These weapons were not just powerful, but against the Drakoshi? They would be outright lethal. They could tank a few normal bullets, but having their atoms broken down by electromagnetic beams? I doubt they could just ’tank’ that so I decided.

"Listen up everyone. As a sentinel and an authorised individual allowed to use alien tech, I am extending that authority to everyone here for the duration of this war. We use these weapons when we can as keeping them here shall be a waste. Any objections?"

There were none.

"Good. Now, we have all been very active since the battle yesterday. Everyone go and get some well earned rest. I will take the first watch. Dismissed."

No one objected to this and everyone dispersed from the armoury.

I made my way to the front of the bunker and sat down before the entrance. While the Drakoshi couldn’t physically get in, if they found the entrance, that would not be ideal and they would need to be taken out before they could report back.

"Ahh~" I let out a sigh of relief after being on my feet for so long. The wood-metal walls felt surprisingly comfortable as well as I sat back. I then closed my eyes to engage in some light meditation. I hadn’t had much of a chance to practice since getting here and I promised Elizabeth I would at least try to do the... Cultivation of her plane walking when I had the chance.

As I began to centre myself, I suddenly felt a head in my lap and considering I didn’t hear any footsteps, I knew whose it was.

Opening my eyes and looking, sure enough Sithrik was looking up at me cutely. Before I had a chance to speak, she did.

"Worry yourself not, my king and husband. I am on my best behaviour. I just wish to snuggle with you. Is that ok?" She asked as she began to coil her body up next to me while keeping her head on my lap.

I had to admit, the surprise snek wife had grown on me. She was funny and extremely bold so I saw no reason to refute her request. "Sure, just keep your body away from my business. I can’t afford to be too distracted while on guard."

In response Sithrik began to rub her head up and down my leg, in an act I assumed she would be doing with a hand if she had one. "Apollo, my king, who do you take me for? You have made it clear you desire time to come to terms with your desires. You have also made it clear you find me attractive, so I do not mind waiting. Though if I may be bold, your species is so bizarre when it comes to this."

"What do you mean?" I asked, as I began to instinctively stroke her body.

"I hope this doesn’t scare you off Apollo, but I will not lie to you. Back before I arrived at that moon, I had been bested in combat by a couple of males of my species and bred a couple of times. To me, that is just how life works. Might is right. And because of it, life continues. You humans think about this and that. Consequences, actions, feelings. Wouldn’t you just prefer to let go? Return to baser instinct?"

I internalised what she said before replying. "I get what you are saying, I do. I agree, sometimes it would be nice to just turn off all unnecessary emotions and only follow base urges, but let me ask you something. With your advanced intellect. You also have a wider array of feelings and ability to understand those feelings, correct? With that in mind, how have you enjoyed your time with me compared to those situations in the past where might meant right? Also, don’t worry about that. I am not an asshole who only likes his females ’pure.’ I mean, one of my mates was literally titled by her own mother as a ’Degenerate beast’ before meeting me. I focus on actions after we meet rather than dwelling on their past."

Sithrik went silent for a moment as she took in everything I said. After a few moments I felt her body tighten and the gaps between her scales began to produce small amounts of fire. "I, I have enjoyed getting to know you Apollo. Learning your likes and dislikes. Seeing you fight against your enemies. Leading your soldiers from the front like a powerful king. It leaves me feeling... Giddy. It is what makes me act so bold with my advances. You tickle me internally with your actions and it makes me desire it physically. Comparing this to the past where it was not an enjoyable experience... I can see the logic in taking it slow. It feels good."

I smiled hearing that and suddenly had an idea. ’Man I am something else...’

"Hey Sithrik, can you lift your head for a moment and look at me?"

"Of course, is everything ok, Apollo... Apollo?" She repeated stunned as I caressed her head softly. I then wordlessly pulled her head closer to mine before I kissed her lip scales. It was just a simple kiss, no technique, but the way Sithrik’s entire body became stiff from one moment to a soft danger noodle a moment later, I think she enjoyed it.

After pulling away, her tongue flicked out and caressed my face before she spoke. "That was nice. Thank you."

I smirked. "Well, you are my concubine. I am allowed to steal a kiss when I want. Right?"

Sithrik then proceeded to wrap herself around my torso before stopping in front of me again. "You cannot steal what is yours Apollo." She said alluringly, making me smile. I was then about to reply, but.

*Ahem*

Looking to my right. A pink haired woman was approaching with a smile plastered on her face. If it was the other pink haired woman, I might have felt a bit embarrassed right now, but considering who it was. I was fine.

"Oh, Willow, hey. We were just discussing our feelings and something nice happened."

Willow then approached and knelt down next to me. "Yes, I can see that. You are a lucky snake, Sithrik. I know of people that would kill for such an opportunity." She then leant up against my shoulder and fluttered her eyelids at me.

Sithrik nodded. "I should assume so. My King is no ordinary human. I am lucky to be his concubine now before he has thousands."

Willow then giggled and looked at me. "Did you hear that Apollo? Thousands? Now why does that feel like such a small number for someone like you?"

"Willow." I stated with a slight edge on my voice and then switched to telepathy. ’I know it must be tough not having contact with the family, but you cannot go around teasing information you have about me like that. The way the family works is through discretion. Do you understand?’

Willow nodded and replied with a thought, seemingly unbothered by invasive action. ’Yes, of course Apollo. I just felt like teasing the snake because I am jealous you kissed her. Oh no, did I just think that? I did. Crap. Um I mean I’m jealous you kissed the snake and want you to kiss me as well. Oh no. Um.’

I decided to give the cutey a mercy and pulled out of her mind.

"I know a thousand is a low amount for one as amazing as Apollo, but I am keeping it low as thinking about any more would not be fun." Sithrik continued, naturally unaware of the conversation that briefly took place.

I then felt a tingling on the back of my neck and realised something. With a smile, I turned to Willow and stated "You know Willow, I think since the last time we met, your power is a little more powerful now. I am feeling suggestable."

Willow suddenly gasped and began to pull in her aura before clocking onto the fact that Apollo’s tone was playful. She then decided against it as he turned to Sithrik and asked. "Sithrik? Do you feel that our friend and companion here deserves to feel the way you just felt when I kissed you?"

Sithrik then proceeded to look at Willow for a few moments before turning back to me. "Well, out of all the humans I’ve seen so far, this pink haired one is one of the more attractive ones. Especially compared to some of the male looking ones I’ve seen. Considering that and if you desire her as one of your concubines as well, I see no reason not to share the gift of your lips."

Before Willow could process what was happening, I grabbed her by the chin and pulled her into a kiss. That little spark that I felt whenever I kissed an entity with a portion of the hive’s genes inside electrified the kiss, making it proof that I was kissing my mate, not just Willow.

After a few moments of passion I pulled back, Willow’s face had turned lovestruck, inflating my ego slightly, so I changed the conversation before something in my pants began to inflate.

"So, did you come over here for something Willow? Or did you just want to spy on me?"