Maggie
We take the elevator down multiple floors within the huge atrium. We haven’t descended all the way when the doors open and Driok steps out.
“This isn’t the floor with the shops,” I say as I follow him.
“This is the floor for the vendors only the elite of Xracak City use.” Driok gives me a flash of fang. “And as I expect you’re going to expand very soon, I believe you are due a wardrobe to suit.”
I think he might be salivating a little.
“As well as plenty of items to adorn your beauty and make sure you look like the mate of a Sarkarnii warlord, rather than his elite guard.”
“Hey, I rather enjoyed that part,” I grumble. “Makes a change anyway.”
“What do you mean?” Driok studies me.
Despite everything we’ve done together, everything we’ve said…in this moment I feel a flush of embarrassment which runs from my feet right to my hair line.
“Nothing. I don’t mean anything.” I push past him.
Driok follows me, even though I don’t know where I’m going. He catches up with me, keeps pace, but doesn’t say anything.
“It’s just...this is not what happens to me,” I blurt out. “I don’t get kisses, I get kicks.”
I get a growl, and it’s a big one. I get a set of hands on my shoulders, turning me to face him.
“If anyone…anyone touched you, spitfire…I will kill them, slowly.” His eyes are burning. “No,” he adds, and I blink at the sudden change. “I won’t kill them.” He growls low.
For a moment I fight against him.
“I’ll hold them. And you can kill them, my mate. Any way you choose. And I will hand you the weapons. I will even be your weapon, should you so wish.”
Something blooms in my chest, something I have never, ever felt before.
It’s a feeling of power so strong I could float on it, like I could take flight with Driok in his Sarkarnii form, alongside him, forever. I am finally an equal to everything I’ve ever encountered in my life. Driok has given it to me, he has given me the freedom to be what I want.
“Spitfire,” he growls in my ear.
“Thank you.” I stumble out the words. “For giving me the choice.”
“Everything belongs to you, including my heart, Maggie. Whatever you want, it’s yours,” Driok rumbles.
“Even a heart on a stake.”
“Even a heart on a stake, or hearts, or any organs you desire.” Driok studies my face. “But first I want to buy you something else.”
“Oh, yes? And what might that be?” My heart is no longer pounding at my chest. Instead it is filled with emotion, emotion I’m not yet ready for.
“Come with me, little mate, and you’ll find out.” Driok pulls back from me, the loss of his warmth and proximity making me feel just a little vulnerable.
He swings his arm around my waist and guides me along the passage which looks out over the atrium until we reach the vendor he was looking for.
“Here.” I step through the airlock into the cool interior which glitters like the inside of a geode.
I take in a breath. The place is incredible. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen so many sparkling items in one place.
Driok motions to one of the robot servers.
“I want a selection of Falker ornaments,” he rasps.
“Certainly, sir.” The robot whizzes away through a hatch to one side.
“Everything is on display,” I say in a hushed, awed tone. “Does nothing get stolen?”
“You’d end up in little pieces if you did.” Driok nods up above me and I follow his gaze.
There’s a grid which looks like it’s made out of red laser beams. As I narrow my eyes at the door, I see there is one covering it too.
“They’d literally chop you up if you tried to steal?”
“Best not to think about it too much,” Driok says with a rather salacious grin. “They’d probably chop you up for the mere thought.”
The flap for the robot flips open, making me jump as it zips back through, this time carrying a tray with a variety of jewels in varying sizes on it.
But there’s one which catches my eye instantly. It’s the size of a goose egg and carved into an interesting shape, and as I put a finger on it, despite the glittering which should mean it’s faceted, the thing is smooth to the touch, almost like silk.
“All Sarkarnii sleep with their hoard,” Driok says. “And their mates sleep with it too. You are my mate, so you sleep with my hoard.” He picks it up and places it in my hand.
“I don’t need jewels, Driok.” I smile at him, holding out the stone. “Weapons, yes. Jewels, not so much.
“But I need them to adorn you, and I know just where this one will go.” His smile becomes wicked, and a heat flows through my core.
My Sarkarnii is big and bad in many ways, especially ones which involve mating, something he does often and I have no desire to dissuade him.
“This particular jewel is designed by a species called Falkers who take mating very seriously,” he says, turning it over in his clawed fingers, which clink on the surface.
He lifts his head and fixes me with a heated gaze.
“And while I didn’t always know much about mating, I know more now, including what I want.”
“So, where do I wear this jewel?” I ask, my body shivering.
Driok puts his lips next to my ear, sending another shudder up my spine. “It is for your pretty little pucker, sweet mate. I want to feel it when I mate you,” he rasps.
“I’ve never…I don’t know…” My voice tails off.
What? It won’t fit? I’ve said that before and been wrong.
“I want to see it in you as I plunder your delicious cunt.” Driok’s gaze doesn’t waver as he turns the end of the jewel towards me and I see the flash of brilliance.
The shiver returns, wracking my body, making my pussy pulse with desire.
“Will you take my jewel, my little spitfire?” he growls. “Will you let me adorn you?”