Nebula Book 1: His Breeder
11

Akdronis ripped through the jungle with his brother’s woman in his arms. He was sure that Vrox would want his head after this stunt, but he would deal with him when the time came.

He wondered how it was that Kira could speak Ezronian. There was no way that she learned it in such a short amount of time. Could Nebula learn it that quickly, too? Ak had much to say to her.

When he reached the cave, he rushed to Nebula’s side. Her legs were drowned in blood, and her face was a mess of fatigue. He massaged her stomach, and she was so high off pain that she welcomed his touch.

The two females began to talk in their language. Soon, Vrox’s little spitfire began to spew at him. Ak was quick to shut her down.

“Our history is none of your concern,” he glared. “You are here to stop her bleeding, and that is all.” He reached out and gripped her forearm. “Stop talking and start healing her.”

An alarmed Nebula grabbed his wrist. Her hold was so weak that he only worried further.

More chatter was exchanged between the women. To not distress Nebula further, he tried to control his impulsivity.

“What is she saying?” he finally interjected when he noticed wariness in Nebula’s look.

“She didn’t want to remove her leg-coverings because she was afraid that you would try to force her again.”

Issuing a snarl, he stood up and hulked to the entrance of the cave. He glared at the horizon, hating his very existence, wishing he could change the past.

Kira appeared by his sides minutes later. “Can you carry her to a lake? She needs water.”

He wanted to laugh. Water? He’d take her to the middle of an ocean if that was what she needed. It was amusing how he was willing to do the most difficult of things for her, except give her away.

“Yes, but what of her injury?”

“She’s not injured. Most women from our planet bleed monthly for about seven days. This is normal. She just needs some pain medication.”

They bleed monthly? He found the idea absurd. Even if she had this strange ailment, he wasn’t disinterested. He wanted her as a companion– bloody thighs and all.

“I see. That will be all I need from you, then”

All of this had been for nothing. The only thing he accomplished was to remind Nebula that he separated her from Kira. She would hate him more.

But he could stand her hate. What he couldn’t deal with was the loss of her.

“What?” Kira replied.

He pointed to the distance. “There. Someone is running in this direction. It is likely one of my brothers.”

The next thing Kira knew, Akdronis called out, “brother!”

He pushed her aside and went to Nebula’s side. Kira fought him. Her intentions were noble and determined, but not as strong as his obsession.

He picked his female up, his chest tearing when she began to fight him. With his few belongings, he made way outside. Nebula fought for all she was worth, but he overpowered her like always. He ran away, leaving Kira behind in the cave. Nebula smeared blood all over his naked chest as she struggled. He kept his eyes on the green wilderness, distracting himself by searching for any signs of Draekon. He was sure that Vrox was somewhere out there, too.

He tried to listen for approaching footsteps, but it was hard when Nebula kept rambling.

“Please calm,” he despaired when Nebula when she slapped his neck. Her other hand scratched his scaled back, breaking at least two nails.

“Please,” he begged, rocking her as if she was an infant.

His ears perked when they picked out the sound of falling water. It was far, but based on the intensity, he was sure that it was a waterfall. He turned in that direction, and it didn’t take long before he found it.

He placed the pieces of cloth and his sword down, followed by Nebula. She punched at his chest, unable to do anything to his muscled chest. To keep her from sliding on the mud, he held on tight. She shoved at him as he inspected the water. When he figured it was safe enough, he carried her over and dropped her in it. With his sword in-hand, he turned to give her privacy.

The sounds of her angry words were far louder than the crashing of the waterfall. Although he knew that she was cursing at him, he felt proud of her fierceness. A thick sludge slapped his bare back. He didn’t need to turn around to know that his captive threw mud at him.

It took an hour for her fury to finally calm. The entire time, he remained standing and scanning the forest for hints of animals or his brothers. The night was falling quickly. He needed to set camp soon. When he turned around, he found Nebula facing the waterfall. Leaves covered her legs, and her pants were drying over a set of rocks.

He weighed his options. If Nebula began to yell again, she might attract someone or something’s attention. This waterfall would somewhat mask her yells.

Deciding to make camp here, he began to collect dry logs. It seemed like the fates finally decided to give him a break because he identified the plants needed to make pain medication.

He prepared that, too.

He started the fire near Nebula’s pants, and then offered her a leaf-full of paste and fruit. She ignored him.

Since he knew she was naked under the leaves on her lap, he sat many feet away.

“I am sorry. I know what you want, but I cannot give it to you.”

Their language barrier blocked his words.

“I took you because of a disturbed sense of duty. I am a protector by nature. I looked after my brothers after I underwent the scaling, and it felt like I had to protect my species as well. I could not let Ezronians go extinct. I was desperate to produce an heir. I see now that this is no excuse for my plans do force you. Although I see my wrongs, I keep you for new reasons. You are addicting. I like your childish adoration with rocks, and how you chose to save me when I was trapped, and the darkness of your soft flesh, and the hope that you symbolize. I am sorry for my lack of honor. I am sorry for not being like Vrox.”

Nothing.

No glance in his direction, no words replied, no shrug.

It was like he wasn’t even there.

He hung his head, feeling a sadness he hadn’t felt since his adolescence. That night, he didn’t get much sleep. He had to be on the lookout.

It seemed like Nebula didn’t sleep, either. He was beginning to worry about her. In the morning, she refused to eat. He brought her a pile of translucent rocks, but she was disinterested in them.

She followed him through the forest with her head low. She wasn’t even interested in nature that they passed. When he set camp again, she refused to eat again. He didn’t need words to understand her rebellion.

Take me to Kira, or I will starve myself.

“Please, eat,” he begged, offering her five different fruits, seven nuts, and four types of meat.

Her stomach grumbled, but all she did was cross her arms over her chest.

"Neyla!” he scolded.

“No! Kira!” she replied.

He didn’t know what no meant, but he recognized the other woman’s name.

He looked at the fruit, and then back at her. Should he force-feed her, then?

The expression on her face made him hesitate.

I dare you. Go ahead, try it.

He could see the message all over her beautifully alien face.

Irked by her stubbornness, he laid on his back and stared at the stars. Beside him, the fire crackled as if laughing at his misery.

Over the next few days, Ak’s worry multiplied. Nebula refused to eat. She only drank water and changed her bloody pad. Those two small actions required a lot of energy for her.

His selfishness was killing her. He couldn’t go on like this.

"Neyla,” he groaned.

“No. Kira,” she croaked. Her voice could no longer yell. She didn’t have much spirit left.

“Very well, Neyla. You win.”

She remained lying on her side.

“Kira. Let us go to Kira.”

This made her head perk.

“Kira?”

He nodded. “Kira.”

Pearly, dull teeth dawned from her lips. The sight made his chest shrink. Finally, she had smiled at him. She was happy because she was leaving him.

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