Chapter 8

Trinity

The jungle starts to turn dense. Octane relaxes more and more with every step we take. He leads the way, breaking down branches and moving vines so that I can pass more easily.

As we trudge on, the oppressive heat and humidity weigh down on me. My hair sticks to my face and neck. The heat isn't the only thing that weighs me down. It's been hours since our run-in with the Draiger guard, and I'm still mortified.

I orgasmed.

Even worse, it was one of the best orgasms I've ever had, and Octane wasn't even inside of me. What's worse still is that he's right; I didn't want him to stop. I held onto him. I wouldn't let him move away. I made him keep going until I finished.

Then I blamed him! I was so upset with myself that I took it out on him.

I can argue that I wasn't thinking straight because I wasn't. I was at first chasing an orgasm and then riding the waves of one…and what a ride it was. My mind wasn't firing on all cylinders at the time.

Holy smokes!

I'm terrible.

Even now, my skin prickles at the memory and my core tightens, wanting more. Wanting all of it. I am sexually attracted to my captor. What is wrong with me? Everything, that's what. Everything is wrong with me because it's so screwed up.

And then I nearly let slip that I don't have a mate. I just blurted out that I hadn't had sex in a long time, which is true…because I don't have a mate. The last time I had sex was the night this baby was made.

I don't want Octane to know my mateless status. He can't find out. It started out as a ploy to try to get him to let me go. My reasons have changed since then because it's clear it isn't going to happen. He's not going to just let me go and welcome a male Red to question. Now, I don't want to tell him about not having a mate because I fear that we might end up actually having sex. That can't happen.

My face burns when I recall how angry he was when I told him that my mate wasn't having sex with me because he no longer finds me attractive in my current state. It was the first thing that came to mind, so I went with it.

I look down at myself for a few seconds. My thighs are thicker, my hips wider. Gone are my toned abs; I now have a baby belly. I've always had full breasts, but they are huge now. Full and heavy and covered in blue veins. That can't be sexy, surely? My nipples are much bigger, too. They are darker and get hard at the drop of a hat. Irritating.

I love being pregnant. I think that it is amazing how my body has adapted and changed to grow a baby. But I have to say, as far as looks go, I preferred my toned, lean body. I don't feel attractive right now. Maybe that's why I said what I did. His anger shocked me, though. He was pissed off at a mate I don't even have. I tried to backpedal, but it didn't work.

Octane is attracted to me. He said as much. He told me that he almost came all over me. I feel heat suffuse my chest, moving up my neck and spilling over onto my cheeks. My belly tightens. I get this zing of pure need that resonates from between my legs. I get turned on easily now that I'm with child. It's the weirdest thing. My libido has skyrocketed. I come more easily, too. I read up that there is an increased blood flow to my vagina. It also has to do with hormonal changes. It can have that effect on a woman. Right now, I'm finding it seriously annoying.

Octane stops in a clearing and turns to me. "I think that this would be a good place to set up for the night." He looks up at the thick canopy of trees above us. "We should be sheltered and hidden here. I also think you've exerted yourself enough for one day." He glances at my belly for a moment before looking up at my face.

"I'm fine." In truth, my back aches, and my muscles feel sore and tired. "We can keep going if need be." I can handle it.

He shakes his head. "We're stopping here. We'll set off again at first light. We should try to find some food and water before resting up."

I nod. We found some acai berries earlier, but there are only so many of the purple fruits I can eat before I get a tummy ache. I noticed that Octane also only ate one or two handfuls. It was enough to stave off the worst of my hunger but not enough to fill me.

The worst of it is that my mouth is dry. We haven't had so much as a drop to drink, and I'm feeling thirsty.

"We can rest up for a few minutes, and then we'll need to go foraging. I would leave you here, but…"

"You can trust me."

He lifts his brows. "Really, now? Because last time I checked, you are the whole reason we are out here in the first place. You tried to escape earlier, remember?"

I sigh. "That's true, but in hindsight, it wasn't the best idea. I could've been captured and put to death."

"You still could be."

"Exactly. That's why I won't try to escape. Having said that, I'm happy to help when it comes to finding food and water. I'll tag along so we don't have to start another argument. There's no point."

"Good to know we agree on something." Octane sits, keeping his legs open. He leans back against a tree trunk and groans, closing his eyes. "I don't look forward to sleeping on the hard ground tonight."

My eyes are drawn to his thick cock. I know I shouldn't be looking, but I can't help it. My gaze tracks upward to his tight abs and up to his broad chest, landing on his face, which is filled with amusement.

"See something you like, little Red?"

"No!" I suck in a deep breath and quickly turn my head away. Why am I such a damned idiot? I keep sticking my foot in it. "No…it's…I…"

"Sit your ass down, Trinity. I'm teasing you. In light of recent events, it was probably in bad taste."

"I thought we were going to forget that ever happened."

"Yeah…well…it's kind of hard to forget, but we can certainly try to move on from it."

"Yes, let's do that, please." There is a pleading edge to my voice that I don't much like. I wish I could erase the whole thing.

Octane keeps his gaze on me. "You shouldn't look at me like that, Trinity. Is it different with your kind? Don't you mate for life?" His eyes narrow on me.

"We are all the same kind. There is no yours and mine." I lick my lips. Why was I checking him out? Arghhh! I need to stop this. "I wasn't looking at you in any kind of way."

"Perhaps I misread what I saw on your face."

"Perhaps you did," I mutter, not sounding very convincing. "I don't need a break. I'm thirsty." My stomach growls. "And apparently hungry, too. We should get going." And move on from this uncomfortable conversation.

Octane jumps to his feet. "Let's see if we can get you fed."

I'm shocked when he climbs a nearby tree. He does it easily and quickly, navigating the branches effortlessly. He sticks his head up above the canopy for a few moments before climbing back down almost immediately.

"This way." He points, and I follow him through the jungle to a grove of coconut trees. More than one tree has several coconuts growing on it, but they're high up on long, narrow trunks. I crane my neck. Coconuts means coconut water.

My mouth suddenly feels drier at the thought. I put my hand on the trunk of a tree, ready to climb up myself.

"Don't you dare." Octane touches my elbow. "You wait down here. I don't want the baby getting hurt." He gives my arm a soft squeeze and then vaults up a nearby tree.

He cares about us.

No! He wants information from me, and he won't be able to get it if I'm injured. If something happens to my baby, he won't be able to use him or her against me. I need to keep my head straight on my shoulders. Octane does not care about me. Not one damned bit.

Still, I'm in awe of his grace and strength as he jumps from one tree to the next. He is impressive to watch in action. I can't help but feel a mix of emotions swirling inside me. Despite the danger and fear he instills in me, there's a part of me that can't ignore the undeniable allure of his power and prowess. The way he moves with such agility and purpose leaves me slightly breathless, which is unlike me.

I don't like it at all.

I really need to get over this little infatuation. It isn't real. I'm a basket case of hormones and emotions right now. I need to keep reminding myself of that.

He expertly gathers a few coconuts, dropping them to the ground below him with a series of thuds. I rush over to inspect each one. Octane joins me, a small smile playing on his lips as he watches my excitement. I can't help it; I'm that thirsty.

"Look at this one!" I hold up a particularly large coconut, shaking it close to my ear, hearing sloshing inside. "This one is definitely full of sweet water." I'm practically salivating at this point.

Octane nods. "That's a good one, alright." He takes it from me.

He lifts a hand, and scales appear on his wrist, going up his arm. His nails lengthen to sharp claws, which he uses to pierce a hole in the top of the coconut. My mouth waters as he hands it back. I drink down all of the liquid inside, a few drops spilling down my chin.

Octane does the same. He opens a second one, handing it to me. I drink my fill, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. There are several more coconuts at our feet.

"We'll come back this way and take those with us for later."

I nod. "Sounds like a plan. Are we going hunting for food?" My stomach growls loudly at the thought of meat.

Octane shakes his head. "I wish! We can't start a fire out here. It's too risky. I'm sure I can rustle something up."

We start walking again. This time, it's for longer. The air is thick and humid. The jungle is a wild tangle of vegetation, with towering trees and dense underbrush. Sunlight barely filters through the canopy. We pick our way, climbing over roots and fallen branches. Octane seems to know exactly where he is going. Thankfully, the undergrowth opens up, making it easier to navigate. Octane makes for a tree. He looks up and then turns and grins at me. My stomach does a flip-flop. It's the first time I've seen him actually smile, and it's spectacular. His eyes light up, and two dimples appear on either side of his mouth. I keep staring at him until his smile falters, replaced with a confused look.

Crap!

I was gawping at him again. I look up at the tree he is so interested in.

"Wow!" I whisper. It has to be over a hundred feet tall. Dangling down the trunk of the tree are lots of round pods on long dangling vines. They're almost as big as coconuts, but smooth and brown instead of green.

Octane picks up one of the fallen pods and hands it to me. "Have you ever eaten Brazil nuts?"

I nod, my eyes widening. "Is that what's inside?"

Octane nods, frowning a little. "Yep, they make for good eating. The protein will give us energy."

"How do you know so much about the jungle?"

"Surely you have jungles in Mistveil? Quite frankly, I'm shocked that you know so little. I thought all of you Reds lived out in the jungle."

I laugh. "No, you're wrong on that note. Of course, we have plenty of jungle on Mistveil, but I live in the city. I don't venture much into the wilderness. It isn't safe."

"Why not?"

"We don't have many women on Mistveil. Most pregnancies result in male offspring. It has become worse and worse over the years. Now, there is a huge shortage of women, with as many as fifteen males to one female. Males are desperate. Women have gone missing before. It's why we are urged to take more than one mate."

"What?" His voice is gruff. "More than one mate? That's unnatural." His face changes. "Do you have more than one mate? Is that why you looked at me with desire, even though you are already mated?"

"No, I don't have more than one." I shake my head. "That whole thing isn't for me. I said ‘urged,' not ‘forced.' I looked at you with…interest…not desire. You flatter yourself."

"Is there a difference?"

"Of course there is! I would never want more than one mate. You can give your ego a break already. I'm not interested in you, Draiger."

"Good, because you are my enemy, little Red. And I won't fuck another male's woman. Not happening!" He looks angry.

"But making another male's mate come is okay? It's all fine and dandy?" I mutter, feeling annoyed although I can't say why exactly.

He takes a step toward me, towering over me. "That was a mistake. It shouldn't have happened."

"Damn right, it shouldn't have happened. Now, can we drop it already? I shouldn't have brought it up again. Know that I'm not interested in you in that way."

He takes a step away from me and squeezes the back of his neck. "I would rather be alone than to have to ever share, Trinity. It really is as simple as that. I can't believe that males are choosing to share and that females are accepting of it."

"It's not like our people have much choice. Going without a mate, without sex, is unnatural for a strong, healthy male. Some of the females enjoy having a string of males. Most just put up with it for the greater good. I often feel selfish for refusing. I just…I can't." I shrug.

"It isn't selfish. Wait a minute… Why is it unsafe to go into the jungle? I heard about what happened to Kim. Are there more of such males at Mistveil? Do they take females against their will? Even keep them?" he growls, his whole body tensing.

"Desperate males." I sigh. "Yes…there are some. There are those who have chosen to isolate themselves in the jungle. Away from temptation. They've grown quite feral. I would not venture there. It would be asking for trouble. Perhaps it will be better when…" Shit! Why did I say that? I need to keep my mouth shut.

"When what?"

I shake my head. "I've said too much."

"You can tell me." He reaches out and touches the side of my arm. "Please." His gaze softens.

"It's probably all lies. False rumors," I try smoothing it over. "But I heard that the Mainland is going to send human females to Mistveil. There have been mutterings. I might have misunderstood."

"Human females…to Mistveil," he almost whispers, looking shocked.

"Draig gets thirty tributes every year. It sounds like Mistveil will get thirty, too. Except we'll only get females. Tributes for our males, from the sounds of things."

"That's crazy!" Octane shakes his head. "And all kinds of wrong!"

"Why? They would be mates, not sex slaves. Nothing like that. At least, I am sure that's how it would work." I sound unsure because I don't know enough. I hardly know anything. Not much has been announced. "Like I said, I might have misunderstood. It was an overheard conversation."

"Sounds like you're pretty sure to me, Trinity. Know that we get Tributes to train as dragon riders. They're here to help keep the peace. They were never sent here for us to take as mates."

"You should see the discord and unrest on Mistveil right now. Fifteen males to one female. I'm sure you can well imagine. Thirty females per year will bring hope. It'll bring order. I was shocked when I heard, but it might just work. What else should we do? What would you suggest?"

"Where did you hear these mutterings?" he asks, narrowing his eyes.

"It doesn't matter. I shouldn't have said anything at all."

"I'm trying to understand, Trinity."

"Why? So that you can control us better? So that you can keep us cowed? Keep us imprisoned on our island? This island is a prison, too, Octane. Don't you see it?" I look around us.

"It's our home, and right now, the actions of the Reds are threatening our people."

"You really think that?" I ask.

"I do. I just wish you would tell me more so that I could understand better. Then I could decide either way."

"I don't know much of anything. I told you; you took the wrong person."

"Seems to me like I might have taken the right one. You know a lot for a nobody. At least now I know for sure that the Reds and the Mainland are talking. It's something we suspected."

"It sounds that way." They're talking alright. "I think it's bad that they are in communication with Draig as well as with us. They're not disclosing that fact at all. We get supplies from the Mainland just like you do. We're not feral jungle dwellers like you seem to think. The whole thing seems wrong, somehow. Have you ever heard the term ‘divide and conquer'?"

"Are you trying to say that the humans have us pitted against one another to keep us weak?"

"I'm not sure, Octane." I shrug. "But it wouldn't surprise me. We need them, and we don't trust each other. They're not being honest with us. That much is clear."

He picks up a few of the pods, handing me a couple. "I think you might be onto something. It's an angle I never considered."

"It's an angle I can't stop thinking about."

"Talk to me, Trinity. Tell me everything you know. Let's put our heads together. It's the only way."

I shake my head. "Firstly, I keep telling you that I don't know very much about what is going on, and secondly, even if I did, I don't trust you enough to tell you."