Page 24 of Pursued by the Dragon Alien (Zarux Dragon Brides #4)

TWENTY-FOUR

Razion

All Razion wanted was to be with Lilas. His instincts demanded it. Every fiber of his being begged for him to take her somewhere private, claim her as his all over again, make her feel the truth of what burned inside him. But instead, he was here, surrounded by his long-lost brothers, trapped in a damn meeting.

He had left Lilas in the main hall, settled on one of the plush sofas by the ionic fire. She sat with the Terian females he had just met—Fivra, Sevas, and Turi—along with Vedd, Cozax, and Bruil. The warmth of the fire flickered over her bronze skin, and for a moment, he had just stood there, watching her, memorizing every detail. It had taken every ounce of restraint to turn away and follow his brothers to this meeting instead of pulling her into his arms where she belonged.

But there would be time for that soon enough. He followed Takkian, Cyprian, and Ellion through the maze of the fortress to the ship’s library. The doors slid open, revealing towering shelves lined with rows of ancient texts, datapads, and scrolls stacked in perfect precision. The scent of old parchment, metal, and something vaguely floral filled the air. A massive circular table anchored the center, scattered with intricate star maps and Zaruxian history archives.

Razion barely spared the details a glance. “Are we here to discuss strategy,” he said, “or impress me with the size of your book collection?”

Ellion didn’t react to his impatience. He moved toward the table, his silver eyes scanning the documents like they were pieces of a puzzle only he could see. “Both.”

Takkian leaned against a nearby pillar, arms crossed. His expression was just as brooding as before. “Tell us everything the Axis leader said to you.”

Razion still felt raw. His limbs were loose and sore from his near transformation into a dragon, but this had to be done. He rolled his shoulders, forcing his focus off the lithe, purple-haired female who was not in this room, and redirected it to the situation at hand.

And he told them what he knew.

Each word sharpened the tension in the room as he recounted the conversation with High Chancellor Vahkos—the warning, the not-so-veiled threat, the revelation that the Axis was more concerned about them than they wanted to admit.

The red-scaled Zaruxian had remained uncharacteristically silent through Razion’s telling of his Axis visit, but when the story was done, Cyprian leaned forward, resting both elbows on the long table between them. “You realize what this means, don’t you?” His silver-gray eyes gleamed with something sharp. “If they sent a high council member to warn you off, it means they see us as a real threat.”

“A growing one,” Ellion added. “That means we move forward. We send word to the connections we’ve made—warn them of the Axis’ next move.”

Razion nodded. “They’ll go after the settlements, the Rokkols, everyone connected to Erovik.” He exhaled. “They’ll do whatever it takes to snuff this out.”

“The Terians from the settlements are going to be in danger,” Ellion added. He stared at the star map, his grip tightening at his sides.

Cyprian rubbed his temples. “I need to alert the courtias that lived in my brothel. It was a home for many. And Glivar—” His expression tightened. “I left him in charge. If the Axis comes looking, he won’t stand a chance.”

“Then we send a warning,” Ellion said simply, already moving star charts on the table as if mapping out rescue points.

Razion absorbed all of it—their concerns, their battles, their priorities. He had spent so long fighting his own war alone. Taking from the Axis one wrecked shipment at a time. Now, he had a family. A real one.

Takkian turned to him, a faint smirk playing at the edges of his scarred mouth. “By the way, do not be surprised if Bruil calls you, ‘Your Majesty,’ or some nonsense like that.”

Razion stared. Blinked. “The fek did you just say?”

Ellion sighed as if this was a tedious revelation to share. “Your— our —mother, the mother whose life you swore your oath upon—” he folded his arms across his chest, “—was the last queen of Zarux.”

Razion stilled.

Cyprian made a noise of amusement, leaning back against the edge of a shelf. “Technically, that makes us long-lost princes. Charming, isn’t it?”

Razion let out a low, humorless laugh. “You’re not serious.”

Ellion arched a brow, ever composed. “I assure you, I am.”

“So, let me get this straight.” Razion scrubbed a hand down his face. “The mother I never knew, was a queen. And this?” He swept a hand toward their surroundings. “This fortress ship was hers?”

Ellion nodded. “It was the royal residence and battle cruiser of the Zaruxian monarchy. Our father, King Dazrian, died early in the war, defending our people. When Zarux fell, the Axis took what remained—including the heirs. We were hatchlings, raised by them, molded into their tools.”

“All of you,” Razion said tightly, his jaw locked. “Except for me.”

Takkian folded his arms. “Lilas said you were abducted by raiders.”

Razion nodded absently as his head churned through this vast dump of information. His whole life, he’d believed he was an orphan of war, another casualty in the Axis’ conquest. Now, he was standing in what was once his mother’s home, hearing from his brothers— brothers —about the life he had never known.

The revelation should have crushed him. Should have made bile rise in his throat at the sheer weight of everything he’d lost. But instead?

For the first time in his life, he felt like he belonged.

Razion ran a hand through his hair. “Well,” he muttered, “this wasn’t a conversation I thought I’d ever have.”

“Don’t dwell on it,” Takkian remarked. “Royal blood means nothing when you’re among the last of your kind. But I figured, just rip the bandage off before Bruil surprised you. He’s a gruff old fekker , but these things mean a lot to him. Your mate thought it was hilarious.”

Ah, Lilas . “Thank you,” he said, his voice rougher than he intended. “For protecting her.”

Ellion inclined his head. “She is our sister now. We protect our own.”

“The dragon’s fire burns hotter when he has a Terian mate,” Cyprian said, rolling a small data disk between his fingers. “That’s what Bruil claims.”

“Really?” Razion narrowed his eyes. “Why?”

“Bruil, who is more versed in our history than any of us, believes that our kind, our fire , thrives on bonds. Apparently, Teria and Zarux are twin planets that rotate around each other, and a long, strong alliance always stood between the two planets.” Takkian waved a hand to the library. “You can find some of it here, but it would seem certain bits were removed by the Axis when they took over the fortress. But Bruil insists that a Terian mate strengthens a Zaruxian’s fire. Fuels it.” He shrugged. “I incinerated an entire arena, so I’m inclined to believe him.”

Razion absorbed that. “You’re saying that a Zaruxian’s power—our ability to shift, to fight—increases when we have a Terian mate?”

“Bruil fought beside our father, our uncles, our warriors. He lived long enough to see what had been lost, remembers well.” Takkian leaned forward. “If a Zaruxian finds a Terian mate, his fire burns hotter. He becomes stronger. Fiercer. He will take on his full form, and his dragon will never be denied again.” His sharp eyes locked onto Razion’s. “It’s no coincidence that every one of us who has begun to shift has had a Terian mate.”

Razion frowned. That couldn’t be right—could it? He had never been able to shift before, and yet, in the moments he feared losing Lilas forever, something had started to change inside him. His dragon had stirred, fought to emerge.

“Another thing Bruil mentioned,” Takkian added. “There can be offspring between Zaruxians and Terians, but they are live births, not from eggs, like in a pure Zaruxian union.”

Razion swallowed hard. His fingers twitched at his sides. “We’re different species,” he mused, imagining a fleeting fantasy of Lilas holding a child. His child. He wanted it so badly his chest ached, but he’d never thought it was possible. “We can truly…reproduce?”

“Yes. These children are strong, healthy,” Takkian said. “But they lack the ability to transform into dragons. It never passes beyond the first generation.”

Razion exhaled slowly. The weight of that knowledge settled in his chest. Generations of lost warriors, of a bloodline decimated by war, by the Axis. And now, this—proof that their power wasn’t just about survival, but about who they fought alongside.

His mind reeled with the enormity of it, but he didn’t let it show. Instead, he pushed off from the table, rolling his shoulders as if shaking off the weight of the revelation. “Good to know,” he said simply.

Cyprian smirked, flicking the small data disk between his fingers. “Honestly, it’s a relief. If Fivra and I ever have children, I wouldn’t wish that discomfort on anyone.” His lips curled as he watched Razion. “It’s a unique type of agony.”

“It would appear we drifted off topic,” Ellion said delicately, dipping his head. “I think we’ve given you more than enough to think about. Our immediate goal is to locate our remaining two brothers and the Terian females, although I suspect if we find one, the other will be nearby.” He rose from the table with a smile. “We shall part for now, Razion, but let us know your thoughts on joining us. No hard feelings if you wish to continue on your own way.”

Without hesitation, Razion’s head snapped up. “Lilas is in agreement, I’m with you.” He’d be shocked if she wasn’t. He’d bet hard credits that she’d never leave her Terians friends willingly.

Ellion, Takkian, and Cyprian looked surprised, but couldn’t hide the relief Razion saw in their expressions.

“But,” Razion went on, firmly, “I’m not giving up my ship, and I won’t force my crew into this if they don’t want to stay.” He glanced at each of them in turn. “We’ve lived by our own code for too long. I’ll give them the choice to walk away if they want.” His jaw tightened. “No more raiding for now, anyway.”

Takkian inclined his head. “That is fair.”

Cyprian sighed dramatically. “A shame. I was looking forward to an entertaining raid or two.”

Ellion ignored them both. “That is your right. You and your ship are welcome.”

“Thank you.” Razion rose and nodded, trying to ignore the fast beat of his heart that felt way too filled up, and far too big to fit in his chest. “I’m honored.”

“Then it is done.” He rose and offered his hand. “And the honor is ours, brother.”

Razion hesitated only for a breath before clasping it. Something foreign and warm twisted in his chest—not duty, not obligation. Belonging .

A second later, Takkian clapped a heavy hand on his shoulder. Cyprian grinned and tilted his head. “Welcome, brother.” Then his grin deepened with a teasing glint in his silver eyes. “Maybe we can squeeze in a raid or two, if Lilas is okay with it.”

“Maybe.” Razion bit back the grin threatening to break free. “About Lilas…”

Ellion lifted a brow. “Yes?”

Razion shifted toward the exit. “I’ve waited long enough to kiss my mate. I’m going to see her.”

“She’s on the third level, in guest suite 17-B,” Cyprian called out merrily as Razion moved toward the door. “Don’t forget to come up for air now and then,” Cyprian called after him, amusement lacing his tone.

Razion didn’t dignify that with a response. His legs moved fast, his pulse even faster. He had endured the meeting, answered all their questions, processed the impossible truth about his past—but now, finally, he was going to her.

To Lilas. His mate.

The corridors of the fortress ship were wide, lined with intricate metalwork and remnants of a history he had never known. He’d barely taken the time to absorb most of it, too focused on the singular goal that had driven him here in the first place. Finding his family had been unexpected. Learning the truth of his bloodline had been shocking.

But none of it compared to the ache in his chest, the raw need to see Lilas again with no barricades between them.

Each step brought him closer to the room she’d been given, and something primal inside him settled as he neared. She was close—within reach. And this time, there were no misunderstandings, no overheard conversations twisted by fear.

Razion pressed the panel outside her quarters, and the door slid open.

Lilas stood near the window.

The dim lights of the room cast a soft glow over her skin, highlighting the gold freckles on her forehead. Her fuchsia eyes turned toward him the second the door opened, her face carefully unreadable. But he saw the way her fingers twitched slightly, like she had been waiting for this moment just as much as he had.

And fek , she was beautiful.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The tension stretched, thick and weighted. The air between them crackled with everything unsaid.

Then, finally—Lilas let out a heavy breath. “Took you long enough.”

Razion exhaled, stepping in and hitting the panel to close the door behind him. He stalked toward her, gaze locked on hers, seeing everything reflected back at him—relief, longing, hesitation, resolve.

He didn’t pause. Didn’t overthink.

He cupped her face and kissed her.

Lilas melted into him instantly. Her hands gripped his arms, her body pressed against his, soft and warm and right. His mouth moved over hers, desperate, claiming, pouring everything he couldn’t say into the kiss—his relief, his devotion, his love.

She gasped against his lips, her fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt as if anchoring herself. He wrapped his arms around her, lifting her slightly off the ground, deepening the kiss until nothing else in the universe existed but them.

Lilas pulled back just enough to breathe, her lips swollen, her cheeks flushed. “You really know how to make an entrance.”

Razion rested his forehead against hers and closed his eyes. “I was afraid I’d lost you,” he admitted.

She let out a shaky breath. “You didn’t.”

A quiet beat of silence passed, and Razion tightened his grip on her. “You’re my mate, Lilas.” The words were absolute. A truth. “And no matter what happens next, no matter what is coming—I will always fight for you. So will my dragon.”

Lilas swallowed hard, her fingers trailing up his jaw, gentler now. “That’s good,” she whispered. “Because I plan to fight for you, too.”

Razion inhaled sharply, his heart slamming against his ribs.

There it was. The truth he had waited for.

And just like that, the last pieces of him—fragments he hadn’t even realized were missing—snapped into place.

With a low growl, he tightened his hold and kissed her again.

This time, neither of them held back.

And this time, neither of them let go.