I run my fingers along my braid, then pause. Braid? When did I braid my hair? Whatever, it doesn’t matter. It’s time to swallow my pride, apologize, and act like the captain I am. I’m a strong, intelligent woman, and I am going to make it work.

Surfacing, I wipe the water from my eyes and suck in a huge breath.

Draz is still in front of me, his head cocked to one side, his eyes analytical and appraising. My breath catches. The scar down his face is so brutal, and it’s not the only one. This Suevan has been through it, and despite his gentle touch with me, he’s clearly a fighter. Despite the scars, the scales, or maybe because of them, he’s breathtaking. There’s a beauty to his muscled form, to his face. Now that I’m somewhat used to the difference in his features, the snail-goop high wearing off, I can fully acknowledge that Draz is compelling. Good-looking. Handsome, even.

I blow out a breath, gritting my teeth.

I need him on my side, and I need to be professional about it. No matter what he thinks I am to him, I’m on Sueva for a purpose. To make sure Earth gets the interplanetary defense system.

“Draz, I owe you an apology.”

He shakes his head, the gesture apparently universal. His long black hair slides across one shoulder as he does so, and it looks so different than mine. What does it feel like, I wonder?

I shake my own head, like that will clear it, and for a moment, we’re both shaking our heads. It strikes me as funny, and I bite my cheeks, holding in an inappropriate laugh.

“I do. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I wasn’t myself, not at all.”

“Ni-Kee—” he starts, but I hold up a hand and continue.

“And I also want to say thank you. And I mean it. You saved my life last night, more than once. You got me out of a bad situation, with your separatist attack, and then you kept me from hypothermia. And today, you could have…” I swallow, a tingle of fear working down my backbone. “You could have violated my person and my trust, and you didn’t.”

His features are thunderous. “I would never hurt you, my mate. Your trust means the worlds to me.”

My heart squeezes. Water swirls around us, the falls thundering behind us. The zoleh curls up on where Draz must have dropped my clothes, its two fluffy tails wrapped around it. Only two eyes are visible, and it watches us with preternatural awareness.

“I am grateful to you, nonetheless.”

He takes a step closer, and I’d have to be blind not to notice the way his muscles ripple, the clear water lapping around his abdomen.

“I live for your gratitude,” he tells me, and when he reaches out a finger, running the rough pad of it over my cheekbone, I don’t flinch away. Alarms of warning blare in my head, but for a moment… for a moment, maybe I like it. Maybe I lean into it.

His touch is warm, and strangely comforting.

I could do worse than this kind and strong Suevan.

The strange thought flits through my head, and I blink up at the huge alien. The sunlight glints off the water beading down his torso. My throat bobs, and I avert my eyes, out of sorts.

I have done worse.

A flock of birds take flight from the thick canopy of verdant trees, shaking me from my reverie. Bright, multi-colored plumage winks like jewels in the sun. Here, in the water, the sky is wholly visible, and the asteroid belt that circles the planet makes for a dramatic horizon line.

“It’s beautiful here.” My hands swirl through the water.

“I have never seen such beauty before you,” Draz says, taking another step closer. His movements are careful and quiet, like a hunter afraid of scaring his prey.

I’m the prey. His diamond-shaped pupils expand, his body so close now that his leg brushes against my calf. His tail lashes in the water behind him, creating waves that sparkle with sunlight.

“I brought you can-dee,” he says.

“Candy?” I echo, nonplussed.

His finger moves to my chin, tilting it up and forcing me to lock eyes with him.

“You said you liked sweets. That is why I left you this morning, my fierce warrior human, to forage for food you might like.”

Another unbidden surge of affection goes through me. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“Of course, I did.” He lavishes a smile on me, showing sharp fangs. “I am courting you. I will provide for all your needs.”

I want to press him on that, sensing an opening here. Could I tell him I want proof Earth has the tech they promised? Would he ensure it was sent there if I told him that’s all I wanted?

A roar bursts forth through the jungle, raising the hair on the back of my neck.

Maybe I should wait on the tech until we make it out of this jungle and back to Suevan civilization.

“I have always taken care of myself,” I say instead, then scrunch my nose, hoping I haven’t offended him.

He studies me, pursing his full lips.

I lick my own, and his gaze darts to my mouth. Desire twinges through me, and I still. Is it the aftereffects of their sacred lust-inducing snail?

Or am I actually attracted to this huge alien?

“I did not mean to upset you, my mate. I know you are a fierce creature, and intelligent as you are beautiful.”

“Oh,” I say, my eyes widening.

“Why do you look surprised?” he asks, canting his head lower. His breath rushes across my forehead. I stand stock still, trying to make sense of all the emotions rushing through me.

“It’s just nice to hear, I guess.” I splash some water over a dirty spot on my arm, rubbing it clean.

His chest puffs up, so close to my face that I can’t avoid noticing how ripped his pecs are. “Then I will remind you of it every day.”

“That’s really not necessary,” I choke out.

“If it makes your eyes wide like a star in the sky and curves your lips like a waxing moon, then it is necessary, my perfect Ni-Kee.”

If anyone else told me that, I would laugh in their face. But Draz is so damn sincere, his expression so full of longing, that I can only believe he thinks that of me.

“I’m not perfect,” I tell him, my voice slightly wobbly.

“Ah, but that is your opinion. I am of the opinion that you are perfect for me. And now it will be my honor to prove to you that I am also perfect for you.”

I close my eyes and blow out a breath, pursing my lips and trying to slow my furiously beating heart. I need to focus. We’re in the middle of the damned Suevan jungle, where it seems like everything wants to kill me, including other Suevans, with a dangerous alien warlord who thinks I’m his mate.

Now is not the time to think about how much I like hearing what he’s saying, or how his body feels against mine, or how it feels like I can trust that he’ll take care of me.

How nice it feels to have someone that wants to take care of me.

“Thank you,” I breathe again.

“So I have your consent to court you?” he asks carefully, his eyes narrowing.

This is it. This is the moment that decides how the rest of the mission goes.

“Yes,” I say, and his fangs gleam white as he smiles. “You have my permission.”

“I am eager for the challenge of winning your affection,” the warlord purrs, and his tone sends heat spooling through my body.

I swallow hard, and his thumb traces the motion, skating over the fragile expanse of my neck. It’s more sensuous than the last time I was kissed, more intimate. I breathe out carefully.

I may be in over my head, but it’s too late now.

OceanofPDF.com

CHAPTER TWELVE

OceanofPDF.com

NIKI

I step from the water gingerly, the steamy jungle air gnawing at the weeping blisters scattered across my torso. I inspect them with careful fingers, hissing as I graze an extremely sore spot.