I leave the city and travel out to the desert around it. I judge the distance carefully, stopping when I believe I have hit the estimate we agreed upon. Lifting the communication device to my mouth, I attempt to make contact.

"Do you hear me?"

I expect to wait a beat, but Addison's voice comes out crystal clear almost instantly.

"Yes! Yes, we do hear you! Woohoo!"

I grin as hear the commotion in the background as everyone begins to celebrate. Errol, Addison, and the rest of the team working on the technology aspect have been toiling tirelessly to integrate the meteorite glass. The comm-receiver is the first piece they've managed to successfully resurrect.

Now that we know it works outside the city limits, we can test it incrementally farther. The ability to communicate across distances...

It would improve the lives of nearly everyone on Tajss.

It would make the meetings we are currently embroiled in between the Tribe, the city, and the mining settlement infinitely simpler if representatives did not have to physically be in the same area.

It could also be lifesaving if any one of the settlements requires aid in a timely manner. We cannot shorten the distances between the three points but having instantaneous communication would effectively cut the time it would take for aid to reach those in need in half.

"Come back, Arawn," Errol says, taking the comm device from Addison. "We will need to go in teams to travel out any farther."

"I am coming."

Currently, I am still in sight of the guards in charge of keeping a lookout, watchful for threats. But any farther would indeed be a risk, and Fallon would not be happy with me if I take it.

I am smiling as I travel back to the city, thinking of my beautiful mate.

When we announced our plans to have a mating ceremony of our own, resistance was surprisingly difficult to find.

"They have bigger things to worry about right now," Fallon had commented, a twinkle in her eye. "They don't care about the mating ceremony anymore."

"Perhaps," I acknowledged. "It is a bad time to quibble over things that do not matter to anyone else really."

Since the multiple attacks we have already experienced, all of the settlements have prioritized meetings and working together. Even the New Village hasn't raised the fuss they usually do. They cannot deny that the human-and-Zmaj-populated territories need to be united if we have any chance of neutralizing the threat of the invaders.

That threat has settled over us like a sickness waiting to strike. If we are to survive, we must work together. It is an undeniable reality.

Once in the city, I hurry towards the building the tech team is in, wanting to get back to Fallon. She is currently spending time with the other females she is close to. I was glad when she agreed to come with me to the city, glad she had people she likes to visit here. I feel too anxious leaving her behind with the Tribe after the attacks we have already faced there. I clench my jaw. It is a grim time indeed when I do not feel secure leaving my mate with the Tribe. But this is how it will be until we figure out a solution.

I reach the correct building and bound up the steps to the correct floor. The atmosphere is decidedly excited.

"Stay, we are going to celebrate," Errol urges, taking the device from me when I offer it.

I shake my head. "Fallon is likely waiting for me."

"Ah." He smiles. "I understand."

"Yeah, we do," Addison calls out, wagging her brows at me.

I shake my head, laughing as I leave the room. I do not mind the teasing. In fact, I enjoy it. Everyone thinks of Fallon and me as a unit now. Which is exactly as it should be.

I hurry back to the apartment we stay in while in the city, worrying if Fallon is back yet. I feel my chest fill with warmth when she opens the door to me.

"Hello," she greets me, smiling as she tugs me inside. "How did the test go?"

"Perfectly." I pull her into my arms and give her the kiss I've been thinking about giving her since I left.

"Hmm." She wraps her arms around my neck and kisses me back. When she breaks it, we are both breathing hard. "I love you, Arawn," she says huskily.

I feel my chest fill with that same all-encompassing emotion, so beautiful it almost hurts.

"I love you, Fallon," I murmur, cupping her face.

I trace her beloved features with my eyes. This is why I work so hard to contribute to the Tribe, to contribute to our settlements as I can. I need to keep Fallon safe. And to keep her safe...we all need to work together.

We all need to be strong.

And I will do everything in my power to ensure we are.