Page 32 of Taken to Voraxia
“I am sore, but if it’s the only way to get Svera and Kiki food, then I will do the breeding belt now.”
He releases a low, infectious moan, but when he tries to kiss me again I ignore the heat between my legs — my body’s natural response — and let him press his lips to mine, without reacting.
He tries again, twice more, but I don’t move my mouth and when he pulls back and looks down at me I watch his ridges become pink again, sliced through with a little bit of green. The color combination is unsettling. And then he must notice me noticing because all at once, it shuts off.
He steps back from me and passes his left hand over his right forearm. I’m shocked to see a series of holograms pop up from his skin, but they disappear just as quickly.
“Done,” he says. “Krisxox has been alerted to his human’s feeding needs. The traitor female will be taken care of.”
“Traitor…you mean Svera? What about Kiki?”
“In the merillian she has all of the nutrients she requires.”
“Ah.” I feel relieved on the one hand, and on the other, a little duped. He made me trade for both women even though I could have just traded for the one who needed it. Though I don’t know what good it would have done. All I’m realizing is that I have very little else to give. What am I going to do when I want them fed tomorrow?
“You will tell me why you are displeased.”
“I’m not displeased.”
“But your crease has returned and your tail betrays your agitation.” He’s glaring at my forehead like it’s done something to offend him. Hating my tell, I duck my head and rub at the spot. At the same time, I try to still the frantic twisting of my tail through the air, but I don’t know how.
“I…nox. I am not displeased. I am very pleased that my friends will receive food. Can I go to them now?”
“Your traitor has already gone, headed towards Qath.”
“What is Qath?”
“Where Krisxox lives. He prefers to remain outside of Illyria, in the lush jungles of the valley. It is about a half solar glide away.”
“You don’t live in the same city?”Why would they?Why would I expect to see Svera every day? I already resigned the rest of the humans to being inevitably split. Why wouldn’t the process begin with me and the people I hold most dear? The only people…
And poor Svera and Kiki have families back home. Friends. I don’t have anybody but them and I have to make sure that they get through their trials alright and make it back to the colony. But how? He’s taken everything I have to offer in a trade. I don’t have anything left.
“Nox.”
I shiver and close my eyes.Stars no. Be strong. You can do this.All I really want to do though is cry. This new pact thrashes me with a harsh gust of loneliness. I just need to keep my head up. Look forward. Think about the fact that I’m doing this for my people — just them — even if I did get so swept up in it the lunar before.
“And Kiki?”
“The Va’Rakukanna will remain here in the merillian tank until she is healed. Then she will depart with Va’Raku to Nobu, where she will lead at his side.”
Lead? Kiki? When she realizes she’s been claimed by one of them there’s no telling what she’s going to do. And I won’t be there to help her. I’ll have to think of something to trade until then. Get more familiar with Raku. Learn what he wants. What he likes.
“Okay,” I say. I edge towards the door and when he steps into my peripherals, the door in front of us slides open. I see him flinch towards me again, but when I shift away, he doesn’t try anymore. “Let’s go.”
“Hexa,” he says after a pause.
“You will tell me if you are certain that you are prepared.”
No. I’m not.“Yes. Hexa, I am.”
He exhales gruffly, and then even more gruffly says, “Then welcome, Miari, to Voraxia.”
9
Raku
There is something wrong. Deeply wrong. So deep, even the winding stream of the Xanaxana in my chest is marred by it.
