Page 33 of Chosen By the Dragon Alien

“I don’t know,” he replied with a sigh. “We are not the same species, even though we work together in a physical sense. Would you like children?”

She shrugged one shoulder. “I would welcome them with you, but if we can’t…I am satisfied with what we have.”

“I feel the same.” He pulled her close. She pressed against his warmth and breathed in the male scent of him.

Their days aboard the ship settled into a comforting routine. Apart from Kaelen’s knowing glances, they relaxed into their new connection. They explored the cramped corridors—staying out of the cargo hold—shared meals prepared by the ship’s replicator, and lost themselves in heated embraces that left them breathless and yearning for more. They spoke of hopes and fears, of the future they dared to envision together.

Every moment she spent in Cyprian’s arms brought a sense of peace she had never known. Their conversations were deep and charged with the electricity of their growing bond. Their lovemaking was passion and discovery, each touch a revelation, each sigh a wordless vow. They were two souls intertwining in a universe that threatened to tear them apart.

Fivra was fascinated by Cyprian’s tales of his life at Erovik. There were outrageous antics by clients andcourtiasthat made her laugh or gasp. He had also faced many challenges as the director, and his newfound understanding of the Axis’manipulations changed how he described the workings of the brothel.

“Tell me about your life at your settlement,” Cyprian said one cycle, his fingers stroking her hair as they lay in the dim glow of the cabin’s single light strip.

Fivra sighed as her mind drifted back to the life she’d been forced to leave behind. But now, as she looked up at the male who had risked everything for her, she realized she wouldn’t change a thing. The fear, the uncertainty, the danger—it had all led her to this breathtaking connection and the male who had her heart. “It was hard,” she admitted. Her voice held no self-pity, just a stark honesty. “We worked from dawn until dusk, always trying to meet the Axis’ demands. We hoped for a good harvest, for enough food to last the dry season, but it was never enough.”

Cyprian’s arm tightened around her. His silver eyes reflected the pain of her words. “And yet, you found joy in those moments.”

She nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. “Yes. In the quiet evenings, my friends and I would gather under the stars. We shared stories, sang songs passed down through generations. We had each other, and in those moments, it was enough.”

“I know you would like to find your friends,” he said. “And it’s important that we do so, as the Axis has likely sent agents to look for them.”

She nodded, her heart squeezing at the thought of them, wherever they were.

A sudden, urgent pounding on the door shattered the peace of their quarters. Cyprian jumped up. His wings twitched and a low growl built in his throat as he instinctively shielded Fivra with the expanse of his body.

“Cyprian! Fivra!” Kaelen called from the other side. His voice was tense. “Get decent and move now. We’ve got company—hostile company.”

Fivra’s heart leaped into her throat. All at once, the threat of the Axis was no longer a shadow left in their wake. They were here—an immediate threat. Cyprian’s crimson wings flared wide before he grabbed the nearest clothing.

“Stay close to me.” His voice cut through her rising panic like a blade. He pulled his shirt over his head in one smooth motion and grabbed her tunic, tossing it to her. “We need to move.”

Fivra’s hands shook as she scrambled to get dressed. The urgency in Kaelen’s voice still echoed in her mind, layering over the rising adrenaline that coursed through her veins.

Before they could get to the door, it hissed open, and Kaelen stepped inside. His golden eyes were sharp and feral, his usual smirk replaced by a look of grim focus. “Sorry, but I couldn’t wait. Axis fleet,” he said bluntly. “Three ships are on an intercept course. They’ve already pinged us.”

“Axis.” Cyprian’s silver eyes darkened like storm clouds. His jaw tightened. Fury rippled off him in waves. “They followed us.”

Kaelen shook his head. “Maybe they didn’t fall for the re-sequencer after all,” Kaelen muttered, his clawed hands curling into fists briefly before he waved toward the corridor. “We have about sixliksbefore they’re in assault range.”

“Sixliks?” Fivra’s voice rose with alarm. “Can we outrun them? Or attack them?”

Kaelen let out a humorless laugh, already moving back toward the hallway. “Not in this beauty, little Terian. She can handle a lot of things, but not warships. We can outrun them for a time, but not forever.”

Cyprian’s hand rested briefly on Fivra’s shoulder. His touch was steadying, even though tension radiated from every line of his body. “Stay right here in this room. You have to—”

“No,” she interrupted, surprising even herself. “I’m staying with you.”

Kaelen paused in the doorway, one brow quirking upward despite the dire situation. His sharp teeth glinted as he tilted his head toward Cyprian. “Seems like your mate has a bit of fire in her. She might have been better off with me, if I wasn’t already taken.” That earned him a withering glare from Cyprian, whose wings flared slightly in a silent warning. The smuggler shrugged and turned away, calling over his shoulder, “Fine, but both of you better be on the command deck in onelik. No time for mate quarrels.”

Cyprian’s gaze softened as he turned back to Fivra. “You are as stubborn as you are beautiful,” he muttered, pulling her close for a brief, hard kiss that left her heart pounding. “Fine, come with me, but stay strapped in.”

Moments later, they were at the command center. The viewport displayed the approaching Axis fleet—a deadly trio of hulking ships clad in gleaming black armor. Each was flanked by smaller interceptors, darting and predatory.

Fivra sat in the same seat she’d chosen when they left Hevatica Station, but Cyprian took the second command chair beside Kaelen, who adjusted the controls with hurried precision.

“We’re about to find out if you’re any good as a co-navigator,” Kaelen growled. He turned and looked at Fivra. “Hold on, little one. Thisisgoing to get rough.”

SEVENTEEN

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