Coral

My trepidation about leaving the Kirakos has always been hovering in the back of my mind, originally because I wasn't sure where my calling lay. I spent years helping people, and when it seemed the rest of the inhabitants of the prison maze would be left to rot, the thought of staying crossed my mind.

But then we found out about the Ragad and how they were forced to the center of the planet moon to keep away from the Belek. Peaceful and highly intelligent, when Ruby and Drega gained access to the Kirakos systems, these were ceded over to this race who promised all who called it their home would be able to stay. And Draco promised all those who wished to leave would be able to as well, as once we left, he would arrange for the supply ships to take whosoever wanted to go.

They say prison is full of innocent people. In the case of the Kirakos, while maybe none of the inhabitants were entirely innocent, many were there because they crossed the wrong empire, or pissed off the wrong tyrant, or were simply trying to survive. It's not like humans don't have form for this sort of thing.

Drasus grunts at Drega in a non-committal fashion before wrapping his arms around me.

"As long as it's what you want, beautiful. I'll go wherever you go."

Amusingly, he shoots a daggered look at Drega in a way I think he thinks I might not notice.

"I want to be with you too, Mr. Big." I smile up at him. "But I want to be with my friends too. They need me."

Drasus shoves his head into the crook of my neck and inhales, fangs scraping over my skin and making my body heat. I hear Ruby do a pointed cough but frankly, I've seen more than enough of what she and Drega got up to, so it doesn't bother me one iota.

"I want your belly as full as hers," Drega murmurs in my ear, and I feel my knickers flood with moisture.

No wonder my friends have taken to wearing dresses. I thought it was a pregnancy thing, but it turns out the truth is entirely different.

"I want to fill you, hook you, make sure all these males know you are mine," he growls and I'm powerless to resist.

"You'll be needing den quarters while we make ready." Drega laughs. "How about you use the clinic? I've moved everything we might need over to the Golden Orion's medi-bay. Once you're done, I'll need you, warrior, on the ship, along with your mate to program the star map."

Drasus rasps over my skin, glaring at Drega.

I decide it probably makes sense to leave now, before there are any more fights or misunderstandings. This first meeting has gone as well as it could, and I had expected a bloodbath.

Even Daeos got away unscathed, and given how happy Opal is, I'm pleased. Patching up the red peril is not my idea of fun.

"We'll be there," I say, slipping my arm in with Drasus and leading him away before the growl I can hear gets any louder, guiding him across the central square of the Sarkarnii quarter.

"Does any of this look familiar?" I ask him, not wanting to push my big dragon too hard.

There's no point in him getting frustrated at his lack of recall, although so far, he seems quite happy to simply be feral around the others. I know they considered him to be a valuable member of their crew, and the sooner he starts to remember, the better.

"Maybe," Drasus says slowly. "Maybe not."

But then he swings to the left, taking me with him and down the steps into the clinic.

Drasus remains trapped, somewhere in his own mind. I want him back in so many ways, but this free warrior he has become, unfettered by his previous memories of battle and injury—I love him too.

Because his freedom set me free too.

The place is how I remember it, smelling faintly of antiseptic but empty. Drasus' nostrils flare.

"I remember…this." He closes his eyes and smoke curls from his mouth. "I remember…"

I'm scooped up in his arms, squeaking out a protest as he thumps his way through to the back where the aquium is, his chest rumbling with delight as he comes to a halt inside the door.

"This is where I tasted you the first time, and you were sweet," he says in a voice filled with gravel and desire.

I can feel my pulse quicken, my heart racing ahead.

"We've had a long journey. You must want to get clean," I suggest.

Drasus gives me a heated look, one which practically melts my clothing from me.

"I need to clean you up first, little mate," he rasps, setting me on wobbly feet.

He yanks my pants down, stripping them from me in a swift movement, sending them god knows where, and his head is shoved between my thighs, sending me off balance for all of a second as he grasps my buttocks in huge hands and begins to lick at me.

Instantly, I'm grinding myself wantonly on his face, my hands grabbing out and taking hold of a pair of semi-shifted wings. I'm in control of my big, bad Drasus.

He works his magic, tongue everywhere, fingers exploring me, slipping into my pussy, curling so he hits my g-spot and sends me to the stars. I'm coming, pulsing over him, unable to breathe or speak or do anything other than hang on to my Drasus.

"You still taste as sweet, little flame, only now you taste of me too," he says, lifting his head, the evidence of my pleasure smeared over his mouth. "Perfection." He brings his fingers up and sucks them one by one into his mouth, smacking his lips with delight.

"I need you," I say, my voice hoarse, as if I've been screaming his name.

"You want a Sarkarnii cock? You do know I'm going to hook you and breed you until you cannot remember your name, or mine, don't you?"

"Yes," I breathe. "Breed me."