Light rain washed the jungle, causing steam to rise from the damp soil; the precipitation made the colorful flora brighter somehow. Towering above them in the small clearing were trees that seemed to touch the sky they were so tall; their trunks reminding Artemis of Giant Sequoias back on Earth in California. They were so tall that she had to crane her neck to even attempt to see the canopy. The area itself smelled of damp earth and rain, an oddly comforting aroma to Artemis.

Said clearing was earthen and damp with a stone square platform in the center that she stood on beside Rhage, Dhare, Khaj, and a large male named Sterak. Each wore their usual armor except for Rhage. Her alien stood tall and menacing at the forefront of the gathering, his gaze distant. The black armor he had adorned in the apartment reminded her of a black beetle, the matte black metal dripping water onto the soil beneath his feet in a constant steady drip. Rivulets of water glistened on his skin and armor; a result of the sudden rain that had fallen from the sky.

Gazing up at him, she was in awe of how stoic and strong he was. She only stood at his waist but she still craned her neck to look at him.

No one spoke.

Only the rain filled the silence as it fell upon the jungle and awning they stood under. The gentle drumming of the rain on the metal roof helped to calm her nerves.

Artemis had never attended such a thing. She wondered whom it was who was being executed and for what. What law had someone broken? Was Rhage really going to be the executioner? How come he had to do it?

The huge metal sword he had sheathed at his side looked menacing. When he had pulled it from his personal weapon arsenal she couldn't help the sliver of fear racing down her spine at the sight of such a wicked looking tool of war. Its blade was black and grooved intricately, a silvery band wrapping around the hilt.

She couldn't help but follow the sword to the armor at his hip where he wore black metal armor that covered the little black quills there. Her eyes roamed up his side and arms, admiring how his crocodilian coloring paired with the menacing black. This armor was sharp in design with miniature spikes compared to the casual dull grey metal of his typical armor — it made a clear statement that he was the Grim Reaper in the flesh. Death himself.

Seeing him in this armor was doing things to her body that she didn't understand. Sure, she liked a man in uniform...but Rhage in a uniform was...

Hoo boy...

Artemis had to refrain from fanning herself. It was already embarrassing that she knew they smelled her arousal. She was grateful the Yautja stood like statues as they waited for something.

Maybe dying of embarrassment was better than standing there knowing that they all knew she wanted to fuck the shit out of Rhage. That seeing him standing there dressed like some dark god turned her on. Something about his clouded blue locs with red tips paired well against the beetle black, the cape helping to complete the look.

Thankfully the fluttering of the baby moving around in her tummy helped to distract her from ogling Rhage like a fine delicacy. She rubbed her swell as she thought up of excuses she could make up to explain her out of control libido. The more time she spent with him the more she found herself admiring him, both mentally and physically.

It wasn't her fault he looked like the alien version of Adonis! The guy was shredded and had a body that would make fellow women melt.

Three figures appeared at the tree line drawing her from her thoughts. One walked before two heavily armored figures, all looking to be male Yautja. The one in front wore no armor and wore metal cuffs around his thick wrists. Scars marred his yellow-ish body, each one glistening in the rain. Judging by his dreadlocs he seemed much younger than Rhage.

She had learned that as Yautja aged their locs lost the pitch black color and turned a clouded blue like Rhage's, eventually turning white; something she had seen only once in a towering female who had sat in on a meeting once.

This trio stopped on the platform at least eight feet away from their group. The air turned solemn, more so than it had been; the gloomy atmosphere was suffocating almost.

Rhage unsheathed his sword and walked forward. The rain fell on him and made his skin and armor glisten as he stopped in front of a triangle chiseled into the stone platform, green stains surrounding the shape. He merely stood there gazing at the younger male who kept his own on the ground. Both guards beside him stepped away as Rhage released the prisoner from his bonds.

All was quiet until he began to speak, his deep growly voice echoing in the clearing. Artemis noticed Dhare kneel down beside her and, thankfully, began to translate as they watched.

"Zayu, you have been sentenced to death for breaking the most sacred of our codes. You have harmed those who were innocent and could not defend themselves — all too young to recognize a threat. I, Leader Rhage, stand in for the Dark Warrior Cetanu. May the Destroyer devour your soul in death for your egregious actions." Rhage placed a hand atop Zayu's head and prompted the slightly smaller Yautja to fall to his knees before his leader.

His hand remained there until he dropped it and stepped back to stand to the side of Zayu.

Dhare spoke of his own accord this time, his voice low, "Rhage raised Zayu when his dam, mother, died suddenly. Zayu is like another pup to him."

Her heart broke for Rhage as she watched him stand in the rain above a kneeling Zayu. His large hand gripped the sword so tightly that she could see the cords of muscle in his forearms bulging against his skin. A vein throbbed in his neck as he raised the sword high. Rivulets of water dripped from the blade as he held it there. Warring emotions clouded Rhage's eyes as he waited for something.

Zayu said something that Dhare immediately translated. "Forgive me, father."

Artemis wanted to cry for Rhage. The fact that he had to execute someone who meant so much to him was heartbreaking.

Those words were enough for Rhage as he brought his blade down, slicing through flesh and bone until a head came rolling onto the ground near his feet. His chest expanded and contracted rapidly as he turned away from the neon green blood that pooled from the collapsed headless corpse. Both guards hauled the body and head away as Rhage approached the group under the awning.

She was shocked to see Yautja blood for the first time, marveling at how it glowed like a neon sign even in the daylight. Her view was blocked as Rhage stopped in front of her and the group sheathing his sword.

"Let us return home." He growled in English.

Shadows guarded his eyes as he swept Artemis into his arms. She yelped in surprise as he stalked into the jungle with her, the others quickly following behind. The path took them back to the city where they loaded onto a floating small ship that took them to the tower. Rhage growled commands to the others as he departed from the group.

"Rhage, are you okay? Do you want to talk about it?" Artemis asked once they were inside their home.

He said nothing as he set her on the bed. Moving quickly he entered the bathroom where she heard water running from the shower.

She couldn't help but feel sorry for him. It was with that thought that she would return the help he had given her. There was no way in hell she was going to let him hide his pain from her. That was a two way street and she was going to honor it.

Quickly she doffed her clothing and padded into the bathroom where she found him standing nude in the shower. His armor was piled on a shelf with his cape balled up, as if he couldn't get it off fast enough. Her heart wrung as she approached him.

Rhage moved slightly to the side as she washed her own body. He didn't look her way when she ran her hand up his thick arm, digging her nails into his skin ever so gently. Soap washed away and into the drain as she used her washcloth to help clean him. It wasn't until he kneeled before her so she could reach his neck that his eyes found hers. She continued to bathe him.

He sat on his haunches when she was done and caressed her face with his claws.

"It is like a thousand daggers have been thrust into my gut. Zayu was...like a son to me. His dishonorable deed pains me." Rhage whispered, "Anyone's dishonorable deed pains me. Such is the burden I must carry."

Artemis wrapped her arms around his neck and pushed her body against his, his warmth chasing the chill away. "You don't have to carry that alone. I'm here for you, sweetheart."

Purring he rubbed his forehead against hers like a cat, causing her to smile. She loved how he could be so catlike even though he was far from a cat himself.

"Thank you, mate."

She pulled back to gaze into the depths of his lime-green eyes, her chest swirling with emotions that she was yet to give into. An idea popped into her head as she took in every detail of his unique face. The fact that she hadn't thought of it sooner was surprising, the fact making her smirk. He cocked his head in question as she moved her mouth to his.

"What are you—"

"Trust me. Let me help you feel better." She gently tugged at a loc of his dreads making him hiss softly.

When he spread his mandibles wide she went in for her target. Her tongue found his and danced with it, tasting him and being careful of his fangs. It took a few moments for him to give in and start dominating her mouth as he learned what she was doing. Their tongues clashed and sucked on one another in this primal dance.

He tasted smoky and vaguely of spices. The little ridges on the flat of his tongue rubbed erotically against her own tongue.

It wasn't long before they broke apart to catch their breath, both panting rapidly.

Rhage was the first to speak, "I like this."

"I'm glad." Artemis nuzzled her cheek against his with a smile. "Do you feel okay, though? I wish I could help your sadness."

One of his large hands came to push her against his chest as he turned the shower off. His warm body chased the cold that creeped into the room as he held her. "You help just by being here, Artemis. This is more than I could ever ask of you."

"You don't need to ask. I care about you, Rhage. I hate to see you so sad."

She missed the hitch in his breath as she spoke to him, her hand stroking different locs of his tendrils that dripped water down his back and body. His hold tightened ever so slightly around her.

"I will ask why did you smell like you wanted to rut? You know what your scent does to me." A large hand gripped one of her ass cheeks causing her to softly gasp. Bright green eyes watched her reaction closely.

Artemis pushed away from his chest enough to meet his eyes. "I c-can't help my traitorous body."

His rumbly chuckle rocked her gently, "I could taste it on my tongue. Your scent is sweet like naxa. When you are in need it is...hard to resist."

She pondered whether she should tell him how her body grew hot seeing him in all that black or how the very thought of peeling him out of his armor like a candy bar was on her mind. Shyness painted her cheeks red as she bit her lip in thought. It was when she twisted a curl around her finger and met his eye that she gave in.

Her eyes averted from his, "The color black...it...suits you."

Artemis looked up at him. His eyes were heated, dimly glowing they were so bright. The rain soaked jungle had nothing on his irises.

He clicked and trilled as he nuzzled her cheek with his own. Another hand came to hold her other ass cheek as she sat in his lap. "Oh, does it now?"

"Yes." She felt herself growing bolder by the second. "You looked...nice."

The look in his eyes told her he didn't believe her choice of word but thankfully he let it go. Despite his warmth she was starting to get cold. Being between his thighs was great but she wanted to get some clothes on. Being naked for so long wasn't her favorite thing in the world.

Rhage seemed to understand her growing lack of comfort and stood up with her by his side. Clicking a button on the wall, he dried them both and together they dressed for lunch.

• • •

"Rhage, who is Cetanu?"

Together they sat in the common area eating their lunch at the dining table, a large rectangular black metal slab. They sat opposite each other eating their meal. Artemis happily ate her bowl of fruit while Rhage ate some kind of meat...raw. Despite having seen him eat raw meat multiple times now, her stomach still revolt at such a sight.

Rhage ate the last of his meal before he explained. "Cetanu is the leader of our gods. He is known as the Black Warrior and also acts as the god of death."

"Dhare was nice enough to translate for me but there were some things I didn't understand."

He stood to place his empty dish in a device that popped out from the wall. He had told her it was like a dishwasher but way more high tech. "Do not be shy to ask questions. I will explain to you all that you would like to know, mate."

Artemis munched on a fruit that tasted like an orange absentmindedly while she watched him tap away at the computer on his arm. Red symbols displayed in a hologram as he messaged someone.

"Well," she swallowed her food, "is it always a death sentence when someone breaks these codes everyone follows? On Earth the death penalty was phased out centuries ago, so I'm just curious as to why...such a practice is normal." She tried to word her question in a way without offending him. The death penalty was so...barbaric. It didn't make sense for such a highly advanced species to be practicing it.

Rhage looked at her, clicking in his throat as he considered her question. "The death penalty is necessary to ensure that order is kept. Yautja are not afraid of death. We meet the Black Warrior without fear." More clicking as he leaned against the metal wall, his thick arms crossing his wide chest. "To you such a practice is barbaric, this I know."

"I mean no offense! I just—" Artemis turned her chair to better face him.

He held up a hand interrupting her, "I understand, mate. You have many questions. I am happy you are so eager to learn." His mandibles twitched slightly when she nodded. "The Yautja must adhere to the code or die, Artemis. That is a core of our culture, one that has existed far longer than my great-grandsire. Those who break it are false Yautja. They must be purged from existence."

Again she nodded, trying to piece together everything he told her. It was so...odd...but who was she to judge? The ways of the Yautja were oftentimes primitive but not far off from what humans once did, something she still tried to wrap her head around. This was so...extreme and barbaric. Accepting it would take a long time and maybe never.

Rhage continued, speaking with such patience. "In time you will understand why things are the way they are. Society would fall to its knees without a strong foundation, yes?"

"Yeah, that makes sense. Perhaps...one day I may truly understand."

He seemed to accept this and typed out another message. "There is more business I must attend to. Do you feel up to accompanying me or would you like to stay in the dwelling and rest?" His eyes raised from his holograms.

Artemis caressed her tummy and ate the last of her fruit, giving him a shake of her head. Her hips were starting to ache again. A nap would do her good.

"Very well." He stood up straight and came to pull her into his arms. He swiftly carried her to bed and set her down, pulling the many layers of blankets over her body as she curled up on her side. His clouded blue red tipped locs grazed her skin as he nuzzled her face with his. "Rest well and I will be here soon."

"Have fun with whatever you have to go do." She offered a small smile while she found a comfortable spot in the bed.

Rhage nodded, his locs swaying back and forth across his wide shoulders. "Thank you, mate. Now, rest in the nest."

Very quickly he was gone, leaving her to fall asleep in the giant bed bundled up and toasty warm.