I press my hand harder into my face, knowing what’s coming next.

“We determined human females are compatible with our race. Your government provided your genetic material information to us, and we ran tests on them, ensuring that it would work.” His voice is so gentle now that I strain to hear him over the sounds of the storm, the sounds of the water rushing across the jungle. “You are one of two species that could help repopulate our numbers. In return, we would ally with Earth, providing them, your people, with what they need to secure your planet.”

I can almost understand it—why the Federation did it. But what happened to choice? Surely they could have recruited volunteers. Rain pelts against my boots, and I grit my teeth.

No, they wouldn’t have had volunteers, not after the Roth invasion.

“The females are the keepers of our culture. Our language, our words, our stories… We consider them sacred, same as Sueva, our planet. Holy. Our females are our record keepers, among many other things.”

“Why?” I ask, curiosity getting the better of me. We know so little of these people, and frankly, I find it all fascinating. It’s one of the reasons I joined the Federation, other than the pressure from my military family. Alien civilization, other worlds in the stars… It’s always been my dream to explore, to make first contact. I shift uncomfortably.

I never thought I would be married into one against my will, though.

“Because through the woman, the line continues. Our species continues. Our females are revered. Is this not the way with humans?”

I struggle with an answer to that. “Are your women allowed to fight? To hold command?” I’m still covering my face with my hands, and he gently pries them off, staring down at me with those strange, otherworldly eyes.

“Why would they not be?” He shrugs, his massive muscles bunching against my side as he does.

“Ah,” I say, casting around for an answer. It doesn’t seem the prudent time to bring up the fact that only hours before I was beyond proud of being the first all-woman team in space… especially considering we were only given that distinction to be sold off in marriage.

“We never even entertained the idea that they would deceive you in such a manner. That is a grievous offense.”

“A grievous offense,” I echo. “Well, I agree with you on that, Draz.” I rub my hands across my arms, trying to warm them up. It’s futile. The wet cold has seeped through my clothes, and my teeth chatter harder than ever without Draz’s body heat.

He grins down at me. The rain stopped, though I can still hear it, pounding the Suevan jungle. I blink, adjusting to the dim light. Wherever we are, at least it’s drier here. I shuck my wet jacket, and it plops against the ground. Draz waves a hand, and more lights begin glowing.

I squint at one, the blue orb leaving a thick, slimy trail behind it. Eyes on stalks regard me solemnly. Its great blue foot gently oozes as it tugs its house higher up the wall. Big as my head, the snails are all around us, peaceful and so other-worldly that I’m rendered momentarily speechless.

“S-s-s-snails,” I whisper through chattering teeth, awed. “Bioluminescent.” I’m shaking hard from the cold, and my tongue trips over the word.

The snails streak all over the cylindrical structure, and the more I turn, the more appear, glowing at my motion, the luminescence activated by it.

“We should be safe here for the night.” Draz rumbles. “Ni-Kee, you are cold. Your body cannot maintain a proper temperature. I fear you will become ill if you do not warm up.”

I turn towards him, my eyes adjusted fully. The pale scar on his face reflects the blue snail lights, and I’m struck with a memory of the first time I saw a vid of him, fighting against the Roth. He was terrifying, yes, using talons and teeth and a huge energy sword to cut his way through our mutual enemy. But he was on our side, against our mutual enemy, and many humans cheered at his brutal grace.

A shiver wracks me, and his hand settles on my shoulder, holding me upright.

“F-f-fire?” I barely manage to form the word. I’m pretty sure I already know the answer, but I might as well ask.

Sure enough, he reaches out and knocks on the side of the structure. “This is a tree. We do not start fires within them.”

“F-f-f-f-f-fuck me,” I finally grit out. He’s right. I need heat.

Shock washes across his features, and he stalks closer, his tail flicking furiously back and forth. “If that is what you wish, I suppose it will get you warm.”

“No!” I slap a hand to my forehead. Note to self: do not use that particular phrase again. “It’s an expression, not a command.”

“Ah,” he says, the syllable a low growl. “Are you very sure you do not wish it?”

“Yes, I am very, very—”

“I would bring you pleasure like you have never known, my sweet Ni-Kee.” A tongue swipes across the sharp tip of one fang, and I suck in a breath. It’s long, and from the small glimpse I caught of it, covered in a rough, scale-like pattern.

“I can scent you, my little mate. Perhaps I could help you relax as we work together to raise your body temperature.”

Goosebumps pebble along my arms and neck, and I back up a step. I should not be imagining what his tongue would feel like between my legs. I should absolutely not be thinking about it.

But I am. I scrub a hand down my face. I’ve spent too long in space with only a crappy vibrator for company, because woo boy, am I thinking about it.

“No sex,” I squeak out. “No sex,” I try again, only succeeding in a raspy whisper.

“Not tonight,” he agrees amiably. “Just warmth.”

With that, he tugs his pants off, holding his arms out to me.

Holy shit.

Nobody on Earth knew anything about that, that’s for damn sure. If human females knew about what the firepower Suevans carried belowdecks, they very well might line up to get here. I bite my cheeks, wondering how our resident tech expert and monster romance aficionado, Bex, is faring. I try closing my eyes, but the image of his massive cock is burned across my retinas. I crack one eye back open, just to make sure I saw it right. For science.

Yep.

It’s not scaly like the hide on his shoulders and arms, not exactly, but there’s a faint pattern all along the thick shaft, giving it a slightly bumpy appearance. Draz is hard, too, and my muscles clench reflexively at the thought of all that cock. What would those bumps feel like?

“Are you worried it will be too much for you?” he asks.

My eyes go wide.

“I thought you said you were not interested in sex? You are staring at it. It may be large, compared to you, little human wife, but I would prepare you to take it.” He bites the words off with a low growl, and heat winds through me at his raw sexuality.

“That is correct, not interested in sex,” I manage. “It’s just. It’s there. S-s-sorry.” A shiver wracks me.

“Ah, my Ni-Kee, my sweet mate. You may look your fill, if it pleases you. But do it as we share our body heat, because I cannot stand to see you cold.”

Right. I take a step forward, keeping my gaze clamped somewhere in the distance over his shoulder, where two snails leave a phosphorescent slime trail. Yes, this is a safe place to stare.

I take another step forward, and Draz’s taloned hands grip my biceps gently. His cock nudges against my hip. I close my eyes. He kneels down, taking me with him.

“Ni-Kee, it would be better if you also removed your clothing.”

I almost start to swear again, but think better of it at the last minute. He’s right.

“F-f-f-ine.” I pull my sodden tank over my shoulders, and it slaps wetly against the ground. My sports bra is staying. I move my hips, starting to tug down my pants, and Draz lets out a ragged groan that brings me up short.

“Do not stop, beautiful female,” he manages.