Coral

Drasus is infuriating. This whole situation is infuriating. I believe I understand the Sarkarnii rut, but why and how it should mean I end up going on a three-day hike with the one male I want to be the farthest away from seems to be some form of universal punishment.

He hasn't spoken to me since yesterday until now, when he pulled me against his gorgeous, warm, scaled body and promised to protect me.

I literally wanted to kill him.

This is the reason you don't get involved with anyone ever. They promise so much and it's all for nothing. Work is the only constant, and this stupid mission has taken me away from mine.

Instead I'm stuck with Mr. Grumpy and Smug dragon. He walks alongside me, one stride to every two of mine, because Drasus is a monster male with an attitude. I seethe as we continue into the dark and the way becomes littered with more rocks and boulders.

More debris to trip over. Which I do because I've never been great when it comes to co-ordination.

"We can stop anytime you wish, little flame," Drasus rumbles. In the gloom of the glow stick lights, I see the embers glowing red which fire out of his mouth and nostrils. "Should you need to rest."

"Do you need to stop?" I ask, convincing myself my concern is professional curiosity.

"I told you, I am strong. I do not need to rest."

I admit there is a huge difference between the Drasus of yesterday who needed help to make it to the aquium and the Drasus of today who actually looks like a warrior. I think I can detect a faster rate of breathing, and he is favoring his right side because most of the damage was there, but other than that, he's fully functioning.

Not that he had much of a problem yesterday, at least not after he ate me out to within an inch of my life.

I really must stop thinking about it. It's going to destroy more than my self-preservation. I've only packed enough knickers for three days. And as much as I do not want to contemplate anything else happening with Drasus, because he's a massive Sarkarnii dickhead, my vagina may have other plans.

Which is a first for me.

"We should stop," I announce. After the millionth time tripping over yet another rock, my feet are bruised, and I'm exhausted from keeping up a punishing pace.

"Do not stop on my account," Drasus says.

It's a good thing it's dark in here because I can't help giving him the double fingered "v."

"That is an unusual gesture, given there are two, not four of us," Drasus says.

Dammit! The Sarkarnii can obviously see better in the dark than I can. I drop onto a boulder with a sigh. This is going to be a very long mission.

Drasus drops his glow stick light in between us, and a clawed hand reaches towards me. Clasped in it is some dried meat.

"Here, eat this."

"I'm not hungry." I pull out my water flask, a floppy tube of liquid with a straw.

"It doesn't matter. A good warrior takes the opportunity to eat when he can."

Is it me, or is the way he says the word "eat" loaded with innuendo?

"Then you'd better eat," I say, ignoring the proffered food.

"I am not a good warrior," Drasus rasps. "This is for you."

Now he's being flirty? I resist the urge to get up and stomp away because that would make me a bitch. I'm not going to let Drasus get to me.

"Fine." I snatch the meat from his claws and take a bite. It's surprisingly tasty, soft, and it melts in my mouth rather than being endlessly chewy.

"Good?" Drasus looms out of the dark, the little purple neons lighting up under his scales and making a cute light show.

"Suppose," I grumble. Another piece is thrust under my nose. "You don't have to look after me," I add. "Not here, not anywhere."

There's a rush of wind, and I have a very angry Sarkarnii in front of me.

"It is my duty." He forces the words out past large fangs.

I get to my feet, tucking the second piece of dried meat into my pocket for later, and pick up my pack.

"No, you were my duty. You don't get to pick and choose what you want to do with me and when."

So much for not being a bitch. I should have it out with him, find out why he walked away from me yesterday rather than letting it boil me up on the inside.

No matter what the aliens who took me from Earth did. No matter I ended up in an alien prison, about to be experimented on like some lab rat. Humans, me in particular, might not have much in the way of agency, but I still have some vestiges of pride left.

If Drasus wants more from me, he needs to think on what he's done. Maybe he'll work it out and maybe he won't, but it isn't my problem.

And I'm a doctor. I can do awkward all day and all night if necessary. Once you've spent some time in the emergency room, any awkwardness is swiftly plucked from you. The things I've seen shoved into various orifices and the consequential explanations…I don't need to spell it out.

I'm so far beyond awkward, I'm out the other side. So Mr. I-Rut-For-You is going to have to get his act together, and fast.