Draekon Holiday: A Prison Planet Slice of Life Read online

  He seems placated. “Very well. Tell me, what do you enjoy doing?”

  3

  Harper

  Thank heavens for Not-Really-Tuesday. I desperately need a drink.

  “Can you believe we’ve been here for six months?” Olivia asks, sinking into a chair across from me. All nine of us are sitting around a long, rectangular table. Platters of syn-made food are in front of us, and of course, there’s booze. Beer for Bryce, kunnr wine, the white-berry brandy that Paige is fond of, and best of all, some Napa Valley Chardonnay. Well, not actually Napa Valley, but the syn does a pretty good job of replicating the taste.

  “We have?” I shake my head in disbelief. I know some of the others keep track of time, but I’m not one of them. The days just seem to blend into each other, and I feel like a zombie drifting through life on auto-pilot. Sleep deprivation will do that to a person.

  “Oh no, it can’t be that long,” May protests at the same time Paige says, “Wow, it feels like forever.” They look at each other and laugh.

  “If you’d told me a year ago that aliens exist,” Sofia says, “I’d have laughed at you. I’d have thought you were one of those crackpots that hung out on conspiracy forums on the Internet.” She chuckles. “And look where we are.”

  “Not just aliens. Men that transform into dragons. I can’t believe it either.” Felicity shakes her head, and then rubs her big pregnant belly, a chagrined look on her face. “Oh wait, I guess I can.”

  We all laugh again. “Nothing like a little physical proof of time passing,” I comment. “Of course, it’s the Draekons, so everything moves at light speed. Kaida is already bigger than any human baby would be at her age.” I wince as I remember last night. “She’s running us ragged, the little monkey.”

  Sofia gives me a sympathetic look. “She’s still not sleeping through the night?”

  I groan. “Oh God, it’s way worse than that.” I fill my glass with wine. Right to the brim. Fuck it. I’ll pump and dump. “Last night, Vulrux put Kaida in her crib, and then we spent some time chilling.”

  Viola cackles. “Is that code for fooling around on your sex swing?”

  I feel my cheeks heat. “Could you say that any louder? I don’t think Ryanna heard you all the way at the end of the table.”

  Ryanna grins wickedly. “Don’t worry, Harper. I heard you just fine.” She takes pity on me. “So you guys were chilling…”

  “Yes, we were. And Kaida doesn’t like being left out of anything, so she was super-restless. She’d wake up every hour and whimper but then go back to sleep. Silly me, I thought everything was okay.”

  “It wasn’t? What’d she do?”

  “Somehow, in the middle of the night, when we were all fast asleep, she got out of her crib.”

  “What?” Viola leans forward in shock. “How?”

  “Not a clue. Not only did she get out of the crib, but somehow, she managed to get out of our apartment, the little Houdini.”

  The women gasp in shock. Rightly so. When I think of what could have happened, my heart turns to ice. She could have fallen down an elevator shaft. Down the stairs. She could have managed to crawl out onto one of the many terraces that the Draekons use to fly in and out of the towers.

  “Oh, it gets worse. Babbuq, who happened to walk by, found her in the hallway.” Babbuq is Adrashian. All Adrashians are covered from head to toe with red feathers. They’re two-legged, and they don’t have wings, but they have tails. Of all the alien species we’ve seen so far—listen to me, I sound like an expert—the Adrashians are the most ‘alien’ looking.

  “Phew,” Sofia says, lifting her beer to her lips. “He recognized her and brought her back?”

  “Sure. But not before Kaida decided she was fascinated by his feathers. She grabbed a fistful and tugged. Babbuq is now walking around with a bald patch on his chin.”

  Once again, everyone breaks out into peals of laughter. “I know it’s not funny,” Bryce says through her giggles. “Poor Babbuq. No good deed goes unpunished.”

  “Mmm. Laugh all you want, but as Dennox pointed out, the Zorahn Empire has spent the last thousand years at war with the Adrashian Federation. I spent most of the night wondering if my daughter had caused an international incident.”

  “Intergalactic incident,” Olivia corrects helpfully.

  I flip her the bird. “Thank you, Madam CIA. Just for that, you can get me another drink.”

  She grins easily. “Sure thing.”

  The first glass disappeared in a hurry, but I sip the second one much slower, zoning out a little. Olivia gets up to talk to Ryanna. Felicity is chatting with Sofia about pregnancy symptoms. I was a weeping, hormonal mess the entire time I was carrying Kaida, but Felicity seems pretty even-keeled. I don’t think I’ve seen her cry once. It’s not fair.

  Viola is drinking some green juice, a pensive expression on her face. “What’s the matter, Vi?” I ask her. “Are you okay?”

  She sets her glass down with a sigh. She’s not as big as Felicity, but her belly stretches her shirt. I know from experience that the syn makes pretty good pregnancy clothing, but everything’s been so chaotic that Viola’s probably had other things on her mind.

  “Oh, I’m fine. I’m just thinking about all the time we’ve spent here and what we’ve been through. We’ve all found not just one, but two mates. We’ve discovered a hidden city and negotiated peace.”

  Olivia drifts back toward us. “Actually,” she says, “If we’re being strictly accurate, Dariux found the hidden city. And Arax and Cax negotiated the peace.”

  Sofia clears her throat. “Umm, Dariux might have theorized about the city, but Rorix, Ferix, and I found it.” A shadow crosses her face. “Well, Silu found us, not the other way around.”

  I didn’t know the murdered Adrashian woman, but Sofia and Bryce both did. Bryce, in particular, considered her a friend and is taking her death hard. Normally, the blonde woman is cheerful and upbeat, but she’s been more subdued this week.

  Or I could be misreading her emotions. Have I mentioned the lack of sleep? It’s making me do some seriously crazy things. Today, I was almost ready to leave the apartment wearing the fluffy neon-pink bunny slippers I brought from Earth. Thank heavens Vulrux stopped me. I love the women in this room—God knows we’ve been through a lot together—but they would have never let me live it down.

  “That’s a technicality,” Viola says airily. “Our crash landing triggered all these events. I say we get some credit.” Her smile fades. “Nyx made me realize something. We’ve been stuck here on the prison planet for the last six months, but that’s not true anymore right? We can leave anytime we’d like?”

  Everyone turns to look at Bryce. “Why did I become the expert?”

  “Because you’re doing Cax and Hurux,” I point out. “And Cax is in charge of all things Ashara.”

  “Not for much longer,” Bryce says. “He’s officially already resigned. But yes, we can leave anytime. You know the three cloakships that Beirax’s people had dropped in the deserts to the east of Lake Ang?”

  “The ones that Thrax, Zorux, and I looked for?” Ryanna asks.

  “Yup. Those ones. Belfox and Herrix escaped with one, but they didn’t get far. They ended up crashing and got badly injured. The healers have put them both in a coma.”

  Olivia blinks. “Belfox and Herrix crashed?”

  Bryce nods. “Yup.”

  A grim smile spreads on Olivia’s face. “Good,” she says. “Those bastards were going to rape me. As far as I’m concerned, they can stay in a coma forever. Assholes.”

  I don’t blame Olivia for her reaction. “I’d want them castrated, myself,” I comment. Everyone stops to stare at me. “What?” I ask defensively. “Seems logical to me. Don’t want to get your nuts crushed in a vice? Then don’t stick your penis where it’s not wanted.”

  “Umm, Harper?” Sofia sounds strangled. “That’s not how castration works. Also, remind me to babysit Kaida tomorrow so you can get some sleep. Y
ou’re awfully bloodthirsty when you’re tired.”

  “Anyway,” Bryce continues. “They recovered the ship. It’s technically the property of the exiles, as are the other two half-assembled cloakships. We can either use them to get out of here, or they’ll buy them from us.” She shrugs. “According to Hurux, Draekons are proud about that kind of stuff. They don’t like charity.”

  Viola’s looking bleak again. “And people are leaving, aren’t they?” She looks at Olivia. “Nyx thinks that Liorax, Zunix, and you are definitely out of here.”

  Damn it. I guess I hadn’t really thought about it either. The nine of us have been through so much. Crash-landing on a strange planet. Fighting off Dwals. In my case, brushing against an orange fungus and sinking into a coma.

  Then there’s the good stuff. Finding my mates. Falling in love with them. Getting pregnant.

  And now, things are changing. “Are you leaving?” I ask Olivia.

  She grimaces. “I was hoping to put off this discussion, but yes.” She takes a deep breath. “I’m in no hurry to have babies, and I want to see the universe.”

  “And Zunix wants to play spy?” Bryce guesses.

  “That too,” Olivia agrees. “He doesn’t want Dariux to have all the fun. The two of them have a strange rivalry going on that I don’t even pretend to understand. We’re going to see if the rebellion needs a couple more Draekons. And me.”

  “Crap.” Viola sounds really upset. “So it’s true. Who else is leaving?”

  May lifts her hand in the air. “We are,” she says. She takes a deep breath. “I had ovarian cancer when I was younger, and the doctors had to do a hysterectomy. Don’t get me wrong, I’m incredibly grateful. They saved my life. But…” Her voice trails off, and she takes a sip of her drink. “I can’t get pregnant.”

  Oh, fuck. Here I’ve been, whining about my baby, who is the joy of my life, whining about sleep, whining about everything when from the look on May’s face, she’d kill to take my place. “I’m so sorry,” I murmur. “The baby shower, me going on and on about Kaida, all of that must have been really hard on you.”

  “It wasn’t easy,” she admits. “But I don’t begrudge you your happiness, Harper. I’m just ready to go find mine. Yasix and Thesix talked to Hurux. He’s been really helpful. He put us in touch with an orphanage.”

  “An adoption agency?”

  “No, the Zorahn don’t believe in adoption, not unless the bloodline of the child is without question. Can’t risk accidentally adopting a Lowborn kid, I guess.”

  “Assholes,” Bryce says under her breath.

  “Tell me about it. We’ve found a pair of Lowborn siblings that don’t have anyone.” She pulls out her tablet and shows us a picture of two children who can’t be older than four or five. One boy and one girl, both with dark hair and dark eyes. “Fingers crossed, this is our new family.”

  Okay. Viola’s not the only person who’s tearing up. May is kind, calm, and steady. She’s going to make an incredible mother.

  May looks up at Bryce. “Hurux brushed aside our thanks. He said it was no big deal. But it really is. Will you thank him for me, please? We had no idea how to proceed until we talked to him.”

  “He never said anything,” Bryce says, her eyes shining. “I had no idea.”

  “I’m so happy for you,” Viola sniffs. “Really. These are tears of joy. Okay, I can’t talk May out of leaving. God knows Olivia’s the most stubborn person in the world. Who else? Harper?”

  “I’m staying,” I say hastily before Viola starts crying in earnest. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily. Ashara seems a great place for Kaida to grow up. Vulrux is going to formally finish his healer training, and Dennox is going to join the city’s soldiers. I’m going to be a stay-at-home mom for the next year, at least.”

  Ryanna lifts her hand. “Not going anywhere.”

  “I’m staying too,” Sofia says. “I’m also signed up for healer training. Ferix and Rorix want to be technicians. We’re all going back to school.” Her lips twist wryly. “Good times. What about you, Vi? I’m assuming you’re staying too?”

  “I am,” Viola replies. “I’m going to continue to be a botanist. I plan to play in the soil and have a baby. Right now, my only ambition is to get through my pregnancy without turning into a crybaby like Harper.”

  “Hey,” I say indignantly. “It wasn’t my fault. Pregnancy hormones are a bitch.” I turn to Felicity. “You aren’t crying as much as I did,” I accuse her. “What’s your secret?”

  Felicity laughs at my expression. “I have no idea,” she says. “To be fair, a lot of your stress was uncertainty. You had no idea whether Kaida would even be viable. I’m lucky; you went first. I’ve got food cravings and sex cravings, but thankfully, no desire to cry. Hopefully, it’ll stay that way for another two weeks.”

  “Is that how long you have to go?” Bryce asks. “Before the baby’s due?”

  Felicity nods. “That’s what they tell me.”

  Viola smiles tremulously. “It’s going to be so great. Our three babies growing up together. Becoming best friends.”

  “Umm.” Felicity stares at the table. “We’re not sticking around either. As soon as our baby is old enough to travel, we’re leaving.”

  “You are?” I gape at her, surprised. “Why?”

  “Luddux has a daughter, remember?” Her face is serious. “Because of the exile, he’s never met her. For sixty years, it’s torn him up inside. Mar’vi joined the rebellion too. We’re going to meet her. If Lud wants to stay there, then we’ll stay. I want my child to know her sister.”

  Viola’s tearing up again. “You’re not going to bawl your head off, are you?” I ask, alarmed. Yes, I have no right to complain about Vi crying—God knows I spent most of my pregnancy weeping my eyes out—but still.

  “I’m trying,” she murmurs, wiping her eyes with her sleeve. “Fucking hormones. I know I’m being crazy. Of course, everyone’s not going to want to stay.”

  Bryce exchanges a glance with me. “Like Dariux said, it’s not as if we can’t come back,” she points out. “We’re only a space ride away.”

  Viola looks at her despairingly. “You’re going too? Who else is leaving?”

  Oh dear. This isn’t going to be good. Of the nine women here, four of us—Olivia, Bryce, May, and Felicity—are definitely leaving. That’s almost half of us. Vi’s hormonal, and I can already sense the sobfest. Distract, distract, distract.

  “Hey, you know what we should do? We should have a party to celebrate. Not a normal party. A holiday party. With presents.”

  Viola immediately sits up. “A Christmas party?”

  Operation Distraction is a success.

  “Well, Christmas is meaningless to our mates,” Paige points out. “I tried to explain Santa Claus to Rezzix, and he just looked at me as if I was crazy. The Draekons hear about a fat guy in a red suit sliding down your chimney, and their minds go to defending their homes and protecting their mates from danger.”

  I laugh out loud. “I’ve got to tell Dennox about Santa Claus. He’s in protective-dad mode. Can you imagine the expression on his face?”

  “So we’re doing it then?” Olivia asks. “A Thanksgiving-Christmas-Hanukkah-Kwanzaa feast?”

  “With presents!” May says, practically bouncing in her seat.

  “And chocolate,” Ryanna offers.

  “And sex toys,” I add helpfully.

  Everyone stops talking and stares at me.

  Oh, crap. I didn’t intend to say that out loud.

  Hey, sue me. I like sex. Nothing to do but power through the awkwardness. “What?” I shrug my shoulders. “I want to know if the syn can make a decent sex toy.”

  “But... why?” Olivia asks, genuinely bewildered. “We’re all mated now. Aren’t two Draekon dicks enough for you?”

  Hah. Olivia really needs to widen her horizons. Two Draekon cocks are indeed pretty awesome, but when you add a vibrator to the mix… maybe a pair of furry handcuffs and a b
lindfold… mmm. Amazing.

  “All right,” Viola says firmly. “Back to talking about presents. Shall we do Secret Santa?”

  “We could all just make gifts for whoever we want and give it to them privately,” Sofia suggests.

  I roll my eyes. “If we do that, then Kaida will get all the presents.” Everyone here spoils the crap out of my daughter. “My vote is Secret Santa.”

  Secret Santa wins. “All I’m saying is,” Olivia says to me, her voice dry. “I better not get a sparkly buttplug.”

  Sofia’s cheeks heat up. “And, on that note, I’m out of here.”

  “Already? What’s your rush?”

  “Rorix and Ferix are taking me out.”

  “Oh, where?”

  She blushes even harder. “I don’t know,” she murmurs, not meeting our eyes.

  Her expression gives her away. “You guys are going to have sex, aren’t you?” Because of the Draekon fever, Sofia’s two mates lost their memories of being mated. The three of them have had sex before, but Rorix and Ferix don’t remember. On their second go-around, they’ve been dating, but judging from the color of Sofia’s face, tonight’s the big night.

  Sofia gets to her feet, looking mortified. “I refuse to dignify that with an answer. See you later, ladies.”

  We watch her practically run out of there. Yeah, she’s totally doing it tonight.

  4

  Sofia

  “This way, Sofia.” Ferix’s fingers dance down my back as he guides me down the empty city street. I give him a smile before heading the way he directs, secretly wishing he’d give me more than a ghost of a touch.

  The ladies think Ferix and Rorix are taking me somewhere to have sex. God, I hope so.

  It’s been weeks since Ferix and Rorix woke from a coma. The cure brought them back to life, but it came with a price: their memory. All the time we spent together, everything about our relationship, gone. Since they’ve woken up, we’ve been seeing each other, but we’re taking it slow.