Page 7 of Pursued by the Dragon Alien (Zarux Dragon Brides #4)

SEVEN

Lilas

Lilas sat stiffly on the edge of the examination table, watching as Vedd moved a sleek silver wand over her arm. The device sent an unpleasant tingle through her skin, but she kept herself still, even as her muscles twitched with the urge to flinch. She didn’t like this. Being studied. Scrutinized.

She flicked her eyes up to the iridescent male in front of her. “Alright, Vedd,” she said. “You want to tell me what exactly you’re doing?”

Vedd didn’t look up from the scanner, his expression as easygoing as ever. “Looking for implants,” he said, sliding the wand lower, over her ribs. “Genetic tampering, too. Anything the Axis might’ve left behind.”

Lilas narrowed her eyes, but her pulse kicked up. “And if you do find something?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

She had no way of knowing if the Axis had done something to her—implanted something, altered something. Had they? Certainly not that she knew of. She kept her expression carefully blank, but inside, dread coiled around her gut like a vise. Because if they did find something, if there was more to her past than even she knew…

She wasn’t sure she wanted the answer.

Vedd grinned, his dark eyes flashing with mischief. “We toss you out of the air lock.”

Lilas went still.

Vedd barked a laugh. “Relax, Terian. That was a joke.”

“Not funny.” She exhaled sharply, scowling at him.

His smirk didn’t fade as he continued scanning, moving the wand over her stomach, up toward her collarbone. “I thought it was pretty funny. But seriously, if there is an implant, I’ll remove it. Genetic stuff would require a little more examination to see if it is a threat to this crew.”

Lilas shifted on the edge of the table, watching the scanning wand hover near her collarbone. The sensation crawling over her skin wasn’t painful, but it was enough to make her twitchy. She narrowed her eyes at Vedd. “Did Razion tell you to do this?”

“Not exactly,” Vedd said, his tone casual as he moved the scanner lower. “It’s not uncommon when we pick someone up. We don’t like surprises on this ship. And before you ask, no, Razion doesn’t think you’ve got anything implanted in you. But it never hurts to check.”

Lilas exhaled slowly and let her shoulders relax. “Would’ve been nice to get a warning before I was hauled in here.”

Vedd grinned. “And miss your reaction? No fun in that.”

Lilas rolled her eyes. “Well, glad I could provide entertainment.”

“I do appreciate it,” Vedd said, moving the scanner down her spine. “So, while we’re here, tell me about the others.”

She frowned. “What others?”

“The females you were taken with.” His voice was lighter now, not pressing, just…curious. “You left a settlement behind, right? You had people there.”

Lilas hesitated, then sighed. “Yeah. Sevas, Fivra, Nena, and Cerani. I grew up with Sevas and Fivra, but Nena and Cerani were brought to the settlement. We were all taken together.” Her fingers dug into the edge of the table. “Turi was supposed to be taken too, but she didn’t come. The overseer kept her.”

Vedd nodded, listening. “You were very close with these females?”

“They’re my family.” Her voice came out quieter than she intended. “We weren’t related, but we survived together. Looked out for each other.” She looked away, her jaw tight. “I plan to find them again. Somehow.”

She caught the flicker in Vedd’s expression—just a flash, but it was enough. A shadow over his usually easy demeanor. Lilas narrowed her eyes. “What?”

“Nothing,” he said too quickly, dropping the scanner to his side.

“No, not nothing.” She swung her legs off the table. “Tell me.”

Vedd hesitated, then forced a smile. “You’re fine. Scans are clear. No implants. No tampering.”

Lilas stared at him. “Vedd.”

But he was already stepping toward the door. His expression was too light, too easy. She pushed off the table, arms crossing tight over her chest. “You know something.”

Vedd paused, but he didn’t turn around. “I know a lot of things,” he said with a silk to his voice that gave her a hint of the ruthlessness that ran below the surface. “It’s why they keep me around.”

Lilas’ stomach twisted. She wasn’t stupid. She knew that look. Knew the way people sidestepped truth when they didn’t want to say something out loud.

Her heart thudded once, heavy in her chest. “Are they—” She swallowed. “Are they alive?”

Vedd finally looked at her, and for the first time, there was no humor in his face. Just something quiet and knowing. “I truly don’t know.”

That wasn’t a no. But it also wasn’t a yes. Lilas clenched her teeth. “Vedd—”

“You’re clear,” he said firmly, stepping through the door. “Off you go, Lilas.”

She barely had time to process before he strode away, leaving her alone in the strange, sterile room.

Lilas inhaled slowly, staring at the space he’d just been standing in.

There was something he wasn’t telling her. And she wasn’t going to stop until she figured out what it was. The next time she saw Razion, she’d ask him about it. He’d tell her. He had to.

Except, she didn’t see him. He didn’t return to the cargo hold while she worked, didn’t pass through the dining hall when she was there. No chance encounters in the corridors, no fleeting glances across the room. It was as if he had deliberately faded into the background of the ship, placing an invisible barrier between them. And the more she noticed his absence, the more she couldn’t ignore what it meant—Razion was avoiding her.

Yet, despite this distance, Razion had designated one of the crew members to teach her reading each cycle, ensuring she wasn’t entirely left to her own devices. She appreciated that, and was, indeed, learning to read better with every passing cycle. And the cycles did pass. About twenty of them, and during that time she only caught glimpses of the Darkslip’s captain. It was amazing how someone could manage to make himself so scarce. The ship wasn’t that big.

The crew members talked as they worked, sharing stories and laughter, and although Lilas still felt like an outsider they were getting used to, it was getting easier. She didn’t need Razion for anything. The crew in the cargo hold could tell her anything she wanted to know, but fek it, she missed the big, winged bastard. There had been something…interesting between them, and now it felt like that spark, that connection, was snuffed out and replaced by an unease that churned inside her.

After her duties, she found herself lingering in the common areas, waiting for a chance encounter with Razion, some excuse to draw back that familiar bravado, to challenge him the way she had before. She knew he was there. She could practically sense his presence like a storm approaching on the horizon. But each time her heart hoped to see him, he remained elusive.

One cycle, she finally decided to march to the command deck, pushing the possible consequences of confronting him out of her head. She reached the door, her heart pounding with determination, but when it slid open, she found Razion deep in conversation with Krask, their expressions serious. She paused, anxiety creeping along her spine as she figured out if she should interrupt.

Razion caught sight of her. The moment their eyes locked, something shifted in his expression, but it was like a dam had closed over whatever warmth had existed between them. He turned away, refocusing on Krask as if she were invisible.

A wave of disappointment crashed over her, twisting in her chest. Lilas stood frozen in the doorway, trying to make sense of the sudden ache that spread through her. How was it possible that a mere glance from him could elicit such a visceral reaction? Her heart thundered in her ears as she hesitated, debating whether to step inside or retreat.

Krask spoke next, his gaze turning to her. “You’re not authorized to enter the command deck.”

The words sent a jolt through Lilas, and she instinctively stepped back. Her hand gripped the metal frame of the door. “I wanted a word with Razion.”

“The captain is occupied,” Krask said coldly. “Please leave.”

She turned to do just that as heat flooded her face. What had she been thinking? He obviously didn’t want to see her. She spun to the door, but before she could fully retreat, Razion’s voice sliced through the air. “Lilas—”

But she didn’t wait to hear the rest. “Sorry. Never mind,” she said, her heart thudding. The doors swished closed and she hurried through the ship’s narrow corridors. What had she done to earn his…indifference? Dislike? It wasn’t even clear what his problem was with her, unless it was something Krask had said to make Razion begin to avoid her. She’d learned enough in the past cycles to know she was doing a good job in the cargo hold, but right now, that didn’t matter. The walls began to close in, and she needed to breathe.

Lilas stepped into the small common area where crew members relaxed during their downtime. She dropped onto a bench, burying her hands in her hair, praying it didn’t show on her face how deeply the interaction with Razion and Krask had rattled her.

She had gotten comfortable with the crew, yet the thought of being disliked by the captain and first mate gnawed at her insides. One thing she knew—she should never have gone in there, and she never would again. She ran a hand across her face. It was time to begin planning an exit strategy off the ship.

“Hey, everything alright?”

The voice drew her attention upward. Cozax stood nearby, a small ready-looking snack in hand and a look of genuine concern on her face. Lilas offered a small smile. The warmth in Cozax’s eyes was a comforting contrast to the mess inside her. “I’m fine,” she said, convincingly, she hoped.

Cozax studied her for a moment longer, then leaned against the table. “You sure? You don’t look fine.”

Lilas shrugged, her mind swirling with thoughts of Razion and the weight of Krask’s warning. “Just processing some things. I really am fine.”

“Processing or scheming?” Cozax pressed with a slight smirk.

“Maybe a little of both.” Lilas sighed, glancing away, wishing she could shake the unease that had settled into her chest. “Just trying to find my place here.”

“You’re doing fine,” Cozax said easily. “You’ve caught on faster than most who come aboard. You’re accepted as part of the crew now, and your good work has been noted by the cargo hold team leader.”

That small reassurance made something inside Lilas shift, if only slightly. “Thanks,” she murmured. “I appreciate that.”

“Why don’t you join me for a meal?” Cozax asked, brightening, “It’s space stew, Vedd’s latest creation.”

A reluctant grin forced its way to Lilas’ lips. “What’s space stew?”

“Oh, you’ll love it.” Cozax rolled her eyes dramatically. “It’s just an excuse to throw together anything edible from the replicator that Vedd deems ‘mysterious.’”

“That sounds oddly enticing.” Lilas chuckled, feeling a flicker of warmth as she considered spending more time with Cozax. The lingering uncertainty about Razion still played along the edges of her mind, but she resolved to put it aside, if only for a while. “Alright, lead the way.”

Cozax straightened, a smile stretching wide across her face. Together, they walked toward the dining hall, and as they rounded the corner, the low murmur of voices grew louder. Lilas inhaled the scent of the stew wafting through the air, an oddly comforting blend of spices and savory notes, but slowed down. It sounded like there would be more people at this dinner than Cozax make it sound like there would be.

Sure enough, once they entered the hall, Lilas spotted Krask sitting at one of the tables. His expression still brooding, his posture rigid as he leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. She didn’t like him. Straight up—she despised him. But she took care to make sure she didn’t let it show. This was her chance to shift her focus, and there was no way a fekker of a first mate was going to keep her away from a good meal.

Ignoring the way his eyes flicked to her with a mix of curiosity and skepticism, Lilas followed Cozax to the food replicator. Her senses were attuned for Razion and she felt a hit of relief when she didn’t see him there. It was painfully clear that he had no intention of seeking her out. Instead, she focused on what was directly before her, which was food.

After taking a bowl of the mysterious space stew—a combination of colors that looked strangely appetizing—she let Cozax guide her to a table with a few other crew members. They greeted her with light chatter, banter that felt oddly comforting. Every laugh, every shared story helped push Razion’s absence further from her mind, even if only temporarily.

The group discussed upcoming raids, trading jokes that made her chuckle, even as her heart ached for her friends. She shared a few stories from her time on the farm, leaning into the companionship she felt in this moment. It wasn’t until she paused to finish her stew that she caught Krask watching her. His gaze was steady, not mocking or dismissive as before—just flat and observing. It made the back of her neck itch.

She held his gaze for a moment longer, made a face at him, then shifted her focus back to the others at the table. A warm laugh spilled from her lips as one of the crew members recounted an outrageous story about a past raid on a merchant vessel. The room felt alive, charged with laughter and shared camaraderie—a stark contrast to the isolation that had gripped her since her arrival aboard the Darkslip.

But even as she mingled with the crew, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Krask’s eyes bore into her, studying her with an intensity that made her uneasy. She pushed away her empty bowl, trying to keep her thoughts from drifting back to Razion.

Lilas sighed, glancing around the room. For all the chatter and laughter, the absence of Razion gnawed at her increasingly. Dinner ended and she rose from the table. Her heart felt heavy once more. The other crew members drifted out of the dining hall. Their conversations bubbled with energy, but Lilas lingered for a moment, sipping the last remnants of her drink.

Finally, she pushed her chair in and headed for the exit. The door slid open with a quiet hiss, revealing the dimly lit corridor beyond. Her feet moved automatically, guiding her toward her quarters, but her mind wandered—lost in thoughts she had no business having about a ship captain.

Just as she turned the corridor, she saw a familiar figure leaning against the wall, his arms crossed and a collected expression on his face that suggested he had been waiting there for a while. The moment their eyes met, heat rushed through her and every coherent thought disintegrated beneath the weight of his intense gaze.

“Razion,” she breathed as a weird mix of relief and consternation flooded her. The way he watched her sent a snap of tension through her limbs. Her body instinctively braced for whatever came next.

For a fleeting moment, she thought— hoped —he might say something clever, something teasing, something that would reset the strange rift between them. But instead, his expression remained unreadable. His storm-gray gaze was steady as he reached out and closed a firm hand around her arm.

“We need to talk,” he said, his tone low and certain.

Lilas swallowed against the sudden rush of heat in her chest. She could have pulled away—wanted to, just to make a point —but something about the way he held her wasn’t forceful. It was controlled. Measured. Like he was giving her a choice, but daring her to pull away.

She tilted her chin up, forcing herself to meet his gaze. “Finally decided I was worth speaking to?”

Something flickered in his expression—brief, fleeting, and gone before she could place it. He gave her arm the slightest tug, his grip gentle but insistent as he turned her against the wall and pinned her there. “No.” His voice was a low rasp, his breath warm against her ear. “I finally decided I couldn’t stay away from you.”