13. Attachment and Betrayal
THIRTEEN
ATTACHMENT AND BETRAYAL
Syasku
She came to me.
As my eyes rove over her form tucked against my chest, my nerves bristle, uncertain what to do now that she is here.
Despite the walls around us, danger is everywhere, and I question my ability to keep her now that I have her. One zap from Ursula’s device and she could be taken away.
She came to me…
What I expected after she had been alone with me long enough, I did not know. I only knew I needed her to come to me. Yet when she remained beyond my reach longer than the others, her strength visibly waning, my paranoia grew.
Pressing her form closer to me, I gently run my hand over her hair. It is as soft as it appears, and her wayward curls catch my fingers, curling around them. Wanting more, I search for her hair tie and slowly tug it out. A flowery scent washes over me as her hair releases, and my scales rise with an onslaught of euphoria.
Oh yessss.
My head falls back, and my mouth opens as I revel in it. It is unlike anything I have ever come across, dizzying my thoughts. I second guess everything, wondering if I even care if she is like Ursula. As long as she is here, under my hands and within my coil, I am not sure if it matters.
I will have her.
Groaning, I bury my face into her hair, letting the flowers flood my nose and overpower me. She mumbles when I shift her closer, wrapping my body around hers and giving her a gentle squeeze. She has been asleep for a long time, and when I move her around, she is light and limp in my arms. When she rouses, it is not for long. A sudden burst of fear returns, and I ease her with a soothing hiss.
Right now it is better if she is asleep. She is growing weaker, smaller. Her skin is hot and clammy under my hands. She needs food and water. She needs meat. She is hungry, dehydrated, feverish, and… aroused. I squeeze her again, swallowing a frustrated hiss, incensed that I can do nothing.
I can only hold her.
Pushing her hair away so I can see her face, I check her for signs of illness, leaning partially over her. Wincing, the movement puts pressure on my heavy appendage. I hesitate before inspecting her face.
With her so open to me, I caress her parted lips with my finger, teasing them with my claw. Their heart shape and pointed tips have me tracing their outline and testing their cushioning. Everything about her is soft. Too soft.
A pitiful moan escapes her lips, and I lift my claw away. A rumble sounds from her stomach, and pressing my hand to it, I am frightened by how much of her middle my hand covers. I am neither small nor large like some of the other nagas. Zaku, the King Cobra, is larger than me and has a human bride. If he can make it work, any naga smaller than him can.
Gently setting her on the floor behind me, and careful not to get her caught up in my chains, I pull my tail under me and rise to face the door. I rest my tailtip over her lower legs, ensuring that if she moves, I will know it.
“Urssssula,” I hiss, unable to keep the disdain from my voice, certain she will hear me. I do not want her to come, but my female needs food. “Tell me what you want.”
The doors open a short time later, and Ursula walks in. Staying outside my reach, she is dressed in the same clothes she always is, her features cold and sharp. In her hand is the small black device I have come to know well.
My muscles tense, waiting for her to shock me.
“You surprise me, Syasku .” She says my name like there is familiarity between us.
I scowl.
Unfettered, she continues, glancing briefly at Vivian behind me, “She came to you, I see, and you haven’t hurt her.”
I will not let her goad me. I have not hurt her yet , but it does not mean I will not make a mistake. “She needs water and food.”
“She does.” Ursula pauses, waiting for me.
“Tell me what you want for it,” I growl.
She smiles.
Rage ripples through me. She does not even carry a weapon. Why has no one killed her and usurped her position? It is easy to see she is powerful. There are often larger males around her, most carrying weapons themselves, and they still defer to her.
“It is nice to hear you ask and rather surprising how easy it is to understand you. I was not expecting any sort of eloquence. Another mystery for another day, I suppose.” She places her hands behind her and paces. “I want you to work for me. Despite how many soldiers you have hurt or killed since being here, it has become apparent how important you are.”
Vivian stirs.
“You are part-human. Do you know that, naga? You are one of us even if there is more inside you than just that. Unfortunately, you’re the only one of your kind we’ve managed to keep ongoing contact with.” She stops pacing and faces me. “Understanding your existence is essential for us,” she says as she waves her hand outward like she is indicating the ship. “Unfortunately, our Supreme Commander has no idea how amazing you truly are…” Ursula trails off briefly. “He wants his questions answered. He wants to know where weapons and technology are. He’s worried about losing power and the backing of his people… Alas, what he wants must come first.” She looks at Vivian. “Consider her a… gift.”
Her gaze shifts to me, back to being cold and assessing.
If she is expecting me to respond so easily, she will have to try harder. “She will die without nourishment.”
“Her fate is in your hands. Will you work with us, Syasku?”
My lips pull back to reveal my fangs. I detest the sound of my name from her mouth.
Vivian moans and I look at her shuddering form. Will I submit to Ursula? For her ? I will not risk calling Ursula’s bluff. Vivian might be closer to her than the other females she has brought me, but I know how ruthless Ursula is. She will let Vivian die where she lies, and she will not let me go so easily.
I have survived on my own for so long; I scarcely remember the other cottonmouths, or what it is like to have others depend on me. Even Asera, the broken male naga who lives within my territory, has not needed me in many seasons. I have no allegiance to anyone, only myself, and I expect no allegiance in return. It would be unsafe to assume otherwise.
Vivian curls her legs into her chest.
Though I have learned something these last few days… I am more important to Ursula than I thought, and if I am careful, I will have the ability to negotiate.
I face Ursula. “I will work with you.”
“Very good.”
“You will give her what she needs to remain with me. Her needs must be met.”
Ursula nods. “Of course.”
“If she is taken from me, I will kill you.”
“As long as you cooperate, she will be taken care of.”
My nostrils flare, and I nod.
It saddens me to think how little my female’s fate matters, or the fates of the human women that have been brought to me. If I were a baser naga male, I might have used and killed them all the moment they stepped within reach.
“We will start now.”
And before I can say anything more, the barbs in my collar stab into my neck. Electricity shoots through me and, tensing, I lose my ability to move. Crashing to the floor with a thump, with my chains rattling all around me, I am dragged back down into the dark.