The hivemind is conquering for me?

My mouth opened in surprise. ”Did this snake just talk?” I asked redundantly.

The snake then turned her head to the side, her large yellow eye getting close to my face. ”I waz ssstaring to wonder if all humanz spoke like my keeper. I am glad to know thiz to be true. Learning another language would be tedious. What iz your name, darling?

My mind was starting to have very concerning thoughts about the way this snake was speaking. It was sultry, erotic. With a deep sense of allure. I had long come to terms with the fact I could be attracted to none humanoid entities, but a snake? For my mental health I decided not to look at the forbidden tube in that way and just decided it was the snake’s voice that had me going.

”My name is Apollo, um your is Sithrik correct?”

The snake hissed as more of her body dropped from the ceiling. I looked up and noticed how I couldn’t even see her entire Black and red body through the steam, but I could see a couple of different trees that were supporting her with no end in sight.

”Do you like my ssscales Apollo? My black pigmentation iz rare. Proof of my power. Behold.” Sithrik then performed an action that made my eyes go wide. Her body began glowing from the inside, illuminating her form that could now be seen all around the room, she was truly massive.

The heat building up inside her then began escaping through her scales, setting her entire body alight. The parts wrapped around me began licking at my skin and with my Thermokinesis off, I could feel my body begin to just slightly burn.

A second later the flames stopped and Sithrik inspected me, as she wrapped even more of herself around my body. Constricting a little bit, but not with hostile intent. ”Interesting.”

At this point, Yacob stood up and walked to my side, Sithrik immediately brandished her fangs and hissed at him, indicating for him to back off. ”Lady Sithrik, It has been a few months since I have seen you, would you like anything? Need anything? It is my utmost pleasure to keep my guests satisfied.”

Sithrik closed her mouth for a moment before she spoke. ”Now that you mention it Yez. I crave one of the fluffy sssnacks you brought last time. With the white fur. It left me full for quite a while... Now would be nice.”

Yacob smiled with glee. ”Of course, my lady. Wait right there, I have just the rabbit for you. Apollo- You will be fine waiting, correct?”

I looked at the snake, then back to Yacob then back to the snake again and declared. ”Sure, as long as I don’t get vored. I’m not into that, I will let you know right now.”

”Tss Tss Tss. Very amusing Apollo, you are a guest in my domain. I will not devour you. I promize.” Sithrik said with what I assumed to be an amused chuckle.

Yacob then was beaming at me. ”Great! I won’t be long! Yes I can watch her eat this will be so-” The door to the room shut and Sithrik tightened her hold on me. ”Apollo. Show me your scars.”

The long drawn out emphasis on the S disappeared as she loomed over me.

”Beg your pardon?” I asked, surprised.

”Please Darling, do not play these games with me. I could feel it the moment you walked into my den. Smelt it upon your being. See it in your eyes. Felt it when I tried to burn you. You are like me. Blessed with the greatness of ze flame. So show me.”

’A lot of flame shenanigans recently Sol. Hope you aren’t pulling invisible strings without telling me.’ I couldn’t help thinking. Sol replied back in the negative. She was just being her lovely fiery self. I was just a magnet because of her, nothing more, nothing less. Shrugging my shoulders, I let Sol’s brand overwhelm my body, her loving reminder of our first meeting.

Sithrik flicked out her tongue a few times and lessened her constriction to have a proper look. ”Delicious, Darling. Delicious. No wonder you look so succulent. You are brazened on a much deeper level than your flesh. Very well, I have decided. You may live with me as my consort. It is only right a being such as I have darlings of other species’ Now, while I am unsure how compatible our reproductive organs are, the little snake hiding beneath your garment looks easy enough to work with, I am sure we can give each other mutual pleasure. Now come to the water. I wish to try our compatibility before the Keeper returns.”

”Uuuh...” My brain just shut down, not only from her declaration, but from Onyx’s intense reaction to what just happened. I could feel her glaring at me from the inside and it was chilling.

As Sithrik tried to pull me and I didn’t budge, she turned to face me. ”Is there a problem, Apollo? I thought you liked the appearance of my scales? Goodness, don’t tell me you are a prude? That’s ok, I can make you comfortable in time.”

I began to rack my brain to try and figure out how to let this snake down easy. I didn’t want to hurt its feelings after all. It was a very nice snake. I was a bit confused though as the way she spoke sounded like royalty and- ’!!!’

’I has idea!’ I thought gleefully before turning to Sithrik.

”My Lady, I can tell you are regal just by your appearance alone. Your voice, intelligence and mannerisms make that point even more obvious.” I could feel Sithrik’s glee radiating from her face, she appeared smug at the praise.

”However, I cannot stay here with you as your consort.”

I immediately was constricted again. Much tighter this time Sithrik then bared her fangs towards me and hissed. ”And why is that? Apollo? You would reject my magnanimous declaration? This coveted title? Tell me before I crush your bones.”

”Well, the reason is quite simple actually.” I stated calmly. ”I cannot be a consort, for you see I am a King.”

Sithriks grasp on me loosened as she pulled her head back in surprise. ”You are royalty?” I nodded my head. She seemed to go into thought for a moment before tightening her grasp once more. ”Prove it.”

”Very well. Look into my eyes. Tell me I am lying.”

A silence took over the large room as Sithrik’s gaze pierced through my eyes. Her tongue flickered a few times before I felt her release her grasp upon me. ”Ah, Forgive me your grace, How uncouth of me. I should have recognised your sovereignty earlier, but was distracted by your Psionics.” She declared in a mortified tone of voice.

I reached out and rubbed a part of Sithrik familiarly. ”It is fine. I tend to keep it hidden around the common folk. I don’t want to make a big deal. It hinders my movements.” I said, speaking the truth, technically. ”And no need to call me your Grace. We are friends. Just Apollo will suffice.”

Sithrik looked away and whispered to herself. ”Friends with a king? Well it makes sense, I am luxurious after all. Hmmm.”

Sithrik glanced at me for a moment, her eyes wide as she did so. She then began to constrict me again, but this time. Softer, more tender. ”Tell me Apollo, do you have multiple partners?”

I nodded. ”I do.”

”And are any of these partners... Not of your species?” She followed up.

I took a moment to think about this one, but decided to trust the snake. She was a very cute snake after all. ”Yes, the majority are, how to put this... Exotic.”

”I see... Apollo, you have given me much to think on, if it is ok, I would like some solitary time. Would you kindly vacate my den once you are done basking in the steam? If you aren’t staying that isss~”

I nodded and stood up, Sithrik cascaded down my body as I did. ”Very well Sithrik. I hope to see you again, if you wish?”

”Oh, I am sure we will see each other again, Apollo. It’z a certainty.”

As Sithrik vanished into the steam once more, the door to the room opened again and Yacob walked in out of breath and hunched over. ”Ah my spine is acting up again.” He muttered before saying jubilantly. ”Here you are Lady Sith-rik?”

In his hand was a rabbit the size of the man’s torso wriggling trying to get free. ”Where did she go?” He looked at me with puppy eyes, which didn’t have quite the same affect on me as others with him being a middle aged man.

However, as he held out the rabbit still, a second later from above. Sithrik’s mouth basically opened 180 degrees wide, chomped onto the rabbit and disappeared above.

”Awesome!” Yacob said afterwards, his arms moving slightly as he visually stimmed in delight.

...

A few minutes later, I was done with the sauna and was escorted back outside into the wing once I was dressed. We shook hands and said he was excited to see me again during the day expedition. I said likewise and parted ways.

As I was about to look around at the exhibits some more, I heard. ”Apollo!”

Gabrielle ran over from behind a bush and pounced on my arm. ”Where did you go? I have been waiting a while.”

I suddenly felt guilty, I just assumed Gabrielle was going to go off with her friend, I hadn’t expected her to wait for me.

”Oh, Sorry to keep you waiting.” I apologised, but she shrugged it off. ”Oh, it’s nothing. I had a look round while waiting. So what kept you occupied?” She asked, looking at me curiously. I opened my mouth to explain what just happened, but had trouble finding the words.

”I don’t think you would believe me if I told you.”