“They happen,” I respond and listen a little. “This one is not so much of an issue. It is one of my scout ships returning.”
“You have an alarm for that?”
“It is likely my warriors will need a dose of paraxio on their return due to our mutation. They are unable to take any with them.”
“Why?”
“In order to be sure we have our full wits, and the edge needed, we cannot use it whilst we trade,” I explain. “But we become more and more dangerous without it.”
Rosalie reaches up and gently brushes my hair back behind my ears, her bright eyes studying my face carefully. “That’s no way to live, Dante.”
“It is not, little flame, which is why my crew volunteer to take risk after risk in trying to find a cure,” I say. “And why they get to do what they like when they like at all other times.”
ROSALIE
Is there really order to chaos? Spending this time with Dante without any distractions has shown me an entirely different side to my mayhem Sarkarnii. Maybe even given me an insight into his not-apology.
He was not himself when he bit me. Because he doesn’t know who he is. It doesn’t mean he isn’t interested. In fact, entirely the opposite, given what I saw and tried to pretend I didn’t see by concentrating on the task at hand when I agreed to help him bathe.
Agreed to help him bathe…
Honestly, if that wasn’t all foreplay, I’d eat my hat if I had one. But at the same time, I’m not sure that’s what Dante thought it was, and as it didn’t come to anything… I’m beginning to understand a bit more about the rut, and possibly a bit less about Dante. In fact, I think I’m more confused than ever as Dante leads me out of the baths.
“I’m going to need something dry to wear.” I point at my sodden clothes.
Dante grins at me, then scoops up my pants, top, and boots.
“Of course, little flame. Let me assist.”
He carries the items behind the wall which I know from other aquiums is where the Sarkarnii can leave any items they wish, a bit like a locker room, but usually unused. I follow Dante with some curiosity.
Dante opens up a small hatch in the wall and shoves my clothing inside. He shuts the door and looks at me as behind him there is a deep, resonant whirring sound. Dante’s eyes don’t leave mine as he grins and taps his foot whilst the whirring continues.
“What…”
Dante holds up a single clawed finger, cocking his head on one side. After a few more seconds, the whirring stops, and he opens the door, extracting my clothing and handing it to me.
It is bone dry.
“Wow.” I brush a hand over the items and look up at him. “That’s amazing. Darax’s aquium didn’t have anything like this.”
“I doubt he needed it. My warriors don’t always remember to remove their clothing when using the aquium, so I invented this to save time…and pants,” Dante says, his smile less megawatt as he explains himself.
“I think it’s a fantastic idea,” I respond. “But I’m also going to need to dry my underwear.”
I look at him. My knickers are sticking to me, and the strange corset thing which passes for a bra (and does a really good job) is starting to feel rather uncomfortable.
“Be my guest,” Dante says. He doesn’t move.
“I’m going to need to take them off,” I say, pointedly.
Dante nods. He is not getting this at all.
“So, I want you to leave.”
“Leave?”
“I’m going to be naked.”
