That could get old after a while.
A sudden rush of wind fills the cavern, drawing my attention in the direction of the cave’s entrance. A soft scrape against stone fills the space and I freeze as I peer into the darkness ahead. The gemstones don’t provide enough illumination to see the opening from here. If Varus had returned, wouldn’t he announce his presence so as not to scare me?
What if another predator has found me? Or, heaven forbid, another dragon? I have nowhere to hide in these close quarters.
I remain still, listening for signs of a monster, but hear nothing over the pounding of my own pulse in my ears. Quietly, I lower my head into the water. Something large moves in the cave, so I take a deep breath and sink beneath the surface, hoping the intruder doesn’t find me.
My lungs are burning and desperate for air, but I’m too scared to break the surface just yet. A shadow falls over the pool and I scream, releasing a stream of bubbles into the water—along with the last of my oxygen.
Through the wavering liquid, I look up to see a silhouette with a pair of long, twisted horns and a curtain of shoulder-length hair. Instantly, I recognize Varus staring back at me from above.
I shoot to the surface. Gasping for air, I cough and sputter as I draw in deep, gulping breaths.
Varus touches my bare shoulder. “Are you all right?”
Unable to speak, I nod.
He cocks his head to the side, regarding me. “I did not realize your species was aquatic.”
“We’re not.”
He arches a brow while his gaze travels down my form. My cheeks heat in embarrassment when I remember that I’m completely naked. I gasp and bring my arm to my chest to cover my breasts and use my other hand to cover my mons. Quickly, I dive back beneath the water as if that will somehow hide me.
When I dive, I jerk away from his touch. A sudden splash and ripple beneath the surface rocks me to the side and I open my eyes to see Varus wading toward me. He grabs my arms and drags me out of the water. His eyes meet mine, full of unmistakable panic.
“What is wrong?” He darts a glance into the pool. “Did something grab you in there?”
“Yes!” I reply, sputtering and indignant. “A giant lizard man!”
“A lizard—” he stops abruptly then purses his lips. “I am not a lizard man. I am Drakarian.”
I scramble to cover myself with my clothing.
He sighs heavily. “That is the problem?” He gestures to my clothes. “You were ashamed of your appearance?”
I roll my eyes. “I’m not used to being naked around strange men.” Or anyone, to be honest.
He arches a brow. “I can see this will be a problem when you meet my people. Nudity is nothing to be ashamed of among my species. Many do not even bother wearing clothing.”
My mouth drifts open. “You all just walk around naked all the time?”
“Many species do.” His brow furrows deeply. “Is that so hard to believe?”
Sighing heavily, I shrug. “Well, okay. My people have a saying: ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do.’”
He cocks his head to the side. “I do not believe this phrase is translating correctly.”
I shake my head and wave a dismissive hand at him. “Never mind. I think we’ll have to change it to ‘when in Drakaria,’ anyway.”
He gives me a puzzled look and I can’t help the smile that curls my lips. He’s kind of cute when he looks at me like that.
“I will give you your privacy so you may dress,” he says, then turns around.
Now that his back is facing me, I take a moment to study him closely. With a tall, lean, and muscular frame, broad shoulders, and thick layers of corded muscles on his arms and legs, he’s almost too perfect to be real. For an alien, that is.
His long, tapered tail twitches slightly as if agitated, reminding me that he is more than just a man. His toes and fingers are tipped with sharp, black claws, but they’re not as scary as they first seemed. If anything, the dangerous, lethal edge heightens my attraction to him. And those large horns that sweep back from his head complete the package, accentuating his square jaw and aristocratic features.
When I reach out to touch his shoulder and get his attention, he turns with a devastatingly handsome smile.
Before now, I never thought I had a type, but staring at Varus, I find I’ve newly acquired one.
His smile is infectious, so I send one back. He takes my hand, and I can’t help but rub my thumb across his knuckles. Funny how I never noticed that his scales are smooth like silk, instead of rough like I expected when I first saw him.
He flashes another handsome grin then gently pulls me along while gesturing toward the cave’s entrance. “I have brought you food,” he says proudly.
Just that one word—food—makes my mouth begin to water. I’m so hungry I could eat almost—
My thoughts stop short when I follow his gaze. My jaw drops as my stomach twists into a violent knot. I cover my mouth with my other hand as bile rises in my throat.
I stare at the tangled mass of tan fur and black blood lying on the floor. With a sharp row of teeth and its tongue lolling out of its head, this creature is definitely dead. My gaze sweeps to Varus as a wave of nausea rolls through me.
Oh Stars, I think I’m going to throw up.
Chapter 13
Varus
“I have brought you food,” I state proudly, gesturing to my impressive kill. The Gods smiled upon me this day when I found this creature. It is a delicacy and I’m sure my mate will be thoroughly pleased with its taste.
Her jaw drops, then she covers her mouth. All the color drains from her face, replaced by a
