Drelix

It's been a long time since I was scouting on Tatatunga. Not in the least because of our recent enforced stay in the prison maze, the Kirakos, a place which turned out to be so much more than a prison.

But long before all that, long before I had to take my vow, the one I have struggled to maintain until it broke down completely in the face of the female at my side, I was sent by Draco to obtain information, make contacts, and purchase weaponry.

Because we're Sarkarnii, we always want things which make a noise.

I know Tatatunga. I only hope those who remember me are those who can be of assistance. A Sarkarnii shouldn't be challenged, but a lone Sarkarnii, as I know well, is also a target.

A piece of information I will not be giving my clever little mate, who is sharp enough she could cut herself.

I usher her through the entrance to the port and into the nearest travel tube. With a snarl, the occupant, a Krail, tall, blue, and deadly if crossed, leaves, a smile on its face as it checks us both out.

The Sarkarnii with a mate rumor travels fast, it appears.

"The Pompas," I state as the door to our pod slides closed.

"Where are we going?" Crystal asks.

I press my body against hers, dipping my head and trailing my lips up to her ear. I can't say my rut isn't piqued all the more by the shiver on her skin or the perfume of her arousal.

"We can be heard everywhere in public, little morsel. We must choose our words carefully if we are to maintain our deception and obtain our objective."

"Your objective," she murmurs back, sliding her hand around my waist and, ancestors forgive me, into the waistband of my pants. "My objective was to get off Station X42. You need me around, it appears, so what's it worth?"

"You know Sarkarnii are wealthy." I flick the tips of my tongue at the skin on her neck, unable to stop my hips from rocking towards her. "I can give you whatever you need."

The pod comes to a halt, and we are jolted apart, her hand popping out from my waistband, and my cock is already half out of my pouch.

"The Pompas," the pod announces.

I usher Crystal in front of me, but we only get two steps into the atrium of the hotel when she stops dead.

"Wow. Just wow." She's gazing up at the air aquarium, filled with a myriad of sparkling, colorful species floating within the clever bowl of gas and forcefields which keep the thing suspended high in the atrium, the incredible light flickering over all below.

She has spent all her time in the grotty confines of Station X42, and nothing about the place has given her any indication of the wonders of the galaxy. Crystal's face is lit from within with wonder and joy. I want her to look like this always. I want her to have the best of everything, forever.

"Drelix!"the hovering ball exclaims, the face of the concierge, an Oykig called Armar, appearing. "It's been so long! Your usual suite, I presume?"

"Yes," I snarl at him. "And a banquet for two. Also send up my tailors."

His eyes slide over to Crystal, and he grins.

"About time, old friend. What did I tell you? Mating makes everything sweeter, even your temperament," he says.

"I haven't killed anyone yet because I'm not being paid for it," I reply. "And I didn't fancy blowing a large part of Tatatuga's port to the ancestors."

"Ah, yes." Armar winces. "The Fireize. I do wish the council would hurry up and move it on." He looks off to his left before turning back with a smile. "Your suite is ready. I'll send down a pod."

I wrap my arm around her shoulders as the translucent shape slides through the air aquarium and lands next to us. Crystal's eyes are wide as the door peels open.

"Come, mate," I say, and the way her lips hitch makes my stomach clench.

Something tells me I am going to pay for that particular remark, and it might involve envenomation. Because females bite, my rut is sure of it.

I do my level best not to shudder as we step inside. The pod door closes and we rise up through the atrium heading to the top floor. As it did on the way down, the pod moves through the air aquarium on the way up, and Crystal presses her hands against the soft sides, gazing out at the air creatures as we pass through.

"So beautiful," she whispers.

"Yes," I reply, my eyes not leaving her.

The pod arrives at our suite, and I gesture for Crystal to go ahead of me down the short corridor from the atrium until it opens out into a large, airy room, the entire wall in front of us completely clear and providing a spectacular view of the lawless, sometimes deadly hub of this galaxy quadrant, Tatatunga.

"Wow," Crystal says again.

"It is, isn't it?" I reply, my chest tightening with the spark I always feel when I'm here.

The danger which is always close to the surface, meaning I get to be who I am. The most dangerous creature in Tatatunga. Or at least the most dangerous one free to do as he pleases.

Only Crystal is not looking at the view. She's looking at the mass of food spread out in the sunken eating area. In a few seccari, she is vaulting into a seat and piling a platter with all manner of items.

With a growl, mating mix roaring in my veins, I'm shifting out wings and landing next to her.

"My female does not feed herself." I pull Crystal onto my lap and snatch the platter from her hand. "By my hand only."