We leave for the city the next morning. We have to take the news of the invaders back to Rosalind and the others, along with the New Villagers' softening stance over some kind of alliance or at least trade agreement. There is no time to waste.

As we pack up the rover, Jackson and a few villagers gather to make their farewells. Saying our send-off from the New Village is warm would be overstating matters, but it is undoubtedly warmer than the reception we received on our arrival.

"Let Rosalind know we would like to expedite the process of the exchange," Jackson says as we stand ready to climb into the vehicle. "I do not want to wait so long that the point might become moot," he says grimly.

We all know what he means by that.

"We will," Kate reassures him. "If she agrees to the trade—and I have a feeling she will—you won't be out here alone for long."

He nods, stepping back.

"Have a safe journey."

"Thank you."

We all wave goodbye to those who have gathered to see us off and then climb into the rover, ready to leave.

"Let's hit the road," Kate mutters, starting it up and turning it in a wide circle.

Within moments, we are already a good distance away from the village and all of the politics we had to deal with for days. I feel my shoulders relax for the first time since we arrived at the mining settlement.

"Man, I'm really glad to be out of there," Fallon announces, sighing. "It was so tiring to always be watching what I was saying, keeping an eye over my shoulder in case someone decided getting rid of us was a good idea."

"I hear you," Kate agrees. "And if one more person glared at me when I touched Errol...let's just say I'm glad we're out of there," she finishes, reaching out to pat Errol's thigh.

He covers Kate's hand with his own.

"Agreed."

"Yes. It was not an easy trip," I add.

The mood is one of recovery. We accomplished what we set out to do. Now we can relax somewhat. We travel for hours, stopping only for necessary breaks. None of us want the trip to be longer than necessary. But, eventually, the suns start their downward trajectory once more.

"I think we can travel for another hour before we must stop for the night," Errol observes. "Unless there is some good shelter nearby?"

"I can go do a quick scout," I offer. "I believe there might be some rock formations in this direction."

"I can come with you," Fallon chimes in immediately. "I want to stretch my legs too after sitting for so long."

Errol and Kate exchange a knowing glance. I do not mind. I want everyone to know we are together.

"All right," Kate says easily. "Don't go too far—we should get a move on to find another location if there's nothing good nearby."

"We will be quick," I reassure her.

Fallon follows me over the dune I gestured at. We are out of sight of the others and the rover almost immediately, but I automatically keep track of our direction and distance. It is a simple matter to lose oneself in the desert. Being aware of that fact is a kind of protection in and of itself.

"How far are these rock formations?" Fallon asks as she walks along beside me. "Maybe it would be better if—"

Something slams into the sand in front of us, hard and fast, sending a pelting spray up. My hearts immediately start racing.

Meteorites.

They are an all-too-familiar phenomenon now. I look up, seeing the grouping of burning rocks blackening the sky above us.

"Arawn!" Fallon cries out, ducking as another one hits the sand nearby.

There is no time to plan.

Fallon is within arm's length, so I reach out and pull her to me, picking up her negligible weight. Flaring my wings out to protect her from the rocks falling all around us, I start to run in the direction I think the shelter is—and hope my memory has not failed me.

A rock hits the shield of my wings, the searing pain of the flame and the impact making me wince even as I continue to run.

"Arawn! Your wings!" Fallon gasps. "They're getting burned!"

She shifts in my arms as if to leave them, but I tighten my hold on her.

"I will be fine," I reassure her, pushing the pain back as another rock batters my wings. "Do not struggle—I will be hurt far worse if you are hurt."

She stills, her body trembling slightly in my arms, but she does not struggle again.

I run as fast as I can, unable to properly use my wings to propel us forward because I need them spread to protect Fallon. But I travel quickly even so.

"There!" Fallon cries out over the sound of the rocks hitting the ground. "Rocks!"

I turn in the direction she is pointing, so focused on speed that I didn't at first notice the rocks. I put on another burst of speed, the burning in my wings growing worse. The pain is bad, but I am more worried that my wings will crumple under the onslaught, leaving Fallon vulnerable. That is unacceptable.

"Hold on tightly," I order, adjusting my hold on her so I can lengthen my stride.

As we draw closer, I see an area where there appears to be a series of caverns in the large rock formation, most of them appearing shallow. One looks as though it is quite deep.

I aim for that one with that last burst of speed. I stumble in, catching my balance quickly, grimacing as I gingerly put Fallon down.

Fallon hisses as she steps around me to look at my wings.

"I wish we had something to put on them," she murmurs, touching the edge of one wing. "I don't like that we're separated from Kate and Errol either. Maybe one of them would know what to do." A flash of concern crosses her face. "I hope they're okay."

I take a deep breath, happy that she is now out of danger. I look around the cavern. It looks somewhat familiar, though the memory is old. Very old.

"Do not worry—I know Errol would have gotten Kate to safety, likely using the rover. We will find them again after the storm passes." I glance around once more, hazy memory resurfacing. "And I believe there might be a spring deeper in this cavern," I say out loud.

Perhaps my memories aimed me here for that reason.

"Water?" Fallon asks, perking up. "That's exactly what we need for your wings. Come on!"

Taking my hand in hers, she starts tugging me deeper into the cave. I allow her to do so, my eyes sharp as I watch where she is putting her feet and what is directly ahead of us. It is not unheard of to find creatures lurking in natural shelters just like this one. Sometimes dangerous ones.

We hear a small skittering at one point, but it is clearly a small creature. Fallon jumps at the sound all the same.

"It is no danger to us," I reassure her. "And I believe the spring is just ahead," I add to distract her.

I am right about the spring.

We turn around a natural bend, the smell of fresh water permeating this short corridor, and the sound of its trickling echoing before reaching our ears. Fallon speeds up.

The end of the narrower tunnel opens up into a much larger cavern room. Light streams in from narrow cracks above, though none of them are very wide, making it safe even in the meteorite shower.

In the center of the cave, there is a wide spring, filled with fresh water filtered through the rock, clear and clean.

Along the edges, taking advantage of the water source and the light streaming in, are small bushes growing nefetter fruit. Shaped like two connected globes and red in color when ripe, the fruit is known for both its sweetness and its filling quality.

"Oh, wow. This place is gorgeous," Fallon says, her eyes wide as they look around.

"Yes," I agree. "And we can eat the fruit as well."

"Really?" she glances at the fruit, considering, but then shakes her head. "First, we need to see to your wings. Come on—you have to undress."

I do not argue as she helps me take my clothes off. Not when she takes hers off directly after to join me in the water.

"Perhaps I should find myself in a meteorite shower more often," I tease as she carefully cups water and lets it run over my wings, the cooling sensation very welcome. As is the sight of her bared breasts swaying with her movements. Unable to resist, I reach out to cup the soft curves, enamored with them since I first saw them. Fallon stills, blushing as she meets my eyes.

"You're hurt," she murmurs.

"I am not that hurt," I counter, drawing her into my arms. "My wings feel better. Thank you."

She settles her hands on my chest.

"I still don't think it's a good idea to..."

She trails off with a sigh as I lift her to my mouth, settling the matter with a kiss. I can still feel my hearts beating faster than normal from being caught outside in the meteorite shower. And the thrill of being alive. I cannot think of a better way to celebrate than with my mate.

Mate.

It could not be clearer that Fallon is exactly that to me.

My mate.

The realization settles into me with a sense of rightness as I urge her to wrap her legs around my waist, my mouth still playing over hers. The warmth that meets my cock, the wetness signaling her readiness, make me groan. I push in gently, but firmly, using small strokes to make room for myself in her. I have to be patient. She is so small, so delicate.

She breaks the kiss, crying out, "Arawn!"

Her fingers dig into my shoulders as I push in to the hilt. I grit my teeth as I feel the tight clasp of her over my entire length. Gripping her hips in my hands, I lift her up off my cock. And then back down. She gasps, and I groan.

I can go even deeper into her at this angle. The coupling is deep and slow. I force myself to rein in my thrusts, wanting it to last. Fallon's eyes are closed, her cheeks flushed, her teeth biting into her soft bottom lip as she makes small mewling cries that have my cock jerking inside her. I do not last long despite my effort at restraint.

Reaching between us, I rub at her small nub as I feel my orgasm begin, not wanting to leave her behind. She cries out, bucking against me, clenching down on me hard. I shudder, pulling her down on me all the way, seating myself deeply. The pleasure is so great I have to spread my legs, brace myself so I do not tumble us both into the water.

It takes some time for me to catch my breath, for my muscles to stop their trembling. Once I am steady, I wade in deeper with Fallon still in my arms, allowing the spring to wash us, to soothe my wings. We drift in the water for a few moments, enjoying the sensation, but then Fallon's belly growls with hunger.

"I will go get the fruit," I say, kissing her forehead.

So we climb out and Fallon sits along the edge of the water as I go to the wall of the cavern. The bushes grow along the wall near the water, turning to vines halfway up. The ripe fruit is on those vines, the fruit more easily accessible still green.

Spreading my wings, I leap up to reach the edible fruit and start gathering it, feeling my wings spasm with the effort. But the pain has subsided to a dull ache rather than the searing pain of earlier.

Fallon helps me carry the fruit back to where I first left her.

"You shouldn't have done so much with your wings," she admonishes. "Don't hurt yourself more if you don't have to."

Her concern is only because she cares, and I savor the evidence of that.

"I am fine," I reassure her as I peel one of the fruits. "Here—taste this. I know you will find it delicious."

She takes the peeled, pale pink fruit, letting out a squeak of surprise as it almost slips out of her hands.

"Careful," I warn as I start to peel another, chuckling a bit.

She nods, cupping it carefully as she takes a tentative bite of the nefetter. Her eyes widen.

"Oh, this is really good!" she exclaims, taking a bigger bite.

I grin, pleased at her pleasure.

"Yes. We are quite lucky to have found so much of it here."

She nods enthusiastically.

"I would never have been able to reach the fruit that high up," she says, glancing along the wall. "Thank you, Arawn." She looks at me seriously, reaching out to cover my hand with her own. "For the fruit, for saving me. Again."

I shake my head, handing her more fruit and squeezing her hand.

"I will always put your life before mine, Fallon."

She searches my eyes, nodding.

"I would do the same for you," she murmurs. "I've never felt this way about anyone. Not even my father," she adds with a trembling smile

I know she tells the truth. I raise her hand and kiss it softly.

"Then I know you have given me a true treasure," I say, holding her hand tightly.

She tells me more as we eat the sweet fruit. About life on the ship. About her relationship with her father. About her mother and how she abdicated all responsibility after she gave birth.

"Sorry," Fallon says, chuckling as she looks away, though it is without humor. "I don't know why I'm dumping all of this on you."

"I want to hear it," I reassure her. "I want to know everything about you."

She meets my eyes again.

"Well, you now officially know more than anyone else," she tells me with a trembling smile.

I pull her into a tight hug, wanting to take all of her pain. Knowing it is part of what formed her, part of what created the wonderful person she is today. I feel us grow even closer that night, as we lie down together to wait until the meteorite storm has passed. I tell her about myself, about my first hunt. About my family.

I feel every word we say binding us closer, small threads that combine to make a sturdy rope.