Page 27 of My Big Scaly Alien Naga
I dropped the bundle of blankets I’d been carrying and undid the rope the chii had tied around them.There were four of them, all thin and light, but the chii had promised that they would be warmer than they looked.
“We cannot rest yet,” Venom said, but his gaze longingly lingered on the blankets.“We should investigate this cave a little further, so we know for sure that we’re safe here.”
One of the yellow food packs slipped from his fingers as if to contradict his words.
I held out one of the blankets.“Wrap yourself into this and we’ll find a comfy place to camp.I think I’d like to stay close to where we came in, just in case.”
I scanned the crates scattered beneath the cave entrance.One, almost reaching the top of the ledge, was on its side, creating a sort of cave within a cave.With the way it was turned, it might shelter us from the cool draught that was licking at my skin, tempting me to take one of the blankets for myself.
“Over there.”I led Venom to the crate.He followed slowly, his movements no longer smooth and elegant.He was clearly struggling.Somehow, he managed to hold on to the remaining food parcels.
I spread one of the blankets over the metal floor, then pointed at it.“Sit.”
He raised a scaled brow.“Are you giving me orders?”
“Yes.”
Venom smirked.“Who am I to refuse.Females are always right, my mother used to say.”
As soon as he had curled up his tail around his body, making himself less of a target for the cold, I wrapped another blanket around him.My hands touched his scales, and I paused for just a moment.They were cool yet still held a lingering warmth that seeped into my skin.The scales were softer than I’d thought.Those sharp rocks outside must have been very uncomfortable for Venom.
I quickly pulled back and pretended that this hadn’t happened.It was entirely inappropriate to be touching him.I should keep my distance and hope he’d forget about all the strange things he’d mentioned at our first encounter.I really preferred the head-in-the-sand method for the topic of mates and relationships and destiny.
I wrapped a blanket around my shoulders like a cloak.There was less of a draught in this crate, but it was still chilly.
Venom had crossed his arms in front of his chest, pulling his blankets tightly around his body.Poor guy.I wished I could have started a fire, but there was neither wood nor matches.Maybe some of the crates held useful items, but how long would it take to go through all of them?We’d been lucky that the one holding the food pouches had been left unlocked.
“Tell me how to make this food,” I said, taking a seat opposite Venom.The blanket was surprisingly soft, even though it looked like it was made of grass.I wasn’t sure what kind of plant it had been woven from, but whatever it was, it protected us effectively from the cold metal floor.
Venom shot me strange look.“You shall not cook for me, mate.That is my job.I am to provide for you.Now and always.”
“Go easy on the mate talk,” I warned.“You said we’d discuss that after we’ve somehow escaped this planet.”
“Apologies.But the point stands.I will not let you demean yourself by offering me food.That is the male’s task.”
“On my planet, both men and women do the cooking.In the past, it was mostly the women, but nowadays, men have learned they are just as capable of handling a wooden spoon as their wives and mothers are.”
“What do they do with that wooden spoon?”Venom asked, sounding genuinely confused.I was about to answer when he grinned.“I am just teasing.Although I’m sure spoons have many uses.”
Was that an innuendo?Or was I interpreting something into an innocent comment?
To distract myself, I handed him one of the food pouches that had fallen to the ground.“How do you do this?”
Venom grimaced.“With great difficulty.”
15
Venom
Moving was fucking hard.My muscles were locked into place, my energy quickly leaving me.My body was desperate to shut down until warmth returned.But I couldn’t.Not while I had my mate with me.I had to guard her.Look after her.Provide her with food.
What a silly idea she had, cooking for me.Did she not know that females were not supposed to trouble themselves with such mundane, menial tasks?We’d have to learn much about our different cultures.And while I was open to trying some of her traditions, I would not budge on this tonight.I was going to make my first meal for her.And if she let me, I would give her the first dose of my venom.I wasn’t looking forward to that conversation, but it needed to be discussed.She had to know what nagas were capable of.
But first, I had to persuade my muscles to move.I reached out for the pouch, every cell screaming in protest.Fuck.I gripped it with shaking, clumsy fingers, praying to all the gods that I wouldn’t drop it and embarrass myself.There was no way of hiding my weakness.It was too cold.
“You open it by pulling this tab,” I explained.My tongue was sluggish.Soon, I’d be unable to talk.But if I was lucky, this ration hadn’t lost its instaheat properties yet.“Then you twist the seal at the bottom which starts a chemical reaction inside.See the steam?Make sure not to get your hands above a pouch while it’s processing or you’ll burn yourself.The food will be ready in a click or two.You’ll find utensils attached to the side, under that label.”
I sat the ration down in front of my mate and opened a second one for myself.Disregarding my own advice, I held my right hand above the pouch.My scales could handle the heat.Warmth seeped through my scales, travelling up my arm.I wriggled my fingers, suddenly more flexible again.It wouldn’t last long, but I would enjoy it while I could.
