further, but he didn’t press his luck. He tapped a few commands into the datapad at his station, and a transaction confirmation appeared on Razion’s wrist communicator. The deal was done.

Lilas exhaled slowly, realizing she’d been holding her breath. That had been…intense. Watching Razion work, seeing the sharpness in his negotiations, the way he never backed down, had been riveting.

“Some Terian females were sold off at the Falmic-5 auction.” Hurik lowered his voice and moved his sharp gaze over Lilas. “Figure you know this. Figure you came from there yourself.”

She glanced at Razion, who wore a keen expression. “Get to the part we don’t know.”

Hurik’s eyes narrowed and his gaze flicked around the room, as if to see if they were being observed. “Axis agents have had trouble with them. They just lost a penal colony due to revolt, the Slarik Arena was destroyed and there was some talk about a brothel closing down.”

Razion blinked at Hurik. “Terians did these things?”

“They were involved with each incident,” Hurik replied, then paused and rubbed his chin. “Zaruxians, too. At least, beings that looked like your species, Razion. Big, scaled, winged. Although these males could turn into full-fledged dragon creatures that shot fire from their mouths.” He shook his head. “I don’t know if that part is true. Sounds like overblown gossip.”

Lilas watched the expression on Razion’s face change from calm to something that looked like barely concealed shock. His lips parted on a silent harsh breath. “I see. That will do. Thank you.”

Hurik studied them for a beat longer, lips pressing into a thin line, like he wanted to say something but thought better of it. Finally, he grumbled, “Try not to get yourself killed out there, Captain.”

“Until next time, Hurik.” He took Lilas’ wrist again and moved away from the counter, pulling her with him.

“But—” Lilas said, not ready to leave. Surely Hurik had more information than that . Who were the Terians? What did they look like? And what penal colony was lost? It could be hers. Fekking stars , it could be hers.

Razion looked downright alarmed as they moved quickly through the merchants and traders. He caught her gaze and tilted his head slightly. “We need to get back to the ship.”

“He could have told us more,” she protested. “You know he had more to say.”

“Sometimes more information isn’t good information.” Razion tapped a few commands into his display and turned to her with an intensity that made her stomach flip in ways she didn’t want to think about. “Pull your hood up over your hair.”

Lilas couldn’t miss the tightness in his voice. She did as he said and fell into step beside him. Her thoughts still raced from what she’d just heard and witnessed. He hadn’t needed her here for this sale—he could’ve done this alone, as he had many times before. But he’d wanted her here. Wanted her to see it, to be part of it, and , she now realized, had wanted to see if her presence provoked some reaction from the merchant they spoke to. It had.

She didn’t know what to do with that realization.

As they made their way back to the main trading stalls and toward the landing pads, Lilas finally found her voice. “Did you know about any of that?”

Razion shook his head once, stiffly. “No. And that concerns me.”

“Why?”

“Because that means we’re already behind. If Terians and Zaruxians are out there making moves big enough to catch the Axis’ attention, we should have known about it cycles ago.”

She looked at him skeptically. “You can’t turn into a dragon, can you?”

He gave her a sidelong look. “I haven’t, but I can.”

Lilas frowned, trying to imagine Razion’s body transforming into something else entirely, and failing. Her pulse thudded in her ears. “You think Axis agents are hunting the Terians?”

“Yes,” he said grimly. “And they are likely hunting you.”

“What about you?”

He smiled, but it was more of a grimace. “They’ve always been hunting me.”

The weight of it settled over her, thick and heavy. This wasn’t just about rebellion or scattered resistance—this was bigger. Coordinated. And if the Axis was reacting strongly enough to lose control of an entire penal colony, destroy a gladiator arena, and shut down a brothel, they weren’t just hunting these Terians and Zaruxians. They were afraid of them.

A chill ran down Lilas’ spine, but she forced herself to focus, to think. “If they were at Falmic-5, and we know at least some of them were sold there, then…” She trailed off, realizing exactly what this might mean.

Her friends.

Perhaps it wouldn’t be so hard to find them, after all. But what else would she find, too?