The Carnal Games : A Dark SciFi Enemy-to-Lovers Alien Romance (The Carnal Continuum Series) (The Carnal Continuum Book 1) by Naudii Nebula

Author:Naudii Nebula [Nebula, Naudii]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Naughty Nebula
Published: 2023-02-13T16:00:00+00:00

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After the bland ration bars and morning tea, as provided by Elkartira’s herbs and the surplus from the water catchers, Durek joined the females for endless vine-weaving. Heeding his daughter’s admonishments about resting, he sat on a large wooden fold while Chayse and Elkartira gathered vines.

He couldn’t deny his daughter and his enemy made a resourceful team. And it appeared Elkartira genuinely enjoyed Chayse’s company. Lady Chal would be displeased. For that alone, Durek would not discourage the bond between Elkartira and Agent Chayse.

How had his ex-mate allowed their daughter to be taken by the game makers? If he survived the show, he’d ask Chal before he slashed the life from her. Ever since he had discovered her with his first prime, he’d regretted sparing her, and then he'd cursed himself thereafter for her endless dalliances.

Durek thumped the wood on either side of him. Dense, solid, though not nearly as hard as the bedrock of Nisroc. He envisioned a deck with several benches. Along with his claws, proper tools would be adequate for the rest.

As a youngling, he’d helped his father carve and craft furnishings for the family den. When Chal became his mate, Durek had done the same for their dwelling, and for a time, his stonecraft, like his sawz, satisfied her.

Not that I’m bitter.

“Time to get your nails dirty, princess.” Chayse dropped her burden at his feet. Vines unraveled, snaking over his ankles, and catching on his toe-claws. “We’ll bring more. Get to braiding.”

Durek hissed at her retreating steps but snatched a handful of creepers, each as large around as two of his fingers put together. He would plait them into the parallel lengths. Thicker vines would be twined and then wrapped for rungs. Though he preferred carving, braiding occupied his hands just as well.

Time passed in earnest, mind-idle toil. Elkartira and Agent Chayse harvested vines further down the main bough as nearby resources dwindled. With their multiple deliveries, Chayse’s criticism decreased while her heady salts bloomed. Unbidden, Durek recalled her scent while mating. How it had enveloped him that night.

Best to think on other things.

He measured out the woven lengths from hand to elbow, recalling the length of Chayse’s legs. If he spaced each rung too far apart, Elkartira would also struggle to reach them. Completing the first section, Durek tied the parallel ends to a sturdy overhead branch and tested his weight. The vines groaned but held. Then he had both Chayse and Elkartira climb the partial ladder. When neither fell into his waiting arms, he dismissed them and continued.

As the air heated, he wove faster, completing the final parallel lengths. Attaching the rungs came next, but Elkartira insisted they break for a meal. After another unpalatable ration bar and a jug of water, they resumed their tasks.

“Once I finish these last two knots, this ladder will need to be tested between the canopies,” Durek said, recalling the burs on the trunk for tying the ends.

“I’ll do it,” Chayse said.

Despite his injuries, Durek planned to try it himself, but his conscience eased when Chayse volunteered before his daughter.

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