She throws her hands up in exasperation, an awkward thing to do in her position. "Yes, Drasuk, where did you come from? Some rear-backward cave where females are nothing but walking wombs?"
I bristle at her words, a low growl rumbling in my chest. "Maln'Kril is a proud world, with even prouder females," I retort, offended.
"Well, your world is full of some seriously messed up ideas about women," she shoots back, craning her head back to stare me dead in the eye as her fiery spirit overshadows her earlier fear.
We lock eyes for a long moment, the air crackling with unspoken tension.
This is unlike any interaction I've ever had with a female. Females are either revered and kept at a distance, or they are fighting right alongside you and rarely have an interest in breeding.
Civilian females are the lifeblood of our society, the creators of our offspring, but extended interaction beyond a breeding contact is rare.
Here, with Kira, the lines are blurred.
She challenges me and insults me, yet I find myself drawn to her ferocity.
"Look," I finally say, breaking the silence. "You clearly don't want me here. But you're having nightmares, and this forest is teeming with dangers you can't even imagine."
She hesitates, her defiance flickering momentarily. She mutters something about danger, her voice barely audible.
"Creatures that can tear you limb from limb," I reply vaguely, not wanting to frighten her further.
She bites her lip, her gaze flickering around the forest nervously. Then, with a huff, she stops trying to wriggle out of my hold.It takes all of my control to avoid hissing with laughter at the recalcitrant look that finds its way onto her features.
21
Kira
Drasuk moves his face closer to mine, his voice calm and infuriatingly composed. "Besides, you were thrashing in your sleep. I was only keeping you from hurting yourself."
The shiver his warm breath causes from my head to my toes pisses me off.
"I don't need your help," I snap, my voice shaking with anger and residual fear.
Fuck. I could have done all this alone and not been stuck with trusting this big alien oaf to keep me safe. There's no time, and definitely no interest, in being all warm and fucking snuggly.
"Keep your head and just stay the fornicate alive," I mutter to myself.
"Well, that is always my plan, Kira."
The way he says my name sends another shiver through me and it takes me a beat longer than it should to realize he released his grip.
I scramble away, trying to put more distance between us, my body trembling.
Judging by the look in his eyes, he didn't miss my hesitation. Dammit.
"Why were you watching me?" I demand, glaring at him.
Drasuk tilts his head, his expression unreadable. "You seemed distressed. I was concerned."
"Concerned?" I laugh bitterly, rubbing the spot where his arm had held me. "Since when do you care about anything other than yourself?"
I know as I say it that I'm being unfair. I just met him. How would I even know? It's a low blow insult, even for me.
Something in me is panicking, though, bringing irrationality right along with it.
He doesn't respond immediately, just watches me with those unnervingly calm eyes.
"You're my ally," he finally says. "Your well-being affects my survival."
