Page 32 of Alien Naga's Prize
Azul settles into his coils smugly. I want to ask where we are going, but I’m pleased to be away from the throngs in the resort. I also didn’t much like the vibe I got from Rossz. There’s something about him we really can’t trust.
But for the time being, I settle back and enjoy the ride while not thinking about what Azul has planned.
“So, this entire planet is dedicated to…”
“Pleasure, yes.” Azul grins at me. “We’re on the luxurious continent, generally reserved for the guests with the most credits to splash around. The entire place is dedicated for our play. Whether we want to be alone or with others.”
“So, it’s that sort of pleasure planet.” I laugh.
“There is a continent dedicated to the sort of pleasure you are thinking of,” Azul growls, “but I can assure you, I am not sharing you with any other male.”
The transport swings left into a deep canyon, and the dusty pinks and oranges change to blues and greens. Trailing ferns sweep over the translucent roof as we move from desert to jungle.
“Whatisthis place?” I ask, transfixed as the transport winds through the vegetation.
“You’ll see. This is one of the many perks of this area of Luxus. We will have it all to ourselves,” Azul says.
I wouldn’t have thought it was possible to relax, but the thought of ending up somewhere with just the two of us sounds incredible. I feel like I can breathe again.
The transport comes to a halt in what seems like dense jungle.
“End of the road?” I query.
“Not quite. We go on without the transport from here,” Azul says as the door opens and the scent of water, earth, flowers, and greenery enter the cabin.
“Wow!” I remain stock still as Azul disembarks.
“Wow?” he queries.
“This place… it smells a bit like the solar farms onBritannia. I went once, because they are a penal colony, and I had to escort a prisoner. It struck me they were getting a better deal than those of us cooped up inside the cruiser,” I say, my thoughts tumbling out of me.
“This is no solar farm, nor is it a penal colony.” Azul chuckles. “It is a paradise for you and me.”
I inhale again, getting the air deep into my lungs, feeling like my body is craving it, and then I hear the noise.
“Is that…a waterfall?” I whisper hoarsely.
“Come and see,” Azul says, his tail tip tapping on the ground with excitement, even as he’s trying to keep himself in check.
We move through the jungle on a little used path, and the sound of water gets louder until the fronds of the plants part and it’s like some of the old Earth movies I used to watch. A vista opens up in front of me which sends my knees weak.
A semi-circular area of multiple waterfalls, one flowing into another, into many pools, some shallow, some deep. The water is an azure blue the likes of which I didn’t think existed. All around there are blooms ranging from red to black and nearly everycolor in between. Some wave in a non-existent wind, denoting their predatory nature, and some change hue every so often.
Azul has moved ahead of me to the edge of the largest pool, and he looks over his shoulder.
Damn! He is a fine specimen, from his huge, muscular shoulders to the long iridescent scales running down his back and onto his tail. I suppose he didn’thaveto marry me at the Starlight Brides hub.
With a wink, my wicked husband dives into the pool. He displaces little water, sliding into it like he was born to be there.
And then he doesn’t come back up. I wait, but he doesn’t resurface.
But Azul can swim, right? He saved me from the pool on his ship…I think. He’ll come up again soon. Won’t he?
“Jenna! Jenna, my little sunray!” His voice echoes around the waterfalls.
I spin, trying to locate him, until I spot the flash of light and see him right at the top of the main falls.
“How did you…?” I gasp out.