Copperhead (Naga Brides #8)

Chapter 1 Rose-Tinted Glasses

ONE

ROSE-TINTED GLASSES

Julia

There’s movement in the corner of my eye and my head swivels towards the window. Zaku’s lawn of dry grass, dirt, and scattered bones lies undisturbed. The line of tall pines past it indicates no recent movement. A single, small bug flitters by. When it flies out of sight, my shoulders relax.

Far to my right there’s a steep cliff with a beautiful view. While to my left, there’s more of Zaku’s lawn of dead grass and bones, then nothing else except rocky, steep terrain, and parched trees. Lots and lots of trees. Dull and dark green ones with sharp needles in large bushy clusters.

I’m not impressed. I could’ve stayed on a ship my whole life and have been fine without the trees. They were what disoriented me first when I arrived on Earth. They all looked the same and I couldn’t keep my bearings. Wild and thick, they surrounded me in every direction.

Still…

They’re also one of the reasons why I’m alive. So, as much as they unease me, I respect them, even admire them.

When my squad was attacked while we were out scouting—by the members of the crew of the Winged Ransom—it was a tree that blocked the bullet that would’ve ended me. And because of that tree, I was the only survivor.

The men of the Winged Ransom thought they could get information out of me so they kidnapped me instead, and to their disappointment, I had no information they didn’t already know and nobody wanted me enough from my unit to save me.

Tied-up, starving, frozen, and in misery, I was praying for death before I was saved. The first time I was saved.

I flick my eyes over the trees once more and shiver.

A forest is nothing like The Dreadnaut. It’s pure and utter chaos.

It’s disorienting, eerie, and easy to get turned around.

Which is why I’m also not the newest member of the Winged Ransom’s crew.

That, and because I twisted my ankle on a raised tree-root and could go no further.

After I was saved by Laura and her mate, Azsote, I had a chance to leave Earth with the remaining members of the Winged Ransom but I never made it because I lost Gemma and Shelby, and then lost my way.

So instead I hid, bound my foot best I could, and feared the worst. At that point, I was alone and lost amongst the trees…

Until I wasn’t. Searching for a certain naga amongst the spiny foliage, I instead force him out of my thoughts.

I shift my gaze away and check over my sleeping charges. Curled together in a cozy bundle in the middle of a cushioned, circular nest, Daisy’s children are slumbering deeply, part-way through their midday nap. I love the three little boys. The two with tails are holding onto them.

Besides my heart warming, I note no changes.

My eyes move over the sparsely decorated bedroom, full of ruffled hides of many shapes and sizes and sewn-together pillows stuffed with old clothing.

The only furniture is the cushioned, black chair I’m sitting on beside the floor-to-ceiling windows that make up the entire front facade of Zaku’s home.

There’s a few pictures on the wall, all showing mountainous landscapes and a single, large mirror framed in dark wood.

Since that day alone and lost with a sprained ankle, and subsequent rescue or recapture—I have not decided which—it’s been my job to keep the kids safe when their parents are elsewhere.

I also help wherever I’m needed, earning my keep all while hiding away in Zaku’s home because I have no other good option available now that I’ve missed my only chance to leave Earth and return home.

While resting my foot, I decided what I should do…

Whether I should backtrack and return to Zaku’s—find Laura and Azsote—or to take my chances alone, and keep going.

If I kept going, I knew my only hope would be to find another camp but after my last unit betrayed me and left me for dead, I wasn’t eager to seek more of them out.

They would interrogate me, and if I didn’t know too much, I would then be given a new assignment.

But my choice was ultimately taken from me—again—when a naga found me.

Not just any naga. Krellix. Zaku’s closest confidante.

That was nearly six months ago. Rubbing my eyes, I can’t believe I’ve been holed up here for half a standard cyclical ship year.

After Krellix returned me to Zaku’s, I haven’t stepped a single foot outside because he decided I was not to be taken to any encampment and back to my own kind—which was an option I was considering.

He decided that it would be safest for all if I remained behind Zaku’s impenetrable walls.

By then I knew too much. I knew—generally—everyone’s whereabouts.

I knew and still know where Laura is, which the leadership on The Dreadnaut is hunting.

Everyone agreed it would be best if I stayed at Zaku’s, except, well Zaku.

He, like the other mated males, fought viciously to not be burdened by me: an unmated female that nearly every unmated naga male will want.

Branches shift along the treeline to my left. Searching the depths of the foliage as I straighten in my chair, a large form appears, partially obscured by pines and leaves.

By the time I meet his eyes, he’s already gazing directly at me, having found me in the glinting glass. A yellow and cream Boa, frightening and quiet, and often lurking about since his arrival several days past.

If I take a chance leaving on my own now, I risk coming up against him and the other nagas hanging around and if he, or one of the others, gets his hands on me… I may be worse off than now.

Because the Boa isn’t the only male watching me from the woods. He’s just the newest member of my ‘fanclub.’

Frowning at him, straightening further, it’s not worry that fills me upon seeing him, it’s anger.

Something about the way he looks at me makes me feel like a piece of meat, like I’m in his way and…

he’s unhappy with me. But unlike the other nagas, he doesn’t seem to be here just for me, at least not only for me, and that’s not good.

He pulls his gaze away from mine to search the rest of the front of the house.

Hearing a sound behind me, I drag my eyes away, hoping it’s not Daisy.

The children remain sleeping as I quietly stand and walk across the room to check outside the door.

Lining my back up against the wall next to it, I hear a long sigh coming from beyond.

Peeking deeper into the house, I see Zaku’s tail coming out of the spiral staircase that leads towards his and Daisy’s private chambers. I don’t see the rest of him.

The room between us is nearly as large as the entry atrium of the house.

While below and to the right of the house’s big entryway, this separate space is mostly empty with only a couple of plush, black chairs along the walls.

Daisy told me it once had a pool in it but she had the robots remove the water and cover it up.

Now, the middle of the room is covered in rugs, hides, and makeshift toys that are scattered everywhere, most of which are different sized balls made from various materials that the kids love to roll and kick.

Unlike the other large entry space, this lower room doesn’t have access to the outer wall window, with guest rooms like the one I’m in being in between along the front of the house instead.

From where I’m standing by the door, I can’t see the ground outside anymore, only the tops of the trees because of the way Zaku’s lawn slopes outside to the left.

“She hassss to go—”

My ears prick to Zaku’s words and I lean against the wall to listen.

“If you force her out, you know what will happen,” Daisy argues. “She doesn’t deserve what Gemma and I have gone through, not when I can prevent it.”

Zaku grunts in response. “More males are showing up, willing to risk my ire. Her being here, and unmated, puts you and the children at greater risk—has put the children at risk.”

“Has it though? None of them have tried breaking in, and many have tried speaking to you first.”

“Most though not all.” There’s a short pause. “She has been given time to choose a male, and has made no attempt at doing so—

“—she doesn’t want a male, she wants to leave.”

“Then she can leave!”

“Zaku! Hush. She might hear us.”

I frown and release a quiet breath, glancing at the kids and then out the window.

“I chased out three males last night.” Zaku hisses. “But that is not all…” Their voices lower and my brow furrows, trying hard to make out his next words.

I knew he was going out at night recently though I didn’t know it was to scare off the suitors.

“Last night there were more than just bride-hungry malessss here,” his voice lowers ominously, making me lean closer to the door.

My brows furrow as I try to focus on their hushed voices.

“I saw and spoke to two humans last night.”

Daisy’s tone drops in response, slowing with apprehension. “What do you mean? Humans? Not… soldiers?”

Right then, one of Daisy’s boys wakes with a cough and whine.

I swivel toward the slumbering pile as her other two older boys shift around in response, grumbling their displeasure at the smallest one.

The one with the tail coils it up and into his arms and hugs it against him, settling back down into sleep.

Scooping the youngest into my arms, his tail immediately coils around my arm as his tiny hands grasp my shirt.

Cradling him, I shush and rock him back and forth.

The little boy, Daisy’s newest born, Zuzu, tucks his squishy face into my chest. Petting his back, I gently rock him, tucking a soft hide around him while shuffling us towards the window.

Some of Zuzu’s cries lessen when I walk into a ray of warm sunlight.

Drifting my eyes over the trees once more, the Boa is gone. Thank god. The last thing I want is Daisy to see him.

Patting Zuzu’s back and swaying him gently in my arms, his eyes flutter closed.

Zaku saw two humans last night? I missed the rest of Daisy and Zaku’s conversation.

My eyes move to the sky, where, a week ago, several ships had appeared only to fly north and out of everyone’s sight. Neither ship looked to be a part of The Dreadnaut’s military.

Maybe it is time to take my chances and leave. And try again.

With the arrival of more ships, and now a Boa—a type of naga that terrifies Daisy—maybe it’s a sign.

Zaku never wanted me here to begin with, and has made it very clear that if I did not pick a male for a protector, he would pick one for me. The only reason it hasn’t come to pass is because of Daisy’s interference.

Regardless, I can’t rely on her help forever. I’m causing strain in their relationship even if I’m making myself helpful by taking on the role of a nanny for her. We’ve become good friends, and I know, if I left without a plan and a safe place to go, she’d worry.

I just can’t stay here indefinitely. Every minute I’m here, the more of a burden I become. I hate it.

But the only thing outside waiting for me are encampments and male nagas.

The military could use their interrogation techniques on me and I could divulge everything—including the location of this place and potentially put Daisy, Zaku, and their children in danger.

After all that has happened, I can’t do that to them.

If I head to an encampment, I need to have my story straight and my wits about me.

Pressing a kiss to Zuzu’s brow, I gently settle him back among his slumbering siblings.

I’d spent my life training as a soldier, and they’ve betrayed me.

I had my chance to return to that life, and I didn’t take it, couldn’t fathom going back to something I hated doing anyway.

As much as I like being able to shoot a gun and protect myself, the only reason I ever joined the ranks was to get out of the dregs.

It was the only way out of the ship’s slums.

Heading back to the window, I stare where the Boa was, waiting for him to reappear, wishing, in the back of my mind, a different naga would appear in his stead. After a minute, I bury my face into my hands and rub it with my palms.

Usually I can trust my instincts. At the time, I thought following Laura away from the Winged Ransom and coming here was the best thing for me to do… but now?

After six months of pseudo-captivity?

Have I made a huge mistake?

Dropping my hands, I jerk, seeing the Boa back in his spot from earlier, determination and anger strickening his expression as his eyes find me behind the glass and… stares.