by Ruby Dixon
A Salorian? I hiss, a flood of memories rushing back. Of the cool, evil overlords of our homeland. Slavelords who used massive armies and foul mind-magic to murder and suppress my people. They are hated and reviled by the drakoni people.
Even here, in this horrible land we are stranded upon, the Salorians have somehow followed us?
“What’s a Salorian?” Gabe asks, his gaze darting from my face to that of Kael’s mate.
She tells him they are bad guys, and how one has overtaken Fort Dallas and tries to sink his claws into any susceptible drakoni.
“But what does he want with my mate? With Teva?”
My heart fills with pleasure to hear his angry defense of me. I love hearing him say “my mate.”
What does he want with any dragon? Kael’s mate says aloud, gesturing with her hands. He wants pawns for his little games. He wants to send someone through the Rift to see if they can get home, but he doesn’t seem to care that sending someone through the Rift—if it’s even possible—will almost certainly kill them.
Gabe pulls me against him, his arms protective around me. “He’s not getting Teva,” he growls.
What do we do? I ask Gabe, and I can feel his frustration. He has no answers for this.
My brother is the one that speaks up. Think, Teva. Did this voice speak to you when you were near your mate’s hive?
I consider this. It is hard to remember such things. I am not sure my mind is made to remember anymore. But I do remember a voice. It was less frequent. More agreeable. It did not bother me when Gabe was around. Now, it seems to bother me constantly and the voice is darker, angrier. Different.
Unpleasant.
He reaches into your mind because you are close to the human hive where he hides out, Kael tells me. Sallavatri is able to block him for me, but you have no such safety. You will need to leave.
Leave? The word strikes like a blow.
If you were safe closer to your mate’s hive, return there.
But you are my family. You are here.
And as your family, I would rather that you were safe. Kael holds my gaze, and I hear his mate talking softly to Gabe, explaining to him that we must go. He nods, a look of determination on his face, and his thoughts push against mine protectively, as if he wants to shield me even now.
There is a woman from Fort Shreveport visiting the Salorian, Gabe tells me, his hand tight at my waist. Claudia will send a message on to her about what the Salorian is doing. They will insist that he stop.
Will he? The scattered memories I have of Salorians are not of compliance and agreement.
We won’t be here, so it doesn’t matter, Gabe says. We’re leaving. Today.
Perhaps it is best. Flying?
Gabe’s eyes meet mine. Can you promise me that he will not attack you again?
I cannot promise this. With a sigh, I think of all the walking we must do to return to Gabe’s hive.
He pulls me close and presses his brow to mine. I will walk ten thousand miles if it means I will keep you safe, baby girl. It won’t be so bad, I promise. We’ll stop a lot for breaks.
Breaks? But why?
I have a few ideas. And my mate sends a flurry of mental images full of mating into my mind. Of me with my mouth on his cock, his fist in my hair. Of him driving into me from behind. Of him ripping my white wedding dress off my body and thrusting my thighs apart so I can take him.
I shiver at how good all those images are.
We’ll have lots of alone time, you and I.
Perhaps walking back will not be so bad after all.
25
TEVA
We pack our things quickly, and my brother’s mate fills a sack full of foods for us to take. I hold the baby, breathing in her scent, enjoying my last few moments with her. I want to hold her forever, and it makes me sad that we must go.
You act as if you will not see us again. Kael sounds amused. When she is old enough to travel, we will come visit.
You could claim new territory away from here, I tell him even as I rub my nose against the baby’s brow. Raise your child in a place far away from the Salorian’s grasp.
My mate wants to stay close. It is complicated. She feels responsible for many left in the human hive. And there are other drakoni nearby, one with a mate that will give birth soon. We all watch out for each other.
I see. I feel as if I am losing everything all over again, and my heart aches.
You lose nothing, Kael tells me. His thoughts are calm, steady. The Salorian will not be trouble forever. There are already those working in the hive to tame him. This is all temporary. Besides, you will be with your mate. You will need no one but him. Trust me.
I nod. When he holds his arms out for his child, I reluctantly pass her over.
It is a different world, my brother tells me. But that does not mean it must be all bad. Embrace it. Embrace your human’s hive and his people. Embrace your new life. You are mated now, and there will be a child at some point. Will you want to bring that child into a world you resent? Or one that you greet with joy every morning?
When did my annoying older brother become so wise?
He holds Sallavatri close. When I became a mate and a father. I realized I had to change. You will, too. Wait and see.
26
ONE WEEK LATER
GABE
I squeeze Teva’s hand as she walks beside me. We’re nearing Fort Shreveport after our long journey, and my mate has grown increasingly silent as we approached. “How’re you doing, baby girl?”
She arches a fierce brow at me, a smile curving her mouth in a way that is almost human and wholly playful. I am fine. Eager to shift to my battle form again.
“We’re almost home,” I tell her. We’ve walked all the way back from the outskirts of Fort Dallas, following along the broken, cluttered remains of Old Highway I-20. We both agreed that Teva should wait to return to Fort Shreveport before shifting again, even though her mind has been silent of interlopers for days now. Kael was wise to send us away—the farther we get from Fort Dallas, the less the strange voice bothers her. “Any noise in your head?”
Nothing. She sounds a little amused, a little sad. I know this is hard for her. When she was lost to the madness, she said the “belly fires” were her only friend, the only one she could talk to. Now they are gone and she feels the loss, however strange it might seem to me.
I’m determined not to make her feel alone, though. I’m going to be with her every step of the way. I don’t think the people at Fort Shreveport will be a problem, since they accepted both Rast and later Vaan and Liam. Another dragon might make people unnerved, but only at the beginning when they don’t know Teva.
And if they don’t want us there, then I leave with her. I can’t sacrifice her happiness for the sense of obligation I feel toward others at the fort. We were fortless before—Charlie, Major, Lester and I. We were just fine. Maybe with Charlie getting on in years, he’ll have to stay behind with the cats, but that doesn’t mean I can’t support him from afar and bring him supplies. It’s do-able, no matter what.
I do not want you to be forced to give up everything for me, Teva says, eavesdropping on my thoughts. That is not fair to you.
If they don’t want you, they’re the ones who are losing everything. I put a heavy hand on the back of her neck, in the way she likes. Over the past few days, I’ve learned a lot about Teva, mostly through trial and error. Teva loves caresses, but even more than that, she loves feeling my emotions. She still pushes at me, trying to take control of every situation, but I’ve learned that I need to push back, to firmly take control. I might be weaker physically, but Teva adores it when I dominate her mentally, and so I do that as often as I can.
I’m in control, I remind her, rubbing my thumb against the cords of her neck. I’ll decide what’s best for us. If they don’t want us here, we aren’t staying. It’s that simple. I flood her thoughts with affection and love to pair with my firm words. She needs to remember that she’s mine and I’m not
going anywhere without her.
Her pleased thoughts touch my mind, and we go hand in hand toward the fort.
I smell the other dragon, Teva says before we even turn to go down the final street toward the old school building. He smells me, too, and is coming out to see us.
Rast? Tell him I said hello, I offer, and tug her a little closer to me. Amy and Rast knew I was coming after you.
She goes quiet for a moment, and then smiles over at me, her eyes whirling gold. He greets us. He says they have been looking forward to meeting us. His mind is very clear.
So I’ve heard. I’ve never had a conversation with Rast, because he doesn’t bother to speak aloud, but every time I’ve seen him, he seems more settled than the other drakoni I’ve met. He’ll be a good influence for Teva and the mentor she needs if she struggles again.
He says he is bringing someone out to greet you, she tells me curiously.
I wonder about that, too, but the moment we come around the bend and the tall chain-link fence surrounding the school comes into sight, I hear a loud, excited barking and a laugh escapes me. I know exactly who that is. Scooter can’t wait to get to me, the big dog’s excitement breaking out of him in fierce, noisy barking that makes my ears ring. One of the gate guards—Luz, judging from the braid—opens the gate up and the German shepherd comes racing down the street toward both of us, tail wagging excitedly. I keep my thoughts connected to Teva’s in case she gets spooked, but I can feel her amusement.
This is like the other meows, isn’t it?
He’s a dog, but yes. He’s a pet. I release her hand and kneel on the ground as Scooter barrels toward me, a brown and black streak of pure joy. If he barks at you, don’t get nervous—
To my surprise, she crouches next to me and puts her hands out, waiting. I feel no anxiety in her, or rage. She wants to love the dog as much as I do.
Scooter races toward me but at the last moment, he crouches and belly-crawls toward me, tail wagging. He’s utterly subservient, looking at Teva and whining even as he approaches me. I always thought that the Rift—or the assholes that live in the After—addled his brains, but that movement shows me he’s not entirely unaware of the predator in his midst.
“Good boy,” I tell him, reaching for the thick ruff. Scooter whines the moment I touch him, and then he’s bounding all over and licking me once more, excited as hell to see me. I scratch his fur with rough, affectionate motions, and I realize just how much I missed him. He’s my little buddy, my ray of sunshine even on dark days.
He is so happy, Teva adds, smiling. Do you think he will like me?
Put your hand out so he can sniff it and we’ll see.
She extends her hand toward Scooter, and her long claws are evident and dangerous looking. But the dog only sniffs her hand cautiously and then pushes his head underneath for petting.
And my beautiful Teva looks delighted. He likes me.
Pet him, I encourage her, and show her how to give him gentle head scratches that make Scooter’s tail thump wildly. The dog looks up at her with blissed-out eyes and I chuckle, wondering if I’ve got a new rival for her affection.
You are always first, she tells me, but there’s such pleasure in her thoughts that I don’t mind. A pet is new to her. I don’t want to take away from this moment, because I know how nice it is to be greeted by a wagging tail and puppy joy when you return home.
But there’s a crowd forming at the distant gate, and I suppose we need to greet them. I focus on them and send a thought to Teva. You ready to do this?
She hesitates. You are sure I will like the human hive?
If you don’t, we don’t have to stay. I promise.
We get to our feet at the same time, and I glance over at Teva. Her skin is the lovely, muted red that I’m used to seeing. It flares to a ruby shade when she’s turned on, but right now it’s the color of a desert sunset. Her long hair is haphazard and wild over her shoulders, and her wedding dress has a few smudges and dirt on the hem thanks to our week of hiking, and her feet are bare and equally dirty. Her eyes are bright gold and I’ve never seen a woman look more alien or more beautiful.
I love you, I tell her. You know that, right?
Of course you do. You are my mate. She tosses her hair and gives me an arch little smile. Let us say hello to your hive, then.
* * *
The next while is overwhelming. We’re greeted by everyone—and I do mean everyone—in Fort Shreveport. If I had any doubts of Teva being welcomed, they’re gone in an instant. Everyone’s delighted to meet her. She’s introduced to person after person, and when her gaze lingers on a fat baby, the mother immediately plops the child in Teva’s arms, heedless of her claws.
I kind of want to kiss that woman for being so brave and selfless.
Teva’s delight at the baby is evident, and then it’s only a matter of time before several children in the fort are rushing around her legs, holding onto her “princess” skirts and babbling at her. She looks overwhelmed but happy, a smile on her face as she tries to absorb all the names tossed in her direction. A three year old holds her finger and walks at her side, completely unafraid. On her other side, Scooter keeps her company.
Just like that, my girl is accepted.
Two of the children lead her forward, taking her hands, and she looks at me. Where are we going?
They’re taking you to show you something, I tell her, amused. Want me to chase them off?
No! I want to see what they have to show me. They are so excited. There’s such delight in her thoughts. They like me.
Of course they do. You’re awesome.
She tosses a grin in my direction before letting the children lead her away. Oh. Rast says they are to show me chickens and I am not to eat them. They are meows like Scooter?
Yes and no. I try to mentally explain the concept of laying hens to her when a familiar figure wheels out of the school in his wheelchair, a large orange cat in his lap. It’s Lester, and the thin man pushing the wheelchair is none other than Charlie. He still looks frail, but the fact that he’s up and about—and Colonel Mustard is still around—makes my heart ache. I immediately head for them, and before I can even get there, Charlie is moving toward me, his arms out for a hug.
I wrap my arms around the older man, painfully aware of how fragile he is. “Charlie.”
“Son. You’re back.”
Son. Fuck. That single word shouldn’t get me as much as it does, but my nose gets a tickle in it and I swallow the knot in my throat. “Yeah.” There’s so much more that I want to say to him. That I missed him and worried about him. That I’m glad he’s back to himself. That I went through hell to get the cats just because I wanted to put a smile on his face. That him calling me “son” makes me feel a million things, but all I manage to choke out is that single “yeah.”
Charlie glances over at Teva, who stands in the courtyard surrounded by a few of the children, a look of delight on her face as a young mother introduces her to a squirming baby. “I see you brought a friend home with you.”
“She’s my mate.”
“Back in my day we called those ‘wives,’” Lester says with a surly tone.
“She’s drakoni. They’re a little different.”
Charlie chuckles and claps my shoulder. “We have eyes. And as for being different, as long as she makes you happy, she’s a daughter to me.”
Ah hell. And there goes that knot in my throat again. I clear it, coughing politely into my hand, and focus on the cat in Lester’s lap. “I see our feline friends made it back.”
Lester nods, his hand on the cat, petting the raggedy fur. “Andi and the golden boy brought them to us. What’s his name?”
“Liam,” Charlie says with a nod. He grins at me. “Said you were running around with a pretty girl trying to impress her and you’d be back later, once you wooed her.”
I snort with amusement. “He said all that?”
“More or less.” He smiles and touches my shoulder again and again,
and I suspect I’m not the only one with things left unsaid. “You didn’t have to go after them, Gabe.”
“They’re family, right?” I reach out to touch Colonel Mustard’s ear and the cat shies away from me, burying his face against Lester’s chest instead. “Sometimes that’s all you’ve got and you have to protect it.”
I don’t say that it was more about Charlie than the cats. It doesn’t need to be said. The important thing is the smile on Charlie’s face.
“Well now,” Charlie says, his eyes suspiciously wet. “Are you going to introduce us to your young lady?”
“I am,” I say proudly. “Come and meet Teva.”
27
GABE
Teva is introduced to each person in the fort before the sun sets and everyone piles into the cafeteria for a candle-lit dinner. She seems a bit overwhelmed at all the people, her nostrils working, and I know her sense of smell probably bothers her. It’s ten times more sensitive than my own, and I remember what people smelled like back when things like deodorant and regular hot showers weren’t luxuries.
I do not mind, Teva tells me. If Rast can get used to it, I can get used to it.
Other than that, her thoughts bubble through my mind and they’re happy ones. There’s no chaos, no confusion, no anger.
I thought a human hive would be different, she admits. They are loud and smelly but they are people. And there are so many babies.
If there’s one thing humans are good at, it’s making babies, I tease.
I hope we make one, she tells me, and a flurry of sexual thoughts race through my mind.
We can give it the old college try tonight.
Does that mean more than once?
At least two or three, I tell her, liking that we can have a filthy conversation and not say anything aloud. Is this how prim-seeming Amy is with Rast? Or Liam and Andi? It’s a nice benefit I never thought of, the ultimate in secretive dirty talk, and it appeals to my baser senses. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about having someone else’s mind connected to mine at all times, but Teva doesn’t pry and I find the connection makes me feel less lonely overall.
