Her brow wrinkles. “What’s that?”
Her question stuns me. This is worse than I thought. I wonder if she comes from a Z class world—surely not.
She elaborates. “My crew’s colony ships were the first spacecraft my species ever designed for deep space travel. Prior to our mission, we’d never left our planetary system.”
My mouth drifts open. It is as I feared. Earth is a Z class planet in the infancy of space exploration. “How many ships were traveling with yours?”
She sighs. “The armada was made up of several large colony vessels. We were attacked by pirates. We tried to lose them in an asteroid field but took too much damage. My crew had to abandon ship.” Her eyes brighten with tears, but she blinks them back. “A lot of people died. I’m not even sure how many of us made it—aside from us twenty-five in the escape pod.”
“Do you need help to return to your home world?” I ask reluctantly. I would not truly wish for her to leave, but I will not force her to stay here either. It is not our way. The female makes the decision to either accept or reject a male interested in becoming her mate.
She shakes her head sadly. “We are the last of our race. We had to leave our planet because the generations before us… poisoned our world beyond saving.”
It must be terrible to lose one’s home, but I cannot deny the relief that washes through me at her answer. It would have been difficult, if not impossible, to let her go if she had somewhere to return to.
“I am sorry about your world, Lilly.” The lie burns like bitter acid on my tongue for it is a half-truth. I truly feel saddened that she lost her home, but I am glad she has no reason to leave Drakaria either.
She gives me a faint smile. “Thank you, Varus. And… thank you for saving me from that awful creature.”
With a heavy sigh, I nod, inwardly cringing at the words she chooses to refer to my draka form.
Chapter 10
Lilliana
I dart a glance toward the cave entrance. The wind appears to have died down a bit. Long shadows stretch over the cliffside as the sun begins to set. If I want to reach my people before nightfall, I need to leave soon.
“The storm seems to be letting up, don’t you think?”
Varus glances to the exit. “No. This is simply a lull.”
“Well… how long do these sandstorms normally last? How long do you think we’ll be here?”
“It could be several days.”
My jaw drops. “Several days?” He nods. “But I can’t stay gone that long. I need to get back to my people. Besides, how are we supposed to survive in this cave for days? What about food and water?”
He frowns. “The pool at the back of the cave is safe to drink from. And food? I doubt we will be here longer than a week.”
“A week without food?” I ask incredulously.
He cocks his head to the side. “How often does your species require nourishment?”
“I don’t know about your people, but mine eat every day, more than once daily, even.”
His brows shoot up, nearly disappearing into his hairline as unmistakable panic warps his features. “Do not worry. I will go hunting for you.” His gaze darts again to the entrance and the storm outside. “Now, while the storm is still calm.”
I hate to ask him to take that risk for me. I’m about to offer my help when he cuts me off.
“Do you think you can survive alone for a short period of time while I gather sustenance?” he asks in a serious tone.
My mouth drifts open, my expression frozen somewhere between shock and indignation. “Of course, I can survive on my own,” I huff. “I’m not helpless, you know.”
He says nothing, but the way he arches his brow tells me he doesn’t entirely agree. His gaze travels discreetly down my form and the memory of his comments about my blunt claws and flat teeth returns.
He, on the other hand, looks like an apex predator with his lethal claws, sharp fangs, and strong, muscular build. I guess I can understand why he’s concerned about my safety. As this thought crosses my mind, I remember the bloodthirsty dragon and suddenly worry about what other predators may be lurking on this world.
He clears his throat, pulling me back from my dark thoughts. “If the winds pick up again, your skin will not protect you from the sand like my scales protect me. And if we run into any more predators, I would be torn between defending you and defeating our enemy and—”
I roll my eyes. He doesn’t have to remind me of how pitiful he thinks I am. I lift my hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright, I get it. You think I’m weak and will only slow you down—fine. I promise I’ll stay here while you go get food.”
Images of the scary dragon resurface in my mind. I grip his forearm and meet his eyes anxiously.
“Please, be careful while you’re out there. Promise me you’ll come back, alright?”
Chapter 11
Varus
My ears perk up at her words. She is asking me to promise to return to her; not to leave her. A faint smile curves my lips. It seems we are already bonding. Perhaps some part of her feels the pull of the fate bond like I do. Already, she is expressing territorial tendencies as a Drakarian female would. She is probably worried I might seek out another female. I would never do such a thing, but she does not know that.
My hearts soar at the thought that her instincts have been triggered. She already considers me hers, demanding that I return to her side. I dip my chin in a subtle nod to my
