Jade

JADE

D rekkan kisses like he’s trying to draw out my soul. Dominant, possessive, and knicker-meltingly good. Everything, including the cold, disappears as my world contracts to just Drekkan and me.

“Such a sweet couple.”

“About time!”

“It’s what Sol-night is all about.”

Various comments finally make their way into my brain, and while we haven’t exactly drawn a crowd, we’re certainly attracting some attention.

I see my saviors from my night getting lost, Racil and Frank. They give me a wave and grin wildly.

“We should probably…” I stare up at Drekkan’s handsome face. The lights surrounding us glitter over his newly shed skin, and he’s looking at me like he wants to eat me. “…go to the celebration.”

“I will do whatever you desire, little snack,” Drekkan says in his dripping-with-sin voice. “You just have to say the word.”

His eyes are fire, such beautiful fire I don’t want to look away. This handsome dragon desires me, is at my beck and call. He worships my body. Despite my (as I now know) late-stage pregnancy, he wants more of it every day.

Drekkan is in rut for me and I’m already pregnant. I didn’t even think it was possible for Sarkarnii to go into rut where a female isn’t fertile, but he is. His rut is feral, demanding and I love it.

In fact, I think I might love him.

Gulp .

“Anything wrong?” he growls.

“No!” I squeak, wondering if I’ve just said something I shouldn’t have out loud. “I’m hungry.” I run my hand over my stomach. “And this one’s hungry too. We get to eat at this celebration, don’t we?”

I’m rushed through the building crowds so fast, my feet hardly touch the ground, Drekkan growling all the way, people leaping out of our way until we get to the open square.

“Drekkan, wait!” I call out, digging my heels into the snow.

The entire place is lit with holographic snowflakes, diamonds and other shapes I don’t recognize but which are all beautiful. The shapes hang in the air like Chinese lanterns and reflect the snow which is all around. The air is thick with the scent of cooked meats, sweet treats, and spices. Everywhere there are the brightly colored stalls selling everything.

I take it in with my big bad Sarkarnii at my back. His tail wraps around my ankle, and he has his hands around my shoulders, chin heavy on my head.

“This is beautiful,” I say in a hushed tone.

“Not as beautiful as you,” Drekkan says. “What do you want to eat?”

Looks like my Sarkarnii is hungry too, again.

“Whatever you like, I’ll like,” I say, knowing not only is it easier on me but also on the unfortunate food vendors I’ve seen Drekkan attempt to bully into providing me with the food I’ve said I prefer when we’ve been out before.

Also, given how much Drekkan puts away, we need to find somewhere that can provide his usual calorie level.

Drekkan lifts his head from my head and scents the air. “I know what you’ll like.” He smiles and it reaches his eyes. They sparkle with something which has to be happiness.

My big grump is happy, and it makes me happy. I might be on a planet which isn’t mine, but there’s snow and food and a celebration of all things good.

And I have Drekkan, who is towing me towards a stall which is thronged with all species. He has a smile on his face which I think makes them move away quicker than usual. Turns out the stall is a large food tent filled with customers, a huge fire in the center where whole carcasses are being roasted.

Such a Drekkan place to eat.

“We will sit here,” Drekkan growls as we reach a booth.

The small Bosszanto already in it squeaks in alarm and immediately vacates the seating.

“Wait!” I call after him. “Did you just make him give up his seat?” I demand of Drekkan.

“He’d just finished,” Drekkan says, keeping his face completely straight.

I stare at him.

He doesn’t twitch, not in the slightest.

I narrow my eyes.

“Okay, he wasn’t finished, but you are with young. He would have given up his booth for you anyway,” Drekkan says, exasperated. “So, sit.”

I sigh and slide into the booth, stripping off my outer clothing as the tent is very warm.

“You’re incorrigible.”

Drekkan’s expression changes from one of fierceness to one of charmed innocence. “Who? Me?”

I should not smile, but I do, covering my mouth with my hand as I attempt to stare daggers at my bad dragon. Drekkan sits down next to me, shielding me from sight with his huge body. He places his hands on the rough wooden table and roars for a server.

“Was that entirely necessary?” I ask.

“No, but I have a mate filled with young who requires food, and I want to ensure she gets what she wants.” Drekkan grins and places his hand on my baby bump.

A baby who takes that particular moment to give me an impressive kick. Drekkan’s eyes flare. He looks at me. He looks at his hand.

“He knows me,” he says, voice hoarse. “The little youngling knows me.”