Page 313 of Scorching the Alien Empire
“Hey!Will you stop?” I hiss, body still trembling under his infernal touch. “Rocks is popping out baby elephants next door, for Gods’ sake!”
I glare, eyes misty and sharp. “If you don’t, I’ll be forced to give you thebestshield-job of your life!”
Pause.
Wait.
“Okay no—actuallyworst. I meant the worst. Terrible. Just—ugh!”
Dracoth lifts two fingers. The tantalizing heat disappears. I’m relieved—relieved and... regretful. I exhale slowly, standing straighter, trying to ignore the deep throbbing longing he ignited in me.
Then Xandor struts back in, banishing all naughty thoughts with the subtlety of a sledgehammer. He tosses his half-cloak over his shoulder like he’s Batman or something. The Xandman.
“It wasn’t the food dispenser. What a surprise,” he drawls, sliding past us with a smirk, one hand already on the bedroom door. “But the other little puffrios are ready.” His eyes flash gold.
Then—I hear it. Faint cries. Newborns.
My heart stutters.
Xandor, the tease, doesn’t burst in. No. He just smiles. And it’s real—warm, almost reverent. “I can’t wait to meet your kids. Soon.” A wink. A nuclear mic-drop. And then he’s gone, slipping into the room beyond.
Wait. Kids?
My mouth opens and closes, forming incoherent shapes and sounds like a fish trying to speak English.
“K-kids. As in plural?” I turn to Dracoth. He’s smiling. Actually smiling. What the ever-living hell. “He’s just messing with us... right, babes?”
“Come,” he growls, gripping my hand and pulling me toward the cries.
Inside, awe hangs thick like mist.
Rocks, exhausted but glowing, cradles a bundle of fur in her arms. Krogoth stands beside her, all savage pride softened—his violet eyes locked on a second bundle in his massive hands.
“You did it, Pebbles,” he murmurs, voice catching. “A little boy and girl. The first in centuries. Two blessings beyond words.” Helets out a bark-laugh, kisses her forehead. “My Mortakin-Kis. My High Chieftainess. My love. I’m so proud of you.”
“I love you, Korgy,” Rocks mumbles, half-unconscious and all heart.
“You two stubborn borack asses,” Xandor grins, leaning over Krogoth’s shoulder. “Always knew you had it in you. Good job, Tyrxie.”
“It wasn’t me,” Tyrxie says, holding up both palms. “Rocks and the babies did all the heavy lifting.”
A weird, fluttery nervousness makes me creep forward like a shy zombie. I don’t want to break this beautiful, intimate spell.
“Are you going to tell everyone their names or what?” Xandor prompts, arms folded, leaning against an oversized wardrobe like he owns it.
Krogoth and Rocks share a look—then speak in unison. “Astraxius and Alice.”
Xandor nods solemnly. His eyes shimmer, golden and wet. “How I’ve longed to hear you speak those names, brother and sister.” His voice is low, reverent. “You honor Astraxius’s memory. And... Alice. That was your mother’s name, wasn’t it, Rocks?”
“Yes...” she whispers, eyes brimming with joyful, aching tears.
“That’s so sweet,” Tyrxie sighs, sounding utterly smitten.
I edge closer. Iseethem. Big, bouncy babies with light-red skin, pointed ears, and huge, curious eyes—a sparkling mix of violet and hazel. My breath catches. My heart hammers.Cuteness overload achieved.
“Ah,” I whisper to Todd, nudging His Royal Plumpness. “Look—little Divine Cherub cousins for you to frolic with.” Todd blinks fast, clearly thrilled.
“They’re so stinkin’ cute,” I coo, reaching out with a finger. Baby Alice grabs it with impressive strength, needle-sharp clawscurling tight. “Strong, too,” I laugh, fishing some ash from my belt pouch.
