Coral

Drasus still doesn't remember anything, that much is clear, but I'm absolutely sure he had partially shifted, if not entirely shifted, just before I found him. The cut to his head is entirely gone, and other than the fact he is still covered in the remains of whatever he found yesterday, he looks as healthy as when I first saw him in the Kirakos.

Save for his memory. Part of me wonders if this is something to do with his previous trauma. Maybe he doesn't want to remember.

Maybe I'm trying out psychology on a species I know far too little about.

Drasus took a blow to the head. Who knows how this affects a Sarkarnii, given their species is able to transform into another. I vaguely recall Drega saying something about Daeos spending a week in his Sarkarnii form, refusing to change back after some battle or other. I'm sure there was a suggestion he had memory loss on that occasion too.

Perhaps it's normal for a Sarkarnii.

I check over my shoulder and find Drasus is behind me by about three inches. He very nearly falls on top of me.

There is nothing normal about this Sarkarnii.

"Looking forward to the aquium?" I ask as I let him fall in step with me (although I'm pretty sure he'd prefer to still be behind).

"Water." He snorts a load of smoke and embers. "Hmm."

"Well, I gave up caring what you smelt like yesterday, but I do today," I say, given the scent of the cooking melabuk had masked some of pungent Drasus.

"I might need an incentive," he says as we round the corner into the cave which contains the deep pool. The waters are a dark blue in the center, graduating to a lighter blue around the edges. The whole place is filled with dusty crystals, and a tiny hole in the ceiling reveals some natural light.

It's the one thing giving me hope today, other than finding Drasus standing and coherent.

Actually, having a huge purple dragon who looks like he could take on the Kirakos is more hopeful than anything else.

Drasus eyes the water. Then he looks at me.

"If you think me getting in there is an incentive, think again, Mr. Big."

"You…cannot swim," he says carefully.

I gape at him. "No, I can't. You remembered."

He drops his chin to his muscular chest. "You smelt afraid. I do not like the scent. If you prefer we go elsewhere, I can forgo a bath."

"Are you kidding me, mister?" I fold my arms over my chest. "Look at this place! It's waist deep at the most for me except in the middle. I'm not afraid at all."

I realize my mistake instantly. But not instantly enough. A very, very bad smile slides over Drasus' handsome face.

"Good," he says. "Because if I bathe, you bathe. It's the only way I can be sure you are protected at all times."

"But I'll be…" I protest as he places a huge, thick finger on my lips and shakes his head slowly from side to side.

I've lost. I've lost so badly. Outmaneuvered by an amnesiac dragon I thought I was caring for because he needed me.

Drasus needs me, just not in the way I've been trying to convince myself he needs me.

No, he needs me in the way my vagina is telling me he needs me, and I've never let that body part do my thinking before.

Drasus removes the finger and replaces it with his lips. I am consumed in a kiss which makes me tingle from the ends of my hair to the tips of my toes, my body limp in his clutches.

"You'll need to remove some clothing if you are to bathe with me," he says, smoke curling smugly from one nostril.

I know what Drasus and I have done, or at least old Drasus, but here and now, his request makes me feel intensely shy.

"Turn around," I order.

"Why? I want to see you," he replies with a wicked smile.

"If you want me in the water at all, you'll turn around," I tell him, attempting a stern tone.

His lip hitches higher. Obviously my tone isn't working. I stare him down. Drasus turns slowly until his back is facing me, his tail twitching.

I remove my outer clothing, leaving just my knickers, and quickly slip into the water, dropping to my knees on the sandy bottom so I'm virtually all underwater.

"Okay," I call out, and quick as a flash, Drasus has turned back.

Only I'm under the water and it's my turn to be smug. He narrows his eyes. I get the creeping feeling I've underestimated him.

Again.

Drasus backs up for several paces, and then he runs, his feet pounding on the ground as he leaps in the air, sailing over my head, wings shifting out as he dives into the center of the pool with hardly a splash.

And it's at this point I realize a big purple dragon is virtually invisible under blue water. Especially to a human. I have no idea where he is and I'm virtually naked.

Drasus is in rut, for me. Even if his memory has gone, his body has not forgotten. I have laid myself out at the lair of the dragon and he is going to claim me as his.

Oops.