Crystal

Ismooth down my clothing. It just about survived Drelix's attentions, this time. My thighs and belly ache with a slow thud as the pod we're in descends to the street level. I'm probably smiling far too much for someone who's been impaled on a Sarkarnii and pleasured into the next galaxy.

Maybe not. For a male who hasn't had sex before, Drelix is very talented and inventive.

His tail curls around my ankle possessively as we reach the ground.

"What exactly are we shopping for?" I ask as we exit the hotel.

"Weapons," Drelix says in a low growl.

"I don't need weapons." I finger the dagger hidden in my waistband.

"I do. I have the quantum booster, but while I'm here, I want to upgrade my pulsar cannon and arrange for a further shipment for my fellow warriors. We're going to need them," he says, with a smile which shouldn't be legal.

He is very confident about this Uhatx trader providing him with details of the shadowy species he wants for revenge. I am not so much, but Drelix has me, and I might be able to keep him out of trouble. Probably.

If Station X42 smelt in black and white, Tatatunga is full color. The entire place is a cacophony of noise, scents, and sights but with the added bonus of weather. Two suns sit in the sky and heat the place up to boiling point. I thought I was used to different species, but the sheer amount thronging the streets is overwhelming. A pair of enormously fat purple Belek walks past us, and Drelix lets rip with a blood curdling growl, smoke and a little flame curling out of his mouth and nose.

They give him a terrified look and hurry away. In fact, he clears a space around us.

"What was that all about?" I ask, staring after them. It's not like they're any sort of threat to my seven foot plus dragon.

"Belek," Drelix rasps. "Their species ran the Kirakos."

If I thought I had enemies, it appears the Sarkarnii do too.

At least the Habosu are far away and unlikely to find me here. Lord Makkan, singed or otherwise, cannot have what I hid away on Drelix's ship. It's always going to be my ticket to freedom. It's also something I really should tell him about.

After all, if we pool our problems, they can't be any worse, presumably…

I drag Drelix under a nearby awning and into the cool of the shop. The Meo shopkeeper, all green eyes and fur, blinks at us.

"Are we drawing attention to ourselves or what?" I hiss at him. "Because I'd prefer to keep a low profile."

"I am Sarkarnii," Drelix booms. "I don't do low profile."

I watch as his scales glitter with some sort of internal bioluminescence. In the gloom of the shop, he looks so alien and so handsome I'm not entirely sure what to do with myself.

So, I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him.

Initially surprised, it takes Drelix less than a second to dominate my mouth, his glorious forked tongue sweeping over mine like a Sarkarnii starved.

"Do you want milk?" the Meo asks, having watched our exhibition with interest. "Good milk, best in Tatatunga."

"What sort of milk?" I ask, without thinking.

"Meo milk," she says proudly. "Good for strength."

Not entirely sure what answer I expected. Without any further ado, she produces two funnel-shaped glasses and fills them from a container before looking at both of us and narrowing her eyes a little. She looks at the racking on her counter, selects a small bottle, and places two drops from it into each glass.

Blue blooms through the pale liquid, and I can smell something which is partly bubblegum and partly fruit. The Meo pushes the glasses over the counter at us. Drelix takes his, has a proprietary sip, and then downs the rest in one, smacking his lips as he puts the glass back down.

I give him a side eye. At least he isn't growling or causing a scene. I sniff the milk and swallow a little. It's very creamy, like a milkshake, and tastes absolutely delicious, so I drink more.

"This is surprisingly good!" I say, smiling at the Meo as I follow Drelix's lead and drink the rest down.

"Good for fertility," the Meo says with a big whiskery smile. "Meo milk is the best."

I only just stop myself from spitting it out all over her, instead letting some of it dribble back into the glass. Drelix nudges me and nods.

I raise my eyebrows in what has to be the universally accepted sign for "what the fuck" in any language and any galaxy.

He pouts, and it's my turn to growl, putting the glass carefully back on the counter.

"Thank you. It was very nice," I say to the Meo as Drelix swipes his credit chip over her payment cube.

She smiles wider. "Come back for more soon, little human," she says. "With your big mate, you'll need the strength."

I grab Drelix's arm and tow him back out of the shop as quickly as I can. It looks like nowhere is safe in Tatatunga. It doesn't help he's now grinning like a Cheshire Cat.

"You should take Meo milk every day," he says.

"If you want to mate again anytime soon, with me, you will never mention this again," I reply, stalking away into the crowd.

Behind me, Drelix laughs loudly. I ball my hands into fists.

He is so going to mention it again.