Dragon's Hope (Red Planet Dragons of Tajss Book 4) Read online

  A pang of loss hits me out of nowhere. I try not to think about Bailey too much, or what happened to her. I suppose the best I can hope for is that she died quickly. It's the one thing none of us talks about, those we lost when the pirates attacked our generation ship. Only one section of it crashed here, the part we were in. What became of the rest of the massive ship no one knows. We assume they were all killed. Thinking about the pirates, I hope they were. The thought of my mom being in the hands of those monsters is more than I can stand.

  "Okay," he says, his eyes locked on mine.

  "Astarot," Sverre calls from behind us.

  "Yes?" he asks, but his eyes never leave mine.

  "What did you do before?"

  "I worked on the docks," Astarot replies.

  "Dock worker, huh?" I grin. "So you're used to handling large packages?"

  "Very much so," he says.

  I'm not sure if he understood my innuendo or not. Zmaj are literal, it's the nature of their language and it would seem their culture too. Or maybe he got it? The way he's looking into my eyes, the grin on his face, I think he might have.

  "Where at?" Sverre asks.

  Astarot answers but I'm not listening anymore. All my attention is on studying his face. The strong jaw, his full lips, the way they move when he talks. The way his eyes never leave mine, even as he's talking with Sverre. I decide, this moment, that tonight Astarot is going to get lucky.

  "How about a walk?" he asks.

  It takes a moment for me to realize he's talking to me, not them. Then I have to take another moment to process the sounds into words. Now things are becoming awkward. I clear my throat then look away.

  "That'd be nice," I say.

  We say our good nights to our friends and leave the apartment. Their eyes are on us as we do but to hell with them. It's better than the negative attention I'm used to and I know they only want the best for us.

  3

  Astarot

  The thunder in my ear from my racing hearts makes conversation difficult as we walk out of the building, side by side. As we step from the shadows into the open air, the heat wraps us like a warm embrace.

  "Ugh," Lana gasps.

  "Are you okay?"

  "Yeah, the heat gets me every time," she says.

  "You're taking the epis?"

  "Yeah, it's not awful, not like it used to be. It still takes my breath away though," she smiles.

  "I'm glad it's getting better," I say.

  The suns are setting and their last rays make the protective dome over the city sparkle, creating thin rainbows of color as the light breaks down into its parts.

  "I love sunset," she says. "It's so beautiful."

  "Have you gone to a roof and watched?" I ask.

  "No, I haven't ever had the chance," she says.

  "Let's go!"

  She reaches out her hand. It's tiny and soft as it lies engulfed in my own. I meet her eyes, gorgeous, rich eyes that are so full of life. We smile and the primal urge to claim her leaps up as does my cock. I lean closer, wanting to have the mating of mouths I've seen the others do. The lids of Lana's eyes drift down until they are half-closed, my desire rages as we come closer together.

  Our lips meet. A jolt races through my body from my lips out through my limbs. As quick as they meet we part. She leans back as I straighten. She looks away as do I, did I offend her? Uncertainty pounds in my head.

  "Which way?" she asks, no hint of admonishment or upset.

  Her hand is still in mine so she must not mind, right? Did she like it? Before more uncertainty can beset me I lead the way to a building on the edge of the city proper. It's not far, a few blocks, that we traverse with good speed. The buildings in this section of the city are still empty, rotting. Broken shards of old windows lines the street, the exteriors are falling apart, showing signs of age, neglect, and where roaming animals once marked their territory.

  I lead us into the dim interior of an ancient structure. The suns are setting fast so we have to hurry to catch the sight I want to share. We wind our way through debris, rotting furniture and parts of the ceiling that have collapsed.

  "Damn, this is dark," Lana says as we make our way further in.

  The lighting isn't a problem for me but she squints then blink several times.

  "I didn't think to bring a light," I say.

  I knew humans didn't see well in the dark but I forgot. She moves closer, an unexpected benefit that makes me smile. Her warmth against my scales is more pleasurable than I would have imagined. I want her to be this close always. Thoughts of wrapping her in my arms, pulling her close, and holding her forever cloud my mind. Intoxicated with my own thoughts the climb passes quickly. At the top of the building is a rusted door highlighted by streams of light shining through rotted holes. I push but it doesn't open. Leaning my weight in, the door screeches open with the sound of metal dragging against metal.

  "Thought you'd been here before?" she asks.

  "I have, sand still gets through the dome," I explain.

  "Ah," she says.

  I move through the door ahead of her then hear her gasp, turning just in time to see her mouth fall open then she turns a circle. Placing her hands over her mouth she shakes herself then walks towards the edge of the roof.

  The view is stunning, which is why I brought her here. The dual red suns are setting on the horizon, peeking over the mountain range in the far distance. Their final, blazing rays cause the sand to sparkle like a perfect gem. Brilliant reds, whites, and arcing lines of blue dance across the rolling dunes towards the city. The dome over the city that keeps out predators filters the light and turns it into a dreamy haze.

  "You like it?" I ask.

  "Like it? It's… stunning."

  My smile is so wide my jaw hurts but I don't care. My scales tingle with excitement because my treasure is pleased. She turns towards me, placing her hands on my chest, looking up into my eyes. The warmth of her hands spreads across my scales. She rises and I'm pulled into her like a gravity well until our lips meet. Everything focuses into that singular point of contact where we are becoming one. Her arms move over my shoulders, wrapping around my neck. I put my arms around her waist, pulling her tighter against me. Her body melds to mine as our mating of mouths continues.

  She pulls back gasping in air then she kisses across my jaw. Her hot tongue drags along the line of my neck. My hands drop to her full ass, running over her curves. My first cock stiffens to the point I might explode before we do anything.

  The soft mounds of her large breasts press hard against my chest, moving as she does, enticing. Her hips move against mine and I grind into her. Desire rules the day, I want to make her mine. I lift her up, bringing her closer, her legs wrap around my waist. My cock presses against the cloth of my pants, straining for her.

  She moans as her hips grind against my dick. I pull her head back from where she is kissing my neck. Our lips come together with bruising force. My grip in her hair holds us together. Her tongue licks my lips then presses past them into my mouth. My tongue rises to meet hers in a dance. Her pussy is so close, grinding against my cock. I need her. Pressure builds in my core until I'm sure I can't wait any longer.

  Her hand drives between us until it finds my cock. She works her way into my pants and takes my dick in a firm grip. She strokes up and down. I close my eyes concentrating to avoid the impending explosion. She unwraps her legs so I lower her back to her feet. Pulling her hands out of my pants she runs her hands across my chest. She lowers herself before me, dragging her hands along my body as she does.

  In moments my pants are dropping to the ground and my cock springs free. She takes it in a hand but her small, human hand isn't big enough to wrap around it. Her light touch strokes the soft underside. Looking up, she smiles, then runs her tongue along my shaft.

  "Oh!" I cry out in surprise and pleasure.

  New sensations race through my body unlike anything I've felt before. My first load explodes, pumping out ont
o her and the ground between us as she strokes and runs her tongue along my shaft. She doesn't stop until I'm spent.

  "Good?" she asks, rising until her lips are next to mine.

  "Beyond," I say.

  I work the buttons of her shirt then pull it over her shoulders. When it drops off, I move my head back so I can see her enticing mounds. A Zmaj woman's breasts had hard plates that protected them which opened only for feeding babies. Lana's are out all the time, which is fascinating, and Lana's look larger than the other women's too. I've fantasized about what they might look like under her clothing.

  Some kind of white cloth with straps that run over her shoulders covers them still. I slide the straps down but the cloth doesn't drop. She presses her mouth to mine, pulling my attention. Our tongues meet and dance but I continue to explore her beauty with my hands. My second cock is rising, straining between us now, but I ignore it, focusing what attention I can on her breasts.

  Hooking my fingers under the cloth that is still protecting them I pull it back. It stretches but doesn't come loose so I pull it down and at last her breasts are exposed. I lower my head. The centers are light brown, circular, with bumps. On instinct I tease them with my tongue then take one in my mouth. A hard point forms so I nibble on that. Lana moans, her hands grabbing my head and holding me tight against her.

  Moving over to the other I go back and forth and she groans louder. Keeping most of my attention on her breasts with my hands, I work at her pants until they drop free. One handed I rub between her thighs. Another piece of cloth covers her mound, it feels thin, so I grab the sides and slide it off.

  Touching the soft fur that grows on her mound I can feel wetness coming from her. She is ready for mating and I want to, but I hold off. I press one finger into the opening past her soft lips and push it into her wetness. I continue licking and teasing her breasts while exploring her delicate folds with my finger.

  "Astarot," she pants, thrusting her hips forward and driving my finger deeper.

  She's tight around my finger, gripping it hard, I wonder if I can fit into her without harming her. I know the other Zmaj males have done so, but I don't want to hurt Lana. I will let her lead to be sure I do not harm her.

  Her hips thrust back then forward driving my finger in and out so I comply. Moving it faster, she pants louder and louder. I lick her breasts in time with the thrusting of my fingers. My lips lock onto the hard point and pull then switch to the other and repeat.

  Her groans become a constant chant of wordless sounds of pleasure. As her body adjusts to my finger inside her, it becomes wetter. I slide a second finger in, expanding her, preparing her for my cock. It slides in easy but again feels tight. She groans as she moves her hips back and forth.

  She pulls on the back of my head. I look up and she leans in, pressing her lips to mine and groans into my mouth. As her body adjusts and the wetness increases, I add a third finger. She gasps in surprise but the panting groans continue.

  Deciding she is ready I hook my hands under her ass and lift her up. My second cock is ready, throbbing with desire. Moving slow while continuing to kiss I lower her down until I feel the first hints of her wetness touching my cock. She throws her head back and sighs as I continue lowering her.

  The head of my cock pushes into her until the first ridge on top of my cock meets resistance. The pressure of her sliding down increases and then with surprising suddenness, the first ridge is enveloped by her tightness. She yelps and I stop, worried.

  When she opens her eyes and meets mine, she bites her lower lip then nods. I resume lowering her onto my dick. Nothing has ever felt better. Her body grips me, welcoming me, it's a sensation like coming home after a long, hard day. I groan as I slide deeper into her until at last my cock is buried. The hard ridge at the base on my pelvis probes into her soft folds. She shifts her hips then gasps, her eyes widen, and she smiles.

  "Oh god!" she exclaims, rotating her hips in a circle.

  Her grip on my shoulders tightens. Smashing her lips into mine, our teeth click together, then her tongue is driving into my mouth as she pulls herself up then drops back down on my cock.

  She sets a fast, hard rhythm, one I never would have tried. Rising and falling on my dick. My core tightens until it's a hard ball. I'm struggling to maintain my control, she feels so good.

  "Astarot," she grunts my name with each downward thrust.

  As she lowers herself taking me in, she throws her head back and lets out a wordless cry of pleasure. I answer her cry with my own as we become one. Our bodies joining in the physical manifestation as our souls entwine with each other.

  She puts her head on my shoulder, panting. I can feel her pounding heart against my chest. As her heart rate slows and she regains her breath she moves, raising her head and pulling herself up. I assist her, taking her off my cock, and lowering her to the ground.

  "That was fun," she smiles.

  "Yes," I agree, as we both gather our clothing and dress.

  She pulls her shirt on then stops to stare out at the encroaching shadows. The suns have dipped below the horizon, only their reflected light pushes back the darkness.

  "It's beautiful," she exhales.

  "I think so," I say, stepping over to her and putting an arm around her waist.

  "Okay, well I'll see you tomorrow," she says as she turns and walks towards the door.

  "Uh, what?" I ask.

  The sudden shift in attitude and the words make no sense. We joined, there is much to discuss, what is she doing?

  "I'll see you tomorrow?" she asks, confusion obvious on her face.

  "But, we joined," I say.

  "Yes, and it was fun," she replies.

  "I do not understand."

  She looks confused too. She shakes her head then tilts it to one side. "I have to butcher tomorrow. Aren't you going to be there?" she asks.

  Butcher? The meat? She's talking about the meat, but what about us?

  "But… what about… we joined?" I ask, feeling lost.

  "Yes," she says shaking her head. "It's a hook-up. A one night stand, right?"

  "A… one night stand?" I've never heard of such a thing. I know the words but putting them together makes no sense.

  "Yeah, you know, we had fun, now we go on with our lives?"

  "Oh," I say.

  My hearts quit beating. A hard pressure squeezes my chest, it's impossible to breathe.

  "You okay?" she asks, showing signs of concern.

  Swallowing hard, I nod. "Yes," I say, my voice on the edge of cracking.

  "Okay, good," she says, turning and walking through the door.

  Watching her leave a wave of nausea passes over me. I bend over and rest my hands on my knees until it passes.

  One night stand? I think to myself.

  Zmaj don't do… whatever that is. When we join, we're joined, that's it. It's the culmination. Dealing with humans is so… strange. I want her, I need her. I can't imagine life without her. She is my treasure. So what do I do?

  I do what I have to do. If this is what I can have of her, then I will take it. The only other option I see is to not have her at all but that is not an option. She needs time, that must be the answer. I will wait.

  She will see, she's my treasure and we'll be together. It's only a matter of time.

  Resolved, I walk over to the edge of the building and stare out across the dim lit dunes. Clouds are rolling in, making the shadows deeper than normal. I left my home to find something. Not knowing what, but I knew I'd know it when I saw it and I did, the moment I found Lana.

  No matter what comes against us, I'll be there for her. No matter how long I have to wait for her, I will. Her and her kind have brought hope back to this desolate wasteland. Before the humans came, I waited not only for my own extinction but that of my race as well.

  Sverre and Calista have a child now. That is more hope than I would have ever thought possible. Jolie will birth soon. In time, Lana will see, and we will have our own hatchling. I
t is our duty to make the world a better place for them. They should not have to live in a wasteland like this. Once, the Zmaj civilization was strong and we can make it such again.

  Something flashes on the horizon. I close my outer lids to filter the light but it doesn't repeat. Something is out there, I'm certain of it. I will arrange a patrol for tomorrow and look in that direction. I can't allow the Zzlo slavers to take us by surprise.

  Resolved, I make my way back to my apartment where I lie down, alone. It won't be long, I think as I drift off to sleep.

  4

  Lana

  Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! I think, hacking at the meat in front of me.

  I shouldn't have slept with him. The look in his eyes when I left, damn it. I like him, a lot, but I'm not looking to settle down or commit to anyone right now. Why did I let that happen? Biology of course. I had an itch, he's a great guy, and then nature takes its course.

  "Hey, take it easy," Bert says.

  I look down at the meat I've been working on and see what a mess I've made of it.

  "Sorry," I say.

  "It's fine, let's not waste it though okay?"

  Everyone is looking at me. Of course they are, I'm the vagrant. I'm the one that doesn't belong. I'm not supposed to be here. But that was on the ship. Here, on Tajss, I have an opportunity and I will take full advantage of it.

  "No problem," I say, smiling at Bert.

  I touch his hand and bat my eyes and I'm rewarded with a smile. One of the other women butchering mutters something under her breath I don't catch. It doesn't matter. Sooner or later they'll figure it out, they need me. I'll make sure of it.

  Bert moves on, checking the work of the other people who are helping. We have no way of storing meat for an extended period. The Zmaj use oiled leathers and a drying technique to make it last longer but it does nothing for the flavor. I don't mind, although the others complain. It's what they do, complain. I think I'm the only one who doesn't hate being here.