I grumble out a wordless complaint, then concede that she needs it more than I do. "The most feared substance in the known universe, Kira."
She lets out a screaming cry I, after a moment of thinking she is terrified, realize is actually a reflection of how excited she is. Next, she's hugging it, petting the fur at the end like it's the pet we keep teasing about.
Now I'm doubly jealous and another grumble rises, this one echoing off the stone walls.
"Oh, be quiet,MisterGrumpy Pants. Get your own venom. Oh, wait. You can't."
Once she gets her laughter back under control and sees my mock death stare and it sets off more of her cackles, I join her.
She wipes the tears from her face, and I roll my eyes. After a moment of disgust that I've picked up another form of Kira communication, I decide to offer the compliment she deserves.
"Beautiful and deadly. The perfect pet, after all."
She chuckles. "I'm glad to know you aren't so choked up on your pride that you can admit to my fucking amazing utility. Now I will do an even better job, which has already been stellar, at protecting you with venom."
I raise my forehead spines, intrigued by her boldness. "I seem to recall saving your life on more than one occasion."
She smirks, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "And I seem to recall you needing my help just as often. Face it, Drasuk, we're stuck with each other. Might as well make the best of it."
"Stuck with you? That's a terrifying thought," I reply, my tone teasing. "I might just prefer the company of the predators out there."
"Is that so?" she shoots back, a playful challenge in her voice. "Well, I'm sure they'd love to have a bite of your tough hide. But you know what? I think you secretly enjoy our little partnership. You'd be lost without me."
I chuckle, shaking my head. "Enjoy? Maybe. But lost? Hardly. I've survived far worse than this. And let's not forget, I'm the one keeping you safe."
She rolls her eyes, but she's grinning now. "Yeah, yeah, big tough drakonid protecting the fragile human. Got it. But let's not pretend you don't appreciate having someone around who can think on their feet."
I can't help but acknowledge the truth in her words.
Despite her size and species, Kira has proven herself to be resourceful and quick-witted. She's not just a burden; she's an asset.
And every part of her has been claimed as mine.
My spines shift to betray my pleasure at this thought, but I go back to needling her. "Don't let it increase your already overweening confidence so large you can't walk anymore."
She grins, a triumphant glint in her eyes. "Too late. My head's already pretty big, thanks to you."
She turns serious, her gaze reflecting rare vulnerability. "I'm not like other women, Drasuk."
"I assume they speak more directly."
"Shut up. I'm being serious. I might never settle down or have kits."
Her lips quirk, then she goes on. "I like how translations in Manticorid assume you will be having kittens. But, seriously, I want to be stuck with you, but I'm not sure you want to be stuck with me."
I let out a rumble of displeasure at how she is speaking about herself. "You are perfect. Like a Maj'Ra female, except one I can hold at night. What we have is enough. Far more than I ever thought I would have. More than I could have ever dreamed."
Her eyes glimmer. "I love being stuck with you."
It's a strange concept, love, but I've decided I am willing to be an outlier. The drak everyone speaks about in whispers or in booming taunts.
"I love it, too," I tell her. "And you. I love you."
"Hold on, now. There's room for something else inside thatlizardbrain for something besides arrogance?"
I narrow my eyes and let her know with my spines that I expect a better response than that. Some day I'm going to have to ask what alizardis, but I haven't yet been desperate enough broach the topic.
"What, you expect me to say it too? And sound like just as much of a fool?" she asks.
